It has been a tough few weeks for 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, in celebration of our first batch of shirts being shipped, we decided to share ten ways that we can all help continue to spread kindness. Let us know if you try any!
Offer to do a chore (like cooking dinner or cleaning the bathroom) that you do not normally do for your family.
Pay for the person in the car behind you in the drive-through line or behind you at the supermarket.
Purchase essential items from small businesses and local businesses that you want to support.
Buy gift cards to restaurants that you love to order take-out or to go out to dinner once we are all able to again.
Draw an uplifting picture or write some positive affirmations and hang it on your front door for cars or people walking to see.
Make a care basket or write a letter to one of your friends, family members or even a stranger and leave it on their doorstep or in their mailbox to brighten their day.
Donate to a charity of your choice.
Spread the word about an organization or an artist that you love via social media.
Share your talent via Youtube or another platform to help people learn a new skill during downtime.
Simply smile because smiling is contagious.
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.
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.
The Hero Collectionby 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!
Check out all the new music and more on our Spotify New Country Music Playlist below and be sure to follow for updates each and every Friday:
—————————-
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!
https://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/New_Music_Friday.jpg6301200Stephanie Wagnerhttps://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/logo-new-cs-white.pngStephanie Wagner2020-04-10 00:36:312020-04-10 00:36:31New Country Music Friday – The Playlist 4/10/20
Reigning 2019 American Idol winner and country singer, Laine Hardy has kept fans waiting eagerly for brand new music. But today, the wait is over. The Hollywood Records/19 Recordings artist released two brand-new songs, “Ground I Grew Up On” and “Let There Be Country,” both paying ode to his Louisiana, down-home country roots.
“Ground I Grew Up On” (Josh Thompson, Brett Beavers, Brandon Kinney) is a heartfelt tribute to Hardy’s hometown and the very place that he grew up in. Although it “might look like nothing but gravel roads and tractors rolling over ’em fields,” the Baton Rouge native assures listeners that the “ground [he] grew up on” will always hold a special place in his heart. After all, it made him the person he is today.
The second track “Let There Be Country” (Steve Moakler, Tim Nichols, Jason Afable), on the other hand, ramps up the tempo and shows the rockier, fun, typical country boy side of the 19-year-old. The feel-good anthem follows a check-list approach in defining what being in the country feels like.
In a press statement, Hardy shared, “I am so excited to finally be able to release this new music! I hope these songs give you an idea of where I grew up on the Bayou, running through the fields with my cousins and fishing on Lake Maurepas. Louisiana is always going to be in my heart, and I want to just keep making Louisianans proud.”
As announced by The Tennessean earlier this week, fans can catch Laine performing live online on his “Ground I Grew Up On Virtual Tour,” with more than 15 online stops through the end of May. Laine is set to perform new music and chat with fans virtually during each of the tour stops. A complete listing of Laine Hardy concert dates, including virtual tour stop details, can be found at LaineHardyMusic.com.
“Ground I Grew Up On” and “Let There Be Country” 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.
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!
https://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/laine-hardy-debut-ep.jpg6301200Jeremy Chuahttps://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/logo-new-cs-white.pngJeremy Chua2020-04-10 00:26:262020-04-10 10:34:45NYCS First Impression Laine Hardy Debut EP
This new one by Lee Brice acts as the perfect prologue to “Rumor”, which was released July 2018 and hit #1 on Billboard and Mediabase charts. “One of Them Girls” is a stream of consciousness that personifies those thoughts before you meet a potential lover. An honest fondness seeps out of these lyrics that exist solely to wonder about this female personality. Ashley Gorley, Dallas Davidson, Ben Johnson, and Brice included a healthy dose of hypothetical scenarios to play around with what one might find when getting to know this obscure yet charming presence in the room.
“And you’re one of them girls that / Ain’t tryna meet nobody / You’re just here for the party / If I’m wrong then stop me, yeah / You’re one of them girls that / Ain’t handin’ out your number / You like to make us want you, you like to make us wonder”
In its attempt to figure out a girl, the song becomes just as abstract. The imagery is blurry, but it’s there. Nonetheless, this song succeeds in its identity as a thought-provoking piece.
Brice was pulled to write this song during a moment of appreciation for his family on Father’s Day of last year. “But, it’s so very much about that girl that all of us—deep down, at the end of the day, at the end of our lives—really hope to have loving us,” he admits. The bridge supports this idea and suggests that all of those voiced characteristics were inspired by his wife, Sara. It seems that he solved the puzzle of one of them girls.
“You’re one of them girls / I wanna put my lips on / Hold all night long / Write a little love song”
“One of Them Girls” is available now everywhere you buy or stream. Take a listen below and check out more 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.
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!
https://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/one-of-those-girls-lee-brice.jpg6301200Erin Crosbyhttps://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/logo-new-cs-white.pngErin Crosby2020-04-10 00:25:322020-04-15 10:17:05Lee Brice Releases New Single “One Of Them Girls”
One of our favorite new artists, Mitchell Tenpenny has made his mark on country music over the past several years, releasing tracks full of relatable lyrics and highlighting his signature growly voice. During the uncertain times the world is facing, Tenpenny is back this time with a song that isn’t about love or losing it, rather about making the most of the time we have left, “Here”.
A sweet change of pace for the singer-songwriter, “Here”, an uptempo bop examines the passage of time and how to take each moment and never take a single heartbeat for granted.
“I wanna go too far, I wanna play too hard / I wanna live it up cause I know I only got so many years / I wanna lose myself, in someone else / I wanna feel it all, do everything I wanna, while I’m here”
We can already picture blasting this one while we finally drive around with the windows open, or holding a beer up to cheers our friends during live concert season this summer. If this pandemic can teach us anything it is to truly live each moment fully, appreciate the little moments, and “get that peace of mind thing figured out”.
Tenpenny is joining Jason Aldean on his summer leg of the We Back Tour. For tickets and tour dates click here.
“Here” 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.
The Hero Collectionby 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!
https://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/mitchell-tenpenny-new-song-here.jpg6301200Christina Boschhttps://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/logo-new-cs-white.pngChristina Bosch2020-04-10 00:23:522020-04-10 00:23:52Mitchell Tenpenny Appreciates Every Moment in “Here”
Since bursting onto the scene with 2014’s satirical “Girl in a Country Song,” Maddie & Tae have been one of country’s most interesting acts. The duo released their first full-length album in 2015. Yet, due to unexpected career chaos, including the shuttering of their old record label, it took five years for the release of their sophomore album, The Way It Feels, out today. As the old cliche goes, some things are worth the wait.
The Way It Feels shows Maddie (Marlow) and Tae (Taylor Dye) as women in a country duo, having come a long way from their “Girl in a Country Song” days. Having lived through relationships and marriages, personal and professional heartbreaks and triumphs, the music here is mature and thoughtful. The album includes some previously-released tracks, including the stunning “Friends Don’t” and “Die from a Broken Heart,” both evidence of the kind of brilliance the pair is capable of.
The duo co-wrote on all but one of the album’s fifteen tracks, allowing their personalities to truly come through on each and every song. Other co-writers include some of the genre’s biggest names, including Dye’s husband Josh Kerr, Dave Barnes, Jordan Reynolds, Jimmy Robbins, Jon Nite, Laura Veltz, Forrest Whitehead, and more. They also enlist Dierks Bentley on the stunningly beautiful ballad, “Lay Here With Me.” While the collaboration is one of the album’s highlights, there are many musical moments throughout the collection.
The album opens with “Everywhere I’m Going,” immediately setting the tone for the record. With it’s breezy, mid-tempo instrumentation and beautiful harmonization, the pair preview an album full of much of the same. Some of the album’s most stunning tracks are ballads, showing off Maddie & Tae’s unmatched harmonies and beautiful lyrics. There’s “Trying On Rings,” an ethereal celebration of the progression of a young summer romance all the way through to growing up and trying on wedding rings. On “Drunk or Lonely,” they’re on the receiving end of a text from an ex that has them wondering if he’s just drunk or lonely.
The album also shines on its fun, up-tempo tracks, including “Bathroom Floor,” “Ain’t There Yet,” and “New Dogs.” On the first, they implore a friend to pull herself together and recover from a breakup. “Get up off the bathroom floor/ Let’s wipe the tears off your cheeks/ Put on a dress and get out that door/ Girl, the first shot’s on me,” They sing. “Let’s jump into a cab downtown/ Let a sexy man spin you around/ Let’s show that heart/ Some neon magic/ ‘Til we’re drunk and laughing/ Back on the bathroom floor.”
On “New Dogs,” the album’s clever closing track, Maddie & Tae call out guys who are full of classic lines to pick up girls. “I’ve seen this before, Couldn’t be more not surprised,” They muse here, “Hey baby/ Let me guess/ You never felt this before/ My beauty takes your breath/ Boy get that jaw off the floor/ Ain’t my first rodeo/ I know the way this goes/ Bow wow baby/ Got a bone to pick/ New dogs, old tricks/ Oooh, put a leash on it.”
While Maddie & Tae may not have been able to do the things they’d anticipated with the release of The Way It Feels, they’re making the best of a tough situation. “This isn’t the way we dreamed of putting our album out. There’s so much we’d love to get out there and do, necks we’d like to hug, but the reality is… we all need to stay home. There’s some beauty in being home… time to listen to music,” the pair tweeted. And there’s plenty of beauty in this album to be listened to and enjoyed.
Maddie and Tae will be hitting the road this summer with Lady Antebellum, as part of their Oceans 2020 Tour, which also includes special guest, Jake Owen. The show will hit Jones Beach on August 7 followed by the rescheduled date for PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, NJ on September 26th. To keep up with the duo, visit their official website or follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
NYCS Picks:
1. “Bathroom Floor”
2. “Lay Here With Me”
3. “Die From a Broken Heart”
4. “New Dog Old Tricks”
The Way It Feels Tracklist:
1. “Everywhere I’m Going'” (Maddie Marlow, Taylor Dye, Josh Thompson, Jimmy Robbins)
2. “Bathroom Floor” (Maddie Marlow, Taylor Dye, Josh Kerr)
3. “My Man” (Maddie Marlow, Taylor Dye, Dave Barnes, Jordan Reynolds)
4. “Tourist In This Town” (Maddie Marlow, Taylor Dye, Barry Dean, Jimmy Robbins)
5. “Drunk Or Lonely” (Maddie Marlow, Taylor Dye, Deric Ruttan, Forrest Whitehead)
6. “One Heart To Another” (Maddie Marlow, Taylor Dye, Jonathan Singleton, Deric Ruttan)
7. “Trying On Rings” (Maddie Marlow, Taylor Dye, Laura Veltz, Jimmy Robbins)
8. “Write A Book” (Maddie Marlow, Taylor Dye, Laura Veltz, Josh Kerr)
9. “Water In His Wine Glass” (Maddie Marlow, Taylor Dye, Jon Nite)
10. “Ain’t There Yet” (Maddie Marlow, Taylor Dye, Dave Barnes, Ben West)
11. “Lay Here With Me” (feat. Dierks Bentley) (Maddie Marlow, Taylor Dye, Josh Kerr, Dave Barnes)
12. “Friends Don’t” (Maddie Marlow, Taylor Dye, Jon Nite, Justin Ebach)
13. “Die From A Broken Heart” (Maddie Marlow, Taylor Dye, Jonathan Singleton, Deric Ruttan)
14. “I Don’t Need To Know” (Maddie Marlow, Taylor Dye, Adam Hambrick)
15. “New Dog Old Tricks” (Laura Veltz, Jesse Frasure, Emily Weisband)
The Way It Feels 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.
The Hero Collectionby 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!
https://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/the-way-it-feels-maddie-and-tae.jpg6301200Nicole Pieringhttps://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/logo-new-cs-white.pngNicole Piering2020-04-10 00:06:402020-04-10 00:06:40NYCS First Impression: Maddie & Tae ‘The Way It Feels’
Tim McGraw is one of the most recognizable country music superstars. With his unique voice, he managed to become known for his ability to stir up a wide range of emotions from heart-melting ballads to toe-tapping, dancehall tunes. As he once said in USA Today “There’s a lot of people who can pick up a guitar and sing you a great song, but there’s a very few people that can tell you how they feel. That’s the main purpose of acting or doing an opera or painting or anything. It’s to tell somebody how you feel and more importantly, tell them how they feel.”
In all of McGraw’s songs, this sentiment is undeniable especially in “It’s Your Love”, “Speak To a Girl”, “Don’t Take The Girl” or “Humble and Kind”.
With 15 studio albums, 21 singles to hit number one on the Billboard Hot Country 100 chart, 3 singles named the number one country song of the year (It’s Your Love, Just To See You Smile, and Live Like You Were Dying), 3 Grammys, 14 Academy of Country Music Awards and 3 People’s Choice Awards, McGraw is certainly one of the most decorated artists of our time. Here are a few songs that we love, that you may have forgotten about.
Welcome To The Club – This first song is for those who were dumped and broken-hearted. “You gave her everything you thought she wanted/ Now all you want is gone/ you’re just one of many broken-hearted/ Wondering what went wrong/ Welcome to the club”
Tears In The Rain – While listening you can feel his sadness because his love might come back if she could see his tears in the rain. “Now, I’ll regret that moment ‘cause I didn’t let her know/ How much I still loved her, I was hopin’ it would show/ But the raindrops and the teardrops ran together on my face/ Now she’ll never ever know no one can take her place”
The Great Divide – Sometimes an argument can lead to a great divide which is hard to overcome. The hole between two people can bo so deep that even if they want to bury it but the ground would still tender. “And it’s a long, long way/ Across the great divide/ The songs that they once sang/ Now echo far and wide/ They could still get back/ All the love that they have lost/ But only if they both will reach across/ ‘Cause it’s a long, long way to the other side/ Of the great divide”
You Just Get Better All The Time – One of these songs where love is almost touchable and you can feel the affection. A wonderful piece of music. “You just get sweeter every day/ The little things you do and say/ If only you could see you through my eyes/ You just get better all the time”
Senorita Margarita – When your heart is sad and you need someone to comfort you but the one you love is the cause of heartache you need senorita margarita. “Senorita, margarita I’m as lonesome as a man can be/ I still love her/ I still need her/ I’m just hoping you can comfort me/ I don’t want to do her wrong/ I don’t need somebody new/ I just can’t be alone tonight/ So senorita, margarita, let me hold you tight”
Let Me Love You – A country song with a Latino vibe, now you’ve heard it all. It will make you sway to the rhythm and feel like a professional samba dancer. “Show me what it is like to lose control/ Free the desire in your soul/ Oh oh let me love you/ Let me take you the place like nowhere else/ Show you the things you never felt/ oh oh let me love you”
Home – There’s no place like home sweet home. Home is not just a building it’s much more, it’s feelings and memories. It’s almost like a time machine that can take you to happy and simple times. “Later on we’ll sit around/ Bellies tight from supper/ telling all them stories/ That we just can’t get enough of/ And somewhere in an honest laugh/ It’ll finally hit me that I’m/ Home”
Old Town New – a blue song because of the painful past. A Town, people, and places remind of a failed relationship that’s why you have to make old town new. “Color other than blue again/ I would have something to do again/ Instead of thinking about you again/ But the people I know/ The places I go/ Remind me of you/ Oh, somebody came around/ And make this old town new”
Open Season On My Heart – “I can’t blame anyone but me/ This reckless fool I’ve come to be/ My tired excuses just don’t fit/ It don’t look good from where I sit/ I’ve tried to change without much luck/ I reached the point where I get stuck/ I hit the streets and the fireworks start/ It’s open season on my heart”
Forever Seventeen Letting go of past experiences and moving on in life is easier to say than to do it and contemplating life choices and past is effortless but not painless. That’s why we should remember that we’re not flawless, we make mistakes and past is the past. “A reckless lover, a father figure/ You search for both in every man you meet/ You’re not a mother ad sometimes you wonder/ if a son or daughter just might make you feel complete/ But no, you don’t need someone else/ No, it’s hard enough to learn to love yourself”
McGraw’s ability to hone in on all kinds of emotions through songs makes him really special, one of the kind. He performed many memorable songs and sang many amazing lesser-known tracks that will stay in the hearts of his most devoted fans.
The Hero Collectionby 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!
https://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/tim-mcgraw-songs-unknown.jpg6301200Michal Pietrzakhttps://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/logo-new-cs-white.pngMichal Pietrzak2020-04-09 09:33:252020-04-09 09:33:25Throwback Thursday: Tim McGraw Songs You May Have Forgotten
During last Sunday’s ACM Presents: Our Country, while most other artists performed familiar songs or hits, Capitol/UMG Nashville’s Caylee Hammack took the opportunity to debut a brand-new unreleased song, “Forged in the Fire.” Her performance, though only aided by an acoustic guitar and mic set-up, was delivered with a tear in her voice that begged to cry, “I’ve been through this.”
Hammack’s approach was much like her label mate Eric Church’s “Never Break Heart”, they both shared a never-heard-before song with a timely and hopeful message that encouraged us to embrace life’s trials; or the forging in our fires.
“When does a Phoenix learn how to fly? / Do I get my wings when I stop asking why? / How do I start moving on and moving past, stop holding on, looking back / when God’s hell-bent on making me a fighter? // Forged in the Fire,” the vocal powerhouse sings introspectively. While writer credits are not yet public knowledge, we’d bet this redheaded fireball had a hand in penning it.
“Forged in the Fire” is a true standout because of its vulnerable and relatable lyrics– qualities which country music prides itself on. Its message, though surely personal to the Georgia native, is also universal. It does not seek to preach or advise from a top-down approach but, instead, empathizes and encourages.
Ultimately, there are no grey lines or ambivalence for Hammack. Evinced best in the bridge, she chooses a ‘this or that’ approach in finding a resolution. If she wants to see better days, she has to persevere through the forging and trust the process.
“Am I glass or am I iron? Will I last or will I tire? Can broken be beautiful again? / Am I glass or am I iron? Will I shatter or will I rise higher? From the ashes, I’ve been buried in”
Have you been through hardship? Have you doubted your purpose in life? Have you compared your journey with others? Are you nowhere near where you want to be? Has life continuously dealt you with bad cards that you wonder when it’ll end? Or presently, has your life turned a 180 by this coronavirus pandemic and quarantine?
Then watch Hammack’s moving performance, and let country music give you that extra boost needed to push through the odds you’re facing.
P.S.: We’re waiting with eager anticipation until Hammack finally releases this song! Until then, let her acoustic performance tide you through.
The Hero Collectionby 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!
https://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/forged-in-the-fire-caylee.jpg6301200Jeremy Chuahttps://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/logo-new-cs-white.pngJeremy Chua2020-04-08 12:06:302020-04-08 12:06:30Caylee Hammack Offers Encouragement with “Forged in the Fire”
90s-inspired country group, the Hot Country Knights released a new track, “The USA Begins With Us” last Friday from their debut album The K is Silent, which comes out on May 1st. The patriotic record is more of a speech than a song, led by front-man, Doug Douglason. He discusses the things in life that try to divide us and reminds listeners that the USA begins with ‘us’ and by coming together as a nation, we will see the necessary change. At least that was message he was trying to get across. Watch this inspirational public address below!
“These days, there are a lot of people that want to divide us,” Douglason announced to the ‘sold-out crowd’. “Well, I’m no math genius like all those smarty dudes up there in D.C., but I know that division is the exact same thing as subtraction…and the Knights are not about subtraction, we’re all about addition! In fact, an American probably invented addition.”
After the song part of the speech, members of the band mouthed famous quotes from political figures such as Franklin D. Roosevelt’s “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself” and Bill Clinton’s “I did not have sexual relations with that woman.”
Although Douglason’s intended message may have been unclear, it relates to current times. By following the government’s orders of social-distancing and staying inside, we can survive the coronavirus-infested world we are living in now. It also gives us something to laugh at during these extremely trying times.
The Knights were scheduled to headline their own tour starting this week. However, like all other shows and events, it has been postponed with new dates to be named later. Country fans were very excited to see the Hot Country Knights get their big break, but Douglason assured that the Knights will return to the stage.
“Although we are pretty familiar with all types of viruses, we realize that our fans may not have the same immunity built up,” Douglason admitted on the Knights’ website. “Don’t worry though, if history has proven anything it’s that nothing – not even a worldwide pandemic – can keep The Knights down for long. We’ll be baaaaaaack!”
“The USA Begins With Us” 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.
The Hero Collectionby 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!
https://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/hot-country-knights-usa.jpg6301200Dylan Bestlerhttps://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/logo-new-cs-white.pngDylan Bestler2020-04-08 11:46:402020-04-08 14:38:05Hot County Knights Drop Hilarious “The USA Begins with US”
This week we shine our spotlight on New Jersey country artist, Nikki Briar. Her unique brand of country music has resonated across the genre and the United States. She fully put her career in God’s hands, but it’s evident that music has been in her soul since birth.
Growing up, Briar was consumed by music. Her father worked as a touring musician, while her mother played classical piano. She tells us “I learned how to play the drums because of him and I learned how to play the piano because of her,” adding later, that her early exposure to music helped to mold her, while also assisting her with working through her own struggles with a speech impediment.
Taking the influences from her parents, Briar’s first introduction to music was in the style of Motown and Jazz. She credits artists like Frankie Valli and Frank Sinatra as early influences. As her musical style evolved, the singer-songwriter found herself listening to boy bands like Hanson, Backstreet Boys, and New Kids On The Block. It wasn’t until middle school that Briar found a connection to country music.
“Country music kinda came into the picture when I started playing the guitar in middle school,” she tell us. The singer’s uncle taught her to play acoustic guitar, which of course, lends itself to country music. Because of the likes of artists like Shania Twain, LeAnn Rimes, and Garth Brooks, “I fell in love with country music.”
Despite her appreciation for music and natural talent, Briar decided to pursue a career as a teacher, even getting her master’s degree. It wasn’t until she was invited to sing the national anthem at a military event that her path in life started to shift. Her boyfriend was overseas serving our country, and a fellow soldier took a liking to the singer’s voice. The soldier happened to also be a producer and writer in Nashville and invited Briar to come down to work on music.
On a whim, the songstress decided to take the risk. She headed to Nashville to write and has not turned back since. On that trip, Briar ended up writing her first single “A Soldier’s Princess,” which found its way to radio. “That’s when I realized, wow, that’s how it easy it is,” she shared, “I just told [him] a story about my email address and that right there, started a title of a song.”
Her first writing experience combined with her first trip to Nashville and the support of her now, husband helped her to find the courage to put all of her energy into music. With newfound confidence and instilled faith, Briar tells us she realized, “I love country music and I do have a story to tell,” adding later, “If God wants it to happen, it’s going to happen. I’ll work on it and I’ll do what I gotta do and if it works out, okay, let’s see what happens.”
Flash forward to today, Briar has been in the business for over thirteen years. Most recently she released a new song called “MAMA’S BOY,’ to her fans via Facebook. The new single will be apart of her upcoming EP FOREVER YOUNG. The singer drew inspiration from her daily life as a mom, and it is a beautiful ode to her 1 and 3-year-old sons. “So Mama’s Boy came probably about a week ago when I just was determined to finish a song that I wanted to write about being a mother,” Briar tells us. Utilizing the downtime of this national crisis, the singer was finally able to finish a song that she has been wanting to write, since becoming a mother.
Old and new fans of Briar alike should keep their eyes peeled for more from the singer as we head into the later part of the year. She is scheduled to play at some festivals, as well as, shows across the Northeast, Nashville, and Florida in the summer and fall months. For current dates and times head to nikkibriar.com.
The Hero Collectionby 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!
