Blog Archives

Taste of Country Festival is now Trailblazer Fest 2020 – Line Up Announced!

December 5, 2019/in Blog /by Christina Bosch

This morning, fans and festival goers who have been waiting on the edge of their seats for the big announcement were informed that this year Taste of Country Festival will be a week later than usual, June 12,13, and 14 and is now called Trailblazer Fest.

Along with the new date, they just announced headliners will be Dierks Bentley, Thomas Rhett, and Luke Bryan! Other acts include Kelsea Ballerini, Cole Swindell, The Cadillac Three, HARDY, Dylan Scott, Matt Stell, Gabby Barrett, Blanco Brown, Clare Dunn, Seaforth, and Jon Langston.

In the upcoming weeks, fans can also look forward to a second stage line up, the Next From Nashville stage.

Be sure to check out our recap from this year’s festival here, grab your tickets to Trailblazer 2020 here on December 13th and be sure to sign-up for our Weekly Round-Up, so you don’t miss any upcoming announcements, ticket giveaways, meet & greets and more.

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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:

Decade Challenge – Country Music Edition

December 4, 2019/in Blog /by Erica Zisman

As 2019 comes to a close, the decade challenge is all the rage throughout social media. Superstars and rising artists alike are taking to Instagram to show pictures of how much has changed or stayed the same over the past ten years. We thought it would be fun to switch it up and to take a look back on some of our favorite country artists’ careers over the past 10 years, as our own ‘decade challenge.’

Photo Credit: (2009) – Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic // (2019) – Kevin Winter/Getty Images

1. Carrie Underwood- Of course it is hard to forget that this superstar began her epic career after winning Season 4 of American Idol, but it has been fifteen years since that coveted win! In the last 10 years, Carrie Underwood has solidified her place in country music history. Her legacy includes sold-out world tours, six platinum-certified number 1 records, and over a dozen number 1 singles. If that’s not enough, the songstress is a recipient of seven Grammy Awards, and countless other awards, all while being a mother, wife, philanthropist, and entrepreneur. Her newest record Cry Pretty is a masterpiece and the next decade with Underwood is sure to be another crazy, beautiful journey!

Photo Credit: (2009) – Drew Mayard // (2019) – Kevin Winter/Getty Images

2. Thomas Rhett-Presently, Thomas Rhett is a staple in country music, boasting countless songs on the charts and sold-out shows at venues like New York City’s Madison Square Garden; however, ten years ago Rhett was just a kid trying to figure out what he wanted out of life. After landing a publishing deal, the songwriter penned singles for both Jason Aldean and Florida Georgia Line. It wasn’t until 2012 that Rhett began to release his own music. Just a year later, his debut record It Goes Like This, featuring his first number 1 as an artist, the title track, premiered and Rhett has not looked back since!

Photo Credit: (2009) – via Luke Combs Facebook // (2019) – Kevin Winter/Getty Images

3. Luke Combs- It is hard to believe that Luke Combs has only been on our radar for just about six years. The singer-songwriter released his first-ever EP back in 2014 with The Way She Rides, following that release with his second EP Can I Get An Outlaw. It wasn’t until two years later, in 2015 that Combs finally released his first single “Hurricane” and debuted his third EP, This One’s For You, which would later become the title of his 2017 major label debut record. Since then Combs has become a member of the Grand Ole Opry, become one of the most decorated country singers with seven straight number one singles and has solidified himself as a bonafide superstar in just a few short years. This just the beginning for Combs’ as he only just released his sophomore record What You See Is What You Get, which is already crushing records, proving that his talent can only grow from here.

Photo Credit: (2009) – Steve Jurvetson // (2019) – Glenn Francis

4. Garth Brooks- Mr. Garth Brooks is a certified legend in the country music industry. He has been making music since the 90s and is the highest-selling solo artist of all time, but his success has not slowed down over the last ten years. After a brief retirement, Brooks when on to headline his own Las Vegas show residency and play hundreds of shows across the world, including his most recent, ‘Dive Bar Tour,’ named after his lead single off his upcoming studio album. He just won his 7th Entertainer of the Year award at the 2019 CMA Awards and we are sure that Brooks will continue to be one of the most successful and well-respected country artists for decades to come.

Photo Credit: (2009) – via Miranda Lambert Facebook // (2019) – Kevin Winter/Getty Images

5. Miranda Lambert- As a solo artist, Miranda Lambert’s career has been quite the rollercoaster over the past ten years, but she continues to stay true to who she is and fans come out in droves to see her perform. Since 2009, the songstress has released five studio albums, including her most recent, Wildcard. The singer-songwriter has won numerous awards, including two Grammys, and continues to sell-out shows across the country. Most recently Lambert performed at the CMA Awards and also won an ACM for Milestone Achievement Award.

Photo Credit: (2009) – Keith Hinkle // (2019) – Kevin Winter/Getty Images

6. Luke Bryan- It is crazy to think about how the peak of Luke Bryan’s success has come in the last ten years. A decade ago, Bryan was a rising artist on the brink of greatness. In 2010, he won multiple awards as a new artist, as well as, hit the top spot on the charts with his singles “Rain Is a Good Thing” and “Someone Else Calling You Baby.” Since then, Bryan has had over 20 number one hits and has ventured out to perform shows across the nation. He also serves as one of the judges on American Idol and continues to garner fans with his charm, charisma, and talent.

Photo Credit: (2009) – via Keith Urban Facebook // (2019) – Kevin Winter/Getty Images

7. Keith Urban- New Zealand-Australian singer-songwriter, Keith Urban is one of the mainstays in country music over the past decade. His music resonates so well with fans from many different countries and cultures. By the time 2009 rolled around, Urban already had six studio albums under his belt. Since then, he has slowed down a bit with releasing music, but his popularity has only risen. Like Bryan, Urban has also served as a judge on the popular television show American Idol and continues to make waves on the charts and at award shows. He is a two-time Entertainer of the Year and we’d be surprised if he doesn’t nab another coveted award in his future!

Photo Credit: (2009) – via Miranda Lambert Facebook // (2019) – Jason Merritt/Getty Images

8. Dierks Bentley- Dierks Bentley has been warming our hearts for almost two decades, but in 2009, Bentley released his fourth studio album Feel That Fire, which went on to produce four top two hits. So far, Bentley’s ninth studio record The Mountain had achieved similar success, with the first two singles “Burning Man” and “Woman, Amen,” reaching the top spot on the charts. The newest record marks the singer-songwriter’s seventh number one record, as well as, another successful tour to his name. Bentley’s music continues to transcend time and it will be interesting to see where this next decade will take him.

Photo Credit: (2009) – via Blake Shelton Facebook // (2019) – Rich Fury/Getty Images

9. Blake Shelton- Over the course of a decade, Blake Shelton has made himself a household name. His personality and his talent have taken him to new heights. The Grand Ole Opry member has released six albums in the last ten years, with one on the way. He has solidified himself as one of the most entertaining artists with his stint as a judge on NBC’s The Voice, as well as, with his invigorating tours and live performances. One of Shelton’s most recent singles “God’s Country” is already a certified hit and his newest single “Hell Right” is still climbing the charts. The singer’s infectious personality is sure to keep him playing on our airwaves for years to come.

Photo Credit: (2009) – Kevin Winter // (2019) – Kevin Winter/Getty Images

10. Lady Antebellum- Although trio Lady Antebellum have been grinding in the industry for several years prior, the last ten years have marked some of the most successful times in their career. Their fourth single “Need You Now” from their second studio album catapulted them to fame, becoming their second number one and a number 2 hit on the all-genre charts, solidifying it as a crossover success. Lady A’s career came to a halt in 2015, when they decided to take a break from making music together. Just two years later the group was back together under a new label and ready to make music again. They currently have a residency in Las Vegas and recently released their newest record Ocean, which is chock full of nostalgia and talent. The record is truly their coming home to country music, and we know 2020 will be an exciting year for the performers.

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SHOP THE HERO COLLECTION

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

—————————-

Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC & Beyond!

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

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

NYCS Swag Session: Rachel Wammack

December 4, 2019/in Blog, Swag Sessions /by Christina Bosch

Sony Music Nashville recording artist and songwriter Rachel Wammack stopped by New York Country Swag this past week to perform and chat. This special Swag Session took place at Winnie’s Jazz Bar located in the Refinery Rooftop in New York City, Wammack performed on the piano her two singles “Damage” and “Something People Say”.

Our interview took place just hours before Wammack performed an opening set for the iconic Trisha Yearwood at Town Hall. Watch our full interview and her beautiful performance below.

For more music from artists we’ve featured during our LIVE Swag Sessions, check out our Sessions Playlist below and give it a follow for updates.

To keep up with Rachel Wammack follow her 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. 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:

Jameson Rodgers Announces GREW UP IN THE COUNTRY TOUR

December 3, 2019/in Blog /by Christina Bosch

Announced today, Jameson Rodgers is going on his first headlining tour! The GREW UP IN THE COUNTRY TOUR will kick off on Valentine’s Day in Saint Louis, MO and conclude on April 24th at a hometown show for Rodgers at The Lyric Oxford in Mississippi. Along for the tour on select dates are Hunter Phelps, Drew Parker, Jordan Rowe, and Sarah Allison Turner. Rodgers and Phelps just celebrated their first number one as songwriters with Chris Lane’s “I Don’t Know About You”. For more about Phelps, check out our Swag Session below where he performs the song.

“2019 has been a whirlwind year for me, signing a record deal with RiverHouse/Columbia, opening for my brother Luke Combs on his sold out arena tour all year, playing the Stadium at CMA Fest, launching my first single ‘Some Girls’ to country radio, and so much more,” said Rodgers in a press release. “The band and I are so grateful for getting to make a lot of new fans this year and we’re looking forward to playing some longer sets and a lot of new music from my debut album. I’ve asked some of my favorite artists/friends to tag along and I’m really excited for the GREW UP IN THE COUNTRY TOUR next year.”

Tickets for the GREW UP IN THE COUNTRY TOUR go on sale to the general public on Friday. For tickets and more info head to www.jamesonrodgers.com

GREW UP IN THE COUNTRY TOUR 2020
Feb. 14 – Saint Louis, MO / Delmar Hall^
Feb. 28 – Columbia, MO / The Blue Note*
Feb. 29 – Fayetteville, AR / George’s Majestic Lounge*
March 5 – Statesboro, GA / The Blue Room*
March 6 – Sarasota, FL / White Buffalo Saloon*
March 13 – Springfield, MO / Midnight Rodeo*
March 14 – Des Moines, IA / Wooly’s*
March 20 – Lancaster, PA / Chameleon Club#
March 21 – Boston, MA / Brighton Music Hall#
March 22 – Uncasville, CT / Mohegan Sun Wolf Den&
March 25 – New York, NY / Mercury Lounge#
March 26 – Washington, DC / Union Stage#
March 27 – Warrendale, PA / Jergel’s Rhythm Grille#
March 28 – Rootstown, OH / The Dusty Armadillo#
April 17 – Athens, GA / Georgia Theatre+
April 18 – Starkville, MS / Rick’s Café+
April 23 – Nashville, TN / Exit/In+
April 24 – Oxford, MS / The Lyric Oxford+

*Drew Parker
#Hunter Phelps
+Jordan Rowe
^Sarah Allison Turner
&Free Show

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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:

Where Are They Now? Our 2018 Artists to Watch Update

December 3, 2019/in Blog /by Erica Zisman

Here at New York Country Swag, we pride ourselves on being tastemakers, finding and championing new and up-and-coming artists and introducing our followers to the best of the best of the rising acts. Back in 2018, we named the 10 artists below in our “Artists to Watch in 2018” and we are proud to say, we know rising talent before they make it big. Check out what each of these artists has done over the past two years and what is coming up for them in 2020.

10. Ryan Griffin- Griffin continues to pave his way as an artist and as a songwriter. If 2018 was his break-out year, 2019 was the year of honing his craft, so that 2020 can be even brighter. This September, the singer finally dropped his major-label debut single, perfectly titled “Right Here Right Now,” which was produced by the late busbee. Griffin paid tribute to his producer with the music video, which speaks volumes about his character. We are sure that the new year is going to be a big year for the rising artist.

9. Brandon Lay- The country newcomer spent his 2019 playing huge festivals across the United States, including Stagecoach and Hunter Mountain’s Taste of Country Music Festival. We caught up with the singer at the latter, where we talked about his incredible rendition of Trisha Yearwood’s iconic song “Walkaway Joe.” Lay also released another original song this fall, an anthemic track called “Still Rock & Roll.”

8. Jordan Davis- Davis grew his fanbase and notoriety this past year. He landed opening gigs on major tours, including Old Dominion and Rascal Flatts headlining tours, as well as, played at every major country music festival. In the last couple of months of 2019, the signer finally treated fans to new music dropping the laid-back “Trouble Town” and “Cool Anymore,” an exuberant duet with Julia Michaels. Davis also announced his 2020 headlining tour. New Yorkers can catch the singer on stage at New York City’s Webster Hall this March!

7. Jillian Jacqueline- The extremely talented songstress had quite the exciting year! She not only opened for Devin Dawson on his ‘Stray Off Course Tour,’ but also made her headlining debut in New York City at Gramercy Theatre back in May! To learn more about her backstory, check out our Swag Spotlight!

6. Adam Doleac- We have believed in Doleac, since day one, but he is finally getting the recognition he deserves. Back in October, the singer signed with Sony Music/Arista Nashville, and his major-label debut single “Famous” will impact country radio on December 16th. Besides “Famous,” the singer-songwriter has also independently released “Puzzle of Us,” “SOLO,” and “Wake Up Beautiful.” Check out what he has to say about those songs and his journey so far in our interview from the Taste of Country Music Festival below.

5. Ryan Kinder- Kinder remains one of the most talented vocalists in country music right now. This year the singer-songwriter played gigs across the United States, partnering with organizations such as Iron Man, and playing shows with artists like Jennifer Nettles. He also gave Opry Entertainment and his fans a deeper look into the songwriting behind his song “Stay,” making it impossible not to root for his success going into 2020.

4. Jimmie Allen- After featuring Allen in one of our Swag Spotlights and during a live swag session, we immediately knew that he was primed for success. 2019 was a big year for the blossoming singer-songwriter both personally and professionally. Allen proposed to his girlfriend in Disney World back in July, and the happy couple are expected their first child together coming 2020! As far as his career goes, the rising artist shows no signs of slowing down. He made his Good Morning America debut, released a cover of “Shallow,” with Abby Anderson, dropped an EP of remixes of his number 1 hit “Best Shot,” and will be performing with Michael Ray at Gramercy Theatre in NYC on December 5th.

3. Danielle Bradbery- Bradbery spent most of 2019 touring and being creative. Like Allen, she released her own stunning version of A Star is Born’s “Shallow,” featuring fellow country singer Parker McCollum. The singer also toured with Allen, opening for Kane Brown on his widely successful ‘Live Forever Tour.’ We hope 2020 will bring more music from Bradbery!

2. Cale Dodds- The Swag Session alum continues to make a name for himself in the industry. In 2019, the rising artist released an endearing new song entitled “I Like Where This Is Going” featuring big-name co-writers like the extraordinary Nicolle Galyon and the late busbee. Looking ahead to 2020, fans are hoping for a full-length album from the Warner Nashville recording artist.

1. Morgan Evans- We thought 2018 was a big year for Evans, but 2019 was an even bigger year for the rising artist. It seemed like every other month the singer-songwriter gave fans something new to be excited about this past year. He released Highway 1 Sessions, mashed up his number one single “Day Drunk” with tour mates, Dan + Shay’s “Tequila,” and even performed at major festivals across the states and Australia. This past November, Evans released his new single “Diamonds,” just in time for him to head back to NYC for a headlining show at the Bowery Ballroom featuring Madison Kozak on December 7th. Grab your tickets here!

Be on the lookout in the coming weeks for an update on all the artists we named to watch in 2019, and don’t forget to look back at what our 2017 artists to watch have been up to. Our carefully-cultivated 2020 Artist to Watch list will be here soon!

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SHOP THE HERO COLLECTION

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

—————————-

Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC & Beyond!

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

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

NYCS Swag Spotlight Rob Mayes

December 2, 2019/in Blog /by Erica Zisman

Photo Credit: Tammy Newcomer

This week our Swag Spotlight shines on Rob Mayes, a rising artist, songwriter, and successful actor. Throughout our conversation, we learned how truly talented, inspiring, and how passionate Mayes is about his craft.

Hailing from Cleveland, Ohio, Mayes was born into a creative and musical family. According to the entertainer, everyone in his family played music in some form or another. Both his uncle and his father were in bands and everyone played instruments. Even though he took piano lessons as a youngster, Mayes joked that reading sheet music was not his thing. “What was more interesting to me than reading the sheet music was taking these chords and then stringing them together in my own way and writing my own stuff.” Clearly, songwriting was in his blood.

Drawing influences from all types of genres, Mayes credits his parents for his early interest in jazz music, naming incredible musicians like Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, and Natalie Cole as some of his favorites. He even expressed his love for world music. Of course, when he first heard country music on the radio at eight years old in the car with his dad, he instantly fell in love with the genre’s greats like Alan Jackson, George Strait, and Michael Peterson.

For Mayes music is all about the “color and [the] vibrance to it and life and happiness and hope,” adding that he always appreciated those factors about country music. Acknowledging that the music he makes leans more towards traditional country, Mayes eloquently speaks about the genre that he loves, sharing what he hopes his music brings to listeners. “Songs about having faith in something, whether it’s a God above or whether it’s faith in yourself or faith in your family or faith and hope that things are going to work out […]. There should be a moral fiber that you can connect with and at the end of that journey, [music] should always leave you a bit [more] elevated than where you entered that experience from.”

Mayes’ own music is definitely full of songs that make you feel. His newest EP Closer is an inspiring seven-song project that boasts a blend of contemporary and traditional sounds. The singer-songwriter lent a hand in writing each of the tracks off the record, and talked to us about one of our favorites, the closing tune, “We’ll See.” The song evolved from a proverb and plays with the idea of good and bad luck.

Although developed from a more religious perspective, Mayes shares that he is not a church-goer, revealing “For me, country music is my church and sometimes you sit down and write a song and the song just kinda writes itself,” sharing more about his personal writing process. “There’s words and phrases and melodies that just kind of come out of you and you don’t even know where they came from.”

On the contrary, Mayes’s new single “Wine + Whiskey” is the perfect throwback to “that old style of country music.” The singer shared “I wanted to write something that was fun and isn’t just personal to me […] When I play it at my live shows, people enjoy it cause it’s fun to kind of let loose and that’s what they’ll be getting when they’re listening to music.” He credits one of his idols, Dwight Yoakam as a big inspiration for this lighthearted tune.

As our conversation came to a close, we made sure to chat with Mayes about what fans can expect as we head into the new year, and he is quite busy! He currently has a holiday movie on Lifetime called ‘The Road Home For Christmas’ and another Lifetime original flick out this week entitled ‘He’s Out to Get You.”

On the music side of things, Mayes promises that he has a “whole bunch of singles that [he’s] just putting the final touches on,” that should be out sooner rather than later. Most recently, he released the heartfelt ode to his grandfather, as song perfectly named, “Grandpa’s Hands.”

Keep your eyes peeled for Mayes across all platforms, as we are sure that his talents are going to take him far.

To keep up with Rob Mayes follow him on Facebook, Instagram, 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!

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

Where Are They Now? Our 2017 Artist to Watch Update

November 26, 2019/in Blog /by Erica Zisman

Justin Aharoni (@jaharoni) for NYCountry Swag

Here at New York Country Swag, we pride ourselves on being tastemakers, finding and championing new and up-and-coming artists and introducing our followers to the best of the best of the rising acts. Back in 2017, we named the 10 artists below in our “Artists to Watch in 2017” and we are proud to say, we know rising talent before they make it big. Check out what each of these artists has done over the past two years and what is coming up for them in 2019.

10. Seth Ennis- Last year, Ennis followed his debut single, “Woke Up In Nashville” and “Look at You” with the captivating “Call Your Mama,” featuring A-list superstars, Little Big Town. The singer-songwriter went on to make his TODAY Show debut with that song, taking his career to new heights. This year, Ennis also opened up for Dylan Scott on his headlining tour.

9. Trent Harmon- Continuing to ride the high from dropping his debut album You Got ‘Em All, Harmon released the title track to country radio last year. The song peaked in the Top 40 on Country Airplay.

8. High Valley- The Canadian country duo continues to take the country music world by storm. Back in April, they released their new single, “Single Man” from the forthcoming studio album. The song already reached the number two spot on the Canadian country charts. Earlier this month they released “Your Mama” and the video features real-life shots of their families. We hope 2020 brings more music from the rising duo.

7. Runaway June- The ladies of Runaway June have had arguably the most successful year! The trio released their debut record Blue Roses, and their radio single “Buy My Own Drinks” cracked the Top 5 on the Country charts, making history as the first song by a female trio to break into the Top 5 in a decade. Additionally, the ladies joined superstar, Carrie Underwood on her sold-out headlining tour. Check out how they expressed their excitement for their success with us here, during our interview with the girls at Taste of Country Music Festival and our most recent Swag Session below.

6. Brett Young- 2019 was a big year for Young, both personally and professionally. The singer-songwriter’s beautiful wife Taylor gave birth to their first child together in October, after they celebrated one year of marriage. As a recording artist, Young released his new project, The Acoustic Sessions EP, which followed the release of his Number 1 sophomore record Ticket to L.A. Fans of Young have his newly announced headlining tour to look forward to in the new year. The tour stops at New York City’s Hammerstein Ballroom on February 2nd.

5. Ryan Hurd- In 2019, Hurd focused on advancing his career as a solo artist. The talented singer-songwriter sold-out Bowery Ballroom in New York City this past January. We got to catch up with him at Taste of Country, where he shared what it’s like playing for New York fans. Hurd upped the ante by releasing both his EP Panorama and Platonic this year, including lead single “To a T.” Just recently announced, he will be headlining the Platonic Tour with Niko Moon, the tour hits NYC for a two night run on March 4th and 5th.

4. Russell Dickerson- We are proud to continue to champion the very first artist that New York Country Swag ever featured at our very first event back in January of 2016. Dickerson continues to be one of the most promising rising artists and infectious entertainers on the scene right now. This year, the singer-songwriter achieved a rare feat, as his first three singles to ever go to country radio hit the number one spot on the charts! Even better, the entertainer finally made it to the big stage at Madison Square Garden, where he opened up for Thomas Rhett on his sold-out tour and even shouted out our company, during his set!

3. Walker Hayes- Hayes continues to release music that he can be proud of and that his fans can always relate to. This year, he released a beautiful tribute to his wife, Laney, titled “Don’t Let Her,” headlined his own tour, and is about to release Volume 3 of 8Tracks. Check out our interview with the Swag Session alum below, as he talks about “Don’t Let Her,” and his journey.

2. Luke Combs- Combs has officially solidified himself as a bonafide country superstar in just a few short years. The singer recently accepted his membership into the Grand Ole Opry and released his record-breaking sophomore record What You See Is What You Get. Combs’ has had seven consecutive singles reach the top spot on County Airplay and continues to sell-out shows in arenas across the country. 2020 is shaping up to be another mega-successful year for the entertainer.

1. Drake White- It’s been a relatively quiet year for the White; however, that has not stopped him from bringing his unique talent to stages across the United States. The singer-songwriter captivated fans in New York City back in February when he played at Irving Plaza. He continues to be a mainstay at country music festivals as well.

Be on the lookout in the coming weeks for an update on all the artist we named to watch in 2018 and 2019, and then coming soon, our carefully-cultivated 2020 Artist to Watch list.

—————

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:

Country Concerts Coming to New York City This Winter

November 26, 2019/in Blog /by Brianna Vacca

Cure your winter blues with live country entertainment! A compilation of country music stars are gracing the stages of iconic venues throughout New York City this winter such as The Bowery Ballroom, Gramercy Theatre, Webster Hall, The Paramount and more. Check out the lineup below and click on each date to grab your tickets.

Mike Spotz (@illkoncept) for NYCountry Swag

Joe Nichols at The Paramount

December 4th

The “Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off” artist brings his recent headlining dates to The Paramount on Wednesday, December 4th with Natalie & The Damn Shandys to kickoff the assemblage of country winter fun.

New York Country’s 94.7 Presents: Stars and Strings at Barclays Center

December 4th

New York Country’s 94.7 Presents their very own Stars and Strings at the Barclays Center on Wednesday, December 4th featuring acts Sam Hunt, Dustin Lynch, Chris Janson, Runaway June, Gone West, Blanco Brown and Matt Stell. Celebrate your holidays with a number of your favorites.

Michael Ray at the Gramercy Theatre

December 5th

Michael Ray headlines CMT’s 18th annual CMT On Tour, with up-and-coming country artist Jimmie Allen and sister-duo Walker County bringing this star-studded lineup to the Gramercy Theatre on Thursday, December 5th.

Morgan Evans at The Bowery Ballroom

December 7th

Australian favorite Morgan Evans is bringing his 2019 World Tour to the Bowery Ballroom on Saturday, December 7th with special guest Madison Kozak.

Randy Houser at Webster Hall

December 11th

Webster Hall welcomes Randy Houser for his Magnolia Tour on Wednesday, December 11th with special guest Paul Cauthen. Fans will get the chance to soak in Houser’s exceptional vocal abilities right in time for the Christmas holiday.

Riley Green at Gramercy Theatre

December 11th

New York’s Country 94.7 Presents Riley Green’s SOLD OUT Get That Man A Beer Tour date at The Gramercy Theatre with special guest Travis Denning on Wednesday, December 11th at the Gramercy Theatre.

Tyler Childers at Brooklyn Steel

December 14th & 15th

Genre-bending Tyler Childers hits Brooklyn Steel in NYC this winter for his SOLD OUT shows on his Country Squire Tour.

Mitchell Tenpenny at Webster Hall

December 15th with Special Guest Seaforth

Webster Hall welcomes Mitchell Tenpenny for his Anything She Says Tour with Special Guest Seaforth on Sunday, December 15th.

Brett Eldredge at Beacon Theater

December 17th & December 18th

Brett Eldredge returns to the road to share his holiday spirit on his Glow Live Tour for two nights at The Beacon Theatre with Special Guest Barry Rothbart. A perfect occasion to sip hot chocolate and sing along to your favorite Christmas songs.

Little Big Town at Carnegie Hall

January 16th

Little Big Town will perform a once-in-a-lifetime performance at Carnegie Hall in New York City on Thursday, January 16th with special guest Caitlyn Smith. This will mark the first country performance at the historic venue since Alan Jackson made an appearance in 2013.

Little Big Town at The Apollo

January 17th & 18th

Little Big Town is embarking on their Nightfall Tour in 2020 and announced this news at the same time they announced the news about their ninth studio album Nightfall. They will perform two nights at The Apollo with special guest Caitlyn Smith.

Lauren Alaina at Bowery Ballroom

January 27th

Rescheduled from September 20th, 2019, Lauren Alaina’s That Girl Was Me hits Bowery Ballroom on Monday, January 27th following the singer + songwriter’s recent “Road Less Traveled” success and stint on Dancing With The Stars. Special guest Filmore will open up.

Brett Young at Hammerstein Ballroom

February 1st

Brett Young is heading out on his headlining Chapters Tour in 2020 and bringing this tour to the Hammerstein Ballroom on Saturday, February 1st with special guest Matt Ferranti; Young’s guitar player. Get tickets here.

The Cadillac Three at Bowery Ballroom

February 12th

Country Fuzz presents The Cadillac Three at The Bowery Ballroom in New York City in lieu of their album release Country Fuzz in the coming year. Get tickets here.

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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!

Subscribe to our Weekly Round-Up here
for ticket giveaways, meet & greet contests, upcoming events,
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NYCS Swag Session: Teddy Robb

November 25, 2019/in Blog, Swag Sessions /by Christina Bosch

Before playing for our NYCountry Swag Country Brunch, rising artist and one of our 2019 Artists to Watch, Teddy Robb stopped by The Boogie Room at the Mondrian Park Avenue Hotel to perform his current single, “Really Shouldn’t Drink Around You” and a sneak peek at some new music including “Born Restless” and “Nothing But A Life”.

After performing, Robb talked about it being his first time in New York City, a little about what he loves about Colorado and Nashville and what fans can expect in 2020. Watch the full Swag Session below.

For more music from artists we’ve featured during our LIVE Swag Sessions, check out our Sessions Playlist below and give it a follow for updates.

To keep up with Teddy Robb follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

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SHOP THE HERO COLLECTION

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

—————————-

Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC & Beyond!

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

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

NYCS First Impression: Jason Aldean ‘9

November 25, 2019/in Blog, First Impression /by Shanna Vitaliano

Jason Aldean, the legendary ACM Artist of the Decade has released his ninth studio album fittingly entitled 9; a sixteen-track work of art that blends his traditional country roots with modern rock. The multi-platinum entertainer teamed up with long-time producer Michael Knox and Nashville’s top songwriters Josh Thompson, Rhett Akins, Jordan Schmidt, Brad Warren, Brett Warren, and Ben Hayslip to create an album showcasing exceptional storytelling from nostalgic memories and heartbreak, to good time drinking anthems.

Aldean kicks off the album reflecting on a past relationship with “Tattoos and Tequila.” With a heavy guitar background, the story tells the tale of drowning in tequila to forget about the tattoo of an ex with the chorus, “When I’m missing her I take another shot, I know it ain’t the cure but right now it’s all I’ve got. She took most of me, and now all that I have left, are tattoos to remember, tequila to forget.”

“Blame It On You” is another heartache song realizing the other person is not to blame, rather it is about admitting one’s own fault. Aldean continues on with the breakup theme mixing loneliness with booze and a traditional sound in “Champagne Town,” and is more reflective of a shattered relationship in “Some Things You Don’t Forget” admitting “she’s a buzz that stills runs through my head.” Aldean changes tune and shows off his ability to blend his country-rock persona with a pop cross over sound in the romantic love ballad “Got What I Got.”

The ACM Entertainer Of The Year gives an ode to his red dirt upbringing with nostalgic anthemic tracks including the hit single “We Back,” “Dirt We Were Raised On,” and “Keeping It Small Town.” In addition, the mid-tempo song “Talk About Georgia” is a tribute to his home state and the love he left behind. He sings about taking pride in his country roots with “Camouflage Hat,” a small-town love story. The chorus reminisces about the girls falling in love with the good old boys in a camouflage hat singing, “Here they come, rolling down Main Street/ country song spinning on a CD /Small-town looking for a good time/ Raise a little hell and a drink at the county line.”

Of course, the Georgia native gave fans a few booze-filled tracks throughout the record including “Came Here To Drink” and “I Don’t Drink Anymore.” “I Don’t Drink Anymore” is a traditional country song with a clever play on words that we may never have realized, as Aldean sings, “So I don’t drink anymore/ Ever since she left/ I don’t drink anymore/ And I don’t drink any less.”

In the last fifteen years, Aldean has scored 23 number one hits – and fans can enjoy nearly two full albums worth of songs that are nothing short of exceptional country-rock entertainment. Aldean’s latest project 9 is another notch on his belt with successfully blending his unique sound and crossover appeal. This week Aldean will be on national TV making stops to promote 9 at Good Morning America and a special Thanksgiving night performance of his Top 15 hit single “We Back” on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon before returning to Las Vegas on December 6th-8th for his show Jason Aldean: Ride All Night Vegas at the Park MGM Park Theatre. Next year, the multi-platinum entertainer will be hitting the road with his 2020: WE BACK TOUR featuring supporting acts Morgan Wallen, Riley Green, and Dee Jay Silver. For more information go to www.JasonAldean.com.

NY Country Swag Picks:

“Champagne Town:

“Camouflage Hat”

“Talk About Georgia”

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

“9” 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.

Jason Aldean’s 9 Track Listing:

“Tattoos and Tequila”
“Blame It On You”
“Champagne Town”
“Some Things You Don’t Forget”
“Got What I Got”
“Keeping It Small Town”
“Camouflage Hat”
“Came Here to Drink”
“We Back”
“Dirt We Were Raised On”
“I Don’t Drink Anymore”
“Cowboy Killer”
“One for the Road”
“Talk About Georgia”
“The Same Way”
“She Likes It”

Want a chance to win an autographed vinyl copy of the album?
Fill out the form below to enter to win!
Then head to Instagram, for additional chances to win
*All winners will be notified by Wednesday, December 18th via e-mail or DM.

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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: