Blog Archives

NYCS Swag Session: Matt Stell

January 8, 2020/in Blog, Swag Sessions /by Christina Bosch

Back in 2018, NYCountry Swag’s Stephanie Wagner sat down with Matt Stell before he signed his record deal with Sony Music Nashville and before his single “Prayed For You” topped the charts at country radio. He played an unreleased song, “Everywhere But On”, which is now on his debut EP and his current radio single. To kick off the new year, Stell performed the track along with “Home in A Hometown” for our very first Swag Session of 2020. Stell came straight from his Good Morning America debut to hang with NYCountry Swag. Watch the full performance and interview below.

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

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.

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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:

Country Artists Nominated for 2020 iHeartRadio Music Awards

January 8, 2020/in Blog /by Christina Bosch

Announced earlier today, the nominations for the 2020 iHeartRadio Music Awards and country artists were not only found in the country music categories but Luke Combs was nominated for Male Artist of the Year while Dan + Shay were nominated in the Best Duo/Group of the Year category.

Photo Credit Justin Aharoni (@jaharoni) For NYCountry Swag

Notably, Maren Morris was nominated for Country Song of the Year for “GIRL” and Best Lyrics for The Bones, a socially voted award. Ashley Gorley, country songwriter who we sat down with this past fall was also nominated for Songwriter of the Year. All five of the Best New Country Artist nominees are rising artists that NYCountry Swag has worked with in the past including Jimmie Allen, Matt Stell, Morgan Wallen, Runaway June, and Riley Green.

The 2020 iHeartRadio Music Awards will happen live on March 29th at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Fox at 8 PM ET.

Check out the full list of country music categories and the artists that were nominated here:

Male Artist of the Year:

Ed Sheeran
Khalid
Luke Combs
Post Malone
Shawn Mendes

Best Duo/Group of the Year:

Dan + Shay
Imagine Dragons
Jonas Brothers
Maroon 5
Panic! At The Disco

Country Song of the Year:

“Beautiful Crazy” – Luke Combs
“GIRL” – Maren Morris
“God’s Country” – Blake Shelton
“The Ones That Didn’t Make It Back Home” – Justin Moore
“Whiskey Glasses” – Morgan Wallen

Country Artist of the Year:

Carrie Underwood
Dan + Shay
Luke Bryan
Luke Combs
Thomas Rhett

Best New Country Artist:

Jimmie Allen
Matt Stell
Morgan Wallen
Riley Green
Runaway June

Songwriter of the Year:

Ashley Gorley
Finneas
Frank Dukes
Louis Bell
Savan Kotecha

Best Lyrics: *Socially Voted Category

“10,000 Hours” – Dan + Shay & Justin Bieber
“7 rings” – Ariana Grande
“bad guy” – Billie Eilish
“Beautiful People” – Ed Sheeran featuring Khalid
“Hot Girl Summer” – Megan Thee Stallion featuring Nicki Minaj & Ty Dolla $ign
“Juice” – Lizzo
“Lose You To Love Me” – Selena Gomez
“Nightmare” – Halsey
“Señorita” – Shawn Mendes & Camila Cabello
“Someone You Loved” – Lewis Capaldi
“The Bones” – Maren Morris
“You Need to Calm Down” – Taylor Swift

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SHOP THE HERO COLLECTION

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!

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

NYCS Team Favorite Country Lyrics Of All Time

January 8, 2020/in Blog, Team Picks /by Team Country Swag

Country music is known for its incredible storytelling and having lyrics that can change your perspective, mood, and even your life. Our team reflected on their favorite country music lyrics from some of the most iconic songs. Take a look below and let us know in the comments what your favorite country lyric is.

Stephanie Wagner, Founder

Lyric: “Follow your arrow, wherever it points” – Follow Your Arrow, Kacey Musgraves

Christina Bosch, Managing Editor

Lyric: “Cause when push comes to shove, you taste what you’re made of / You might bend till you break, ’cause it’s all you can take / On your knees, you look up, decide you’ve had enough / You get mad, you get strong / Wipe your hands, shake it off, then you stand” – Stand, Rascal Flatts

Lucie Bernheim, Contributing Writer

Lyric: “Bitterness keeps you from flying, always stay humble and kind”- Humble & Kind, Lori McKenna

Dylan Bestler, Contributing Writer

Lyric: “Some days you just get by and some days you’re just alive, some days you’re living.” – Dierks Bentley

Kristina Callahan, Contributing Writer

Lyric: “I go back to watchin’ summer fade to fall / Growin’ up too fast and I do recall / Wishin’ time would stop right in its tracks. – I Go Back, Kenny Chesney“

Erin Crosby, Contributing Writer

Lyric: “I’ve heard of God the Son and God the Father / I’m just looking for a god for the daughters”- The Daughters, Little Big Town

Alexa Ebner, Contributing Writer

Lyric: “We’re all flawed and we’re all perfect / we’re all lost and we’re all hurtin’ / and just searchin’ for somebody to love” -Somebody to Love, Kacey Musgraves

Julia Grubbs, Contributing Writer

Lyric: “If I bring you home to mama, I guess I’d better warn ya, she feels every heartache I go through / And if my dad sees me crying, he’ll pour some whiskey over ice and tell a lie and say he never really liked you / Oh, if we break up, I’ll be fine / But you’ll be breaking more hearts than mine” – More Hearts Than Mine, Ingrid Andress

Molly Holmberg, Contributing Writer

Lyric: “Life’s not the breaths you take but the moments that take your breath away.” – The Breath You Take, George Strait

Nicole Piering, Contributing Writer

Lyric: “Sometimes I thank God/ For unanswered prayers/ Remember when you’re talkin’/ To the man upstairs/That just because he doesn’t answer doesn’t mean he don’t care/ ‘Cause some of God’s greatest gifts / Are unanswered prayers” – Unanswered Prayers, Garth Brooks

Abby Kaye-Phillips, Contributing Writer

Lyric: “We all have a song that somehow stamped our lives / takes us to another place and time” – I Go Back, Kenny Chesney

Rebekah Milsted, Contributing Writer

Lyric: “Hey, you call me up again just to break me like a promise. So casually cruel in the name of being honest” – All Too Well, Taylor Swift

Jaclyn Tracy, Contributing Writer

Lyric: “Don’t take for granted the love this life gives you” – Humble and Kind, Tim McGraw

Brianna Vacca, Contributing Writer

Lyric: “I wanted the world until my whole world stopped.” – What We Ain’t Got, Travis Meadows

Shanna Vitaliano, Contributing Writer

Lyric: “Funny how a melody sounds like a memory, like a soundtrack to a July, Saturday night…Springsteen” – Springsteen, Eric Church

Erica Zisman, Contributing Writer

Lyric: “I know my heart will never be the same / But I’m telling myself I’ll be okay / Even on my weakest days, I get a little bit stronger” – A Little Bit Stronger, Sara Evans

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SHOP THE HERO COLLECTION

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!

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

Blake Shelton & Gwen Stefani to Perform at the GRAMMY Awards

January 8, 2020/in Blog /by Christina Bosch

Announced this morning was the first round of performers for the 62nd GRAMMY Awards, taking place Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020, and broadcasting live on CBS at 8 p.m. ET. First time nominees Lizzo and Billie Eilish will make their GRAMMY stage debuts as well as music icon and legend, Aerosmith.

As far as the country genre, Blake Shelton will take the stage with girlfriend and pop sensation Gwen Stefani to perform their single “Nobody But You”, the duet that is featured on Shelton’s latest record Fully Loaded: God’s Country.

Shelton is nominated this year for Best Country Solo Performance for his 2019 track, “God’s Country.” For the full list of nominees in the country music genre click here.

We will continue to update as more performers are announced in the future weeks.

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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:

A Country Music Fan’s Guide To Podcasts

January 7, 2020/in Blog /by Lucie Bernheim

Podcasts are one of the most popular forms of entertainment these days. There are podcasts on almost anything, and if it’s not out there, anyone can create it. Whether it be about crime, TV shows like The Bachelor, or politics, there’s something for everyone. There are so many amazing podcasts created by people in the country music community. We’ve put together a list of the best podcasts for a country music fan to listen to.

Breaking Thru with Elaina Smith

You might know Elaina Smith from her co-hosting gig on the nationally syndicated radio show and ACM nominated “Nash Nights Live”. Whereas on the air Smith interviews everyone from Luke Combs to Lady Antebellum, Breaking Thru is a podcast exclusively for women impacting country music, whether it be country singers or people working behind the scenes. She’s been joined by everyone from country superstar Kacey Musgraves, Dolly Parton, to rising stars Avenue Beat to NYCountry Swag’s own Stephanie and Christina. It’s an empowering podcast that is so timely; listen to Stephanie and Christina’s episode here and to learn more about Elaina, check out our Woman of the Month feature with her here.

Girls Just Pod To Have Fun

Nashville singer-songwriters/duo Jill & Kate, whom you might know from singing backup for Kelly Clarkson created a podcast that circles around Nashville, country music, the industry, and just life itself. The tagline speaks for itself: it’s a podcast about what to do when life doesn’t go the way you planned. They’ve had guests from Charles Esten, who played Deacon Claybourne on the ABC show Nashville to actress Lauren Grahm and they asked Stephanie and Christina to join them for their live podcast from New York City. To listen to their episode, click here.

Bobbycast

You might know Bobby Bones from is award-winning morning radio show The Bobby Bones Show, where he interviews all of country music’s biggest stars. It’s possible you know him from Dancing with the Stars, or his mentoring appearances on American Idol. Bones is everywhere these days, yet he still has time for his incredible podcast, Bobbycast. He talks to everyone from Jake Owen to hit songwriter Nicolle Galyon to Luke Bryan’s manager Kerri Edwards. He records the podcasts from his house, and they are more of a conversation than a traditional interview. His episode featuring Dustin Lynch is definitely one to check out, as is his episode featuring Nicolle Galyon. You can find it on Spotify or the Podcasts app.

Get Real with Caroline Hobby

Caroline Hobby is a singer-turned-podcaster. She used to be in a band called Stealing Angels with Runaway June member Jennifer Wayne (who she also teamed up with to compete on The Amazing Race). She’s married to Michael Hobby, who is part of the country band A Thousand Horses, so she knows first-hand what it means to be a female in country music and a country artist’s wife. And that’s Get Real: she interviews the wives of country stars and songwriters, as well as female artists and women in the entertainment industry. It’s inspiring, it’s entertaining, and it gives fans a whole other perspective on the country music community. Her episodes with superstar Carly Pearce (listen here) and Luke Combs’ fiance Nicole Hocking (listen here) are two that stand out in particular.

All Our Favorite People

Ashley Eicher and Hunter Kelly are two of Nashville’s most successful media personalities and are two close friends who love country music and Music City with all their heart. Their podcast, All Our Favorite People, is where the Nashville community comes together and shares their stories. They have guests like fellow podcaster Caroline Hobby to actor-singer Chord Overstreet to country superstar Kelsea Ballerini on their show where they talk all things life and career. Eicher and Kelly have a quick-witted dynamic, and it’s the type of podcast that makes you feel like you’re at the dinner table rather than listening to an interview. Their episode with Lauren Alaina is really great; to listen, click the link here. To find out more about Ashley Eicher, check out our Woman of the Month feature with her here.

This Nashville Life

Country singer Kelleigh Bannen has had a really successful year: She released her debut record the past fall, Favorite Colors, is the host of Today’s Country on Apple Music and has a wildly successful podcast called This Nashville Life, which is hosted by herself and producer-engineer Kevin Sokolnicki. Bannen and Sokolnicki serve as your “tour guides” to Music City; they talk with people like Lori McKenna and Liz Rose, as well as Jason Owen, manager of Kacey Musgraves and Kelsea Ballerini and owner of Sandbox Entertainment. A recent episode with CMT’s Leslie Fram was posted, and it’s inspiring and will teach any country music about the industry and genre they love so much.

Let us know if there are any other podcasts that we missed that you love listening to!

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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:

7 Realities No One Told You About Living On Your Own

January 7, 2020/in Blog /by Abby Kaye-Phillips

Like most people, I couldn’t wait to move out of my parent’s house. And while I don’t consider myself spoiled or naive, living alone for the first time certainly came with a few surprises. If you’re about to live on your own, here are some things you should know:

1. Rent isn’t the only financial adjustment.
Having somewhere to sleep may be the biggest expense, but utilities, groceries, and furniture cost enough to make your head spin. Making, creating and sticking to a budget has to be a priority or you’ll be in for a rude awakening.

2. Becoming a bargain food shopper is an acquired talent.
A fast-food diet may work for a few weeks but eventually, you’ll want to cook real food. It takes some research but finding cheaper grocery options isn’t hard if you know where to look. Locate the closest store that has a rewards program (bonus if they do gas points) and start paying attention to what goes on sale when. Stock up on non-perishables when you can and find frozen vs. fresh produce based on when it’s in season in your area.

3. Things will break or stop working.
No matter how nice your new pad is, eventually something will go wrong. Whether you need to call a professional yourself, or let your landlord know, make sure you know what to do when it happens. Even if you’re in a fancy high rise apartment building with maintenance staff on call, you still need to know the process for submitting a work order. Being prepared will save you stress when the time comes.

4. Your standards of decor will change.
We’d all love to have homes decorated with similar taste and class to the ones we grew up in, but unless your parents are footing the bill, you’re going to have to lower the bar. Target is a good place to start and make sure to splurge for at least a few nice frames or decor. After all, no one wants to feel like they live in an empty box.

5. Living with other people is nothing like living with your parents.
For better or worse, having roommates is completely different than bunking with mom and dad. Yes, they won’t nag you all the time, but it also means you have to self-manage your time and responsibilities. If you forget to clean up after yourself, the entire place is going to smell. If you go to bed at 3 AM, you’ll be miserable the next morning. And if you are too lazy to go to the grocery store, the fridge won’t magically re-stock itself.

6. You will get lonely.
Even if you live with roommates, varied schedules and lifestyles will mean you’re alone some of the time. Quiet evenings in are nice for relaxing and unwinding but don’t be surprised if you find yourself craving social interaction. The good news is many people around you are probably living on their own for the first time too, so finding friends shouldn’t be as hard as it sounds.

7. You’ll learn a lot about yourself.
You’d be surprised how much being on your own can teach you about the way you handle certain situations. Whether it be roommate conflict, struggling to pay the bills, difficulty finding a social circle or something else, chances are you moved out because you were ready to explore the world apart from your parents. It’s going to be a little bit scary, but it’s exciting too. Embrace the challenges, ask for help when you need it, and just know that no matter what, you took a brave and important step into the next stage of your life.

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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:

We’ll Say Goodbye to Rascal Flatts on the Farewell Life Is A Highway Tour

January 7, 2020/in Blog /by Christina Bosch

Announced earlier today, after 20 incredible years, Joe Don, Jay, and Gary, Rascal Flatts are ending this amazing run with a farewell tour. The Farwell Life Is A Highway Tour will kick off June 11th and make its way across the country, paying a wonderful tribute to the beloved trio, their body of work over the past two decades and to the fans who have supported them along the way.

“When we started out 20 years ago, we could not imagine all of the people, places, and gifts we would encounter,” said Gary LeVox in a press release. “The greatest feeling ever is being told that our music has been the soundtrack to their lives. What greater gift can an artist receive than to be told ‘I got married to “Bless The Broken Road,”’ or ‘We played “My Wish” at my graduation.’ That ‘“What Hurts The Most” is the song that made me love country music for the first time,’ or ‘“I’m Movin’ On” helped me get sober’ or even that ‘“Changed” made me call my family again after not talking to them for years.’ That’s why we create music and the reason we can’t wait to celebrate this incredible 20 year journey all year, with our fans who we love dearly. I don’t know what God has in store for the future, but I am excited to see what he has planned!”

The trio also announced that along the way they will have several opening acts on select dates including Chris Lane, Chase Rice, Avenue Beat, Caylee Hammack, King Calaway, Matt Stell, and Rachel Wammack.

Planning on heading to the show? Be sure to find the best Rascall Flatts lyrics for all of your Instagram captions here.

Tickets and more information can be found at www.rascalflatts.com

RASCAL FLATTS FAREWELL: LIFE IS A HIGHWAY TOUR Official Dates:
6/11/20 Indianapolis, IN – Ruoff Music Center
6/12/20 Detroit, MI – DTE Energy Music Theatre (WYCD Hoedown)
6/13/20 Cincinnati, OH – Riverbend Music Center
6/25/20 Chicago, IL – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
6/27/20 Burgettstown, PA – S&T Bank Music Park
7/17/20    Rogers, AR – Walmart AMP
7/18/20 Ft Worth, TX – Dickies Arena
7/23/20 St. Louis, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
7/24/20    Southaven, MS – BankPlus Amphitheater
7/25/20    Kansas City, MO – Sprint Center
7/31/20    Welch, MN – Treasure Island Casino Amphitheater
8/1/20 Omaha, NE – CHI Health Center
8/2/20 Dubuque, IA – Q Casino
8/20/20    New Orleans, LA – Smoothie King Center
8/21/20    Brandon, MS – Brandon Amp
8/22/20    Birmingham, AL – Oak Mountain Amphitheatre
9/3/20 Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage
9/4/20 Cuyahoga Falls, OH – Blossom Music Center
9/5/20 Darien Center, NY – Darien Lake Amphitheater
9/10/20 Raleigh, NC – Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek
9/11/20 Virginia Beach, VA – Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater at Virginia Beach
9/12/20 Bristow, VA – Jiffy Lube Live
9/17/20 Wantagh, NY – Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater
9/18/20 Mansfield, MA – Xfinity Center
9/19/20 Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center
9/25/20    Columbus, OH – Nationwide Arena
10/1/20 Mountain View, CA – Shoreline Amphitheatre
10/2/20 San Diego, CA – North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre
10/3/20 Irvine, CA – FivePoint Amphitheatre
10/7/20 Denver, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre
10/9/20 Albuquerque, NM – Isleta Amphitheater
10/10/20    Phoenix, AZ – Ak-Chin Pavilion
10/15/20    Atlanta, GA – Ameris Bank Amphitheatre
10/16/20    Tampa, FL – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre*
10/17/20    West Palm Beach, FL – iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre
10/30/20    Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena

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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: April Kry

January 6, 2020/in Blog, Swag Sessions /by Christina Bosch

Our Swag Session today features the soulful voice of April Kry. Kry who grew up in Connecticut and made the move to Nashville when she was very young to pursue music stopped by NYCountry Swag to perform two brand new, unreleased songs, “Chaser” and “Thank You” and tell us about her plans for 2020.

Watch the full video 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 April Kry follow her 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 Swag Spotlight Update Jordan Rager

January 6, 2020/in Blog, Swag Spotlight /by Erica Zisman

“I think country music is at its best when we don’t try to say- I’ll say not just about country music- but about all music, I think music is at its best when we just enjoy what we enjoy listening to […]. It should be that simple when it comes to music.” – Jordan Rager

Back in April 2018, we had the pleasure of interviewing rising artist, Jordan Rager as he was on the brink of a new career move and signing with Riser House Records. Check out our original Swag Spotlight here to learn more about that move, as well as, his backstory. Most recently, we caught up with the singer to chat about his new sound, new music, and what fans can expect from him in 2020.

For the last six years, Rager has been working hard in Nashville to get his music out there and to build his fanbase. Since signing with Riser House, the momentum has picked up, as he is finally able to release the music he is most passionate about. “All I’ve ever wanted to do was put music out that I believe in and have a team of people behind me who believe in that music and I have that now,” he tells us. “2019 was a lot of kinda reintroducing myself to people.”

Over the course of the year, Rager has released five songs that truly personify, who he is as a singer, songwriter, and a performer, including the two most recent tracks “The Wrong Ones” and “Dirt In My Veins.” The former came about by happenstance when the singer joined forces with songwriters, Michael Whitworth and Brent Anderson.

“The three of us were in very different places relationship-wise,” he shares, adding, “We’ve all got this different perspective on relationships at the time of writing this song. That’s kinda the conversation that we’re having that got us on the topic of ‘it takes getting it wrong to get it right,’ that’s the thing we kept going back to.” The trio of songwriters included details of their own experiences in the creative tune. As Rager looked back on the writing experience he decided that “…it was just the perfect formula to write that song that day.”

In regards to “Dirt In My Veins,” the Georgia native delivered a song that is an enticing ode to his hometown. “That song was the first thing that I wrote after signing with Riser House. That was kinda the song that like, kicked off, call it a new direction, a new sound or a new attitude, that was the song that started it because I wrote as honestly as I possibly could about how I feel about my hometown.” After writing the track, Rager decided that he was going to take that approach to all of his music and no longer try to fit a mold.

Although the songs have garnered success, the singer-songwriter admits that it was a scary decision to change up his sound into something that felt more genuine and authentic to him. “If I’m being honest, I was incredibly nervous going into 2019 because I knew that this new music, all five songs that we were going to release this year, I knew that sounded different than what people probably expected from me,” he explains. “I used influences that I had my entire life and for lack of a better term, I kinda got weird on a couple of songs.”

For Rager being transparent and honest in his music and having fans connect with his lyrics and melody is the ultimate reward. “As a writer and as an artist, there’s no greater high than having somebody say ‘I understand completely what you’re saying,’ ‘I’m right there,’ ‘you wrote that song about me,’ stuff like that.”

At this point in his career, Rager is an artist who knows who he is. His vast influences, such as Post Malone, Ed Sheeran, 2000s alternative and punk rock, and even Rock ’n’ Roll, keep his music at the forefront of creativity. He is someone that is going to continue to take risks because he is truly all about the music. Looking ahead, fans can expect a ton of new music in 2020. The singer will also be getting back out on the road to play the songs for his fans. “I’m excited to keep rocking and rolling and to keep building this machine that we’re trying to build!”

To keep up with Jordan Rager follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

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

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SHOP THE HERO COLLECTION

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

—————————-

Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC & Beyond!

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

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

NYCountry Swag’s 2020 Artists To Watch

January 6, 2020/in Blog /by Stephanie Wagner and Christina Bosch

The New York Country Swag team loves to support rising artists and introduce our followers to the best new music in the genre. Since our inception four years ago we have named rising stars like Russell Dickerson, Luke Combs, Brett Young, Jordan Davis, Mitchell Tenpenny, and Jimmie Allen as our Artists to Watch. Check out our picks in 2017, 2018, and 2019 before checking out the 10 artists we picked to have a huge 2020 below.

10. Parker McCollum – This Texas native may have just released his first song on a major label, “Pretty Heart” this past summer after signing with MCA Nashville/UMG Nashville but in the past, he has independently delivered two full-length projects. Focusing on the depth and artistry behind songwriting, McCollum has found a clever balance between traditional Texas country and what is coming out of modern Nashville. We are looking forward to more new music in 2020 and to catch a live show.

For Fans Of: Cody Johnson, Riley Green

Listen: “Pretty Heart”

Stay Connected: @ParkerMcCollum

9. Madison Kozak – Growing up in Ontario but moving to Nashville when she was only 14 years old, Kozak has been chasing the music dream, honing in on her incredible ability to write a song that is filled with emotions for years. We first heard of the songstress in May we were instantly hooked and since then 2019 was a whirlwind for the budding star, signing a record deal as the flagship artist on a female-driven label, Songs & Daughters and touring the country on three different tours. Label head, Nicolle Galyon in partnership with Big Loud Records saw something special in this songwriter artist after hearing “First Last Name”, a song she wrote for her father and ever since has been releasing exceptional songs. She kicks off the new year by heading overseas to tour with Chase Rice.

For Fans Of: Kelsea Ballerini, Carrie Underwood

Listen: “OMG ILY”

Stay Connected: @Madison_Kozak

8. King Calaway – Last January we were introduced to a brand new band comprised of six talented musicians from different places, Caleb Miller (Ohio), Chris Deaton (Nashville), Simon Dumas (Gibraltar), Jordan Harvey (Scotland), Chad Michael Jervis (Delaware), and Austin Luther (Minnesota). One of the very first time they played for fans before their music was released, King Calaway performed a showcase with NYCountry Swag in New York City and all in attendance were blown away. Their impeccable harmonies, catchy tunes, and larger than life personalities have since caught the attention of country music fans across the nation. Their debut record, Rivers features 12 tracks written by some of Nashville’s biggest songwriters and covers an array of topics.

For Fans Of: One Direction, Rascal Flatts

Listen: “Rivers”

Stay Connected: @KingCalaway

7. Chris Bandi – When a song is streamed 60 million times, you know there is something special about it. St. Louis native, Nashville based artist and songwriter Chris Bandi is pushing his major-label debut, “Man Enough Now” to country radio this year and the tale rings true of realizing your mistakes, owning them and hoping for a second chance. Bandi will hit the road with Matt Stell in the upcoming months and sources say plans to release an EP as well.

For Fans Of: Gavin DeGraw, Chris Lane

Listen: “Man Enough Now”

Stay Connected: @ChrisBandi

6. Ingrid Andress – We first caught songwriter/artist Ingrid Andress last February during an NYC showcase right after she was signed to Warner Music Nashville/Atlantic Records and her unique presence, storytelling ability, and hilarious realness caught our attention immediately. With songs like “More Hearts Than Mine”, “Both”, and “Lady Like”, Andress pushes the boundaries of topics usually discussed in the country format, forcing new followers to pay attention. She was named one of CRS New Faces for the class of 2020, a prestigious honor and she joins Dan + Shay on the first leg of their arena tour in 2020.

For Fans Of: Kacey Musgraves, Ashley McBryde

Listen: “More Hearts Than Mine”

Stay Connected: @IngridAndress

5. Ross Ellis – Although a bit more undiscovered than the rest of our list, Ross Ellis has a powerhouse, unique voice and his latest single “Buy and Buy” is compelling and begs for repeat spins. By weaving a powerful visual of religion, addiction, and wasted time, “Buy and Buy” is as profound as it is innovative. As a songwriter, Ellis co-wrote one of Tim McGraw’s latest singles, “Neon Church” and a song on Home Free’s new album, Dive Bar Saints called “Dreamer” but in 2020 we hope to hear new songs from Ellis as we continue to champion rising artists and songwriters like him.

For Fans Of: Brett Young, Dan + Shay

Listen: “Buy and Buy”

Stay Connected: @RossEllisMusic

4. Avenue Beat – Our most unique, fresh, and different act on this year’s Artists to Watch is Avenue Beat. Comprised of three girls from Illinois, Sami Bearden, Savana Santos, and Sam Backoff they are original and their creative new wave country is as endearing as it is inventive. Their harmonies, melodies, and frankly genius lyrics are relatable to a niche of young women that are thirsty for someone to sing about what they are going through. Signed to Big Machine Label Group’s Valory Music Co. in partnership with Tape Room Records they released their debut self-titled EP in July and toured with Mason Ramsey in 2019. If you are looking for some sass with a side of sensational lyrics, look no further than Avenue Beat.

For Fans Of: Walker Hayes, Kelsea Ballerini

Listen: “Be A Bro”

Stay Connected: @AvenueBeat

3. Jameson Rodgers – Last February we interviewed Jameson Rodgers for our Swag Spotlight feature, right after he released his EP which featured his break out hit, “Some Girls”. This Mississippi native is now planted firmly in Nashville, writing and creating music as a Sony Music Nashville artist and has toured with Luke Combs on his Beer Never Broke My Heart tour and just announced that in 2020 he will embark on his very first headlining tour. Relatable lyrics that are set to a modern-day twang, Rodgers has already garnered a ton of fans and hopefully the new year we can expect a full-length album.

For Fans Of: Jon Pardi, Luke Combs

Listen: “Some Girls”

Stay Connected: @JamesonRodgers

2. Gabby Barrett – She may have become a household name because of her stint on American Idol but Gabby Barrett is showing Nashville and the country music community that women want to hear a female write a song from her own perspective. Her debut radio single, “I Hope” not only features her sultry voice but has a twist in the chorus that will make men and women fall in love with her honest take on a bad breakup. Having toured with Chris Lane, Barrett is already included in major festival line ups including Stagecoach, Tortuga, and New York’s own TrailBlazer.

For Fans Of: Maren Morris, Lauren Alaina

Listen: “I Hope”

Stay Connected: @GabbyBarrett_

1. HARDY – Already having a huge break out year in 2019, HARDY celebrated four number one songs as a songwriter, “God’s Country”, “I Don’t Know About You”, “Simple”, and “Up Down”. He also released one of the most prolific albums of the year, HIXTAPE Vol. 1 which features 17 different artists, all singing about growing up in a small town. Emerging as an artist, HARDY has created a persona that makes you envy his Mississippi upbringing, making ‘redneck’ cool. In October we caught his sold-out headlining NYC show and just announced, the songwriter and artist will join Cole Swindell and Thomas Rhett on the Center Point Road tour which will make it’s away across the country this summer.

For Fans Of: Morgan Wallen, Florida Georgia Line

Listen: “One Beer”

Stay Connected: @HARDY

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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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