Of course, there are the veterans in this industry: the ones we look up to, the ones that paved the way, the ones that we will always count as the greats. But what about the new class of artists beginning to make their mark on CCM? Alongside the Steven Curtis Chapmans and Amy Grants of the genre, there is a new group rising up and making their voice heard in bold ways. Through standout debut albums and breakthrough radio singles, it seems the torch is being passed to a new crew of artists ready to take the world by storm with their own unique sounds and stories.
 
Inspired by Zach Williams releasing his powerful debut full-length album Chain Breaker this month, we've gathered a list of some of the newcomers who are already dominating the industry. Pay close attention to these guys in 2017 as they continue to step into their roles as the new class of Christian music.
 
1. Zach Williams
There are certain songs that, the first time you hear them, you just know are going to be something special. Zach Williams' "Chain Breaker" was one of those for me and, apparently, for a lot of others too. The single quickly shot to No. 1 on the Christian AC charts and stayed there for a few weeks, finally gaining Williams a GRAMMY nomination for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song. Set to tour this spring with Big Daddy Weave and We Are Messengers, Zach's debut EP showed a lot of promise for the rock-toned worship artist, promise that delivered with the full-length album available now.
 
2. Jordan Feliz 
It would be impossible to write this list without talking about Jordan Feliz. Few artists have broken into the industry with as much force as Jordan, first with his mega hit "The River" and then with the remarkable debut album of the same name, gaining a huge fanbase while maintaining a sound that is far above that of a new artist. Follow-up radio singles "Best Of Me," "Never Too Far Gone" and "Beloved" have kept the seemingly unstoppable streak of hits going, each one finding a home with listeners as it becomes increasingly clear how creative an artist Jordan is. With his soul/pop blended style, versatile vocals and encouraging lyrics, what we've seen from Jordan thus far makes quite the promise for a long and successful career. 
 
3. David Dunn
One of my favorite new artists, David Dunn grabbed my attention with his debut EP and then followed up with a 2015 full-length release. A rare display of a freshman artist whose debut already felt sure of its sound/style instead of taking a few releases to figure it out, David's catchy hooks and memorable pop melodies paired with his unique and truly captivating voice made him someone I couldn't wait to hear more from. His sophomore project Yellow Balloons releases next month, and it holds all the same elements (and more) that made his debut an album to take note of. Lead single "I Wanna Go Back" is still making waves at radio and finally gaining David the attention his artistry deserves, with the soon-to-be-released album only helping secure his place as one of the best (and maybe even one of the most underrated) voices in the industry right now. 
 
4. Tauren Wells
As part of Royal Tailor, Tauren Wells has already made his mark on CCM. Now as a solo artist, Tauren is ready to go again. After Royal Tailor disbanded in early 2016, Tauren re-signed to Provident Label Group and released his first single on his own, "Undefeated." In September, Tauren shared his debut EP of the same name, and the radio single "Love Is Action" began to see positive reaction from fans who were more than happy to be hearing new music. Tauren spent last fall touring his EP with fellow powerhouse vocalists Danny Gokey and Natalie Grant, with the promise of a full-length release set to make its appearance early this year. If what's to come from the passionate artist is anything like what we've already seen, Tauren is sure to be an unstoppable force in CCM. 
 
5. Danny Gokey
Probably the artist on this list who can least be considered "new," I feel Danny Gokey still fits here because it seems he's only now being given the recognition he (and his phenomenal voice) deserves. Following his third place finish on the eighth season of American Idol in 2009, Danny released his debut country album and found a hit with its title track "My Best Days Are Ahead Of Me." He went quiet for a while after that release, but much to the excitement of fans he made a comeback in the CCM realm with 2014's Hope In Front Of Me. Once again, the title track was a mega hit as it inspired listeners with Danny's backstory of tragic loss and redeeming hope. The soulful, heartfelt album offered many anthems of bold faith in dark moments, much like his newest release Rise, a project that continues those same themes and pulls out even more encouragement for the hard times of life. With tangible emotion in his voice and honesty in every lyric, Danny finds another home-run with Rise as he keeps relaying hope through his music.
 
6. Matthew Parker
Matthew Parker may not be a household name yet, but we firmly believe big things are ahead for the EDM artist. Matthew has been interested in music since he was 12, but as he grew up, he discovered his passion and talent for making electronic music. Adventure, his second full-length project under Dream Records' EDM branch, released last fall and held "colorful synths, whimsical melodies and larger-than-life bass drops" that capture the listener's attention in an effort to increase the caliber of Christian EDM. 
 
7. Stars Go Dim
Stars Go Dim appeared in the CCM world with their 2015 full-length release, an album that connected with fans through their debut single "You Are Loved," a message of self-value to every listener, and current encouraging single "Walking Like Giants." Their spot on the 2016 Winter Jam Tour further launched them into the eyes of fans through their high-energy set punctuated by worship moments mixed in to give the crowd a good balance between pop and praise. Their hope-filled debut centers on themes of identity and strength in Christ and shows promise for the group heading toward their sophomore release. 
 
8. We Are Messengers
One thing I value above everything else in an artist, over fun melodies or catchy tunes or great stage presence, is a genuine heart. I firmly believe that if you aren't in it for the right reason--to glorify God and bring honor to His name alone--your career will never be all that it should be. One group that displays this humility and authenticity like few others I've ever seen is We Are Messengers. The band, fronted by Irishman Darren Mulligan, was introduced to fans on last year's Winter Jam Tour and hasn't slowed down since. They made an automatic connection with listeners through their high-energy, worship-packed live show and poppy radio debut "Everything Comes Alive." With sonic variety in their debut self-titled album, We Are Messengers quickly proved to be an act to watch as each song further secured their space as one of the best new groups in CCM. The perfect combination of talent and heart, we can't wait to see what comes next from Darren and the guys.
 
9. Joel Vaughn
Joel Vaughn teamed up with David and Jonathan Thulin for his 2015 self-titled EP, the product of his country music roots colliding with his love for pop music. The EP was a strong display of Joel finding his own sound, mixing upbeat gems with powerful ballads that introduced fans to what's to come from the talented artist. His full-length project Kinetic followed suit and was said to be a "breath of fresh air to modern worship music." All leading up to his Surrender EP, releasing this week and previewing now exclusively on NewReleaseToday.com. The EP throws together pop, EDM and worship elements to create another captivating work of art that continues to hold down Joel's spot as one of the most promising new artists in CCM.
 
10. Hollyn
Gotee's latest signee made a bold entrance into the industry, first with her feature on TobyMac's "Backseat Driver" and then with her debut single "Alone." Her powerhouse vocals and gospel-tinted pop sound made her an automatic fan favorite as her self-titled EP was near flawless. Incredible craftsmanship of both lyrics and beats carried her radio single to the top of the charts, and she later found the same success with recent single "Love With Your Life." Hollyn just announced her debut full-length project, One Way Conversations, to release next month. The track list boasts a variety of guest appearances and promises big things from the young, vibrant artist who seems to have the world at her fingertips. 
 
11. Love & The Outcome
Another artist here that isn't totally a new act, it looks like 2017 will be a strong year for Love & The Outcome. The husband/wife duo sold everything and left their home in Canada to pursue their music career in Nashville, Tennessee. Signing to Word Records in 2013, the couple released their debut album to much critical acclaim as singles "He Is With Us" and "King Of My Heart" gathered a fanbase who fell in love with their pop sound and encouraging songwriting. Their sophomore project These Are The Days released late last year as celebratory single "The God I Know" captivated fans all over again and set Love & The Outcome back at the top of their game. 
 
12. Lauren Daigle
Maybe the biggest name on this list, it's hard to believe Lauren Daigle is still considered a new artist and still riding the success of her debut album. Someone who seemed to become a household name overnight, Lauren's powerful debut single "How Can It Be" exploded at Christian radio and garnered plenty of attention from fans and industry alike. The GRAMMY-nominated/Dove Award-winning song took Daigle's career to incredible places within her first year as a Centricity Music signee as she captured the attention of listeners with her bold, smoky voice and worship anthems for the world. Now with a Christmas album, countless television appearances, awards show performances, successful radio singles, noteworthy tour spots and much more behind her, it feels like a sure thing to say that Lauren Daigle definitely leads the new class of Christian music going into 2017.
 
13. Micah Tyler
Micah Tyler showed a lot of promise with his debut EP at the end of last year. Holding a wide range of stylistic approaches including pop, rock, southern and worship, Micah has the voice and talent to pull them all off well. The breakout single "Never Been A Moment" caught my attention the first time I heard it on the radio with its pop tune that immediately got stuck in my head and the autobiographical lyrics that displayed Micah's songwriting skills. Micah's grungy vocals carry the song well, much like they do on each well-produced track throughout the rest of the EP, making me expectant for what's to come from the new artist this year.