One of the first Asian-American singers in the country format, Alison Nichols proudly calls herself “half Korean, half redneck, and 100% American.” From Georgia by way of Texas (and cousin to the late Joe Diffie), she grew up on country classics while drawing inspiration from modern trailblazers like Miranda Lambert, Taylor Swift, and HARDY. With a voice that’s equal parts sass and vulnerability and a knack for storytelling that resonates across generations, Nichols has quickly carved out her own lane. Her breakout releases “is it just me?” and “HOOPS” established her as one to watch, and with “John Deere Green,” out November 7, she now honors both family legacy and the genre she was raised on.