DBradbery Cover

NYCS First Impression: Danielle Bradbery ‘I Don’t Believe We’ve Met’

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Danielle Bradbery NYCS

From first listen, Danielle Bradbery’s latest album is a remarkable testament to the artist who is finally choosing her own path. “I didn’t know myself as a person back then,” Bradbery says of her teenage years. “I didn’t know my sound yet. Now I want to talk about real things. I want to be honest.” the singer says of evolving after her stint on the singing competition The Voice.  As a 16-year-old, Bradbery took the reality competition by storm with her strong vocal ability and sweet nature.  Now, 21, she understands the importance of being honest with yourself and making the music that you feel represents you.

At her album release party in NYC on Wednesday night, Bradbery explained to us before taking the stage  “This album is a huge growing up process, for this album, 16 to now 21 is a huge gap that you have to figure out and that is exactly what I did.”

The Texas native co-wrote 7 of the 10 tracks on I Don’t Believe We’ve Met, making each lyric personal to her story. The most intimate song, “Human Diary” is an intimate look at a breakup and all of the things you lose, feeling exposed and raw.  The lead single “Sway” is a perfect groove, introducing the new sound from The Voice alum.

“What Are We Doing” could easily find itself on any pop music chart sitting next to Justin Beiber, highlighting the back and forth of a modern-day relationship. Bradbery’s vocal chops bring new life to the simplest lyric including the female empowering, “Worth It”, her favorite on the album.  Fans of all ages can relate to the message Bradbery is singing about.  Sonically, the project fits in perfectly with the pop-country vibes that have catapulted young female artists to the country charts including Lauren Alaina and Carly Pearce. Be on the look out for more great things from this emerging country artist and grab I Don’t Believe We’ve Met on iTunes.

 

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NYCS First Impression: Tim McGraw & Faith Hill ‘The Rest of Our Life’

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Faith Hill Tim McGraw

It has been a long time coming but it is finally here, a full album of duets between country royalty Faith Hill and Tim McGraw. Their marriage, 21 years and three beautiful daughters is a testament to love and that is expressed in The Rest of Our Life.  

Each song on the project allows the power couple to shine separately as well as together embracing heartbreak, respect and a lifelong love story. The record is dripping with romance which is only heightened by the duos epic harmonies especially on the title track,  “The Bed We Made”, and “Cowboy Lullaby”.

The first single “Speak to a Girl” which happens to be extremely relevant in current times is about respecting women the way that women and girls should expect to be treated.  The record showcases different phases in a relationship, especially highlighting a more mature, marriage which is a missing niche in country radio today.  Each of the songs lends well to the duos live Soul2Soul show where Hill takes the lead and is supported by her husband and vice versa.

McGraw and Hill extended their Soul2Soul tour throughout 2018 and they return to NYC on June 14th.  For tickets and more info check out soul2soultour.com/tour and grab The Rest of Our Life on iTunes.

 

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NYCS First Impression: Chase Rice ‘Lambs & Lions’

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Chase Rice

Chase Rice released his third studio album today, Lambs & Lions, on Broken Bow Records.  After three years, Rice is excited to finally release a full-length album filled with music he is proud of, for his fans. “I was fed up with trying, whether that was trying to be something I’m not, trying to make music that people said I should make or trying to make music I felt people wanted to hear. Instead, I decided I’m going to make music that I needed to hear,” He says in a recent press release.  Co-writing 7 of the songs, Rice has put his personal stamp on the LP.

The 10-track Lambs & Lions is a culmination of a maturing artist, creating music with a new label who supports his vision.  “Saved Me” and “Eyes on You”  are standouts, giving an ode to love, faith and small towns.  The first single, released earlier this year “Three Chords & the Truth” is currently sitting in the top 40 on the Country Airplay charts.

“I see you blinking through your blue eyes / How a song can turn back time / You can almost feel the sand on your feet / From the passenger seat / Singing “Anything But Mine”  / And don’t you know we were raised on the radio”

Rodney Clawson and Jamie Moore, writers on “Amen”, spin a beautiful image and testament to faith.  A gospel choir backs Rice’s delicate delivery, filling even the non-believer with conviction.  To close out the album Rice does an impressive, modern day cover of Chris LaDoux’s classic “This Cowboy’s Hat” which even features Chris’ son Ned. The Carolina native does have one party song on the record, “Jack Daniels Showed Up”, a high energy drinkin’ song that will be a great tune for his live set.  Grab Lambs & Lions on iTunes and grab tickets to his show at Terminal 5 on January 18th here.

 

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Lee Brice Album

NYCS First Impression: Lee Brice Releases Self-Titled Album

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Lee Brice Album

Lee Brice released his fourth studio album on Friday, a self-titled project which he says is his most personal album yet.  The 38-year-old and father of three wrote 11 of the 15 tracks on the project, recounting his family, his friends and his gratitude for the life he is living. Whether it’s “Boy” which is an ode to being the father of two young men or “The Best Part Of Me” which closes out the record and is dedicated to his baby girl, both showcase the love a father has for his children, a reality Brice is currently living.

The album features plenty of songs that will lend well to Brice’s live show including “American Nights”, “I Don’t Smoke”, “The Locals” and “Little Things”.  Brice has a way of engaging fans with his powerful voice, commanding stage presence, and anthemic songs to sing-along with.  While listening, you can see fans holding up a beer or waving an American flag in a packed venue.

A definite stand-out is “Songs in the Kitchen” a nostalgia-filled tune set to a background harmonica groove.

“All my dreams came true, my songs took me far away / now I’m singing em every night in these bright lights upon this stage /  if you catch me close my eyes, every now and then, to tell you the truth / I’m probably just missin’ songs in the kitchen / songs in the car, songs from the heart.”

Each song on the record reflects a different sentiment but all are relatable and will touch your heart.  Brice’s delivery of the songs make the lyrics impactful and he continues to impress with his determination to deliver full, well-rounded albums to his fans.  Grab the album on iTunes here and check out his remaining  2017 tour dates here.

 

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NYCS First Impression: Kelsea Ballerini Releases ‘Unapologetically’

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Kelsea Ballerini

After her debut album soared and the first three songs she released hit the top of the charts, one of the most highly anticipated albums of the year is Kelsea Ballerini’s follow-up record, Unapologetically. With what seems like a bit of a whirlwind career in such a short time, Ballerini has written her music alongside some of the industry’s best songwriters for years, perfecting her craft and building her fan base.

The sophomore project features a deeper look into who Ballerini is, her persona and will have fans of “Yeah Boy” and “Love Me Like You Mean It” loving her new spin on her pop-country princess-vibes.  It feels like this record has evolved with Ballerini herself, going from liking boys to loving them, leaving childish things behind and growing up to be a strong adult in the music business.  Releasing The First Time when she was merely 21 years old, those next few years of your life are crucial to shaping who you will be and what your career looks like.  For Ballerini, writing about her life and what she is going through comes naturally. “It starts with loss, and it goes into life, and then it goes into love; it’s the story of my life over the last few years,” she says of the record.

The album truly follows in that order, if you listen straight through it tells like a good novel, starting with breakups, finding yourself again and then eventually opening up to a new love.

Kicking off the album, “Graveyard” and “Miss Me More” are a refreshing look at a break-up song, deciding to choose yourself over a relationship that isn’t working. It’s a strong outlook to give the young girls who fill out Ballerini’s fan base. “High School” and “In Between” are definite highlights on Unapologetically,  the lyrics are honest, raw and illustrate how best to navigate growing up.   The latter takes a close look at those years between childhood and adulthood where life can be confusing, something that a ton of her fans will identify with.

Sometimes I’m my mother’s daughter, sometimes I’m her friend / sometimes I play grown up and sometimes I play pretend / Sometimes I’m a princess dressed all ribbons and all curls and sometimes I just want to scream I’m not a little girl /  Dumb enough to think I know it all, smart enough to know I don’t / Young enough to think I’ll live forever, old enough to know I won’t / In the in between”

Other stand-outs are the first single off the project, “Legends” which is the last track on the album and “I Hate Love Songs”, a real look at the sappy songs dedicated to love, she flips the concept on its head. Ballerini gets real about hearts skipping a beat and the cliche’ of Cupid and honeymoon phase. “I hate love songs, yeah I really do, I hate love songs, but I love you”. With her pending nuptials quickly approaching the twist on the classic romantic song.

Ballerini stays true to her self, to her story and true to the career that she has shaped thus far with Unapologetically by releasing a cohesive, well-rounded album.  Instead of a few hit singles, the album as a whole is a great listen from the first track to the last. Grab Unapologetically on iTunes here. 

 

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Blake Shelton Texoma Shore

NYCS First Impression: Blake Shelton’s ‘Texoma Shore’

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Blake Shelton Texoma Shore

Blake Shelton has released his 11th studio album Texoma Shore today, the culmination of his 10 previous albums, bringing him back to his roots and to the traditional country genre.  The title is derived from Lake Texoma on the border of Texas and his home state of Oklahoma. The project was recorded right near the lake, making the title relevant for many reasons.

Texoma Shore is light and playful featuring happy songs that imitate where he is in his life.  His undeniable twang allows for the traditional country sound throughout the project.  Majority of the tracks highlight affection, for instance, the first 7 songs all reflect on romance and being lucky in love (“Money”, “Beside You Babe”, “Why Me”). His current single and the first off of Texoma Shore, “I’ll Name the Dogs” is reminiscent of his number one single “Honeybee”.  “When you listen to the record, it will go from something traditional to something that will make your head spin, back to something even more traditional,” says Shelton in a recent press release. “That’s just what you can expect from one of my albums.”

A stand-out on the record, “The Wave” features strong imagery and can be the perfect wedding song for 2018.

“I was a boat trapped in a bottle, dying for water, you were the ocean  / I was a compass that couldn’t find heaven, I didn’t know how bad I was broken / I was a castaway with no land /  I drew a broken heart in the sand and you were the wave that washed it all away”

Plenty of Nashville’s greatest songwriters are featured on the album including Ben Hayslip (“I’ll Name the Dogs”, “I Lived It”) Ashley Gorley (“Why Me”) and Rhett Akins (“When the Wine Wears Off”).  Shelton only co-wrote one song on the record, (“Turnin’ Me On”) with Josh Osborne and Jessi Alexander, which features a subtle reference to his current girlfriend, pop-star Gwen Stefani’s Revlon partnership, and her bold red lips.

“Knows how to set me on fire, she’s always holdin’ the match / And when my body’s beside hers, there ain’t no turnin’ back / She’s Revlon red in the blackest night, lighting up the room in the world just like she’s turnin’ me on.” 

Along with his album release week, Shelton announced on Monday his latest tour which will kick off in March.  The Country Music Freaks Tour  is hitting cities across the US and he is bringing Trace Adkins, Brett Eldredge, and Carly Pearce along for the ride.

 

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Granger Smith

NYCS First Impression: Granger Smith ‘When the Good Guys Win’

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Granger Smith

 

Granger Smith’s latest album, When the Good Guys Win is available everywhere today.  While his last record Remington featured only songs Smith wrote, this album leans away from that a bit, letting the best song win and features a mix of songs from many different writers.  He decided to be the voice of some great songs written by Frank Rogers, Ben Hayslip, Tommy Cecil and Seth Ennis.  Smith, however, did co-write eight of the fourteen tracks making this project well rounded and unapologetically honest.

The first single off of the project, “Happens Like That” was written by  Smith along with Jordan M. Schmidt, Andrew Albert, Justin Wilson and Florida Georgia Line’s Tyler Hubbard. It is currently sitting in the top 40 on the country charts and is only the first of probably many from the project that will take to country radio.

 

 

His giant fan base, known as “Yee Yee Nation” has organically grown over his career and this record will allow his audience to dig deep into the next phase of his career.  All of the songs have a strong tie to love, faith and being grateful for what life has given you. While “Everybody Lives”, “Reppin’ My Roots” and “Home Cooked Meal” are raw, meaningful and poignant, the record also has plenty of fun moments for the live show. “Still Holds Up” and “When the Good Guys Win” are feel-good songs that help to round out the project.

One of the highlights is “Raise Up Your Glass”, encouraging listeners to relish in the little victories in life.

“Raise up your glass and make a toast / to all the times that mean the most / Go on and let your worries roll right off your back / We still got some memories left to make / a whole lot of shots left to take / so let’s hold ’em high and live tonight like it’s our last / raise up your glass.”

You can almost see concert-goers lifting up their beers in the air, singing along to the anthemic track.

For fans of Smith’s alter ego, Earl Dibble’s Jr., don’t worry he makes an appearance in the 13th song, “Don’t Tread on Me”.   “Each of these 14 tracks fills an important space and it is my hope that they take you on a ride through peaks and valleys, from light-hearted to painfully honest and then back out again,” Smith says in a recent press release.  Wrapping up his opening spot on Luke Bryan’s Huntin’ Fishin’ Lovin’ Tour and kicking off his own headlining “Don’t Tread On Me” tour, Smith is busy as ever promoting his brand new album. Check out the full tour dates below and grab When the Good Guys Win on iTunes.

“Don’t Tread On Me” Headlining Tour (11/3 – 12/29)

11/3/17 7 Flags Event Center Clive, IA

11/4/17 Surf Ballroom Clear Lake, IA

11/5/17 The Blue Note Columbia, MO

11/10/17 Grand Casino Mille Lacs – Event Center Onamia, MN

11/11/17 Limelight Eventplex Peoria, IL

11/16/17 The Stage on Bay Savannah, GA

11/17/17 Double Dee’s Ranch West Palm Beach, FL

11/18/17 The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon Fort Myers, FL

11/22/17 Stampede Houston Houston, TX

12/14/17 The City Center Champaign, IL

12/15/17 8 Seconds Saloon Indianapolis, IN

12/16/17 The Intersection Grand Rapids, MI

12/17/17 The Machine Shop Flint, MI

12/29/17 Brewster Street Ice House Corpus Christi, TX

Granger Smith in New York City with New York Country Swag Managing Editor, Christina Bosch (Left) and New York Country Swag Founder, Stephanie Wagner (Right)

 

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NYCS First Impression: Chris Young ‘Losing Sleep’

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Chris Young Album Losing Sleep

If Chris Young knows how to do anything very well, it’s release albums chock full of smooth country songs.  His voice is unmistakable and as far as his latest, Losing Sleep goes, it is everything fans love about the singer. While he doesn’t take major risks sonically, it is not necessarily a bad thing, balancing sexy love songs, heartbreak and finding new love.

Lending his baritone, twangy voice to a more pop-production, especially in the first single “Losing Sleep”, many of the tracks are primed for radio.  He knows the sweet spot in his voice and with his song choices.  For the first time on his sixth studio album, Young is a co-writer as well as a co-producer on each of the 10 songs.

The newest member of the Grand Ole Opry, who was inducted earlier this week, shines on “Radio and the Rain”, “Trouble Looking” and “Where I Go to Drink”  which each showcase their own dynamic stories. Other highlights include “Holiday”, a simple love song and “Blacked Out” with his melancholy, Johnny Cash, and Elvis Presley references.

Losing Sleep is an easy listen and each track offers a different point of view or story.  It is emotional without being sappy and the love songs are honest and raw. Grab your copy on iTunes now.  Young announced he will be headlining the Losing Sleep Tour in 2018, bringing along Kane Brown and LANCO to open each show.

 

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NYCS First Impression: Carly Pearce Shines with ‘Every Little Thing’

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Carly Pearce Debut Album

 

Carly Pearce, one of our 5 Rising Country Stars You Should Be Listening To, released her debut album today.  Releasing Every Little Thing is an important milestone for the young singer-songwriter who left high school to pursue her music career, working at Dollywood when she was only 16 years old.

“Raw, real, I’m not trying to hide anything, and I think by sharing my struggles, whether you’re a young girl or someone my age or my mom’s, you’re either going to experience it, are going through it or already have,” she says about her debut record.   The breakout title track earned Pearce her stripes and her record deal with Big Machine Record and the single is currently sitting in the number 6 spot on the country charts.

Pearce co-wrote 8 of the 13 tracks on the project along with smash hit writers such as Ashley Gorley, Luke Laird, Hilary Lindsey, Natalie Hemby and Shane McAnally. Whether it’s a story about heartbreak and the well-known sorrow felt after a relationship ends (“Every Little Thing”, “Careless”) or missing home and pride in your hometown (“I Could Use A Ride Home “Honeysuckle”) Pearce’s earnest way of expressing her emotions through her music is reminiscent of powerhouses such as Carrie Underwood.

Not all of the songs on the record are ballads, “Dare Ya” and “Color” are playful and Pearce’s rich, velvety tone shines through. Producer, Busbee has backed Pearce and has helped to shape the album. Her latest single, “If My Name Was Whiskey” is a fresh spin on a common vice.

If you are a fan of powerful lyrics, a strong female presence, and artists like Martina McBride, Eric Church and Carrie Underwood, check out Every Little Thing, you won’t be disappointed.

Grab your copy of the album on iTunes, and be sure to listen to NASH FM 94.7 this Tuesday to hear Carly perform at Stage 17 NYC.

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NYCS First Impression: Russell Dickerson Impresses with Debut Album

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Russell Dickerson Album Release

High energy live set, great songs to dance along to and sheer determination to make it in this business, Russell Dickerson has officially arrived y’all.  His debut album, appropriately titled Yours after his incredible love song, is filled with 12 tracks with a little something for every fan.  Fans who have seen Dickerson open for Thomas Rhett’s Home Team Tour or most recently Florida Georiga Line’s Smooth Tour know the sheer power he can bring to a live show as he jumps around the stage and engages with his fans.  He brings that same energy into this new album, featuring up-tempo songs, slow grooves and even a wedding version of “Yours”.

“I’m beyond stoked to have my first full-length album out and available for pre-order!”  he says in a recent press release. “The support from my fans is what has brought me this far. The Yours EP has changed my life, and I cannot wait to see what the Yours album will bring!”  Fans of Dickerson will be pleased to know, five favorites off his Yours EP made the cut for the full-length album including, “Yours” (the original and an acoustic wedding version), “MGNO”, “Blue Tacoma” and “Every Little Thing”. As a co-writer on each of the 12 songs, this album embodies the music that he wants to create, fun music that his fans will love to listen to and that will inspire repeat spins.

Besides “Yours” which started out as a simple love song for his wife Kailey, the album has no shortage of romantic vibes including the up-tempo “Every Little Thing” and the reggae-inspired, “Would You Love Me” as well as “You Look Like A Love Song” which shines with a gospel choir singing background vocals.  Dickerson gets sensual with “All Falls Down” and “Low Key” but does it in a way that feels genuine and will make you want to grab a bottle of wine, turn down the lights and slow dance.

For those missing the lazy, hazy days of summer, “Float” will bring you right back and hold you over until you are able to enjoy those warm days at the beach again.  The nostalgia-filled, “twentysomething” and “Billions” are primed for arena sing-alongs.

The LP highlights Dickerson’s incredible ability to be versatile, and although it is cohesive each song has its own influence and vibe.  Grab Yours on iTunes and check out our recap from our Country Night on the Water with Dickerson last year.

 

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