“If I had to put all my money on one guy out there that’s the ‘next big thing,’” noted Whiskeyriff’s Steve Gazibara, “it’s Ryan Hurd.” Hurd made the blog’s roundup of “14 New Artists on Their Way to Superstardom,” and it’s no surprise: The Triple 8-repped, Michigan-born troubadour penned tunes for an array of Nashville stars, including a #1 for Blake Shelton and songs recorded by Florida Georgia Line, Dierks Bentley, Jake Owen, Brothers Osbourne, Darius Rucker, Eli Young Band and blazing newcomer Maren Morris. As a performer in his own right, meanwhile, Hurd is commanding raves. He styles himself a storyteller, and his own story's just beginning. Check him out.