NYCS First Impression Tucker Beathard ‘King’

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Tucker Beathard

Tucker Beathard is an expert at taking personal journal entries and turning them into a lyrical masterpiece with unique music to accompany the heartfelt words. Unlike some artists in the genre, Beathard does not hide any part of who he is from his fans. From heartbreak to grief to joy, the singer-songwriter shares it all on his brand new record KING.

“I decided to name this album in honor of my little brother Clay, with King being his middle name,” Beathard shared via his social media, adding, “From top to bottom this album is a product of the highs and lows, and everything in between that the past few years have been. Through all of it, I’ve realized that at the end of the day there’s only one true King, and his kingdom is not of this world.”

This sentiment perfectly reflects the singer’s new project. Each of the thirteen tracks portrays a different journey that Beathard has experienced, and allows fans a deeper look into his soul and artistry. Songs like “Find Me Here” and “I Ain’t Without You” root the album in faith, which seems to be a driving force in the singer’s life.

One of the most poignant songs of the whole project is “I Ain’t Without You.” The heartbreaking, somber ballad once again leans on the power faith. Written about his late brother’s untimely passing, the singer-songwriter wrote the track with his father, fellow songwriter, Casey Beathard. Being able to write such a powerful and personal song is truly what Beathard does best. “So I keep holdin’ on with everything I got in me / To every piece of your memory so the world can see / I ain’t, I ain’t, I ain’t without you”

Of course, love and heartbreak also remain as pillars of Beathard’s unique musical style. In “Can’t Stay Here’ the recording artist sings about an on-again-off-again relationship, finally making the decision that decision to break-up and end the back and forth. The concept is relatable, yet heartbreaking. In the song, Beathard somehow finds a way to convey strength in a complicated and difficult situation, a talent that truly resonates across all his songs. “You Would Think” is another powerful tune that explores the intricacies of heartbreak.

“Faithful” and “Miss You Now” further explore love and heartbreak. The former is about a couple that is ready to give their all to each other, while the heart-pumping “Miss You Now” is full of Beathard’s signature, gritty voice as it explores all the things that you remind you of a person, but gently, the settings and the objects start to fade, yet the memories remain. Although written in memory of his brother, this song can easily be portrayed as a song about a romantic relationship too.

For fans that prefer the rock-country side of Beathard, “Better Than Me” and “Paper Town” are for you. The former is a previously released jam that pokes fun at the break-up tunes that were written during the punk-rock days of bands like Simple Plan and Blink 182. The music video makes the song really come to life, and it is the perfect track for live shows. “Paper Town” is another guitar-heavy tune that is made for long car rides with the windows down; despite, the deep and thought-provoking content. “Too Drunk” is another song, a drinking song, that fans must add to their car playlist.

Long time fans of Beathard might recognize one of our favorite tracks, “20/10 TN.” The song has been around for years, but the singer finally recorded it. The football-inspired song is full of imagery about love and redemption. “Just had to let you know, it’s 7-zip Tennessee / And by the way I meant to say, that I’m sorry ‘bout last night / I didn’t mean to make you cry / Did you really mean goodbye?”

Beathard is one of the most promising artists in the Nashville scene right now. He knows exactly who he is and the music he wants to release to fans. If he continues down this trajectory, we are confident that the singer will cement himself in country music history. KING is just another example of his one of a kind talent.

NYCS Picks:

  1. “20/10 TN”
  2. “Miss You Now”
  3. “I Ain’t Without You”

KING Tracklist:

  1. Better Than Me
  2. You Would Think
  3. One Upper
  4. 20/10 TN
  5. Paper Town
  6. You On
  7. Miss You Now
  8. Only
  9. Find Me Here
  10. Too Drunk
  11. Faithful
  12. Can’t Stay Here
  13. I Ain’t Without You

To keep up with Tucker Beathard follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

King is now available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music here on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

 

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SHOP THE HERO COLLECTION

The Hero Collection by NYCountry Swag is inspired by the men and women of the Fire, Police, and Military Departments across the country. A portion of sales from each purchase is donated to different foundations that support our heroes. We are dedicated to honoring their service and remembering their sacrifice.

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NYCS First Impression: Tim McGraw ‘Here On Earth’

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Tim McGraw Here On Earth

GRAMMY award-winning artist Tim McGraw is back with his 16th studio album. HERE ON EARTH is the superstar’s first solo project in five years since Damn Country Music and takes listeners through a journey of emotive experiences. His most recent project was released in 2017 and was a collaboration with wife Faith Hill titled The Rest of Our Life. Since then, McGraw has been releasing teasers about new music and the full project is finally here.

The title track “LA” opens with a resemblance to an 80s-synth track, sustaining that ambiance throughout the length of the track. The lyrics discuss the cliches of LA while mentally making you feel like you are in the city of angels.

“Chevy Spaceship” starts with a grainy space-launch message with extraterrestrial loops. It compliments a backing piano instrumentation and builds up as the song progresses. The title track “Here On Earth” contains a more uptempo offering than the previous two tracks and couples with “Hard To Stay Mad At” in terms of upbeat, feel-good songs.

“Sheryl Crow” glimpses at McGraw’s rock side and is a love song about the same nostalgic feelings felt about someone and feeling those same feelings hearing Sheryl Crow on the radio for the first time; almost the same perspective as Taylor Swift’s “Tim McGraw.” “7500 OBO” is an offering from today’s traditional country sound and in correlation with the album’s release, the singer released an acoustic version of the song on YouTube as well as a video for Hallelujahville.

Lead single “I Called Mama” serves as a reminder that comforting voices out there are available and one of the best things out there. He sings: “So I stopped off at a Texaco // Bought a Slim Jim and a Coke // Parked out by the water just to watch that river flow // Grabbed my guitar from the back seat // Wrote a song just for me // And I sung it for the blue sky // And a couple live oak trees // I thought of home, grabbed my phone from my pocket // And I called mama.”

Each track highlights the shared experiences that humans feel, something that is so needed during these uncertain times.

Follow Tim McGraw on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

HERE ON EARTH is available everywhere you buy or stream music.  Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

HERE ON EARTH Track List

1. “L.A.” | Carlton Anderson, Shane Minor, Phil O’Donnell
2. “Chevy Spaceship” | Jonny Price
3. “Here On Earth” | Jessie Joe Dillon, Chase McGill, Jon Nite
4. “Damn Sure Do” | Tony Lane, James T. Slater
5. “Hallelujahville” | Tom Douglas, Blake Griffith, Brett Taylor
6. “Good Taste In Women” | Jaren Johnston, Bryan Simpson, Nathan Spicer
7. “Hard To Stay Mad At” | Luke Laird, Shane McAnally, Lori McKenna
8. “Sheryl Crow” | Wendell Mobley, Neil Thrasher, Laura Veltz
9. “Not From California” | Levi Hummon, Marcus Hummon, Matt McVaney, Brad Warren, Brett Warren
10. “Hold You Tonight” | Ross Copperman, Jon Nite
11. “7500 OBO” | Matt McGinn, Jennifer Schott, Nathan Spicer
12. “If I Was A Cowboy” | Zack Dyer, Lonnie Lee Fowler, Dave Turnbill
13. “I Called Mama” | Marv Green, Lance Miller, Jimmy Yeary
14. “Gravy” | Andy Albert, Tom Douglas, Allen Shamblin
15. “War Of Art” | Lance Miller, Jeremy Spillman, Brad Warren, Brett Warren
16. “Doggone” | Claire Douglas, Tom Douglas, Jaren Johnston, Aimee Mayo

 

 

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SHOP THE HERO COLLECTION

The Hero Collection by NYCountry Swag is inspired by the men and women of the Fire, Police and Military Departments across the country. A portion of sales from each purchase is donated to different foundations that support our heroes. We are dedicated to honoring their service and remembering their sacrifice.

Saturday Night Live Combs

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Jon Pardi Releases Surprise Album – Rancho Fiesta Sessions

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A lot of musicians have been keeping busy during their time in quarantine. Many have been live-streaming their new creations, playing their favorite songs, or answering questions. While some have kept low during this time, a few have recorded projects and surprised released them, and that is exactly what Jon Pardi did.

Pardi released Rancho Fiesta Sessions, an eight-song album brimmed with cover songs from Merle Haggard, Prince, Keith Whitley, Joe Diffie, Dwight Yoakam, George Strait, and Tom Petty. The unique project was recorded live during a one-night live jam session with his touring band at his ranch in Nashville, “Rancho Fiesta.”

The album is fun and lighthearted and reminds you of something nostalgic from a fun night out with friends at the bar enjoying live music. Rancho Fiesta Sessions targets Pardi’s musical influences and artists who have shaped his path in country music. It lays out a conventional country sound on most of the tracks while “Marina Del Rey” and “Nothing Compares 2 U” are stripped back ballads bursting with emotion.

“Surprise! I recently recorded eight classic songs from a bunch of my musical heroes,” Pardi shares on Instagram. “We recorded everything on my ranch out in my shop. Had an awesome time putting this all together and hope y’all love it. The Rancho Fiesta Sessions is here!!!”

In a recent press release, Pardi added, “It’s all my band on this whole album. We mainly did it to have fun and record, and it sounds like we’re in your backyard, playing for you.” He noted, “I hope the fans really have fun when they listen to it, and they enjoy it and turn it up. This one was for the fans, to let them hear something different… songs you may have heard before but, haven’t heard them like this. It turned into something special because it’s a year where we are off the road, and we recorded it live in real-time, out at my house.”

Rancho Fiesta Sessions follows the singer-songwriters Heartache Medication, which earned a top spot on the Billboard’s Country Albums chart. The title track, “Heartache Medication”, awarded Pardi his fourth number-one single on country radio following “Head Over Boots”, “Heartache On The Dance Floor”, and “Dirt On My Boots.”

To keep up with Jon Pardi, follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

Rancho Fiesta Sessions is available everywhere you buy or stream music.  Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

 

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SHOP THE HERO COLLECTION

The Hero Collection by NYCountry Swag is inspired by the men and women of the Fire, Police and Military Departments across the country. A portion of sales from each purchase is donated to different foundations that support our heroes. We are dedicated to honoring their service and remembering their sacrifice.

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Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC & Beyond!

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Rachel Wammack Sings to a Happier Note in New Song, “What He Does”

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Sony Music Nashville’s, Rachel Wammack has graced country music with her homespun lyrics and angelic vocal abilities since her debut EP, Enough. New York Country Swag first featured the rising star back in December 2019 for a Swag Session, filmed in Midtown, Manhattan, where Wammack performed on the piano her two songs “Damage” and “Something People Say”. Check out the interview and performance below.

Now, Wammack is back singing a tune on a happier note, a fairytale of a love story, this time with new single “What He Does.” The track opens up heavily with a piano progression gingerly proceeding Wammack’s serene voice and handcrafted lyrics. She enunciates the memorable melody line while articulating the difference between past men in her life versus her love now. The country singer-songwriter looks back at all the negative personality traits she’s experienced in past relationships and realizes she has everything she could ever want now.

“But what he does, is make me laugh when I feel like crying //
What he does is lift me up, when I feel like flying //
He calls me beautiful, he calls me baby, he calls me just because //
He makes it all look so damn easy, that’s just what he does.”

This single follows the songstress’ success with single “Damage.” She was selected for CMT’s 2019 Next Women of Country’s round-up and one of influential radio personality Bobby Bones’ Class of 2019 artists alongside Tenille Townes, Lauren Jenkins, Abby Anderson and Caylee Hammack.

To keep up with Rachel Wammack, follow her on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

“What He Does” is available everywhere you buy or stream music.  Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

 

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SHOP THE HERO COLLECTION

The Hero Collection by NYCountry Swag is inspired by the men and women of the Fire, Police and Military Departments across the country. A portion of sales from each purchase is donated to different foundations that support our heroes. We are dedicated to honoring their service and remembering their sacrifice.

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Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC & Beyond!

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for ticket giveaways, meet & greet contests, upcoming events,
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Rising Artist, Matt Ferranti Releases Post Breakup Song, “Pick Up”

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Fresh-new country artist and musician in Brett Young’s touring band, Matt Ferranti released a brand new single, “Pick Up” on Friday, August 14th. This is Ferranti’s first release since his six-song, self-titled EP that dropped in January.

This breakup jam mixes a heavy, pop production and pounding drums with slivers of banjo and steel guitar in the background, giving it a very interesting and unique sound. Although the general theme of the song is nothing new in country music—a male protagonist who can’t stand the fact of his ex-girlfriend going out with other guys—in Ferranti’s version, he’s blindly optimistic. He believes the door remains slightly open, and that if she sees his picture pop-up on her phone, she’ll go running back to him, when in reality that is not the case. This is a hypothetical that every hopeless romantic has drawn-up at some point in their lives.

“Thoughts running wild all across my mind / but it ain’t the same for you /
‘Cause you’re out with some guy / moving on with your life / I call, I call but you don’t pick up”

With the cancellations of Young’s Chapters Tour, in which Ferranti had his own 30-min opening set on, and Jason Aldean’s We Back Tour, in which Young was apart of, Ferranti has used this free-time writing new material. We anticipate that “Pick Up” is the first of many new songs to come from this rising, country talent. Fans will soon know that Ferranti’s skills go far beyond the keys and the guitar, but in singing, songwriting, and performing.

Learn more about Ferranti and his journey to country music in our Swag Spotlight, here.

To keep up with Matt Ferranti, follow him on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

“Pick Up” is available everywhere you buy or stream music.  Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

 

—————

SHOP THE HERO COLLECTION

The Hero Collection by NYCountry Swag is inspired by the men and women of the Fire, Police and Military Departments across the country. A portion of sales from each purchase is donated to different foundations that support our heroes. We are dedicated to honoring their service and remembering their sacrifice.

—————————-

Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC & Beyond!

Subscribe to our Weekly Round-Up here 
for ticket giveaways, meet & greet contests, upcoming events,
and all things country music in the New York metro area and beyond!

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NYCS First Impression: Caylee Hammack ‘If It Wasn’t For You’

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Caylee Hammack

Today marks the debut of a star in the making! Critics and fans alike may notice Caylee Hammack’s fiery red hair right away, but it’s her voice, her attitude, her talent, and her undeniable charm that declares her staying power. Her brand new debut record If It Wasn’t For You is her story, and boy is it a good one.

Unexpectedly, Hammack begins her record with a song called “Just Friends.” In the beginning, the song appears to be a vocal-based performance with a simple backing, but then the song opens up and explodes into a powerhouse introduction. Just from the first song, fans know that they are in for something special with this project.

Hammack keeps the energy up with previously released tunes “Redhead” and “Preciatcha.” “Redhead” is the song we all needed. Featuring megastar, Reba McEntire, the two ladies jam about all the characteristics that badass redhead chicks possess “Oh, they got their hands full, trying to tame a pistol / Spitfire, freckles that could run among the dead.” Of course, “Preciatcha” has a quieter energy, but still hits just as hard metaphorically. The song is about Hammack heeding her mother’s advice, and holding on to the valuable lessons learned from pain and heartache.

Songs like “Just Like You” and “King Size Bed” showcase the sassy side of the singer-songwriter’s personality. “Just Like You” focuses on getting revenge on an ex-lover, similar to the vibe of Carrie Underwood’s smash hit “Before He Cheats.” On the other hand, “King Size Bed” is a sensual and cheeky jam about a romantic interest.

Family is clearly a central theme on the new record too. In “Family Tree,” Hammack’s debut song, the singer lets her fans in on the good, the bad, and the weird in her family. This type of humble honesty is refreshing in such a young talent. Similarly, in “Sister,” Hammack pays homage to her sibling, expressing the privilege of having a sister to look up to, cry with, and celebrate the good times with.

Hammack continues to hit her sweet spot on personal, yet relatable songs, where she divulges her truth. “Looking For A Lighter,” one of our favorites is a clever tale about heartbreak. The singer’s vocals shine on this track, but it is her creative way of personifying and comparing fire, smoke, and lighters with the painful demise of a push-pull relationship. Lyrics like “Spark up a memory / I’m burning for you so bad” are laced throughout the entire song.

“Forged In A Fire” is another personal anecdote that was put to music. Hammack finds inspiration in life’s journey throughout this song. She eventually draws the conclusion that she was meant to be a fighter. The song conveys a quiet sense of strength, which is refreshing. Hammack continues her story-telling with “Small Town Hypocrite,” a sonically pleasing song inspired by the singer’s move to Nashville and subsequent break-up. Although heartbreaking, the song is one of her best.

Similarly, the spectacular song, “Mean Something,” which features incredible fellow artists Ashley McBryde and Tenille Townes, paints the picture of women trying their best to find their footing in life through all the adversity. The song is an anthem in the making, and completely relevant to the battle females in the industry are enduring in country music right now.

“Ain’t we all just trying to mean something, mean something / AIn’t we all just trying to be something, be something”

Ending with the song “New Level of Life,” Hammack seems to have made it full circle. She acknowledges her trials and tribulations in love and life but manages to come out the other side stronger, brighter, and happier. The uplifting and creative tune is the perfect way to end such a strong debut.

Hammack’s first full project was the perfect introduction to her talent. She truly created something that is unique to her and aesthetically pleasing in every area. This particular collection of songs is going to resonate with fans across the genre and beyond. Hammack is on fire, and we cannot wait to hear these songs live!

To keep up with Caylee Hammack follow her on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

NYCS Picks:

  1. “Mean Something”
  2. “New Level of Life”
  3. “Small Town Hypocrite”
  4. “Looking For A Lighter”

 

If It Wasn’t For You Tracklist:

  1. Just Friends
  2. Redhead (featuring Reba McEntire)
  3. Looking For A Lighter
  4. Preciatcha
  5. Sister
  6. Just Like You
  7. King Size Bed
  8. Forged In The Fire
  9. Family Tree
  10. Mean Something (featuring Ashley McBryde and Tenille Townes)
  11. Small Town Hypocrite
  12. Gold
  13. New Level Of Life

 If It Wasn’t For You is now available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music here on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

 

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SHOP THE HERO COLLECTION

The Hero Collection by NYCountry Swag is inspired by the men and women of the Fire, Police and Military Departments across the country. A portion of sales from each purchase is donated to different foundations that support our heroes. We are dedicated to honoring their service and remembering their sacrifice.

—————————-

Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC & Beyond!

Subscribe to our Weekly Round-Up here 
for ticket giveaways, meet & greet contests, upcoming events,
and all things country music in the New York metro area and beyond!

+ Follow our country music adventures on Instagram, Twitter & Facebook:

NYCS First Impression & Exclusive Interview: Mo Pitney ‘Ain’t Lookin’ Back’

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Mo Pitney

Sophomore records are often the ones that make or break an artist, but for rising talent, Mo Pitney, his newest project, Ain’t Lookin’ Back is even more intriguing than his debut. The singer-songwriter knows his sound and his fanbase and delivers exactly what we want, a true-blue country album laced with a wide range of influences.

“So I took a long time to make the second album for a number of reasons,” Pitney began during our exclusive interview with the artist, “I wanted to find out how to have a common thread from the first album to the second album, but being open to introducing all of my influences and let them meet in one place.” It is safe to say that he accomplished that feat with this record.

Opening up with “A Music Man,” Pitney wastes no time showcasing his one of a kind talent. The single is a beautiful story about feeling like God put him on Earth to play music. The beautiful “three chords and the truth” song is everything fans could want to kick off the project.

Pitney continued to transition his vocal skills into a series of love songs, such as “Right Now With You,” “Boy Gets the Girl”, and “Mattress on the Floor.” Although all three are sublime in their own right, “Mattress on the Floor” is a standout track, where Pitney vocalizes that love is all you really need to get by.

According to Pitney, most of the songs were inspired by the love he has for his wife. “Local Honey” is a sweet and sultry song about falling in love that everyone can relate to. “Plain and Simple” is another stellar example of how well Pitney can express a simple story through the song. The love song is the perfect simplest declaration of endearment. “Always have and always will love you / Plain and simple”

On the other hand, “Looks Like Rain” is arguably one of the best songs on the project. Written about mental health struggles, Pitney takes vulnerability to a whole new level on this gut-wrenching, but much needed track. In our exclusive interview, he deemed this song one of his favorites and even opened up about the inspiration, sharing; “I wanted to record it because it is a song about depression. It is a song about having the sun shining, and the birds are singing, but the whole world is grey. And I think that’s a common human experience, and I wanted to share that I’ve been through that and other people aren’t alone with that.”

Of course, family remained a tenant on this record. As a recent father of two girls and a touring musician, Pitney knows how it feels to be away from his family.  In “’ Til I Get Back To You,” the singer expresses that sentiment through the lens of a truck driving industry. In our conversation, the singer-songwriter explained how effortless the songwriting process was for this song. “We talked about the history of country music and truck driving songs and we wanted to try to bring that to this record in a new way so I welded my story of traveling and wanting to get back to my wife with these truck driving industry.” “Old Stuff Better,” a fun country-folk jam about family roots and “Ain’t Bad for Good Ol’ Boy” also lend themselves to the family first mentality.

Overall the brand new project is a little bit of the old mixed with a whole lot of the new. Like most of us, Pitney is just on the journey called life, and constantly peeling back the layers that make him who he is. I’m sure true fans of music will continue to support his unmatched and refreshing talent.

To keep up with Mo Pitney follow him on Instagram and Facebook.

 

NYCS Picks:

  1. “A Music Man”
  2. “Looks Like Rain”
  3. “’Til I Get Back to You”
  4. “Boy Gets the Girl”

 

Ain’t Lookin’ Back Tracklist:

  1. A Music Man (feat. Jamey Johnson)
  2. Right Now with You
  3. Ain’t Bad for a Good Ol’ Boy
  4. ’til I Get Back to You
  5. Looks Like Rain
  6. Boy Gets the Girl
  7. Ain’t Lookin’ Back
  8. Old Home Place (feat. His All-Star Band)
  9. Plain and Simple
  10. Mattress on the Floor
  11. Local Honey
  12. Old Stuff Better
  13. Jonas

Ain’t’ Lookin’ Back is now available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music here on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

 

—————

SHOP THE HERO COLLECTION

The Hero Collection by NYCountry Swag is inspired by the men and women of the Fire, Police and Military Departments across the country. A portion of sales from each purchase is donated to different foundations that support our heroes. We are dedicated to honoring their service and remembering their sacrifice.

—————————-

Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC & Beyond!

Subscribe to our Weekly Round-Up here 
for ticket giveaways, meet & greet contests, upcoming events,
and all things country music in the New York metro area and beyond!

+ Follow our country music adventures on Instagram, Twitter & Facebook:

Devin Dawson is Back With New Music “I Got A Truck”

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Devin Dawson I Got A Truck

The ‘Dark Horse’ himself, Devin Dawson is finally back with brand new music. Back in January 2019, we heard him sing “I Got A Truck” for the first time and learned about the touching story that inspired it during Dawson’s NYC Bowery Ballroom show. Check out a clip of the performance below. Now, we get to celebrate as the song is finally released to the public!

If there is one thing that sets Dawson apart from his peers, it is his meticulous attention to songwriting. His lyrics always have a deeper meaning, and “I Got A Truck” fits the bill. Dawson shared in an exclusive industry interview over Zoom that the song was inspired by none other than superstar, Tim McGraw.

“So the whole story started, I wrote this maybe 1.5-2 years ago. We were on tour with Tim McGraw. It essentially started with a conversation I had with Tim McGraw. It was the first night of the tour,” he explained, adding, “Somehow the conversation quickly turned to kinda like wisdom or advice or just like encouragement from the superstar to the new kid on the block. I think he saw a lot of himself in me.”

Dawson went on to share that he learned that McGraw cut his teeth in Nashville by finding one person to take a chance of him. Since the superstar never quite wrote the song of his story to greatness, Dawson took it upon himself to translate arguably one of the biggest stars in our format’s story from thought to lyrics. The singer ended up gifting the song and a handwritten copy of lyrics to McGraw at the end of the tour run.

“I got a song / I got something to say / I got a will to survive / I got a dollar to my name / I got a heart / I got a little bit of luck / I got this go and get it feeling in my gut / And I got a truck / I got a truck”

Like all of us, Dawson believes he has something to say and stories to tell. Although at first, it might masquerade as just another country song about a truck, “I Got A Truck” is a humble story about strength, perseverance, and belief in yourself. Of course, the song also boasts a killer guitar solo that we cannot wait to jam out to in-person when live music returns. To Dawson, the song stood out from the get-go, “It just felt like it had heart, it had tempo and it had lyric, and it had something that I hadn’t said before.” We tend to agree.

“I Got A Truck” marks the first release of Dawson’s highly anticipated next project, which should be out sometime at the top of 2021. Until then, make sure you’re supporting the singer-songwriter and streaming the new jam!

To keep up with Devin Dawson follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

“I Got A Truck” is now available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music here on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

 

—————

SHOP THE HERO COLLECTION

The Hero Collection by NYCountry Swag is inspired by the men and women of the Fire, Police and Military Departments across the country. A portion of sales from each purchase is donated to different foundations that support our heroes. We are dedicated to honoring their service and remembering their sacrifice.

—————————-

Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC & Beyond!

Subscribe to our Weekly Round-Up here 
for ticket giveaways, meet & greet contests, upcoming events,
and all things country music in the New York metro area and beyond!

+ Follow our country music adventures on Instagram, Twitter & Facebook:

NYCS First Impression: Lindsay Ell ‘Heart Theory’

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lindsay ell heart theory

Country music is a genre built on storytelling and real life. Over the past few years, that definition has been watered down by some. It’s not that modern country isn’t fun or meaningful; it’s just that often artists are afraid to “go there” like they used to — they’re afraid to step on people’s toes. Lindsay Ell bared it all on her phenomenal sophomore project heart theory. Sonically, she made a stellar current country-pop record with influences of rock and blues, but conceptually, it’s as country as could be.

heart theory successfully covers the seven stages of grief: shock, denial, anger, bargaining, depression, testing, and acceptance. Ell explores everything from a breakup that ended badly to working through trauma to finding yourself on the 12-track project. “If theory is the science of music, heart theory is the science of a heart,” Ell said of the record. “I hope this roadmap can be a comfort if you need it, reassurance when you need to remember to believe in yourself or maybe just a glimpse into a memory that’s made you who you are.”

“how good” falls under the denial category and is a groovy, almost funk-pop inspired Brandy Clark co-write. Her vocal range is on full display, from a controlled, mellow verse to a soaring chorus. “You don’t know how good I could love you/Boy if you just would let me love you/You might not think you should/but if I were you I would”, she sings on the chorus.

Ell shows off her bolder side on the three-song anger stage. “wAnt me back”, the current single is an addictively catchy tune. She tells her ex that she knows she’s worth it in a relationship, and if she were in his shoes, she’d miss her too. “You ain’t gonna find nobody like me/I’m the best you ever had and I’m always gonna be, so/If I were you… if I were you/I’d want me back too.”

Sitting in the middle of the album is the fourth stage: bargaining. Written by Ell, Sam Ellis, and Laura Veltz is “body language of a breakup”, a clever representation of watching a relationship fall apart from the outside. Although there are plenty of songs about breakups, this hits the nail right on the head in a completely fresh way. The craftsmanship of heart theory is incredibly unique. None of the 12 tracks sound exactly like something heard on the radio, yet at the same time, they all feel familiar. The lyrics are smartly written, and with Ell’s guitar solos that catch you off guard in the best way, it makes it even more interesting. She’s clearly grown as a writer and artist since her debut, The Project.

The most vulnerable and heartbreaking moment is the second-to-last song, “make you”, which is filed under acceptance. Written by Ell and Clark, is Ell’s story of being a sexual assault survivor. At 13, and again at 21, she was raped. When she decided to make an album as personal as heart theory, she knew she had to tell her story. “I called Brandy, an absolute wordsmith and songwriter genius, and asked her if she would write this song with me. She fearlessly and immediately said yes,” Ell said in a press release. “The day we wrote ‘make you’ I knew we had written something special that will hopefully help others to not feel alone in their survival. And more personally, it was finally the moment in my life where I got to validate that little girl inside – letting her know that ‘I see her and I love her.”

The album ends on a hopeful note. “ReadY to love” is an empowering, upbeat jam about owning who you are and taking back the power after being hurt so many times before. “I’m ready to love again/Ready to trust again/Ready to put my heart back out there/If your heart is out there”, she sings on the chorus. It’s at this moment that you can hear how truly free Ell feels.

Lindsay Ell has been making music for more than half of her life, and with each release, she digs deeper. Not letting a genre or sound define her, she poured her heart out and it paid off big time. Part of what makes this an outstanding and authentic record is that it is the very definition of three chords and the truth. She shared the ups and downs of life, letting every scar show and heal. As she sings on her cover of John Mayer’s “The Heart of Life”, “Pain throws your heart to the ground/Love turned the whole thing around/No, it won’t all go the way it should/But I know the heart of life is good.”

 

heart theory Track List

a journey through the seven stages of grief

shock
1. “Hits me” (Lindsay Ell, Tyler Hubbard, Corey Crowder)

denial
2. “how good” (Lindsay Ell, Brandy Clark)
3. “i don’t lovE you” (Adam Hambrick, Melissa Fuller, Neil Medley)

anger
4. “wAnt me back” (Lindsay Ell, Kane Brown, Matt McGinn, Lindsay Rimes)
5. “get oveR you” (Lindsay Ell, Gordie Sampson, Kelly Archer)
6. “wrong girl” (Lindsay Ell, Steph Jones, Matt McGinn, Luke Niccoli)

bargaining
7. “body language of a breakup” (Lindsay Ell, Laura Veltz, Sam Ellis)

depression
8. “good on you” (Lindsay Ell, Sam Ellis, Micah Premnath)

testing
9. “The oTHEr side” (Lindsay Ell, Jessie Jo Dillon, Matt McGinn)
10. “gO to” (Lindsay Ell, Nicolle Gaylon, Jordan Reynolds)

acceptance
11. “make you” (Lindsay Ell, Brandy Clark)
12. “ReadY to love” (Lindsay Ell, Jessie Jo Dillon, Matt McGinn, Joey Hyde)

NYCS Staff Picks:
“make you”
“i don’t lovE you”
“how good”
“ReadY to love”
“wAnt me back”

To keep up with Lindsay Ell, follow her on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

‘heart theory’ is now available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music here on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

 

 

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The Hero Collection by NYCountry Swag is inspired by the men and women of the Fire, Police and Military Departments across the country. A portion of sales from each purchase is donated to different foundations that support our heroes. We are dedicated to honoring their service and remembering their sacrifice.

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NYCS First Impression: Kane Brown MixTape Vol. 1

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Kane Brown Mixtape

Country superstar, Kane Brown dropped his highly anticipated Mix Tape Vol. 1 today (August 14). It contains seven tracks, all of which co-written by Brown, and includes singles “Cool Again” and “Be Like That” as well as three brand new songs. This is his first multi‐song project since his Platinum‐certified sophomore album, Experiment.

“Cool Again,” his current single on country radio, was inspired by a chilly night on a songwriting retreat. The song was originally about missing warm weather, but Brown and his writing team–Josh Hodge, Lindsay Rimes, and Matt McGinn—turned into a song about a relationship that recently fell apart. The singer just wants him and his ex to be ‘cool again’ and get back to last summer when they were happy together. Brown released a remix to the song with Nelly last week. Watch the video below:

“Be Like That,” his collaboration with Swae Lee and Khalid, is his current single to pop radio. Debuted back in February during his Worldwide Beautiful Tour but officially released on July 10th, this song is about someone contemplating whether or not they want to continue their relationship. The protagonist has a lot of negative things to say about this woman, but can’t understand why he’s not himself when she’s not around. “Be Like That” was the #1 most added song on top-40 radio the week after it was released on stations all across America, including New York’s own Z100.

Other previously released songs on this mixtape include “Worldwide Beautiful,” his song about acceptance and racial equality, and his collaboration with John Legend, “The Last Time I Say Sorry.” The latter, released on March 27th, is a love ballad in which the two display their vulnerability, regret, love, and compassion while, at the same time, showcase their strength and masculinity. The former of which was released ahead of schedule, as Brown used this song to express his thoughts on the aftermath of the death of George Floyd. He leaned heavily on his R&B influence for this track and all proceeds from the song are being funded to the Boys and Girls Club. He performed it at the BET Awards on June 28th. Watch it below:

“Didn’t Know What Love Was” sounds like nothing Brown has ever done before. With prevalent electric guitar, this track brings a 70s rock-sound to the EP. In the song, Brown states that he didn’t believe in love until he met this particular woman who changed his outlook on it. “Worship You” is another love song with a much different vibe. Brown blends a variety of string instruments with a backing bass beat, as the singer praises his significant other and describes her traits in religious terms; her kisses have a higher power, her body is divine and her smile makes him see the light. He teased this track on Instagram on May 15th. The video he posted features Brown and his wife, Katelyn dancing in the kitchen, singing to their daughter, Kingsley.

“Don’t get me wrong, I’m a God-fearing Christian man / but if you were a religion then, damn / I don’t know what I’d do / I might have to worship you”

Just when you think Kane Brown is about to go fully pop, he drops a song like “BFE” to show he’s still country. BFE essentially means “middle of nowhere” (look up the actual definition on your own time) and this 90s country-sounding anthem praises the south and smalltown living. The fiddle and steel guitar on this track make it the perfect tailgate jam.

“I’m talkin’ Florida, ‘Bama, Georgia, Carolina, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas to Tennessee / So raise your beers, cheers, here’s to BFE”

Blending the genre line is what Kane Brown does best, and this mixtape is the epitome of that. Using his abundance of influences, he continues to showcase his creativity and shape the next generation of country music.

 

Kane Brown’s Mixtape Vol. 1 Track Listing:

  1. “Cool Again” (Kane Brown, Josh Hoge, Matt McGinn, Lindsay Rimes)
  2. “Be Like That” (Kane Brown, Khalif Brown, Alexander “Eskeerdo” Izquierdo, Khalid Robinson, Ryan Vojtesak, Mike Will)
  3. “Worship You” (Kane Brown, Alexander Izquierdo, Ryan Vojtesak, Matt McGinn)
  4. “BFE” (Kane Brown, Sam Ellis, Matt McGinn, Taylor Phillips, Will Weatherly)
  5. “Didn’t Know What Love Was” (Kane Brown, Shy Carter, Matt McGinn, Lindsay Rimes)
  6. “Last Time I Say Sorry (Kane Brown, John Stephens, Matt McGinn, Andrew Goldstein)
  7. “Worldwide Beautiful” (Kane Brown, Shy Carter, Ryan Hurd, Jordan Schmidt)

 

NYCS Picks:
1. BFE
2. Worship You

To keep up with Kane Brown follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

Kane Brown’s Mix Tape Vol. 1 is now available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music here on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

 

—————

SHOP THE HERO COLLECTION

The Hero Collection by NYCountry Swag is inspired by the men and women of the Fire, Police and Military Departments across the country. A portion of sales from each purchase is donated to different foundations that support our heroes. We are dedicated to honoring their service and remembering their sacrifice.

—————————-

Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC & Beyond!

Subscribe to our Weekly Round-Up here 
for ticket giveaways, meet & greet contests, upcoming events,
and all things country music in the New York metro area and beyond!

+ Follow our country music adventures on Instagram, Twitter & Facebook: