2020 CMT Awards: What You Need To Know

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The CMT Music Awards are set to air on Wednesday, October 21st at 8PM ET / 7PM CT on CMT, MTV, MTV2, Logo, Paramount Network, Pop, and TV Land. Check out all you need to know below.

Save-The-Date: Fan-Voted CMT Awards to Air on October 21, 2020

Hosted by Ashley McBryde, Kane Brown, and Sarah Hyland, the 2020 CMT Music Awards will be a celebration country music fans will not want to miss. The show will honor country music’s biggest stars bringing next-level energy and unique performances from Music City.

The annual show is the only entirely fan-voted award show in the country music world honoring the genre’s best and most fan-favorite artists. Fan voting has closed for all categories, except the highly coveted “Video of the Year”, which remains open now through the show. Visit vote.cmt.com to cast your votes.

Up for awards are Ashley McBryde, Dan + Shay, Kelsea Ballerini, Luke Combs, Sam Hunt and Thomas Rhett who lead with three nominations each. Blanco Brown, Carrie Underwood, Gabby Barrett, Kane Brown, Little Big Town, Miranda Lambert, Old Dominion, and The Chicks also racked up multiple nominations. While many rising stars received their first-ever nominations for the special accolades. Check out the full list of nominations below.

Check out a full list of performances to expect, nominations, and everything you need to know below… 

 

When are the 2020 CMT Awards? Wednesday, October 21st at 8PM ET / 7PM CT

Where can I watch the 2020 CMT Awards? CMT, MTV, MTV2, Logo, Paramount Network, Pop, or TV Land

Who is performing at the 2020 CMT Awards?

– MAIN STAGE PERFORMERS: Ashley McBryde, Dan + Shay, Gabby Barrett, Jimmie Allen + Noah Cyrus, Kelsea Ballerini + Halsey, Kane Brown, Little Big Town, Luke Bryan, Luke Combs + Brooks & Dunn, Maren Morris, Morgan Wallen, Sam Hunt, and Shania Twain

– RAM TRUCKS SIDE STAGE PERFORMERS: Caylee Hammack, HARDY, Ingrid Andress, Mickey Guyton, Riley Green, and Travis Denning

 

Who is presenting at the 2020 CMT Awards?

– PRESENTERS: Brandi Carlile, Demi Lovato, Diplo, Idina Menzel, Jessica Chastain, Katy Perry, Kelly Clarkson, Rob Thomas, Tanya Tucker, and Taylor Swift

 

Who is nominated for the 2020 CMT Awards?

VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video of the year; awarded to the artist (male, female, group/duo or collaboration) and the video director. * Fans can vote for the top six finalists by visiting vote.cmt.com into the show on Wednesday, October 21.

  • Carrie Underwood – “Drinking Alone”
  • Keith Urban – “Polaroid”
  • Kelsea Ballerini – “homecoming queen?”
  • Luke Combs – “Beer Never Broke My Heart”
  • Miranda Lambert – “Bluebird”
  • Tanya Tucker – “Bring My Flowers Now”

FEMALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video by a female artist; awarded to the artist

  • Ashley McBryde – “One Night Standards”
  • Carrie Underwood – “Drinking Alone”
  • Gabby Barrett – “I Hope”
  • Kelsea Ballerini – “homecoming queen?”
  • Maren Morris – “The Bones”
  • Miranda Lambert – “Bluebird”

MALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video by a male artist; awarded to the artist

  • Jason Aldean – “Got What I Got”
  • Luke Bryan – “One Margarita”
  • Luke Combs – “Even Though I’m Leaving”
  • Morgan Wallen – “Chasin’ You (Dream Video)”
  • Sam Hunt – “Hard To Forget”
  • Thomas Rhett – “Remember You Young”

GROUP VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video by a group; awarded to the artists

  • Lady A – “Champagne Night”
  • Little Big Town – “Wine, Beer, Whiskey” (Live Cut)
  • Midland – “Cheatin’ Songs (Live From the Palomino)”
  • Old Dominion – “One Man Band”
  • The Chicks – “Gaslighter”
  • The Highwomen – “Crowded Table”

DUO VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video by a duo; awarded to the artists

  • Brothers Osborne – “All Night (Studio Performance)”
  • Dan + Shay – “I Should Probably Go To Bed”
  • Florida Georgia Line – “Blessings”
  • LOCASH – “One Big Country Song”
  • Maddie & Tae – “Die From A Broken Heart”

BREAKTHROUGH VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video from an artist’s major breakthrough album; awarded to the artist (male, female or group/duo)

  • Blanco Brown – “The Git Up”
  • Caylee Hammack – “Family Tree”
  • Gabby Barrett – “I Hope”
  • Ingrid Andress – “More Hearts Than Mine”
  • Riley Green – “I Wish Grandpas Never Died”
  • Travis Denning – “After a Few”

COLLABORATIVE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video from a collaboration; awarded to the artists

  • Blake Shelton with Gwen Stefani – “Nobody But You”
  • Carly Pearce and Lee Brice – “I Hope You’re Happy Now”
  • Dan + Shay and Justin Bieber – “10,000 Hours”
  • Kane Brown featuring Nelly – “Cool Again”
  • Marshmello and Kane Brown – “One Thing Right”
  • Thomas Rhett featuring Jon Pardi – “Beer Can’t Fix”

CMT PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
Musical performance on a television show, series or variety special on CMT; awarded to the artist (individual, group or duo)

  • From CMT Artists of the Year: Ashley McBryde – “One Night Standards”
  • From CMT Crossroads: Brooks & Dunn and Luke Combs – “Brand New Man”
  • From CMT Artists of the Year: Chris Young – “Drowning”
  • From CMT Crossroads: Halsey and Kelsea Ballerini – “Graveyard”
  • From CMT Artists of the Year: Sam Hunt – “Fancy”
  • From CMT Crossroads: Sheryl Crow and Chris Stapleton – “Tell Me When It’s Over”

QUARANTINE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
*favorite video created during quarantine

  • Big & Rich – “Stay Home”
  • Brad Paisley – “No I In Beer”
  • Carly Pearce – “It Won’t Always Be Like This (The Social Distance Sessions)”
  • Charlie Worsham ft. Billy Justineau, Molly Tuttle, Rachel Loy, Jillian Jacqueline, Tucker Wilson, Stephen Wilson Jr., Leigh Nash, Fancy Hagood, Lucie Silvas, John Osborne & Sadler Vaden – “With A Little Help From My Friends” (Beatles Cover)
  • Dave Haywood (of Lady A) & Kelli Haywood – “Just Another Day In Quarantine”
  • Dolly Parton – “When Life Is Good Again”
  • Granger Smith – “DON’T COUGH ON ME!”
  • Luke Combs – “Six Feet Apart”
  • Tenille Townes ft. Abby Anderson, Kassi Ashton, Keelan Donovan, Alex Hall, Adam Hambrick & Caylee Hammack – “Lean On Me” (Bill Withers Cover)
  • Thomas Rhett ft. Reba McEntire, Hillary Scott, Chris Tomlin & Keith Urban – “Be A Light” (Fan Video)

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Although it is sure to be different, this will definitely be a night not to miss. Make sure to gear up for the big night and set your DVR’s for 8PM ET on October 21st and follow along on Twitter as we live-tweet the show, @NYCountrySwag.

Fans can also join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about the upcoming performance announcements in the coming weeks.

To keep up with CMT, follow along here on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

 

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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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Jason Aldean’s “Got What I Got” Tops Charts and Earns Him 24th Career #1

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Jason Aldean’s “Got What I Got” earns him his 24th career number one as the song hits the top spot on the country charts this week.

For fifteen years, superstar Jason Aldean has been a staple in country music. Throughout the years, Aldean has scored 23 number one singles, including hits like “Why,” “She’s Country,” and “You Make It Easy” in his career so far up until today. Today marks the moment Aldean’s single “Got What I Got” off his latest record 9 goes number one, solidifying its spot as his 24th hit song!

“When I got what I got, I don’t miss what I had / The old me before you belongs to the past / In the back of your mind, you might think there’s somethin’ more I want / But when I got what I got, girl, I don’t”

“Got What I Got” is the singer’s only radio single of 2020 so far, and boy is it a special one. The deeply personal song is all about being appreciative for what you have and the life you built with your family. The music video features Aldean’s children with his wife Brittany and sweet family-filmed moments with his entire family. Brittany even videoed some of the clips for her husband. Fans seem to relate deeply to Aldean’s more vulnerable side in his music!

We cannot wait to see if “Got What I Got” gets a second week at the top of the charts or if some of the rising artists like Jameson Rodgers, Matt Stell, or Russell Dickerson make it to the top spot next. Check back next week to see who takes it.

Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about upcoming Jason Aldean announcements and releases.

To keep up with Jason Aldean, you can follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

“Got What I Got” is available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released tunes 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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Luke Combs Releases Acoustic “Forever After All” In Weekly Series

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Luke Combs released an acoustic preview of “Forever After All” from his upcoming What You See Ain’t Always What You Get Deluxe album, out this Friday, October 23rd. This marks the final track of Combs’ Weekly Series, in which the singer-songwriter has taken to social media every Monday over the past five weeks to perform an acoustic snippet of each of the five new songs from the forthcoming deluxe album. Watch “Forever After All” below:

Combs originally previewed this track on TikTok. The glowing reviews from fans caused him to make it a part of his deluxe album. Clearly inspired by his new wife, Nicole Hocking, Combs gives us a love song that completes the trilogy of hits that have come before, including “Beautiful Crazy” and “Better Together.” The unreleased ballad reflects how love knows no bounds and will truly last forever even in death.

“They say nothing lasts forever / But they ain’t seen us together / Or the way the moonlight dances in your eyes / And I know there’ll be a moment / The good Lord calls one of us home and / One won’t have the other by their side / But heaven knows that won’t last too long / Maybe some things last forever after all”

Luke Combs Lovin' On You Number One

Photo via Luke Combs on Facebook

The deluxe album, What You See Ain’t Always What You Get also includes new songs “Cold As You,” “The Other Guy,” “My Kinda Folk,” and the already released “Without You” featuring Amanda Shires. The highly anticipated project is set to release this Friday, October 23rd, and will be available everywhere you buy or stream music.

Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about the upcoming Luke Combs release in the coming weeks.

To keep up with Luke Combs, you can follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

 

—————

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. Specially selected foundations that support our heroes will receive donations from each purchase. Honoring their service and remembering their sacrifice is what we are dedicated to.

—————————-

Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC & Beyond!

Subscribe to our Weekly Round-Up here 
for ticket giveaways, meet & greet contests, upcoming events,
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Luke Combs Teases Unreleased Song “Sleepless in a Hotel Room”

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Luke Combs teased fans with a brand new unreleased song “Sleepless in a Hotel Room”, performing it on social media just before the Billboard Music Awards. Check out the track below and read on as we dig a little deeper into what we know about the new tune.

As if a deluxe record (coming out Friday, October 23rd) isn’t enough, country superstar, Luke Combs continues to prove that he is all about the music and the fans. Just before his Billboard Music Awards performance and subsequent win for Best Country Artist, Combs’ shared an unreleased song entitled “Sleepless in a Hotel Room” on Instagram and Facebook.

Co-written by Combs with Jonathan Singleton and Randy Montana, “Sleepless in a Hotel Room” is all about longing to be with the one you love. As an entertainer, Combs is often away from his loved ones, especially his new wife, Nicole Hocking Combs, who inspired this song. The singer shared on social media, “Trying to take a nap before my @bbmas performance tonight and I couldn’t sleep. It reminded me of this song I wrote a few months ago right before everything shut down. Had this idea one night when I was missing @nicohocking, like I am right now. Hope y’all dig the preview of it.”

Luke Combs unreleased song "Sleepless in a Hotel Room"

“It’s 2 in the morning / TV’s on / And I never felt so far from home / I can hear the lonely howl out my window / The morning light kicks up too soon / Lying here not next to you”

Obviously, we dig it and fans agree! The new song is everything we have come to love from Combs – honest, relatable, real, and catchy! His voice shines on the personal tune, and it is evident that the singer is truly experiencing and feeling everything he is singing. Hopefully, Combs will release this song and another new batch of songs in the near future. Until then, fans can enjoy What You See Ain’t Always What You Get, out this Friday, October 23rd.

Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about the upcoming Luke Combs release in the coming weeks.

To keep up with Luke Combs, you can follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

 

—————

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. Specially selected foundations that support our heroes will receive donations from each purchase. Honoring their service and remembering their sacrifice is what we are dedicated to.

—————————-

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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5 Unreleased Cuts From Instagram That We Are Loving

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Maybe it’s just us, but it seems that lately, country artists are giving fans a taste of what’s to come via Instagram. We are noticing that so many singer-songwriters are previewing unreleased materials and even demos to fans via their social media, just to keep fans excited while we all patiently wait for live music to start up again. Whatever the reason, we are absolutely loving it! We shared five of our favorites back in July and now we’re sharing some more here!

 

“Still Goin’ Down”- Morgan Wallen

Quite possibly the king of leaking his demos, Morgan Wallen continues to give fans what they want, more music! “Still Goin’ Down” has the potential to be either a killer slow-jam or a fast-paced bop. All about celebrating country roots, (both good and bad) fans will definitely go bananas over this one if it is released!

 

“Untitled”- Avenue Beat

Our favorite girl gang, Avenue Beat are as real on social media as can be. They continue to gain support from a loyal following because of their talent and authenticity. They have leaked a lot of unreleased music, but this particular song sung by Savana Santos of Avenue Beat is so important. The lyrics remind anyone struggling with depression, loss, suicidal ideation, or loneliness that they are important, wanted, and love.

 

“That’ll Be Us Someday”- Thomas Rhett

Thomas Rhett has been writing a ton since quarantine started. “That’ll Be Us Someday” is his latest unreleased ballad, an honest love song for his beautiful and talented wife Lauren. The song is a tearjerker that will most likely be a hit if released.

 

“Wasn’t Me”- Tucker Beathard

One of the most vulnerable singer-songwriters in mainstream country music right now, Tucker Beathard has a way with words. A day after he wrote “Wasn’t Me,” he shared the written lyrics and an acoustic performance with his fans on Instagram. Who knows if he’ll release this, but damn is it good!

 

“Go First”- Madison Kozak

Nicolle Galyon’s label, Songs & Daughters’ flagship artist, Madison Kozak, (and star of our 3rd Annual Babes, Booze & Brunch event!) is everything that is right with country music. Back in August, she shared a demo of a song she recorded on her phone about all of those “first” moments. Calling it her “song baby,” we truly hope she releases this heartfelt song.

 

Keep up with NY Country Swag, as we will be sure to let you know ASAP if any of these songs are released!

Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about future releases.

Check out new recently released tunes 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.

Saturday Night Live Combs

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Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC & Beyond!

Subscribe to our Weekly Round-Up here
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The Best Deep Cuts from Carrie Underwood

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Carrie Underwood has been our country queen for over fifteen years now. She truly can do no wrong! From singing to performing to inspiring other women and being a badass entrepreneur, Carrie is a superstar in everything she does. As we memorize all the lyrics to every single song off her newest Christmas record My Gift, we wanted to take a look back at some of our favorite deep cuts by Underwood over the years.

 

 

 

“Get Out of This Town” – Carnival Ride

“Got it all figured out inside of my head / There’s a bag packed up at the foot of my bed / You say the word, baby I’m all set”

Underwood’s 2007 Carnival Ride is full of great songs, but “Get Out of This Town” is one of the hidden gems. The track is spunky, honest, and romantic, all things that the songstress does impeccably.

 

“Good in Goodbye” – Blown Away

“Sometimes life leads you down a different road / When you’re holding on to someone that you gotta let go / Someday you’ll see the reason why / Sometimes, yeah sometimes, there’s good in goodbye”

The fact that this song didn’t get the recognition it deserves is almost a crime. The song is painfully impactful and beautifully vocalized. Underwood’s vocals soar on this heartbreakingly beautiful and reflective break-up song.

 

“I Ain’t in Checotah Anymore” – Some Hearts

“My hotel in Manhattan / Holds more people than our town / And what I just paid for dinner / Would be a down payment on a house”

This sassy and personal tune shows Underwood’s humble side amidst a sea of glamour and success. The Oklahoma-native shares her small-town roots on this track, something that is both appealing and relatable. It is also super catchy!

 

“Starts With Goodbye” – Some Hearts

“I guess It’s gonna break me down / Like falling’ when I’m tryin’ to fly / It’s sad but sometimes / Moving on with the rest of your life / Starts with goodbye”

Leave it to Carrie to tug at our heartstrings, while giving us a dose of reality that we all need sometimes. “Starts With Goodbye” is the message we all need when we are going through hard times with love. From her debut record Some Hearts, the songs is still as impactful as it was back then.

 

“Wine After Whiskey” – Blown Away

“Now everything’s after you / Is like having Wine after whiskey / It went from do anything for you babe / To you don’t even miss me”

This song is truly my all-time favorite Underwood song. She eloquently sings about the pain that is associated with losing someone you know. Off her record Blown Away, “Wine After Whiskey” has truly emerged as a fan-favorite, and it is easy to see why.

 

“Unapologize” – Play On

“I unapologize / I meant every word / Won’t take back the way I feel about you / Can’t unsay what you heard / ‘Cause you heard me right”

This song is the perfect reminder to speak your truth even if your voice shakes. This anthem for love is the perfect song to listen to when you are trying to feel inspired or hopeful.

 

“I Know You Won’t” – Carnival Ride

“You say you’ll call / but I know you / you say you’re coming home / but I know you won’t”

There’s a reason this ballad still appears on live setlists more than 10 years after the release of Carnival Ride. The fan-favorite has gut-wrenching lyrics, a haunting melody, and arguably some of Carrie’s best vocals to date.

 

“Choctaw County Affair” – Storyteller

“Well, life’s been kind of trippy down here in Mississippi / Since Cassie O’Grady disappeared / And me and my Bob Shaver been in all the newspapers / Every day for naught on a year / They say we got tangled in a love triangle / A fatal game of truth or dare / But the truth remains a mystery and now it’s ancient history / It’s a Choctaw County affair”

The country queen is known for telling stories in her song, but she’s never done it quite like in Choctaw County Affair. The Bonnie and Clyde-esque track is pure country, complete with twangy instrumentation, gritty production, and a whole lot of sass.

 

“Spinning Bottles” – Cry Pretty

“Round and around and around they go / Will this end? Nobody knows / Can’t live like this anymore / Spinnin’ rooms, spinnin’ wheels, spinnin’ out of control / Spinnin’ bottles”

It’s hard to talk about substance abuse in a way that feels both truthful and tasteful but this song makes it happen. The powerful lyrics will resonate with anyone who has loved someone battling addiction and is one of the rawest songs in Carrie’s entire collection.

 

How does our list match up to yours? Let us know and be sure to follow our ‘Deep Cuts’ playlist on Spotify. Check out more deep cuts from some of our favorite artists like Morgan Wallen and Luke Combs here.

Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about upcoming Carrie Underwood releases in the coming weeks.

To keep up with Carrie Underwood, follow her on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

 

 

*Written By: Erica Zisman & Abby Kaye-Phillips

 

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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:

Runaway June: When I Think About Christmas – EP Review

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Runaway June’s first-ever holiday EP, When I Think About Christmas, is available now, October 16th on all streaming platforms. Check out our full EP Review below as we dive deeper into the collection of songs.

Releasing their first-ever holiday project, When I Think About Christmas, Runaway June are bringing the holiday spirit to fans a little early this year. The five-song EP features three well-known Christmas classics and two new original tracks. Although it’s only October, we’re more than ready to curl up next to the fire, hot chocolate in hand, with Runaway June playing on the record player.

“Christmas On The Radio,” written by Sam Hollander and Martin Johnson, is the first original on the project to make its debut and is a perfectly hand-crafted reference guide to all things Christmas. Silver bells, classic hits from Otis Redding, and Nat King Cole.

“When I Think About Christmas” is the second original and serves as the title track of the project. Written by Runaway June member Jennifer Wayne, Josh Matheny, and Tiffany Goss, the song pays homage to conventional country in the sweetest way: swing-laced instrumentation, pure joy, and your loved one.

“When I think about Christmas // I don’t worry ‘bout the cold // I’m covered up in all your kisses // C’mon baby let it snow” 

“O Holy Night” strays away from any traditional version with elegant and flawless harmonies. Of course, the holiday season just isn’t complete without the classic tune, “Let It Snow” and Runaway June’s beautiful upbeat version concludes the jolly project with glistening bells.

“Our new Christmas EP, When I Think About Christmas has all of these beautiful mountain Appalachian sounds,” said Runaway June’s Naomi Cooke, Wayne, and Natalie Stovall. “So we put our own little spin on Christmas music and we’ve got some fiddle so why not!” The trio continued to share in an Instagram post, “It’s been a long crazy year, and working on this music has felt so liberating from the madness of the world. When we think about “Christmas” we think of family, peace, rest, love and reflection, gratitude, celebration, and we wanted this music to be the soundtrack of what Christmas is to us and hopefully spread a little of that to all of you through this project.”

Singer-songwriter and fiddle player Natalie Stovall recently joined the band after Hannah Mulholland left the group. Members Naomi Cooke and Jennifer Wayne announced Stovall’s addition shortly after Mulholland announced that she was leaving, simply because she wanted to be in California with her husband and family.

Runaway June When I Think About Christmas

Runaway June’s first-ever holiday EP, When I Think About Christmas, is available now, October 16th.

When I Think About Christmas EP Tracklist:
1. Christmas On The Radio (Runaway June Original – Sam Hollander, Martin Johnson)
2. Sleigh Ride (Leroy Anderson, Mitchell Parish)
3. O Holy Night (Traditional Holiday Song)
4. When I Think About Christmas (Runaway June Original – Jennifer Wayne, Josh Matheny, Tiffany Goss)
5. Let It Snow – (Julie Styn, Sammy Cahn)

Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about future Runaway June releases.

To keep up with Runaway June, follow them on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

When I Think About Christmas EP is now 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. Specially selected foundations that support our heroes will receive donations from each purchase. Honoring their service and remembering their sacrifice is what we are dedicated to.

—————————-

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:

Matt Stell ‘Better Than That’ EP Review

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Matt Stell’s new 8-track extended play, Better Than That, dropped today and is available now on all streaming platforms. Take a look below as we dive deeper into the project.

SONY Nashville recording artist, Matt Stell released a new EP titled Better Than That today (October 16th) containing eight songs, four previously released tracks, and four brand new ones. Stell produced the EP with Ash Bowers and has writing credits on five songs.

“Everywhere But On,” originally featured on his EP of the same name, begins the record. It is about a man who has moved all over the country to try and get over this particular girl, but no location can erase his memory of her. This track hit number six on Country Airplay last week and continues to climb to the top of the charts. “Prayed For You,” ironically, reached the top spot the same time last year and has racked up over 75 million streams to date.  In this track, the singer found a girl he never met but knew she was the one he always wanted.

Better Than That EP Matt Stell

Matt Stell – Photo Credit Dustin Haney

Other previously released tracks include “If I Was A Bar” and the title track. The latter of which tells the story of two old flames at the same bar. Despite wanting to say hello, the ex-boyfriend holds back as a new guy steps in to make a move, calling out every wrong gesture the new guy is making. Stell knows she deserves better than that. “If I Was A Bar” is another breakup song. In this one, he describes how if he was a bar, the ‘getting over her’ process would be must faster. In the last song, he is upset at the bar and feeling bad for himself, but in this one, there’s a hint of anger and resentment still left in him. These tracks contain heavy electric guitar and percussion, displaying his rock-n-roll influence.

The first of the new tracks is “I Love You Too,” which sounds like it would be a sweet love song. However, the singer describes a relationship where the woman has settled with a man who does not reciprocate the same amount of love and effort the woman does. Stell is telling this story from the third-person, so we are not sure if he had any relationship to the two in the story, but one can speculate that this song is about the same girl from “Better Than That.”

With young love comes immediate infatuation and a lot of mistakes made, and Stell paints that picture beautifully in the next track. “Sadie” is a somber, folk-influenced song that, although not written by Stell, could be very personal to him. The singer admits his wrong and confesses that he would do anything to get this girl back. It is impressive when such a personal song like this can relate to almost anyone who has been in a relationship at a young age.

“Sadie / If you need to k-k-keep me waiting / Just do what you got to, girl / I-I-I-I-I-I-I’d start a riot for ya /  I-I-I-I-I-I-I’d fall in the fire for ya”

“Chase It Down” is about gaining the courage to leave your hometown to follow your dream. People from the singer’s hometown generally end up staying there forever, but him and his girl are determined to make a name for themselves. The final song, “Look At Me Now” has the potential to become a common first dance-wedding song. A troubled man’s life was turned around when he met the love of his life. He went from a lone “hell-raiser” to tearing up watching his soon-to-be wife walk down the aisle.

“Look at me now, tears in my eyes / Even though I swore that I wouldn’t cry / Lost in the second I saw you in that dress and your daddy was walking you down / Thought I’d never do this but look at me”

Stell sings from the heart, and listeners can hear his honesty and humbleness in these eight, terrific tracks. He has shown country music his versatility as he has something for everyone: heartbreak, love, and vengefulness, all demonstrated in different ways sonically. He is open and honest with his fans which makes us feel a part of his life and leave us wanting to hear more stories. That is an incredible trait of any new artist. Expect to see his name atop the charts for years to come.

NYCS Picks:

  1. Sadie
  2. Look At Me Now

BETTER THAN THAT EP TRACKLISTING

  1. Everywhere But On– Matt Stell, Paul Sikes, and Lance Miller
    2. If I Was a Bar     – Dan Isbell, Zack Kale, and Jonathan Singleton
    3. Prayed For You – Matt Stell, Ash Bowers, and Allison Veltz
    4. Better Than That-Matt Stell, Joe Fox, and Phil Barton
    5. I Love You Too – Matt Stell, Seth Alley, and Ryan Peterson
    6. Sadie – Nate Cyphert, Sam Roman, Parrish Warrington, and Diederik van Elsas
    7. Chase it Down – Matt Stell, Jarrod Ingram, Blake Hubbard, and Brian Maher
    8. Look at Me Now – Joe Fox, Seth Ennis, and Thomas Finchum

Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about upcoming Matt Stell announcements and future releases.

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

Better Than That is now available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released tunes 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. Specially selected foundations that support our heroes will receive donations from each purchase. Honoring their service and remembering their sacrifice is what we are dedicated to.

—————————-

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:

Parker McCollum: Hollywood Gold – EP Review

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Parker McCollum’s major-label debut EP Hollywood Gold is available now, October 16th on all streaming platforms. Watch below in our Up Close & Virtual Interview as we chat with McCollum about the new music + read our full EP Review below as we dive deeper into the collection of songs.

Texas native and NYCountry Swag 2020 Artist to Watch, Parker McCollum signed with MCA Nashville/UMG Nashville last year, and since then, has garnered thousands and thousands of fans across the nation. Today marks the release of his brand new EP, his major-label debut Hollywood Gold.

The EP is a dedication to McCollum’s craft, his fans, and of course his loved ones. It’s name pays homage to the singer-songwriters grandfather, his prized horse, and the message his grandfather always taught him to “just keep swinging.” His grandfather also played a role in why the singer chose to record the only song off the record that he did not write, “Like A Cowboy.” Written by Chris Stapleton and Al Anderson, the tune is a pensive song about having an internal identity conflict.

“Girl I will love you the best that I can / But you need to know that I am what I am / And I’m not a bad guy, but I’m not a good guy at heart”

On “Young Man’s Blues,” McCollum shares his version of home and what his home has ingrained in him. His vulnerability and honesty in this song is unparalleled. Similarly, fan-favorite tune, “Hallie Ray Light” showcases the same type of honesty and relatability. Named after his girlfriend, the song focuses on showing affection to a new lover.

The lead single “Pretty Heart” is steadily climbing the charts and has truly touched the hearts of fans across the nation. The achingly beautiful declaration of remorse for a break-up is the songwriting country music deserves.

“What does it say about me / Now that I’ve broke your pretty heart / Your pretty heart”

The closing track “Love You Like That” is another standout. The singer-songwriter confesses his insecurities in love as he sings about feeling like he could fly with his girl, but he doesn’t know if he can do the same despite promising everything to try.

“I never really had no peace of mind / I’m a running heart / Living fast / I never understand you putting up with that / Cause I’m the same man that I’ve always been / And I hope that that’s the man you’re loving in the end”

Of course, each of the six tracks off the record paints a unique picture, running the gamut of the human experience, all of which showcase McCollum’s talent at connecting to fans. “If I’m going to sing these songs every night, I’ve gotta mean the things I”m singing about. I can’t fake it,” declared McCollum in a recent press release.

Hollywood Gold Parker McCollum

Parker McCollum’s debut EP, Hollywood Gold, is available now, October 16th.

It has been a long time coming for McCollum, whose lifelong dream has finally been recognized with this project. Overall, each track puts a modern twist on true-blue traditional country music, without blurring the genre lines. His roots in Texas country music are truly embedded in his signature sound. If this is any inclination of what a full-length project will look like from the artist, fans are in for a real treat, because the singer-songwriter’s staying power is undeniable.

Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about future Parker McCollum releases.

To keep up with Parker McCollum, follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

 

NYCS Picks:

  1. “Pretty Heart”
  2. “Love You Like That”

Hollywood Gold EP Tracklist:

  1. Young Man’s Blues
  2. Like A Cowboy
  3. Pretty Heart
  4. Hallie Ray Light
  5. Hold Me Back
  6. Love You Like That

Hollywood Gold EP is now 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 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. Specially selected foundations that support our heroes will receive donations from each purchase. Honoring their service and remembering their sacrifice is what we are dedicated to.

—————————-

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:

Who Is Tiera? The Story Behind Her Journey to Country Music

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Releasing a brand new track today, newcomer Tiera spoke with NYCountry Swag about her backstory and her journey to Nashville. Learn more about her in the interview below.

Tiera

We have been early believers and proud supporters of Nicolle Galyon’s record label, Songs & Daughters since the very start. Championing women in country music and beyond is something that is close to our hearts, as a female-run business ourselves, that’s why teaming up with Galyon and Songs & Daughters for our 3rd Annual Babes, Booze & Brunch event earlier this year was so special to us.

Now, Songs & Daughters are introducing us to another rising female powerhouse, Tiera, and we are thrilled to get to know her in this week’s Swag Spotlight feature. Tiera is the flagship songwriter for Songs & Daughters, and also has new music coming out on her own including a brand new track released today, “Found It In You”. We loved every minute of our conversation with the blossoming singer-songwriter…

Growing up in Gardendale, Alabama, outside of Birmingham, Tiera recalls her family always being supportive of her dreams. She grew up in a household that encouraged exploration of interests, including modeling, dancing, and singing, but Tiera always returned back to music. “My parents really encouraged us to try everything until we figured out what we wanted to do, and I always just went back to music.”

After writing her first song in high school and teaching herself how to play guitar, Tiera had her heart set on attending Nashville’s Belmont University. However, as plans changed, she ended up attending the University of Northern Alabama for one year on a full-ride scholarship instead, before changing trajectories. “I’m really grateful for my time there,” she explained, “I spent a lot of time in the studio writing and recording. It was kind of where I learned how to write songs and figure out who I was at an artist.”

With that being said, it was there where Tiera really learned her craft as a songwriter. Channeling inspiration from fellow country singers like Taylor Swift, Dolly Parton, and Carrie Underwood, she knew then, that her heart was in country music and Nashville was where she belonged. “I fell in love with country music and I realized that Nashville was the place to be if I wanted to do country music, so I would take trips up there with my parents, and I just loved it.”

After making numerous trips down to Music City to play shows at some local venues, Tiera finally convinced her supportive family to make the big move with her. “I had been traveling back and forth before I moved here, and I was really lucky that I knew a couple of people in town, from writers rounds and everything. I felt so at home here. […] Literally, the day I moved, I had a show, and I haven’t stopped since.”

In the last four years, the songstress has managed to be accepted by Nashville’s incredible all-female collective, Song Suffragettes, sign a published dealing with Songs & Daughters, and of course voice her own daily radio show on Apple Country Music called ‘The Tiera Show.’ “It’s crazy, it’s so crazy, I don’t think it caught up to me yet,” Tiera explained when talking about her success over the last few years.

Currently aside from being Songs & Daughters’ flagship songwriter, Tiera is focusing on releasing her own music. After several writes with her producer Cameron Bedell, she finally selected “Found It In You” as her newest single. “We wrote it at the beginning of last year,” she began, adding, “it was really fun writing that song because I didn’t know it was the start of a new chapter for me when we wrote it. I had been searching for my sound for the longest time. I remember he sent me the demo after that writing session, I was like whatever this is, that is exactly the direction I want to go with my music.” Tiera later referred to the song as her “song baby” and how proud she is to be releasing such an impactful and personal tune.

Fans can look forward to more new music from Tiera coming out later this year. She even hinted at an acoustic version of “Found It In You” coming up the pipeline sometime soon.  Moreover, fans can be sure to have music that speaks to who the singer is now as a person, which makes it extra special, “I feel like for the first time, I am able to release some music that is congruent to who I am as a person now.”

Whatever the case is, we are sure that Tiera is primed for much success in the industry, so make sure to keep her on your radar and on your playlists!

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

“Found It In You” is now 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 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. Specially selected foundations that support our heroes will receive donations from each purchase. Honoring their service and remembering their sacrifice is what we are dedicated to.

—————————-

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: