Country Stars Who Have Stood The Test of Time

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In today’s society, there are so many trends that come and go, some lasting a week and others months. We see the same in the music industry with certain beats and styles coming and going on the radio. While we see change, some artists have stayed constant and continue to put out great music for fans for decades. Below are some of our favorite artists that are still making waves in the industry decades later and have stood the test of time.

George Strait
Strait is not called the “King of Country” for nothing. With 60 #1 hits, the most in history, ACM Artist of the Decade, and a Country Music Hall of Fame member, no one is taking Strait’s place anytime soon. From early hits like “Fool Hearted Memory” and “Amarillo By Morning” to more recent ones including “Give It Away” and “It Comes Natural”, the country icon proves that classic country music is still cherished. While Strait is not on the road touring anymore, he does play select weekends at the T-Mobile Arena for his residency and a few other events. There may not be many more opportunities to see the legend himself sing 20+ number one hits a night, so make sure you get a piece of the action while you still can!

 

Reba
Reba may have started as a rodeo girl, following in the footsteps of her father, but now she is one of country music’s biggest icons. McEntire is the only country female solo act to have a No. 1 hit in four straight decades: the 1980s, ’90s, ’00s and ’10s, and it is easy to see why. Hits like “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia”, “Fancy”, “Consider Me Gone” and collaborations including “The Heart Won’t Lie” with Vince Gill and “If You See Him/If You See Her” with Brooks and Dunn, put her on the top of the charts. When Reba was an up and coming artist, her tenacity and talent helped her blaze a path for females in country music. The Oklahoma native is still a very relevant part of the industry with her new album Stronger Than The Truth and her Las Vegas residency with Brooks and Dunn.

 

Artists That Have Stood the Test Of Time

Garth Brooks
While Strait has the most #1 songs in history, “The Thunder Rolls” singer has the most awards. Brooks has 2 Grammys, 17 American Music Awards, 11 Country Music Association Awards, 18 Academy of Country Music Awards, 24 Billboard Music Awards, and 26 number 1 hits, just to name a few. While he is known as a tried and true country artist, his ability to integrate pop and rock elements into his music leaves people converting to country after each listen. Brooks is still selling out 50,000+ stadiums every month on his stadium tour and new music like “All Night Long” and “Dive Bar.” Bringing unbelievable energy to each show, Brooks’ legacy is growing bigger and better each year and shows no signs of stopping.

 

Brooks & Dunn
After sitting down for burritos one night, Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn decided to take a chance at becoming a duo after their record label had been mentioning it for weeks. That may have been the best decision they ever made for their careers. Building a large fan base across the world, 25+ ACM Awards, 2 Grammys, 17 CMA Awards and more, the guys made a very long successful run. Years later, the duo is one of the best selling duo’s country music has seen. While they split up after their greatest hits album to do their own ventures, their brand new REBOOT album with upcoming artists including Luke Combs, Midland, and Kasey Musgraves, Brooks and Dunn have put themselves at the forefront of the music scene once again. Their old hits are getting more airplay on the radio, new collaborations are landing them TV appearances, and the Vegas residency with Reba keep the “Neon Moon” singers booked all year.

 

Alan Jackson
Making Chattachooche a household song isn’t the only thing Alan Jackson is known for. His career was built around traditional country music, driven by twangy riffs and a honky-tonk vibes. Upon coming to Nashville, Jackson wrote all his own songs and made heads turn left and right with his ability to tell a story through music. With upbeat songs like “Gone Country,” “Living On Love,” and “Don’t Rock The Jukebox,” he has a somber side that you can see in certain songs. One of the biggest songs that got people’s attention was “Where Were You,” his song commemorating the 9/11 terror attacks, one he won a Grammy for. With 30 years of music, touring, awards, and a loyal fanbase, Jackson is still going strong playing shows across the country. While he has stopped putting out music in recent years, you can still find his classic sound in the gospel album he made for his mom, Angels and Alcohol.

 

Kenny Chesney
There are a lot of artists in the industry that go to school for something other than music but find themselves pursuing their hobbies anyways, Kenny Chesney is no different. He went from majoring in advertising to graduating and heading to Nashville to play the local honky-tonks. Fast forward a few years later and a new record deal and Chesney is cranking out hits such as “She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy” and “In My Wildest Dreams.” Rolling into the 2000s was filled with sold-out shows across the country and #1 records, most of which landed on Billboard’s Top 100, making Chesney one of the most successful crossover country artists. Chesney is the king of stadium tours, selling out arenas all over the country in the last 5+ years and fans new and old are coming to watch the 4-time Entertainer of the Year. Setlists include “Summertime,” “Living In Fast Forward,” “Young,” and new hits “American Kids,” and his latest “Tip Of My Tongue.” Being out on the road takes up most of Chesney’s time nowadays although he still finds time to create powerful songs like “Get Along” that calls on all of us to love one another. We caught Chesney last summer at MetLife Stadium when he sold-out the epic venue.

 

Tim McGraw and Faith Hill
One of country music’s power couples has not retreated to a normal lifestyle just yet. Making over $100 million on their Soul2Soul tour alone, the couple is still making music. McGraw has put out a few singles in the last year(“Neon Church” and “Thought About You”). Together the duo released a touching and emotional album The Rest of Our Life in sync with their tour. Hill does not tour anymore although McGraw has been playing quite a few festivals like Stagecoach and Cheyenne Frontier Days. Both have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and together in downtown Nashville as a part of Nashville’s Music City Walk of Fame. Both singer-songwriters have made such a huge contribution to country music, Hill paving the way for female artists and McGraw tearing up the charts proving that if a small-town boy from Louisiana can make it, you can too, with grit and determination. They have served the Music City community with their beautiful voices, kind spirits, and southern charm for decades, making them some of the most lovable people not only in Nashville but across the world as well.

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Josh Kerr Releases His Debut Single “Still Our Town”

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Josh Kerr Still our Town

Last Friday, Josh Kerr released his debut single “Still Our Town.” If his name sounds familiar, it’s because it should! Kerr has worked as a producer and songwriter in Nashville for the past several years. He has produced songs and music videos for many artists, such as Dylan Scott, Abby Anderson, Keith Urban, and Kelsea Ballerini. Now, he is making his debut as a singer-songwriter on his newest song, “Still Our Town,” and boy it’s a good one.

Kerr’s debut single is contemporary and current. He relies on cleverly strung together lyrics and smooth vocals to tell the story effortlessly. The song’s message is relatable, as Kerr sings about feeling like his own town, no longer feels like his after a break-up. Everything reminds him of his ex, which tends to happen to most people after a breakup. Although a melancholy theme, the newcomer delivers a mid-tempo sound, which is refreshing for a song about this subject.

“I still smell the magnolia / Feel you lean over / Head on my shoulder / See the sunrise / Hear the sound of the dirt flying off the tires / And I still look for that old taste of corona / Kiss on that sofa / See your blue eyes/ Wherever I go / I’m still running into you / Even though I Know that /You’re not here, you’re still around / And I tell myself / that it’s mine now / But it’s still our town / It’s still our town”

The New York native is definitely one to look out for. We’re excited to see how all his experience working with other successful artists will culminate in his own songs and projects. According to his social media, “Still Our Town’ is the first of approximately 12 songs off his upcoming record. Kerr shared “Nashville I decided to release my first song I produced it and sang it and played on it alongside my favorite musicians. It’s been the most amazing, overwhelming, l inspiring, stress, fun process, and the record is almost done.”

To keep up with Kerr, follow him on Instagram and Twitter.

“Still Our Town” 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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Country Songs to Help Heal the Monday Blues

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Photo by Justin Aharoni (@jaharoni) for NYCountry Swag

Got a bad case of the Monday blues? Feeling like you’ll never make it to Friday? Let’s face it, not many people are Monday people, but with the help of these pick-me-up country songs you may just receive the #MondayMotivation you need to have your best (and hopefully quickest) week possible.

Check out our top 8 picks below and click here to give a listen to these songs and more on our Monday Pick-Me-Up Playlist.

1. “Just Another Day in Paradise” – Phil Vassar

“Well, it’s the kids screaming, the phone ringing, I wouldn’t trade it for anything,
and I ask the Lord every night for Just another day in paradise”

 

2. “Woman, Amen” – Dierks Bentley

“Lord knows how lucky I am, I’m gonna shout at the top of my lungs,
thank God for this woman, amen”

 

3. “Humble and Kind” – Tim McGraw

“Don’t take for granted the love this life gives you, when you get where you’re goin’,
don’t forget to turn back around and help the next one in line, always stay humble and kind”

 

4. “Homegrown” – Zac Brown Band

“I’ve got everything I need and nothing that I don’t”

 

5. “If You’re Going Through Hell” – Rodney Atkins

“If you’re going through hell, keep on going, don’t slow down, if you’re scared, don’t show it.”

 

6. “Road Less Traveled” – Lauren Alaina

“You won’t make yourself a name if you follow the rules”

 

7. “How I’ll Always Be” – Tim McGraw

“I’m a little more bust ya back than take it for free, that’s how I’ll always be”

 

8. “It’s a Great Day to be Alive” – Travis Tritt

“It’s a great day to be alive, I know the sun’s still shining when I close my eyes,
there’s some hard times in this neighborhood, but why can’t everyday just be this good?”

 

Give a listen to our Monday Pick-Me-Up’s Playlist below. Don’t forget to follow our Spotify account for all of the best playlists and new music.

 

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NYCS Swag Spotlight: Jon Wood

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We spoke to our next Swag Spotlight, Jon Wood just after he released his debut EP which was produced and co-written with Justin Weaver, a major songwriter in Nashville with songs like Brantley Gilbert’s “Bottoms Up”, Jason Aldean’s “Even If I Wanted To” and the Meghan Trainor/John Legend smash pop hit, “Like I’m Gonna Lose You”. Wood who was born in a small town just 20 minutes north of Nashville experienced his father working in the music industry as a songwriter and an artist. Eventually, they moved to North Carolina where Wood tells us his father gave up one dream to follow another. “He had four boys and anything that would take him to the next level would end up taking him away from his family so he realized he wanted to be a dad more than anything so he put that on to the side and raised us and taught us how to write songs and sing,” he explains.

Growing up he recalls his family formed a band with a bluegrass sound and they recorded all of the music in the studio their father built in their house. Wood was only 12 years old and loved playing festivals and pursuing a music career with his family by his side. He knew from an early age that with the support of his parents, he was going to continue to be determined to make it in the music world.  Instilling the love for classic country like George Jones, Merle Haggard, and George Strait, Wood eventually made his way to Nashville wearing a cowboy hat and hoping to carve his own path. “I’ve been here since May of last year, I moved when I was 21 after a 15-minute conversation with my parents and honestly, the rest of my story is still being written.

Oddly enough, Wood now lives a mere five minutes from where his parents lived back in the 1990s and he passes their old apartment building all of the time. “It’s so crazy, I’m sort of living what they wanted to live,” he says. “My dad was the first one who told me to move to Nashville to truly chase that dream.” After Weaver found Wood by seeing one of the videos he posted on Instagram, they struck up a great friendship and started working together. “I get to write with him and sit in the studio and hang out for hours and just write and make music and it’s hard to find people that you can just truly sit down with and create with,” he says of their effortless relationship. Weaver is a co-writer and producer on all four of the songs on his From Where I’m From EP. Each track has a traditional vibe and Wood explains that it is so refreshing to see artists like Midland, Jon Pardi, and Luke Combs experiencing such success.

“When I got to town I looked at Dustin Lynch who’s music isn’t the most traditional but he did have that cowboy hat so I figured I could do something in that lane but with Midland and Jon Pardi, it shows that people are getting sort of tired of hearing the same thing on the radio, not that it’s bad music but sometimes you aren’t sure if you clicked country radio or pop radio,” he explains. “We want to find the sound that Kenny Chesney tapped into in the early 2000s, it was traditional but he could sell out a stadium with it and keep the energy going.”

His next EP is slated for release in the fall and he looks forward to working hands on the project and hopefully getting out to play some shows around the south.

To keep up with Jon Wood follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

From Where I’m From is now available everywhere you buy or stream music. 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.

 

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Swag Sessions Featuring Thompson Square

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Husband and wife duo Thompson Square took a few years to raise their son Cooper who is now three, write a children’s book, ‘Time To Get Dressed’ and spend time as a family. They are now back, promoting their latest album and the title track single “Masterpiece”.

In our Swag Session with the duo, they performed the single as well as their mega-hit “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not”. Our Managing Editor Christina asked them about raising their son, writing “Masterpiece” as well as their upcoming tour overseas. Check out 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 Thompson Square, follow them on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

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Keith Urban Performs His Big Hits on Good Morning America

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Fans from all over New York City showed up to Good Morning America’s Summer Stage for a party in Central Park with none other than Keith Urban. It was a beautiful morning for the concert series to showcase the hit songs of the four-time Grammy winner and reigning CMA and ACM Entertainer of the Year.

Michael Strahan and Cecilia Vega introduced him shouting, “What a great crowd for our party in the park, who is ready for Keith Urban?” Urban brought his undeniable energy to the stage singing his hit “Wasted Time.” He showed off his ridiculous guitar skills and rocked out with his insanely talented band. The crowd joined Urban in singing the chorus, “When I think about those summer nights, singing out the window, on the back roads, “Sweet Child O’ Mine,” sipping on the locos spark of light, ain’t it funny how the best days of my life, was all that wasted time.”

After his performance, Vega said, “We’re so happy to have you here, congratulations are in order! You have been named CMA and ACM entertainer of the year and that is so cool, that’s gotta feel pretty good.” Urban humbly replied, “It’s amazing, yeah it’s a huge honor, thank you very much.”

Strahan took the opportunity to ask Urban about new music he has been working on, and what fans can expect to hear. Urban said, ¨I don’t know until it’s done. I just get in there and start recording, and it comes out as it comes out, so I never know myself.¨ Looks as though Urban will keep fans guessing and anticipating what is to come!

Now that Urban has finished up his Graffiti U World Tour and is spending time in the studio, Vega reflected on the tour saying, ¨You saw more than a million fans, and 7 countries, you gotta be tired from the travel!” Urban enthusiastically said, “I’m ready to hit the road again, cause of them, it was amazing!” When asked what his favorite spot to perform was, Urban admits he does not have a favorite place to perform saying, “We’ve gotten to the point where they’re so consistent because everyone knows all the songs, it’s an incredible feeling .”

Strahan talked a little bit about Urban’s newest song, “We Were”. The song was written by country star Eric Church and Urban said it hit home, reminding him of his wife Nicole Kidman. Urban performed a romantic stripped-down acoustic version of “We Were” for the crowd, and finished out the set by taking everyone into the weekend with another long-time fan favorite, “Somewhere In My Car.” All in all, watching Urban on perform on Good Morning America was definitely not a bad way to start your weekend!

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Lady Antebellum Depict A Not So Perfect Relationship in “Pictures”

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Lady Antebellum Pictures

Award-winning country trio, Lady Antebellum debuted their newest song, “Pictures” earlier this morning and it comes at a time where picture-perfect lives broadcasted on social media are usually quite different from reality.

The “Need You Now” singers sculpt a couple who advertise a flawless relationship through the lens of a camera, and the eyes of everyone around them, but disguise their complications experienced behind closed doors well. The relationship has since ended, but this couple looks back at the pictures and realizes how happy they look in them, but that wasn’t always the case. This bluesy, breezy slow jam projects vulnerability but leaves fans swaying while Scott sings lead and Kelley harmonizes:

“Yeah, we sure looked happy in pictures / The camera doesn’t show the way it hurt / No, that ain’t the way I remember it happening / In between the flashes it was sad, it was tragic / Yeah, we sure looked happy in pictures,” they sing in the chorus.  The song details specific photographed events then painfully recalling the feelings endured off-screen. “There’s one on my phone that I can’t erase / But you’d never know by the smile on my face / That inside I was dying, later that night I’d be crying / The last one before ‘goodbye’, they sing. “No photo evidence, not a single proof / Of all the hell we went through.”

This slow jam comes shortly after the release of “What If I Never Get Over You” and it is the second song released from a forthcoming album, details unannounced.

To keep up with Lady Antebellum follow them on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

“Pictures” is now available everywhere you buy or stream music. 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.

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Kip Moore Releases First Track From Forthcoming Album, “She’s Mine”

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Kip Moore She's Mine

Multi-platinum country artist Kip Moore debuted a new single “She’s Mine” off of his forthcoming next studio album. “She’s Mine” follows Moore’s third studio album Slowheart which captured the hearts of many gaining praise from NPR, Rolling Stone, Bobby Bones Show, and Entertainment Weekly as well as Room To Spare: The Acoustic Sessions EP. This rockin’ guitar influenced tune has never been released as a studio recording but has appeared in the Georgia natives live set from time to time. Moore states in a recent press release, “This one always felt like a hit record.”

“She’s Mine,” written by Moore, Scott Stepakoff and Dan Couch nearly ten years ago, chases the singer-songwriter stepping into the role of a soul-searching journeyman on a coast to coast expedition seeking love everywhere he goes. No matter the place, “Last Shot” singer is not throwing in the towel. He sings: “Yeah maybe she’s in Dallas, cheering for the cowboys / Maybe laying low down in Mexico, I know she loves the sunshine / Yeah maybe she’s in Vegas, at a table dealing blackjack / Hey if you wouldn’t mind, if you see her out tonight, Tell her she’s mine.”

“I wrote this song at a time in my life when I realized that my life was flipped upside down and I didn’t know which way was up,” shared Moore. “Every experience from there forward, I felt like everything was going to be a surprise. I didn’t know where I was going to end up, who I was going to meet or who I was going to be with. I’m fired up to be getting new music out there, and this song is just the beginning. I know the fans are ready and so am I.”

To keep up with Kip Moore follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

“She’s Mine” is now available everywhere you buy or stream music. 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.

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New Country Music Friday – The Playlist 8/9/19

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It’s our favorite part of the week, New Music Friday!

This weekend we’ve got new music from Kip Moore, Miranda Lambert, Lady Antebellum, Zac Brown Band and so much more.

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:

 

 

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King Calaway Perform An Inspiring Cover of “Let It Be”

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This morning our favorite country boy band, King Calaway performed a stirring rendition of The Beatles’ anthem “Let It Be” in honor of the dark times facing our world after three mass shootings in the past week. The legendary song was written in the 1970s by Paul McCartney and he says it was inspired by a dream he had about his mother.

Nearly five decades later, the poignancy of “Let It Be” remains the same as the six members of King Calaway strip down the song with two guitars and their incredible harmonies on The Ty Bentli Show. The Cumulus Media morning show is syndicated exclusively by Westwood One and can be heard in markets across the U.S and U.K..

As the members trade off taking the lead on each verse, the band as a whole shine on the chorus when their tranquil voices soar over the tender lyrics. Watch the full video above. For more about King Calaway check out our very first event with the band from back in January here and take a listen to their debut self-titled EP.

To keep up with King Calaway follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

 

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Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC & Beyond!

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