Jillian Jacqueline Inspires Optimism with “Wait For The Light”

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Wait For The Light Jillian Jacqueline

Jillian Jacqueline, a rising force in Nashville’s female entourage from Chester Springs, Pennsylvania, is reminding the world that there is good as we know it, and we as people, can make that change to create greatness in her latest single “Wait For The Light.”

“Wait For The Light,” written by Jacqueline, her husband Bryan Brown and brother-in-law Tofer Brown, emotionally arrests the singer + songwriter’s soulful vocal offerings and emotive piano dexterity as she channels the goodness in this life; the goodness we can all share and provide if we unite. The song sustains a stripped element as she is joined by an angelic choir. It’s a testimony to the true human character. The track was written and recorded within a week and pegs the COVID-19 pandemic and recent social injustices on the nose. Jacqueline encompasses the warmth of a Louis Armstrong vibe as she sings: “And honey, it’s a small world // And you’ve got a big heart // And every stranger is a friend if you lean in // And keep a little faith in the dark // It can be so hard // To get through a long night // If you feel lost on your own street // Come and find me and we can wait for the light.”

Her brother-in-law Tofer is the producer behind her EPs SIDE A and SIDE B that debuted in 2017 and 2018 and will continue to work with his sister-in-law on her upcoming project, which received a halt due to the current events.

The songstress shared on her Instagram page, “I wrote this with @toferbrown and @bryanbrown four weeks ago as we sat around their grandmother’s piano. If a song could be a love letter to the world, this would be mine. I hope it reminds you of the beautiful innocence that remains at the heart of it all, and the vital choice we have as humans to lean in instead of look away. I hope it inspires you to walk beside someone through the darkness while they wait for the light to come, and maybe, in turn, they’ll get the chance to do the same for you. Xo JJ.”

In Jacqueline’s online web store, she is selling limited-edition autographed “Wait For The Light” posters and five dollars from each purchase will be donated to the Nashville Food Project. Written as a mission statement on the site’s homepage, it coordinates “bringing people together to grow, cook and share nourishing food, with the goals of cultivating community and alleviating hunger in our city.”

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

“Wait For The Light” is now available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more 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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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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I Am Second Series with Carrie Underwood + Mike Fisher

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Carrie Underwood Mike Fisher I Am Second

Country music has long been rooted in faith and family, and Carrie Underwood has never denied the importance of both in her life. Now the superstar and her husband, retired NHL player Mike Fisher, are opening up about marriage, joy, and loss in a new film series from I Am Second titled “Mike + Carrie: God and Country”.

Filmed last December near their rural Tennessee home, the four-episode mini-series will give fans an unprecedented look into the lives of one of country music’s most famous couples as they discuss the role faith-based values have played in their relationship, in raising their boys, and in their respective careers.

On paper, Fisher, an avid hunter, and carnivore could not have been more different than the vegan and animal activist Underwood. But 10 years of marriage later they have learned to embrace their differences, knowing that each of their passions and views come from the same place: their relationships with God. 

Episode one, which premiered last week, showed Underwood and Fisher alternating between playful banter (Mike teased Carrie for using the word, “welp” to describe a “welt”) and serious topics (they both got emotional remembering the birth of their first son, Isaiah). It’s clear that though comfortable in their respective spotlights (stage for one, ice for the other), behind the scenes they are just two people, looking to do right by their marriage and their family.

Teasers for the rest of the series show the couple opening up about their struggles with infertility (Underwood announced in 2018 that she had suffered 3 miscarriages before she got pregnant with her second son, Jacob) and sharing how they leaned on faith when things were toughest.

Viewers can watch the mini-series at www.iamsecond.com. New episodes will be released each Wednesday at 8 PM EST.

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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!

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for ticket giveaways, meet & greet contests, upcoming events,
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Kindess Isn’t Canceled Spotlight: Robert Kenney Creates “Dad, how do I?”

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It has been a tough few months in quarantine for us, our friends in Nashville, for the country, and for the world. Small businesses are struggling to stay afloat, people are trying to rebuild their homes, many Americans are losing their jobs, and we are all forced to stay in as we fight through this pandemic. Despite all this turmoil, beauty and kindness have remained.

We decided to flip the script and shine our spotlight, while we can, on some of the kindness that we have witnessed from others because Kindness Isn’t Canceled. To grab your exclusive shirt, click here.

Today we wanted to highlight a magnificent father, who took his own trauma, growing up without a dad, and made something good come from it. Rob Kenney, a father of two adult children, has become a YouTube sensation after starting a series entitled “Dad, How Do I?” The series focuses on teaching young people how to deal with basic household tasks through simple tutorials.

Dad, How Do I

In just one month, Kenney has garnered almost 2.1 million YouTube subscribers, showing the void he truly fills for many people out there. Kenney accomplishes this through compassionate teaching in short, to the point, videos geared towards answering questions that children without fathers or father figures may not know the answer to.

His ability to pay it forward, despite the trauma he endured in his own childhood, is both honorable and inspiring. Kenney personifies how easy it is to perform a simple act of kindness.

Check out Kenney’s “Dad, how do I?” YouTube series here.

Know somebody spreading incredible acts of kindness during these difficult times? Email us at: [email protected].

We look forward to continuing to keep bringing you more stories that remind us that Kindness Isn’t Canceled. Join us in our campaign, and buy yourself a t-shirt here. As always, we appreciate you support of  NYCountry Swag.

 

Youtube- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNepEAWZH0TBu7dkxIbluDw/videos

 

Know somebody spreading incredible acts of kindness during these difficult times? E-mail us at: [email protected].

We look forward to continuing to keep bringing you more stories that remind us that Kindness Isn’t Canceled. Join us in our campaign, and buy yourself a t-shirt here. As always, we appreciate your support of  NYCountry Swag.

 

 

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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!

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Mental Health Awareness Month Within the Country Music Community

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Brett Eldredge Mental Health Awareness

Photo Via @BrettEldredge on Instagram

As the month of May comes to an end that means that Mental Health Awareness month is too. Despite the month coming to a close, discussion about mental health should take place every month and every day. According to Time, 18% of the world’s population, and 40% of Americans suffer from anxiety, and at least 16.2 million Americans suffer from depression. It’s one of the more taboo topics of conversation, yet one of the most universal struggles we as people face. The country music community has a reputation for staying silent on touchy subjects ranging from politics to racial and gender equity to mental health, citing that their music is the only opinion that should be in the mix. However, as the years have gone on, more country artists have been forthcoming with their struggles.

 

Brett Eldredge is one of the most vocal advocates for mental health within the genre. “As a kid, I would kind of have a panic attack, but I didn’t even know what that was,” he told Dan Harris who hosts the podcast 10% Happier back in 2018. “[I remember times] in college… I’d just [wonder] ‘Is something wrong with me?” Eldredge has reflected on these experiences in songs like “Castaway”, singing “I tried to fly but I ran out of sky/And I fell straight down into the ocean”. He also explores the theme of being so consumed by “a world that’s gone cold,” in new song “Where The Heart Is”, asking “What in the world, what in the world/Are we all doin’ here?/What do we see, what do we see/When we look in the mirror?” Eldredge has always been introspective in his lyrics, but as his career has progressed, he’s been even more open. “I’m always looking for somebody else that’s experiencing the same thing as me. It’s because you feel like you’re all alone,” he told Harris.

Eldredge has continued to use his platform for good. This past Saturday, he announced he was running a half-marathon to support Mental Health America. He told his fans that if they donated any money at all to his campaign, he would match every donation. Together, his fans raised $18,314, and together they raised $36,628. “I’m doing this for everybody that feels alone and [has struggled with] mental health and anxiety,” he said in a video. “People just hide it.”

Kelsea Ballerini is another artist who has been very open about her struggles with feeling like she wasn’t good enough or living up to her expectations. “Why am I so anxious all the time? Why all of a sudden am I the most insecure person that I know?” she told The Washington Post. She explores this in songs like “homecoming queen?” and “la”, and on the latter, sings “I ask myself, is it feeding my soul or my anxieties?” This lyric is perhaps her most important and memorable because it’s a simple reminder to check in with yourself when you’re feeling a little off.

Mickey Guyton is an artist who has been fighting countless battles, anything from getting more women on country radio, standing up for people of color and people in the LGBTQ+ community, and most recently, the despicable murders of innocent people like George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and sadly, countless of other black people. Guyton, a woman of color herself, shared on Twitter, “I know we all suffer from anxiety in some form or another but imagine the anxiety black men must feel on a daily basis for just existing. Just let that sink in for a moment.” In songs like “What Are You Gonna Tell Her?” she sings about the anxiety and difficulty of being a woman in society. “What are you gonna tell her? / When she figures out / That all this time you built her up just so the world could let her down?” The song is a plea for women and people everywhere struggling with not being heard.

A lot is going on in the world right now, and it is important more than ever to be on top of your mental health. It feels like a lot when you turn on the TV or check the news, but it is critical to stay informed and stay safe, whatever that means for you. NY Country Swag curated a playlist to help manage your anxiety, and so you know that you are not alone. Not now, and not ever.

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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!

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[Tune In] CMT Celebrates Our Heroes On June 3rd

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Celebrates Our Heroes CMT

Don’t miss this Wednesday night (6/3) as CMT takes time to honor the people who have worked tirelessly on the frontlines in a new television special “CMT Celebrates Our Heroes: An Artists of the Year Special”. The two-hour virtual tribute begins at 8 PM ET/ 7 PM CT and will feature a star-studded line up of country music’s biggest names to help recognize COVID-19 heroes in the following categories: Healthcare, Education, Business, Community Leaders, Food Industry, Infrastructure, First Responders, US Military, and more.

The lineup includes Brandi Carlile, Brothers Osborne, Darius Rucker, Florida Georgia Line, Kane Brown, Kelsea Ballerini, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Luke Combs, Miranda Lambert, Sam Hunt, Tim McGraw, Thomas Rhett, Blake Shelton, Bobby Bones, Cody Alan, Gary Sinise, Jake Owen, Jason Aldean, Keith Urban, Lee Brice, Olivia Munn, Reba McEntire, Scarlett Johansson, Sean Penn, Zac Brown with cameos from Carrie Underwood, Kristen Bell, and Lauren Daigle.

Looking to make a difference? Viewers are encouraged to head to CMTOneCountry.com to find out how to give back to those who need it most and see how artists themselves are making an impact.

Fan can catch the event by tuning into CMT, Paramount Network, Pop TV or TV Land. For the latest updates be sure to follow CMT on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

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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!

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Old Dominion Reveal Three Previously Unreleased Tracks

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Old Dominion

2-time CMA “Group of the Year” band Old Dominion, composed of Matt Ramsey, Trevor Rosen, Whit Sellers, Geoff Sprung, and Brad Tursi, have released new music for fans to enjoy during the duration of our quarantine period. Last week, the band debuted these three select songs via Instagram posts in the form of shared voice memos with a little tidbit of information about the song. Each song holds an extra chapter in each of the band’s albums released as a signed band and even before then. “I’m On It”: was very close to being a staple on Meat and Candy, “Can’t Get You”: a live version on Happy Endings turned studio version and “Goes Without Saying”: a cut off of an independent EP before Old Dominion was Old Dominion.

“I’m On It” was originally supposed to be on the band’s debut Meat and Candy but was cut at the very last minute as “Song For Another Time” was written. It was bumped to acquire the latter on the debut and it reached No. 1 on the Country Airplay chart in December of 2016 and recipient of CMT Music Group Video of the Year. So, the cut made way for success but is seeing its light now. The song opens with a muffled drum track and progresses into the full band shortly after the first verse. It’s mid-tempo and complements the drums throughout. Just when she thought he was gone, he’s “on it.”

“Can’t Get You” was previously released as a live track featured on their sophomore project Happy Endings. The song is seen through a different lens as a studio version. Written by Ramsey, Andrew Dorff, and Josh Osborne, the song talks about obtaining a number of things in domino effect like, “I get bored, I get drunk, I get drunk, I get brave, I get brave, I get a phone..” and so on, but can never get the girl. The song is stained with southern rock influences such as a heavy guitar and prominent sounding drums.

“Goes Without Saying” is a song from an independent EP that was recorded before the band signed a record deal. Shared on the band’s Instagram, “Goes Without Saying” is the oldest new song we’re putting out tonight. We recorded it for an EP before we even had a record deal.” It’s a sad offering that has frontman Ramsey admitting his loss of love for someone. He sings coupled with an electric guitar: “How could it just disappear / I don’t know how we got here / Broke without breaking / Drunk without drinking / They don’t tell you when your time is up / I guess sometimes love goes without saying // Goes without saying goodbye.”

Old Dominion’s previous single “One Man Band” went to No. 1, broke over 362 million streams, and was certified platinum. “Some People Do” is their current single, and its video can be watched below.

To keep up with Old Dominion follow them on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

“I’m On It”, “Can’t Get You”, and “Goes Without Saying” are 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:

What We’re Listening To: May Picks

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NYCountry Swag’s “What We’re Listening To” playlist highlights the wide range of our team’s favorite songs and artists when it comes to the country music genre.  At the end of the day, we are all fans first with a passion for country music and are eager to share with you all what we’ve got on repeat each month.

Find below each of our team member’s favorite songs and why in our May picks. Then be sure to give our Spotify account a follow and listen to our favorite tracks!

 

MAY PICKS:

 

 

Stephanie Wagner, Founder

Pick: “Think About You” – Alana Springsteen feat. Filmore
Songwriters: Alana Springsteen, Chris Gelbuda, Jeremy Lister

This month I chose Alana Springsteen and Filmore’s “Think About You”. The piano ballad gives off a pop-friendly vibe, but at its core, the lyrics speak country music. Describing two old flames and the tension that comes along with running into each other unexpectedly, the emotional song focuses on the ins and outs of mutual unspoken love.

“You walked in tonight and I watched the whole room fade around you / 
Oh I’m not alright I just act like I am because I have to”

Newcomer, Alana Springsteen flawlessly delivers the track while Filmore showcases his soft-spoken vocals in comparison to his generally more upbeat music that we are used to hearing from him. The two paired together make for a great duet in this beautiful song.

 

Christina Bosch, Managing Editor 

Pick: “Payin’ Hard” – Kip Moore
Songwriters: Blair Daly, Dave Nassie, Kip Moore, Westin Davis

From the first notes of the final song on Kip Moore’s masterpiece album, Wild World, I was hooked. “Payin’ Hard” clocks in under 3 minutes long but in that short time, you can feel true emotion as the regret-soaked ballad tells the story of sacrifices made to follow a dream.

“At the expense of my heart Lord, I’ve cashed in my soul / Chose this old guitar before the only love I’ve known / I gotta live with that, lose sleep with that when I close my eyes I’ll die with that yeah / My life’s a credit card, play now, pay later and I’m paying hard”.

For anyone who is pursuing an unconventional career whether it be music or not, “Payin’ Hard” is a quiet anthem, reflective on the choices you have made and what they have meant for your life.

 

Lucie Bernheim, Contributing Writer

Pick: “The Days” – Hailey Whitters
Songwriters: Ben West, Hailey Whitters, Hillary Lindsey

Hailey Whitters has been a longtime favorite of mine, and her sophomore record, The Dream, is one of my most-listened-to albums this year. I’m a senior in High School, and I would have graduated next month. “The Days” is like my personal mantra right now. For everyone, including me, this time at home has been a rollercoaster of feelings. When you’re young, you’re told that these are “the days” to look back on. You hear it in the movies and on the radio, and there’s even a magazine called Seventeen. When I turned eighteen in April, my perspective changed. I realized that these moments I had been waiting for look different, but I can still make the most of them. There are plenty of things I can still celebrate because time won’t slow, and the world is still spinning. In the words of Whitters, “instead of counting up the days, I just want to make them count.”

 

Dylan Bestler, Contributing Writer

Pick: “Detours” – Jordan Davis
Songwriters: Dave Turnbull, Jacob Davis, Jordan Davis

I feel like I didn’t know anything about Jordan Davis before this song, but after hearing it I now know about his whole life, which says a lot about how deep and beautiful this song is. He tells the story of what it was like growing up as a wild child with divorced parents to becoming the loving husband and father he is today. He thanks the good Lord for helping him find his direction and turning his life around.

I think this song is a big turning point for Davis in his career. His first few singles were fun and very radio-friendly, but it takes a lot of heart to release a song as vulnerable as this one and it really shows how much he has matured as an artist. I’ve been singing these lines in my head since the song was released:

“Yeah, I lost my way / Damn near lost my mind / Pedal to the metal, let the devil leave me blind / I was way outside the lines”

 

Kristina Callahan, Contributing Writer

Pick: “A Little Lime” – Jordan Davis
Songwriters: Jacob Davis, Jordan Davis, Josh Kerr

Jordan Davis delivers another jam with “A Little Lime” off his new EP. The upbeat, feel-good tempo makes me want to drive around with my windows down blasting.

“Oh, the next song’s kinda slow // I could pull you in close // Spin you around then wash it down with another round of // A little lime and a lot of tequila”

It’s the perfect summer song that describes meeting someone at a bar and immediately hitting it off. The Louisiana native teamed up with his brother, Jacob Davis and hit songwriter Josh Kerr for the song. I dare anyone to listen to this song and not want to scream it at the top of their lungs.

 

Erin Crosby, Contributing Writer

Pick: “Hey World” – Lee Brice
Songwriters: Adam Wood, Dallas Davidson, Lee Brice

“Hey World” is not only the type of song that I would regularly have on repeat for weeks. It’s not only a strong, stripped-down production of honest lyrics with a soft instrumental. It’s all of these things mixed with a worldwide understanding and mutual prayer that the world unplug from the rest of us. The coronavirus pandemic allows these lyrics to hold value with more depth which creates the song to strive solely based on relatability.

It’s pretty rare for a ballad to gain so much attention, but I am all for it when they do. In fact, Brice was practically forced to release this track after posting a clip of it on social media, and we’re glad he did. Besides, the world needs to hear this right now. It’s the official unofficial sponsor for when the quarantine becomes unbearable or when “normal life” seems unbearably far away. Despite the sorrowful words and slow melody, the song has a way of making one feel connected to the rest of the world. Brice is asking the world to leave us alone, but the world answers back with a sense of hope that bonds each of us together.

 

Alexa Ebner, Contributing Writer

Pick: “Slow Down Summer” – Thomas Rhett
Songwriters: – – 

Thomas Rhett has been giving the country music community many treats throughout this quarantine period – by sharing new, acoustic songs that he’s written. “Slow Down Summer” has been one of my favorites, with the soothing melody and heartfelt lyrics. Rhett sings nostalgically about a summer love that must come to an end when the season changes. The song is relatable to all, detailing the feeling of wanting something beautiful to last. The singer beautifully picks his guitar while his voice gently sings this mid-tempo ballad. He uses vivid imagery throughout the song, singing “tangled up with your lips on mine / I’ve never seen a brighter green in those eyes”. The listener is transported to the times in their lives when they’ve experienced something they cherish slip away. To listen, visit @thomasrhettakins on Instagram and head to his IGTV. I really hope that he releases these songs soon!

 

Julia Grubbs, Contributing Writer

Pick: “Here” – Mitchell Tenpenny
Songwriters: Jordan Schmidt, Marc Beeson, Mitchell Tenpenny

I think the most important thing I’ve learned over the last two months is to live in the moment because that is really all we have. The future is full of uncertainty, and nothing more than this minute is promised. Mitchell Tenpenny ultimately captures this idea in “Here”, which has been a regular on my playlist throughout May. He says we only have so many years, so I want to “go too far…play too hard…live it up”; basically just do everything we can to feel all of life’s emotions, good and bad, because that’s what makes life worth living. Why hold back? Why not say what you mean? Need a drive to release some stress? Turn on this song and sing it loud, enjoying the beauty and the heart of country music and the relief and community it brings to its fans.

 

Nicole Piering, Contributing Writer

Pick: “Champagne Night – Lady Antebellum
Songwriters: Andrew DeRoberts, Charles Kelley, Dave Haywood, Dave Thomson, Ester Dean, Hillary Scott, Madeline Merlo, Patricia Conroy, Ryan Tedder, Shane McAnally, Tina Gezma

A song I can’t get enough of lately is “Champagne Night” by Lady Antebellum. While the song actually came from a songwriter on NBC’s hit show, Songland, it wouldn’t have sounded out of place on the group’s latest album, Ocean. The song celebrates not needing anything fancy to have a real good time, and the chorus reminds us that it’s not about what you’re drinking, but with who.
“Raisin’ plastic cups to a life of luxury/ C’est la vie on a Friday / We get dressed up in a blue jean tux/ And we go where we don’t hear the highway / Don’t need doubles and bubbles/ To get in all kinds of trouble/ Out in the country/ Don’t need a crystal chandelier/ To have a real good time / We’re drinkin’ beer on a champagne night”
“Champagne Night” is a fun, summer-ready anthem, and while most of us are still stuck inside, it’s nice to hear songs that remind us of normalcy and that better days are ahead.

Pick: “Single Saturday Night” – Cole Swindell
Songwriters: Ashley Gorley, Michael Hardy, Mark Holman

No surprise that my pick is “Single Saturday Night” by Cole Swindell. New music during this time has been something getting me through since we can’t enjoy live music and Swindell’s new song is no exception. It’s the perfect song to kick off the summer season with of course a White Claw in hand.
Pick: “Second Guessing” – Florida Georgia Line
Songwriters: Shane McAnally, Andrew DeRoberts, Benjamin Simonetti, Brian Kelley, Corey Crowder, Ester Dean, Geoff Warburton, Griffin Palmer, Ryan Tedder, Tyler Hubbard 

I’ve been a huge fan of the NBC series “Songland” since it premiered, but the episodes featuring country artists are obviously my favorite. I was excited to watch Florida Georgia Line on the show, but I didn’t expect to be so obsessed with the song they chose to record. This ballad has a smooth and sincere melody and one of my best hooks I’ve heard in a long time. With a title like “Second Guessing,” I like many people assumed the song would be about doubting a relationship. Instead, the lyrics paint a beautiful picture of the certainty that only comes with experiencing great love.

“Since I met you, I / I ain’t spent one second guessin’ / I made up my mind / I never knew, I / Just had to find my direction / Gettin’ lost in your eyes / Because I’ve turned days into nights / And spent all of my life askin’ questions / Now I don’t spend one second guessin’ “

 

 

Erica Zisman, Contributing Writer

Pick: “i don’t really like your boyfriend” – Avenue Beat
Songwriters: Sam Backoff, Savana Santos, Sami Bearden, Summer Overstreet

This month I ended up choosing another Avenue Beat song as my pick of the month by happenstance. “i don’t really like your boyfriend” has been stuck in my head, since the moment the songstresses previewed it on their social media. It is catchy, clever, and just so real. I cannot get enough of Avenue Beat’s unprecedented honesty and their authenticity. I truly fall in love with just about every song they release.

“Here’s a solid reason why he’s actually the worst / You can’t get trashed at a party without checking with him first / And he says it’s cause he’s worried cause the world is filled with creeps / But he’s really just projecting his own insecurities, yeah / I don’t really like your boyfriend”

The song is a certified bop that you must listen to ASAP!

Listen to our picks on our “What We’re Listening To” playlist on Spotify and be sure to give it a follow, so you can catch our monthly updates.

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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:

Kindness Isn’t Canceled: Help Feed The Front Lines in NYC

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New York’s Country 94.7 and NYCountry Swag in partnership with Walker Hayes & The ‘Be A Craig Fund’ are teaming up to feed the front lines in New York City!

For each purchase of the “Kindness Isn’t Canceled” Tee, all profits will be donated to provide meals, with the help of IGC Hospitality, to our amazing healthcare heroes. Help us reach our goal of 500+ meals by grabbing your tee.

Walker Hayes Kindness Isn't Canceled

Each order gets you a shirt + access to an exclusive Walker Hayes Virtual Show taking place on Wednesday, June 17th at 7PMCT / 8PM ET.

Hayes kicked things off with a $5,000 donation from the ‘Be A Craig Fund’ during a special Live announcement… Watch Here >>

Thank you for helping us reach our goal and support our heroes! Make sure you’re following along on Instagram for updates – @NYCountrySwag, @NYCountry947, @WalkerHayes.

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*UPDATE 6/18/20: Kindness Isn’t Canceled! We launched this tee in partnership with New York’s Country 94.7, Walker Hayes and The ‘Be A Craig’ Fund to raise money for the purchase of meals to feed our frontlines in NYC! Buyers also got access to an exclusive Virtual Walker Hayes show! Learn more about the special project here.

The virtual show has come and gone, but you can still help! With each purchase now through the end of the summer, we’re donating 20% back to The ‘Be A Craig’ Fund, so that they can continue to do great things!

The Be A Craig Fund was established by Walker Hayes as a tribute to a man named Craig who gave the Hayes’ family a van when they were struggling. His kindness meant that the family would have a vehicle big enough for all of the Hayes children to have a seatbelt. In keeping with the sentiment of paying it forward, and through gifts to support nonprofits that empower others to make the path easier, Walker wants to encourage individuals to seek out opportunities to help others.

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Walker Hayes recently released his latest single, “Trash My Heart”. Listen to the feel-good track here and tune in to New York’s Country 94.7 to hear it live on air.

NYCountry Swag recently caught up with Hayes and his family for a Virtual Brunch hang where the whole clan joined in for a special version of “Trash My Heart.” Check out the hilarious rendition in the video below.

 

 

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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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Cam Releases Timid Autobiography with New Single “Redwood Tree”

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Redwood Tree Cam

It’s been three months since her last single release “Till There’s Nothing Left”, Cam entertains listeners with a new one. “Redwood Tree” has a soothing yet somber production whereas the lyrics talk directly to the rooted presence that is designated primarily to Northern California. This brilliant singer-songwriter, who is from the Golden State, creates this relationship with a redwood that acts as a surrogate set of eyes while the wind works as a roadmap and guides her soul.

“Oh redwood tree, now it’s just you and me / Back then it was hard to stay, and easy to leave / In the soft summer breeze, it’s so simple to see / That time kept ticking back home, while I was living for me / And I saw the world, you saw my parents grow old / You’ve got your roots, and I’ve got the wind – the wind in my soul”

A sentimental, cartoon-style video was made to tell the story of the redwood tree. Still, prior to watching, Cam paints a picture with her words in the music. “Redwood Tree” is a story, meaning the lyrics play the most important role. They take on a narrative approach, using specific and clear language in order for listeners to easily follow the concept. The short film does the same with evolving images. It opens to capture Cam facing the redwood in a shot that suggests that they are one; that they are the same. Then, the progression of Cam’s identity truly begins with a timeline of small but significant moments and ends with a true full-circle moment in relation to the tree.

Cam is set to drop her sophomore album later this year.

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

“Redwood Tree” is now available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more 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.

—————————-

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:

Newcomers CB30 Release “We Are Right Now”

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CB30 We Are Right Now

After releasing their sentimental love song, “Love That About Her,” one of Nashville’s newest duos, CB30 continues to impress fans with their beautiful harmonies and brightening personalities. We featured the talented brothers, Christian and Brody Clementi in one of our Saturday virtual brunches and can attest for their undeniable charm. The duo just upped the ante with a new single entitled “We Are Right Now.”

If one thing is for certain, CB30 know how to make the girls swoon with their romantic, yet honest lyrics. Christian and Brody use their voices to convey moments in time that feel as close to perfect as possible. Singing lyrics like “I can spend forever just feeling it together like we are right now,” the men definitely give a new meaning to appreciating the moment.

The addition of the layered voices towards the end of the track only amplifies the already stellar production. We love how easily these lyrics could lend itself to both a simple acoustic performance, as well as, a bigger during a live show. We are excited to see what CB30 release next!

To keep up with “We Are Right Now” follow them on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

“We Are Right Now” 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: