Luke Combs Reveals Sophomore Album in Clues Before Announcement

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Fans of Luke Combs will be delighted to hear the news that after a series of cryptic messages, Combs has officially announced that his highly anticipated sophomore album is set for release on November 8th.

Fans first began speculation just last week when Combs took to social media to post a countdown with two simple words “1 Week.”. Followers immediately took to Twitter to tweet their guesses, assuming that the messages could mean either new music or more tour dates. However, upon closer look at Combs’ social activity, even more clues could soon be found. As the days led up to the week-long countdown, Combs began to release mini-episodes on YouTube of outtakes from making the video of his latest single “Beer Never Broke My Heart”. In the very beginning of each episode, a countdown begins. In episode 2, the number 11 flashes at the end of the countdown and in episode 3, the number 11 then 8 flashes, a major clue to the November 8th release date!

Combs’ announcement comes on the heels of quite the upward spiral of success. Recently, the 29-year-old singer-songwriter became the Grand Ole Opry’s newest inductee, a monumental feat for any artist in the country music world. His fall tour is already sold out in major cities and his latest single officially became his sixth consecutive #1 song. The milestone makes Combs the first country music artist in history to have his first six singles reach the top spot.

Back in 2017, NYCountry Swag caught Combs just before his debut single “Hurricane” would top the charts, naming him one of our 2017 Artists to Watch. Months later, seeing him perform at his first New York City show ever sealed the deal and we knew we were in front of a superstar in the making. Take a look back at that show here.

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

 

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Runaway June First Female Band or Trio To Enter the Top 10 in 14 Years

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Runaway June’s “Buy My Own Drinks” has secured historical status by being the first radio single by a female country music trio in 14 years to break into the Top 10 on the Country charts. The last track was SHeDaisy’s “Don’t Worry About A Thing back in February of 2005.  The single, written by Josh Kear, Hillary Lindsey, and the trio, is the lead single from their first LP, Blue Roses, released June 28th on Wheelhouse Records.  In our most recent interview with the ladies last month, we discussed the track sitting in the top 15 and how incredible it is to watch it climb. Watch the full performance and interview below.

Hannah Mulholland, Naomi Cook and Jennifer Wayne formed Runaway June roughly four years ago and have since acquired CMT and ACM nominations, scored opening slots of major tours including Carrie Underwood and Garth Brooks, have been named CMT’s “Next Women of Country,” appeared in Billboard’s Chartbreakers, and have given show-stopping performances on the CMA Awards, CMT Awards and the ACM Awards.

Back in December of 2018, Billboard’s Country Airplay tally depicted that not one female artist or female group occupied the Top 20 for the first time since the survey lofted in January 1990. Runaway June is the first all-female group to obtain a spot in the Top 20 on the Country Airplay chart, there have been a few other females to do the same such as the Dixie Chicks, Maddie & Tae, Kelsea Ballerini, and Maren Morris but the lack of women on country radio has still not become a thing of the past. Read more about why Maren Morris taking the top spot on the charts just last week was so important.

A plethora of female country artists including Maren Morris, Kacey Musgraves, Kelsea Ballerini, Carrie Underwood, Ashley McBryde, and more have released critically-acclaimed records but have minimal radio play. You may hear these females, but most definitely not one after another. Blake Shelton will be played immediately after Luke Bryan, but not Kacey Musgraves following Miranda Lambert. It’s nearly impossible for females to reach that top spot on the charts without constant radio airplay.

Women in country music need to continue to lift each other up and show endless support. If you love “Buy My Own Drinks” here are six other female artists that we think are helping to turn the tides and make radio programmers pay attention.  Congrats to Runaway June on their Top 10 single!

To keep up with Runaway June, follow them on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

Blue Roses 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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Hannah Ellis Opens Up for Gavin DeGraw at the Paramount

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One of our favorite independent artists and Swag Sessions alum, Hannah Ellis opened for Gavin DeGraw last night at The Paramount on Long Island, New York. She brought her charming and sassy personality and killer vocals to the stage, warming up the crowd for DeGraw, all while garnering many new fans.

Accompanied by her talented guitarist, Ellis performed for a sold-out crowd of over 1000 people. She exploded onto the stage with, “ILYSoWhat,” a catchy song about admitting your feelings to a loved one. Following the upbeat jam, the singer-songwriter shared that she was “so excited to be here,” with the crowd, before introducing her next song, “Your Woman”, which she released back when she was on the CMT Next Women of Country Tour.

The songstress gave the intimate details behind the story of the next song she played, entitled “Never in Love”. Ellis shared, “I love that someone decided to pay me to go in a room and talk about my feelings. That’s really nice. One day I walked in the room with my boyfriend and one of our best friends to write a song. My friend was going through a really bad break up at the time and even though I wasn’t, I still remembered that feeling of when the bottom drops out. Will I ever be happy again? Will I ever feel love again? And this song was born. It’s one of my favorites to perform.” The song was definitely a special moment for Ellis.

Continuing to shake things up, the Kentucky native performed a cover of the popular R&B song “No Diggity.” Of course, fans sang and danced along the whole time to the infectious tune. Her country twang really gave the song a new, but enticing feel – proving that she can sing just about anything.

With her set quickly coming to a close, Ellis had time for two more songs. First she sang her incredible ballad, “Home And A Hometown”, adding “It’s a song that kind of created its own life. It’s one that constantly reminds me that I if go in a room and write my truth, somebody’s going to find theirs in this.” The track reached Top 100 on the mediabase country radio charts, which the songstress proudly shared with the audience. Ellis finished her entertaining set with her most recently released song, “Friends Like These”.

Ellis truly gave her all to her performance and it was clear that by the end everyone in the room was in awe of her talent.

Shortly after Ellis’ impressive set, headliner Gavin DeGraw hit the stage, accompanied by applause and screaming fans. DeGraw sang songs spanning his entire career, and even mentioned that this was the 8th time he has played at this venue. Throughout his long-standing career, this singer-songwriter has released many hits, including “Chariot,” “Not Over You,” and “I Don’t Want to Be,” the One Tree Hill theme song. The former he played for the crowd in the middle of his set, while the other two he saved to close out his show.

DeGraw kept the crowd entertained the whole night, mashing his songs together like with “You Make My Heart Sing Louder” and “In Love With a Girl,” as well as, delivering impactful slower songs, such as “Soldier” and “Free.” The singer-songwriter took the audience on a ride through every emotion, which made for a unique, innovative, and impressive musical experience.

Although DeGraw may not be considered a country artist, his talent blurs genre lines effortlessly and his voice lends itself well to the genre. Most recently, the singer collaborated with Brett Young on his song “Chapters” off his sophomore album, Ticket to L.A. The entertainer also performed at CMA Fest this year, which makes us wonder what he has in the works.

You can catch Ellis on tour with DeGraw through August. For tickets and more information, head to hannahellismusic.com

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

 

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Country Songs for a Rainy Day

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You know the feeling: It’s the middle of summer and you’re ready for sunrise, sunset, sunburn, repeat. However, sometimes the weather has other ideas and the skies are gray. While you’d like to believe that “rain is a good thing,” it’s not always the easiest mindset when your pool parties and barbecues are getting rained out. Thankfully, country music has a song for everything, including those rainy days.

Here are some of our favorite songs about rain…

 

1. Gary Allan: “Songs About Rain” 

On Gary Allan’s 2013 single, he drowns his sorrows over a lost love in a sad playlist featuring none other than songs about rain. “Today I heard you got a new last name,” He sings mournfully. “Sure didn’t know it was gonna hit me this way/ And the radio just keeps on playing all these songs about rain.” Allan is in a bad mood here and the radio is just matching his disposition as he reflects on losing the woman he loves. He names a few specific songs in the lyrics, including “Rainy Night in Georgia” and “Kentucky Rain” as he deals with his sadness. “I hope it’s sunny wherever you are/ But that sure ain’t the picture tonight in my car.” Ouch.

 

2. Luke Bryan: “Rain Is a Good Thing”

While for some of us, rain is a bad thing, Luke Bryan somehow manages to take positive position on condensation. On the 2009 track from Doin’ My Thing, Bryan is ready to look at rain from a scientific standpoint, singing about how rain is simply a necessary part of life. According to Bryan’s “country science,” without rain, we wouldn’t have corn or whiskey or women who feel just a bit frisky. In what has become one of Bryan’s most iconic lyrics, he sings. “Rain makes corn/ Corn makes whiskey / Whiskey makes my baby / Feel a little frisky.” 

 

3. Jo Dee Messina: “Bring On the Rain”

With one of the most powerfully underrated voices and catalogs in all of country music, Jo Dee Messina really gets us in the feels with her 2000 single, “Bring On the Rain.” Featuring Tim McGraw on background vocals, the song is about looking forward to tomorrow. Today may have been terrible, but there’s always another day to turn things around. “Another day has almost come and gone/ Can’t imagine what else could go wrong/ Sometimes I’d like to hideaway/ Somewhere and lock the door/ A single battle lost but not the war/ ‘Cause tomorrow’s another day/ And I’m thirsty anyway/ So bring on the rain.” On the ballad, Messina is ready for what life throws at her, and the message is one we could all stand to hear from time. “I’m not gonna let it get me down/ I’m not gonna cry/ And I’m not gonna lose any sleep tonight/ ‘Cause tomorrow’s another day/ And I am not afraid/ So bring on the rain.”

 

4. David Nail: “Let It Rain”

Speaking of underrated artists, it would be impossible not to mention David Nail. With his powerful voice and clever turn of phrase, he brings the story of a regretful cheater to life on “Let It Rain.” Inspired by the Zach Braff movie, The Last Kiss, “Let It Rain,” tells the story of a man who cheats on his girlfriend, who then throws him out in a storm. The song boasts the powerful lyric that truly encapsulates the story of the song, “No seven years of good/ can’t hide the one night I forgot to wear that ring.”

As for the rain, it’s abundant here as Nail proclaims, “So let it rain, let it pour, if she don’t love me anymore/ Just let it come down on me, let it come down on me, Every word, let it hurt, even more than I deserve/ Let it come down on me, let it come down on me, let it rain”

 

5. Keith Urban: “Raining on Sunday”

For Keith Urban, a rainy Sunday is the perfect excuse to do nothing but stay in bed with someone special. In “Raining on Sunday,” Urban prays for a chance to take a day off from real lift to just hide out and enjoy a day indoors. “Love could use a day of rest/ Before we both start falling apart,” He sings here, and we’re picking up what he’s putting down. This relationship needs a timeout and rainy day is just the thing to allow it to happen. “Let the water wash our bodies clean/ And love wash our souls.”

 

6. Tim McGraw: “She’s My Kind of Rain”

On “She’s My Kind of Rain,” Tim McGraw celebrates all that can be beautiful about rain, comparing the woman he loves to it. It’s a simple yet beautiful message, and with McGraw comparing someone to rain, what’s there to hate? Frankly, he could be singing “She’s My Kind of Mold,” and it would be oddly endearing. Here, however, it’s a little more refreshing and a little more poetic, as he sings, “She’s my kind of rain/ Like love from a drunken sky / Confetti falling down all night / She’s my kind of rain.”

 

Bonus – Luke Combs: “When It Rains It Pours”

In most cases, the old adage of “when it rains it pours” applies to negative situations. However, Luke Combs puts a clever and humorous take on the saying here, revealing all of the good things that happened to him once he was dumped. While the song may not technically be about rain, we couldn’t leave it off, because it’s a great song with rain in the title.

“Then I won a hundred bucks on a scratch off ticket,” Combs reveals before announcing, “I was caller number five on a radio station, won a four-day, three-night, beach vacation/ Deep sea, senorita, fishing down in Panama/ And I ain’t gotta see my ex future mother-in-law anymore/ Oh lord, when it rains it pours.” Combs also goes on to win a round of golf and get a number from the Hooter’s waitress, all which he credits to his ex walking out. Now, this is the kind of “rain” we can get behind.

 

[Cover photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Pandora]

 

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Dogs, Heartbreak and Other Things On Every Good Country Album

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One of the things that makes country music so iconic is that every single song tells a story. Some are serious, some are silly, and some truly make you think about life. While characters and situations vary across artists, albums, and titles, there are a few subjects found on pretty much every incredible country record.

 

1. Dogs. Or any animal really. Whether it’s the protagonist of the whole song like in Blake Shelton’s “Ol’ Red” or a part of a clever story like “Move it on Over” by Hank Williams, (wo)man’s best friend is all over country music.

 

2. Cheating. No one likes a cheater, but man does it make for a good country song! From Carrie Underwood hits like “Before He Cheats”, “Two Black Cadillacs”, and “Dirty Laundry” to newcomer Gabby Barrett’s debut single, “I Hope”, to Sugarland’s haunting ballad, “Stay”, we dare you to find one superstar who hasn’t done a song about this topic.

 

3. Family. Wives, husbands, mothers, fathers, grandparents, sons, and daughters have all made the cut on hit country albums. One of the most refreshing parts of the genre is how essential family is to the artists, and releasing songs about family can relate to almost every listener just like country newcomer, Caylee Hammack’s “Family Tree”.

 

4. Beer. Look no further than chart toppers like “Drinking Class” by Lee Brice, “Day Drunk” by Morgan Evans, “Drowns the Whiskey” by Jason Aldean featuring Miranda Lambert, Midland’s “Drinkin’ Problem” and Luke Combs’ newest single “Beer Never Broke My Heart”. These and a hundred others are proof that drinking songs are always a good addition to an album.

 

5. Heartbreak. Every now and then we need a song that lets us turn down the lights and feel the pain that comes from a love lost, and country music is overflowing with good options. From Carly Pearce’s “Every Little Thing” to Rascal Flatts’ classic “What Hurts to Most”, if you’re looking to let the tears flow, country music has you covered.

 

6. Summer. Okay this one isn’t on every album, but it’s hard to find an artist who hasn’t released a single upbeat summer smash. If the song is about beaches (Zac Brown Band’s “Toes”), summer love (Luke Bryan’s “Sunrise, Sunburn, Sunset” and Ryan Hurd’s “Her Name Was Summer”), hitting the lake (Little Big Town’s “Pontoon”) or just an all around good time (Kenny Chesney’s “Summertime”) these songs are perfect for the long days soaking up the sun. 

 

7. Loss. A good album makes you feel, and country songs about losing people you love deliver every time. With gorgeous melodies and lyrics that hit you deep down, tracks like Justin Moore’s “The Ones Who Didn’t Make It Back Home”, Chris Young’s “Drowning“, Diamond Rio’s “One More Day”, and Scotty McCreery’s “Five More Minutes” show that loss is a part of life, and you will get through it. 

 

8. Inspiration. Whether it’s a “you got this” anthem like “Girl” by Maren Morris or “Rainbow” by Kacey Musgraves, or a reminder that it always gets better like Rodney Atkin’s “If You’re Going Through Hell”, country lyrics are bound to give you the motivation you need to conquer anything.

 

9. Nostalgia. Thomas Rhett albums are overflowing with these hits, just listen to “Sixteen”, “Remember You Young” and “Centerpoint Road” to name a few. Other top artists have released their fair share too like Keith Urban’s “We Were”, Trace Adkin’s “You’re Gonna Miss This” and Brad Paisley’s “Letter to Me”.

 

10. Faith. Regardless of personal ideology, songs about believing in something bigger is one of the subjects that make country albums so powerful. While some songs name it outright (George Strait’s “I Saw God Today”), others convey the strength that comes from trusting the universe (Brooks and Dunn’s “Believe”) and both are country staples.

 

Regardless of who you are listening to, each and every country album is bound to have a little something for everyone.

 

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5 Undiscovered Male Artists You Should Be Listening To

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We are loving how the country music genre continues to grow and develop. As a platform, we believe it’s important to promote and support megastars, rising artists, and independent artists in the industry. There is so much rising talent in Nashville that we look forward to continuing to champion.

Here are five of our current favorite undiscovered male country artists that we know you’ll love…

 

1. Adam Doleac
LISTEN: “Famous”

We had to start off this list with one of our current favorites, Adam Doleac, who just so happens to be our first ever Swag Session Artist. He is the epitome of contemporary country music right now! With his charm, good looks, and killer vocals, it’s just a matter of time until he makes it big in the industry. We last caught up with the singer-songwriter at Taste of Country back in June, where we talked about his hit, “Famous” as well as, plans for new music. Check out the interview in the video below and give a listen to “Famous”, along with some of his other songs “SOLO” and “Wake Up Beautiful” that we are also loving. Keep up with Doleac on Instagram and Twitter.

 

2. Nick Wayne
LISTEN: “I Knew It Was You”

Next up, Nick Wayne is another artist that we’ve got on repeat. His unique sound blends effortlessly with his creative lyrics, making you want to sing along to each song right from the beginning. His newest song “I Knew It Was You”, off his soon to be completed Coffee Black is an infectious tune about knowing you found your soulmate, and we believe that Wayne has found his soul’s calling with music. He is a true storyteller. Make sure you keep Wayne on your radar. Give him a follow on Instagram and Twitter.

 

3. Baker Grissom
LISTEN: “Right Bar Wrong Stool”

One of our more unexpected picks is Baker Grissom. Virtually unknown until the release of his debut EP Saturdays & Sunday, Grissom is taking the country music world by storm in a big way. Both myself and our managing editor, Christina, fell in love with his sound and story-telling ability almost instantly, when we first listened to his record. He’s one of those artists that exists in his own lane, which is both refreshing and endearing. Check out his EP, especially “Do I Drink” and “You Are Who You Listen To”. Keep up with Grissom via his Instagram.

 

4. Levi Hummon
LISTEN: “Drop of Us”

Levi Hummon is another artist that we’re loving. He’s armed with clever lyrics, a charming smile, and a great voice. His newest song, “Drop of Us” is story-telling at its finest, and you’ll want to listen to it this summer! Arguably his most popular song, “I Still Do” is still one of our favorites, but it’s only the beginning of his talent. Hummon played “I Still Do” and the rest of the songs off his EP Patient back in October, when we caught the singer at his intimate release party in Nashville. To watch Hummon’s career take off, make sure to follow him on Instagram and Twitter.

 

5. Drew Baldridge
LISTEN: “Middle of Nowhere Kids”

Snagging our last spot is Drew Baldridge. We’ve been fans of the rising artist since back in 2016 when Baldridge released his single “Dance with Ya”. Fast forward to April 2018, when Baldridge joined us on Refinery Rooftop for a live Swag Session. Now, Baldridge is busy promoting his newest singles “Middle of Nowhere Kids” and “She’s Somebody’s Daughter” gearing up to play at the Boots and Hearts Music Festival in Canada later this week. We’re excited to see what the singer has in store for fans this year. Keep up with him via Instagram and Twitter.

 

Who are some of your favorite rising stars? Let us know in the comments and make sure you’re following us on Instagram, so you don’t miss any new music!

 

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Luke Combs Accomplishes Another Monumental Feat

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The Grand Ole Opry’s newest inductee, Luke Combs can truly do no wrong. His sophomore record is in the works and his fall tour is already sold out in major cities. To top it off this week his latest single, “Beer Never Broke My Heart” officially hit the number one spot on the charts.

Combs released the track along with five other songs on his EP entitled The Prequel back in June. This marks Combs’ sixth consecutive number one single on country radio. His last five singles, including “Hurricane,” “When It Rains It Pours,” “She’s Got the Best of Me,” “One Number Away,” and “Beautiful Crazy” all reached the number one position on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart, and his debut album, This One’s for You went number one, just before being certified double platinum.

If that isn’t enough to be proud, Combs is the first country artist in history whose first six singles reached the top spot. Like the rest of his singles, “Beer Never Broke My Heart” will also most likely go certified platinum as well.

We knew Combs was special ever since 2017 when we named him one of our 2017 Artists to Watch, shortly after seeing him perform at his first New York City show ever. Take a look back at that show here.

There’s truly no stopping the hitmaker! Catch him on tour this fall with fellow singer-songwriter, Morgan Wallen on his ‘Beer Never Broke My Heart’ Tour. For tickets and more information head to lukecombs.com. Check out our post here to read about, when Combs brought his headlining tour to a sold-out crowd at New York City’s Hammerstein Ballroom back in March.

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

 

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Everything You Need to Know About the Grand Ole Opry

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Although Nashville is arguably the “place to be,” when it comes to country music, there is one place more synonymous to the genre than the city and that’s the Grand Ole Opry. The Grand Ole Opry is an iconic music venue in Nashville, where people from all around the world visit to experience an unmatched night of music by a mix of country legends and contemporary country singer-songwriters.

The one of a kind live show has been going strong since 1925 when a Nashville radio station broadcaster, George D. Hay, introduced a one-hour radio “barn dance” show. Currently, the Grand Ole Opry holds the record for the longest-running radio broadcast in U.S. History and nearly 100 years later, many talented artists have graced the coveted stage as both guests and inductees.

Most recently, Chris Young, Chris Janson, Dustin Lynch, Mark Wills, Kelsea Ballerini, and Luke Combs have been invited into the Grand Ole Opry by the likes of artists such as Vince Gill, Keith Urban, Trace Atkins, Little Big Town, and more. Some other members include Garth Brooks, Brad Paisley, Trace Adkins, Alan Jackson, and Trisha Yearwood. Currently, there are 68 standing members of the Opry. For a full list of all members, click here.

Photo by Chris Hollis for Grand Ole Opry

How Someone Becomes a Member of the Grand Ole Opry

Although many legendary and contemporary artists have the talent to become members, the process to be invited into the Opry is ultimately up to the show’s management; however, many factors are considered before someone is invited to join the Opry. It’s vital that an artist has both an influence on the country music genre, but also the support from the Opry itself.

The decision to invite an artist is one that is not made hastily. It involves considering the performers’ success in country music, including radio airplay, recorded music sales, touring success, industry recognition, career accomplishments, and staying power. Ultimately, an artist can be the hottest act right now but it’s most important to the Opry’s management that an artist continues to uphold the traditions and relationships that make the country music genre so special.

Performing often as a guest can also help an artist to obtain recognition and more notoriety from Opry’s management, and of course, increase their fanbase, as every generation attends the Opry performances.

Photo by Chris Hollis for Grand Ole Opry

How To Remain A Member of the Grand Ole Opry

In modern times, the first step to becoming a member is to receive a nomination by an existing member of the Opry. If an artist has received a coveted invitation to one of the most prestigious honors in country music then both the invitee and Opry’s management believe that the artist will stay true to the essence of the Opry, as well as, stay true to country music fans.

The Opry boasts on their website, “Opry membership requires a passion for country music’s fans, a connection to the music history, and it requires commitment.”

Artists who accept an invitation into the Opry are expected to “pay their dues” by performing at a select number of shows per year, and if they are unable to comply they could end up forfeiting their membership. Members are able to play at any show or host any show that they want. Back in the 1960s, artists committed to play 26 shows in a year; however, it is believed that 12 shows is now the magic number in the 21st century. Ultimately, Opry membership is for life but only if the members uphold the standards that the Opry set forth for them.

Photo by Chris Hollis for Grand Ole Opry

For most inductees, the Opry marks an accomplishment of a lifetime for them, something they have been dreaming about since they were kids. Stepping into that circle for the first time as an official member is a monumental feat for country music musicians. We’re excited to see who is invited to join the Grand Ole Opry next!

To keep up with the latest, follow the Grand Ole Opry on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. To check out the performers and buy tickets to the show, head to opry.com.

 

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Dierks Bentley and Friends Entertain Long Island Fans

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With tailgate season in full swing, a crowd of country fans headed to Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater to watch headliner Dierks Bentley bring his ‘Burning Man Tour’ to the beach. For exclusive videos from the show, click here to head to our Instagram Story Highlights.

Photo by Justin Aharoni (@jaharoni) for NYCountry Swag

Before Hot Country Knights took to the stage, performing a parody of 90s country songs, VIP ticket holders were lucky enough to witness an acoustic set by Bentley himself in the VIP tent. The singer, supported by his band, sang bluegrass versions of some of his biggest songs, including “Woman, Amen”, “I Hold On,” and “Burning Man.” NYCountry Swag followers had the opportunity to win VIP access to the special performance on our Instagram giveaway contest. Congratulations to our winner, Catrina Cotrone!

Photo by Justin Aharoni (@jaharoni) for NYCountry Swag

The first true opener of the night was one of our Swag Spotlight alums, Tenille Townes. With her sassy attitude and killer vocals, the songstress spotlighted her fresh sound and honest lyrics on the big stage, proving why she’s one of our 2019 Artist to Watch. Kicking it off with her poignant love song, “White Horse” followed by “Where You Are,” Townes continued to win over new fans throughout her performance. She went on to sing “Jersey On the Wall,” which she added “This is one that’s very close to my heart,” and “Come As You Are,” but it was the end of her set that was her sweet spot. The singer-songwriter covered U2’s “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” as the audience sang along to each and every word. Townes ended her incredible set with her debut single, “Somebody’s Daughter.” For more about Townes and her undeniable talent click here.

Photo by Justin Aharoni (@jaharoni) for NYCountry Swag

Country crooner, Jon Pardi took the stage next, as fans came in droves, packing out the venue. Pardi brought the energy throughout his hour-long set, opening with his song, “What I Can’t Put Down,” followed by “My Next Broken Heart,” a Brooks and Dunn classic, which he lent his voice to on the record REBOOT. He continued the momentum, singing songs like “Lucky Tonight,” “Ain’t Always The Cowboy,” “Me and Jack”, and “Heartache Medication.” The latter are both said to be songs off Pardi’s forthcoming studio album.

Photo by Justin Aharoni (@jaharoni) for NYCountry Swag

Fans went crazy throughout his whole set, but the crowd was extra loud when Pardi sang his most popular songs, “Heartache on the Dance Floor,” “Head Over Boots,” and “Dirt on My Boots.” The singer even admitted in his set that “The more [he] gets out of Nashville, the more hardcore country fans there are.” Pardi succeeded in bringing true blue country music to New York, and fans loved every minute of it.

Photo by Justin Aharoni (@jaharoni) for NYCountry Swag

Shortly after, the man of the night, Dierks Bentley took the stage. Bentley left it all out on stage, singing his most vulnerable songs, his party songs, and everything in between, all while remaining humble and endearing the whole time. His set began with “Burning Man,” and “Up on the Ridge” featuring images of mountains in the background, which added to the ambiance. The backdrop quickly changed, during Bentley’s epic performance of “Somewhere on a Beach,” which he added fit the venue perfectly. The recording artist continued to sing fan-favorite song including the romantic ode to women, “Woman, Amen,” the endearing, “Black,” and of course, “I Hold On.”

The entertainer shifted gears soon thereafter, singing his party anthem, “5-1-5-0” and of course, his newest single, “Living.” Check out an exclusive clip from the performance on our Instagram in the video above. Bentley also brought Pardi back out to sing one of Bentley’s favorite songs by Pardi called, “Missin’ You Crazy.” The pair really played off each other’s energy and it was evident by the vibes in the room that fans approved of the duet.

Townes also came back on stage to sing a mesmerizing rendition of “Different For Girls” with Bentley. The headliner sang his praises for Townes, adding that she’s “paving the way,” for women and comparing her talent to likes of Patty Loveless and Martina McBride. While on stage, Townes proved that she knows her 90s country, singing some of both “Strawberry Wine” and “Man! I Feel Like a Woman.”

Photo by Justin Aharoni (@jaharoni) for NYCountry Swag

Although we loved the duets, one of our favorite moments of the night was when Bentley sang his beautiful song “Riser.” Before performing the song, he shared his appreciation for law enforcement, firefighters, volunteers, the military, and those who serve us every day. Bentley added “I like to think these songs are for people that are no longer here, what they would say now. I feel like, they would say, don’t just go through life being a survivor, go through life being a riser, make the most of every day.” His statement and performance of “Riser” surely brought chills to each and every fan there.

Soon thereafter, Bentley kicked off the acoustic part of his set, as he made his way to the B-stage to sing some of his more vulnerable songs. Of course, in typical Bentley fashion, he made sure to shotgun a beer with a fan on stage first. The singer-songwriter went on to sing, “Come a Little Closer” and “Say You Do.”

Photo by Justin Aharoni (@jaharoni) for NYCountry Swag

Keeping fans entertained, Bentley made his way back to the main stage, singing an electrifying version of his song “What Was I Thinkin’” and brought DJ AyDamn on stage to sing “Sideways.” Of course, Bentley came back to the stage after the song to sing two songs for his encore. In true Bentley fashion, he came back to the stage dressed in a full-pilot getup to sing “Drunk on a Plane.” The superstar ended his set with “Free and Easy (Down the Road I Go),” the perfect song to end the exhilarating night of music on a high note.

Dierks Bentley with NYCountry Swag Founder, Stephanie Wagner

For exclusive videos from the show, click here to head to our Instagram Story Highlights. Looking for the perfect captions for your pictures from the show? Check out our list of 10 best Dierks Bentley Lyrics to use for your Instagram captions.

Bentley, Pardi, and Townes will continue playing ‘Burning Man Tour’ shows through the rest of the summer.

To keep up with Dierks Bentley and the tour, visit dierks.com and follow on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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Luke Combs Lends His Voice to the Angry Birds Soundtrack with “Let’s Just Be Friends”

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Luke Combs Angry Birds

Luke Combs has truly been spoiling his fans. In June, he released his stellar EP, The Prequel, and has since been releasing other unreleased songs via social media. Today (August 2), the rising superstar released “Let’s Just Be Friends,” a track from the forthcoming The Angry Birds Movie 2.

On the uptempo and inspiring track, Combs plays the role of a peacemaker, inviting those with different opinions to put aside their differences and “just be friends.” According to information for The Angry Birds Movie 2, the track seems to perfectly sum up the plot of the film. In it, some of the angry birds are “surprised when a green pig suggests that they put aside their differences and unite to fight a common threat.”

On the track, Combs suggests the same. “You got the rock and I got the roll/ You got the heart and I got the soul,” He sings, realizing that two personalities can actually work together in a complementary manner. “Yeah we’re pretty good alone/ But I bet that together/ We could make some noise/ This town would talk about forever.”

“You’re big city and I’m small town/ The best of both worlds/ Is what it sounds like / Let’s just be friends,” Combs sings on the uplifting track, and we can basically guarantee you’ll be singing along by the end. Combs isn’t the first country star to contribute to an animated film, as earlier this year Blake Shelton released “Wallflowers and Weeds” on the Ugly Dolls Soundtrack, while Brad Paisley and Rascal Flatts have lent their music to the soundtracks for Disney’s Cars films.

The Angry Birds Movie 2 will hit theaters on August 14, featuring characters voiced by Jason Sudeikis, Josh Gad, Sterling K. Brown, Pete Davidson, Bill Hader and many more of Hollywood’s biggest names.

To keep up with Luke Combs and hopefully hear more new music, follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

“Let’s Just Be Friends” 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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Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC & Beyond!

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

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