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CMT Crossroads Featuring Brett Young and Boyz II Men

March 28, 2019/in Blog /by Kelly Cunningham

Photo Credit: Jason Kempin/Getty Images

Held at Stage A at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, and broadcasted on CMT last night, Boyz II Men and Brett Young were featured last night for another incredible episode of CMT Crossroads. Who knew this was the collaboration everyone needed?

In last night’s broadcast, Young shared the stage with the iconic group in their first country collaboration. Young and Boyz II Men had met the day before this was filmed, however, their mesh of musical styles and stage presence appeared like they were old friends, performing together. The night kicked off with “Motownphilly” getting the crowd singing along and ready for what’s to come.

In between the songs, Young and Boyz II Men talked about how similar their two genres are and how love songs connect with everyone. “There’s country, there’s R&B and those two genres are exactly the same, we just change a couple of instruments to make one country and one R&B,” Nathan Morris of Boyz II Men says. “We are meshing genres but at the same time, we do very much of the same thing, and I think that’s really cool” Young continued. “But that’s the whole point of Crossroads, it gives the viewer something that they might not have seen on their own,” Shawn Stockman explained. The group and Young jumped right into a beautiful rendition of Young’s “In Case You Didn’t Know”. They also performed the group’s hit “Water Runs Dry,” which is also the song that Young covers in his set on tour. It has the elements of a hit country track that engages the group and Young’s voice flawlessly.

Before singing Young’s next couple of songs he mentioned his single “Here Tonight” was the first time he put an actual tempo song out to radio. “Sometimes it’s nice to write a song that even though the topic is obvious, the story is so vague that anybody can make it their story,” Young says. “We don’t say where here is, here is here for you, it’s here for me, it’s wherever that is for anybody.” The single is currently climbing the charts sitting at #3 on the Mediabase chart and in the top three on Billboard. Young also explained to Boyz II Men that his track “Mercy,” was the song the crowd would cheer for to encore before it was even a single. Arguably, one of the most impactful songs of the night was “End Of The Road” which gave each artist a chance to really harmonize together, even allowing the fans in the audience to sing the final chorus acapella.

To end the night, they performed Boyz II Men’s smash single “I’ll Make Love To You.” “This was a challenge I was excited for, “ Young said of the collaboration and working with the band. “The process might’ve taken longer or gone differently if you guys weren’t so genuine and warm and open and fun about it.” There were roses placed on the stage for them to hand out to the audience. The artists took advantage of this opportunity by handing them out to the ladies in the crowd. Between the sultry vocals, amazing harmonies and beautiful roses it was a definite ‘’swoon’ moment for those in attendance.

As members of the Grammy award-winning band talked earnestly with the rising country throughout the show, it was apparent that they appreciate the country music genre, as much as Young appreciates them and the way their music has influenced him. “Country music leaves space for the song to breathe, they leave space for the artist to sing the lyrics so you can hear the story, ” Morris stated. “All of those beautiful things that country is known for, that’s why people love it still, it still touches the heartstrings,” Stockman concluded. This collaboration was an unexpected yet clever decision made by CMT.

To keep up with CMT’s Crossroads future shows, make sure to visit http://www.cmt.com/shows/cmt-crossroads. To keep up with Boyz II Men follow them on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook and Brett Young on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

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NYCS Woman of the Month: Leslie Fram

March 28, 2019/in Blog, Woman of the Month /by Christina Bosch

We’re bringing you stories from women who are chasing their dreams and building a life that they love with New York Country Swag’s, “Woman of the Month.”

Each month, we highlight a different female pursuing her passions. Introducing you to women who are taking risks, working relentlessly and turning their dreams into reality. These are empowering women who serve as role models and should be celebrated.

Leslie Fram

For our March Woman of the Month, we wanted to feature a female in the industry who not only has an incredible story but also works daily to champion other female artists and women in general who are working tirelessly to make their dreams of working in the music industry come true. Leslie Fram is currently the Senior VP of Music Strategy for CMT (Country Music Television) in Nashville, but this small town Alabama native didn’t always didn’t only listen to country music growing up. She tells us in a recent interview that thanks to her older brother, her musical influences ranged a few different genres including artists like Led Zeppelin and Heart to Jackson Browne and The Eagles. “I listened to the radio late at night and picked up stations across the country in all different genres, which is how my passion for radio was born,” she recalls.

Before moving to Nashville, Fram pursued a career in radio, first in Top 40 radio in Mobile, Alabama then, an Alternative Rock station in Atlanta and most recently, right here in the Big Apple rocker 1019RXP as Program Director and Morning Show co-host. Before her move into country music, Fram had already racked up a ton of recognition in music, being named the first woman to receive the TJ Martell Award in recognition of outstanding performance in the music industry in 2000 and in 2009 she was honored as a Lifetime Achievement Inductee in the Georgia Radio Hall of Fame.

We discussed how the transition in 2011 into country music from rock music and out of radio into television affected her. “The first year at CMT was a whirlwind, getting to know a whole new set of industry folks and learning the job. The team (which is more like a family) at CMT made the transition so smooth,” she explains. She made sure to take meetings in town to meet more of the industry and at night to attend shows, so that she could learn all about what the country music genre had to offer.

Now, a typical day in the life of the Senior VP of Music Strategy includes getting to the office early, most weeks she takes breakfast meetings before her day even officially begins. Some of her days are back to back until 5:00 or 6:00 PM, filled with meetings about all things CMT including label calls, meetings about all CMT events, catching up with artist’s teams and even a weekly meeting where she watches all of the videos that come in and will be played on the platform. Once her busy day ends, her and her team divide and conquer all of the incredible music related events or concerts that go on on a nightly basis including industry showcases, #1 parties and heading to see new acts or shows. “Because of my hectic lifestyle, I try to remain healthy and get as much sleep as possible (when I can!) in order to keep up,” she tells us. “I love working on a project from beginning to end and strategizing with our team. We are truly thankful for what we all get to do and that we get to do it in Music City!”

Leslie Fram and Karen Fairchild with the Class of 2019 CMT Next Women of Country / Photo Courtesy of CMT.com

One of the main initiatives Fram has been a part of since her start at CMT is championing women in the genre. We were so interested to hear her take on the situation and what made her decide to work to bring equality to the genre. “It was shocking to see the lack of support for all of these amazing female artists when I moved to Nashville. When I starting actually speaking with them and hearing stories of what they were going through, I knew we had to do something.” And so they did, creating CMT Next Women of Country which has now introduced countless female artists to fans all over the country. Now, the franchise has expanded from simply a yearly event to 5 years of annual tours, a digital music series and more. They even just announced that for the first time, this year’s class will be going international, and to USO bases overseas. “I am so proud that we have helped launch the careers of amazing women like Kelsea Ballerini, Maren Morris, Lauren Alaina, and RaeLynn,” Fram says. “CMT has given its full support to this franchise, including last year’s unprecedented ‘Artists Of The Year’ awards show, which honored all women for the first time ever.”

NYCountry Swag Managing Editor, Christina Bosch, and Founder, Stephanie Wagner with 2019 CMT Next Women of Country Artist, Stephanie Quayle

New York Country Swag’s 2o18 Babes, Booze & Brunch event featured Hannah Ellis who is now currently on the 2019 CMT Next Woman of Country tour with Cassadee Pope and Clare Dunn and we can’t wait to catch the show next month at Gramercy Theatre. We were also honored to have Stephanie Quayle, a member of the 2019 class, perform at our Babes, Booze & Brunch event earlier this month.

We couldn’t let such an icon in the country music industry go without asking about advice that she has for women trying to follow their country music dreams and specifically for our company. Fram said, “Follow your passion and find your champions! You are offering a service that can help mentor artists and industry professionals, which is such important work. Sometimes all it takes is a little encouragement!”

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6 Life Lessons We’ve All Learned from Reba Songs

March 28, 2019/in Blog /by Nicole Piering

Photo Couresty of @RebaMcEntire on Facebook

Since the earliest days of her career, Reba has released songs with interesting stories and valuable messages. While some of the stories tend towards the macabre, other Reba tracks are ripe with life experience and advice that we could stand to hear. As we prepare for the April 5 release of her new album, Stronger Than the Truth, we started thinking about the most important lessons we’ve learned over the years from the Queen of Country.

So, without further ado, here are six of our favorite life lessons learned from Reba songs.

“The Heart Won’t Lie”: When it comes to life lessons, this one is pretty simple and clear, as told by the song’s title. Simply put, follow your heart, as “the heart won’t lie.” On this 1993 duet with Vince Gill, Reba and Gill are lovers separated by circumstance. However, the love remains between them, despite trying to move on. These lyrics make it clear: “The hear won’t lie/ Sometimes life gets in the way/ But there’s one thing that won’t change/ I know I’ve tried/ The heart won’t lie.”

“Turn On the Radio”: In the case of “Turn on the Radio,” Reba is telling a “no good, two timin’, cheatin’, mistreatin'” man that the only place he can hear from her is by turning on the radio. If he wants to hear from her, he’ll find her words in the messages of her songs playing through his stereo. While this 2010 track may be slightly outdated in its radio references, the message still rings true. Having a tough time in life? Turn to music. Turn on Spotify, Apple Music, SiriusXM, or even the radio.

“The Fear of Being Alone”: On 1996’s “The Fear of Being Alone,” Reba is enjoying a romantic night out with a special guy, and she’s finding it hard not to “jump the gun” into something serious. She’s wondering if it’s truly a real romance or simply the fear of being alone. The message here is to take your time and make sure things are right before jumping into a new relationship. She warns the man not to drop those three little words because it may not be the real thing. According to Reba, “Reckless hearts can clear a path wider than a hurricane’s aftermath.”

“God and My Girlfriends”: In 2017, Reba released her Gospel album, Sing It Now: Songs of Faith & Hope, featuring a mix of traditional hymns and original tracks. One of the originals was “God and My Girlfriends,” a song with a simple message to rely on God and your girlfriends. While she may have a man in her life in the song, it’s God and her girlfriends that she can always turn to, and this is certainly an important lesson to remember. “God and my girlfriends/ They’re always there when/ I’m feeling down, always around, lifting me up/ I love how they know me, forgive me, and show me / Again and again, I can depend / On God on and my girlfriends.”

“Somebody”: While “Somebody” was originally recorded by Mark Wills, it was Reba who took the song to the top of the charts in 2004. The song celebrates finding love in unexpected places. While you may be searching for love, it may be right in front of you. Reba reminds us, “But keep on lookin’ ’cause maybe who you’re lookin’ for is / Somebody in the next car/ Somebody on the morning train / Somebody in the coffee shop / That you walk right by every day/ Somebody that you look at / But never really see / Somewhere out there is somebody.”

“Fancy”: It would be impossible to create any type of Reba song list and not include “Fancy.” Although the song was originally released by Bobbie Gentry in 1969, it was Reba’s version that made “Fancy” and her famous red dress into icons. While the song tells an interesting tale and there may not be a clear message upon first listen, it’s possible to dig deeper and discover a few life lessons. For one, Fancy’s mama urges her “to thine own self be true.” She also celebrates equality and working hard to make a better life for yourself. While Fancy methods of self-improvement may not be the best method, there’s a “rise from the ashes” message here for everyone.

Reba’s new album Stronger Than the Truth will be released on April 5th and is sure to feature even more valuable messages and lessons. To keep up with Reba, follow her on Instagram, Twitter , and Facebook .

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Mets or Yankees? Country Stars Root for New York Baseball…

March 28, 2019/in Blog /by Stephanie Wagner

What’s the only thing better than tailgate season? Baseball season. With Opening Day upon us, we’re lining up our favorite Country stars you just might see rooting for New York teams this season…

GARTH BROOKS
Remember that time when country superstar, Garth Brooks, played for the New York Mets? Back in 2000, Brooks joined the Mets spring training, however after going 0-17 at bat the team elected not to add him to their rotation.

JAKE OWEN
Remember long-haired Jake? Back in 2015, Jake Owen was invited to New York Yankees batting practice with manager Joe Girardi.

TIM MCGRAW
McGraw is often seen sporting a New York Mets ball cap. That’s because his late father, Tug McGraw, played for the team in the late 60’s and much of the 70’s. Perhaps one of the best relief pitchers in the MLB during the early 70’s, Tug McGraw is best known for coining the phrase, “Ya Gotta Believe!”

KENNY CHESNEY
Known for his sports enthusiasm, Chesney is almost always seen rocking a different sports team, but hey… Yankees looks good on him! You’re welcome to rep New York anytime, Kenny!

What team are you rooting for this season? Tweet us and let us know! Plus grab some swag gear in our shop and tag us in your pictures. We want to see what stadiums New York Country Swag can get to this season!

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Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC & Beyond!

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Swag Sessions Featuring LOCASH

March 27, 2019/in Blog, Swag Sessions /by Christina Bosch

New York Country Swag hosted a Swag Session with country music duo, LOCASH. Chris Lucas, hailing from Baltimore, Maryland and Preston Brust of Kokomo, Indiana have been together, releasing music for almost a decade. On the heels of signing with a new record label, Broken Bow Records, Lucas and Preston joined New York Country Swag to promote their brand new album, Brothers, which will be available this Friday (3/29). Be sure to ‘like’ and ‘share’ the video below for your chance to win an exclusive autographed copy of Brothers.

After playing two songs, “Brothers” and “One Big Country Song” the ACM Vocal Duo of the Year nominees talked with our Managing Editor Christina Bosch about their nomination, what they are most excited for about the awards taking place in Vegas on April 7th and what fans can expect from the new full-length record.

Watch the full Swag Session above and take a listen to LOCASH’s music here.

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.

Keep up with LOCASH on social media – Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

NYCountry Swag Founder, Stephanie Wagner, LOCASH’s Chris Lucas and Preston Brust, NYCountry Swag Managing Editor, Christina Bosch

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Backstreet Boy AJ McLean Releases Video For “Boy And A Man”

March 27, 2019/in Blog /by Erica Zisman

If you grew up in the ’90s or early 2000s then you know the phenomenon that is the pop music supergroup, the Backstreet Boys. Now one of those boy band heartthrobs is venturing into a new sound, releasing country music as a solo artist. Singer-songwriter AJ McLean recently released a new song entitled “Boy And A Man,” with a music video to go along with it. This track marks the third song to be released off McLean’s project, Long Road, a record created in Nashville and is first single to go to country radio.

The song “Boy And A Man” shows off the singer’s vulnerable side and feels almost like a countrified version of a Backstreet Boys’ jam. It’s romantic, touching, and catchy, while still showcasing a story-telling aspect that is crucial in a slower-tempo Nashville-infused track. The song feels like it could have been cut by McLean’s friends from Florida Georgia Line, which will be sure to resonate with fans of FGL.

“Cause you deserve better than you’ve had before / Right now you’ve got a fellow standing at your door / I’ll treat you like a lady, ain’t just going to call you baby / Couple kisses and walk away / I ain’t playing little games, I’m just trying to say / Girl, that I’ve gotta plan / Cause I know what you’re missing / I’ma show you the difference between a boy and a man.”

McLean shows off his vocal on the song while highlighting his acting chops in the music video. Directed by Rene Elizondo Jr., the video depicts the whole story of a couple falling in love as kids, dating in high school, getting married as adults, and growing old together. McLean plays the narrator, the elderly man in the beginning and the end of the visuals, as well as, recruits his wife, as the woman he marries in the wedding clips. Like the lyrics, the video feels authentic and heartwarming- just make sure you grab a box of tissues to watch the ending.

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

“Boy And A Man” 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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NY/NJ Country Fans – Don’t Miss Rascal Flatts This Summer!

March 26, 2019/in Blog /by Stephanie Wagner

Access presale tickets Thursday, 3/28 at 10AM
presale code: SWAG

Summer concert season is right around the corner and things are certainly heating up for New York/New Jersey country music fans. Hitmaking trio, Rascal Flatts announced that the Summer Playlist Tour will hit the area on Sunday, June 9th at PNC Bank Arts Center and rising star, Jordan Davis will be along for the opening slot.

In a recent press release lead singer Gary LeVox stated, “We’ve been so fortunate on our journey to be able to have the best of the best new and established artists join us out on tour. It’s been awesome to see those artists go on to such amazing successes… We can already feel that this tour is going to rock, come see it live!”

Tickets for the New Jersey date officially go on sale to the general public on Friday, 3/29, but NYCountry Swag followers can grab theirs early on this Thursday, March 28th at 10AM with presale code: SWAG. Click here to grab yours.

For a full list of tour dates, visit RascalFlatts.com and make sure you’re following @NYCOUNTRYSWAG on Instagram, so you don’t miss any upcoming announcements, ticket giveaways and more.

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The Complete List of the ACM Award Performers…So Far

March 26, 2019/in Blog /by Olivia Reese

The 2019 Academy of Country Music Awards is fast approaching, taking place on April 7th at 8:00 PM Eastern at the MGM Grand in Las Vagas, Nevada. The award show is in its 54th year and quality of the line-up of performers reflects that; Reba McEntire is returning as the host of the show. The following artists have been announced to perform at the awards show so far with more artists to be announced according to the Academy of Country Music website.

Take a list below at some of the great performances and collaborations we can expect to see in just over a week!

Jason Aldean
Dierks Bentley with Brandi Carlile
Brooks & Dunn
Brothers Osborne
Kane Brown with Khalid
Eric Church
Kelly Clarkson
Luke Combs
Dan + Shay
Florida Georgia Line
Miranda Lambert
Little Big Town
Ashley McBryde
Reba McEntire
Maren Morris
Thomas Rhett
Chris Stapleton
George Strait
Carrie Underwood
LANCO

Announced yesterday, newcomers Ashley McBryde, LANCO and Luke Combs were already announced as winners. Video clips surfaced on social media of the one and only Carrie Underwood calling each of the acts to let them know they had won. McBryde won New Female Artist of the Year, Combs won New Male Artist of the Year and LANCO took home New Group of the Year. Check out their surprised reactions in the video below.

To keep up with the ACM Awards follow them on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

Be sure to check out the full list of nominated artists here and follow us on Instagram, Twitter & Facebook for more updates about the ACM awards and all things country music.

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Maggie Rose Makes Her National Television Debut on TODAY

March 26, 2019/in Blog /by Erica Zisman

Photo credit: Nathan Congleton / TODAY

Today was a big day for talented Nashville vocalist, Maggie Rose, who made her national TV debut on NBC’s TODAY earlier this morning as part of the Citi Concert Series. The songstress released her impressive sophomore record Change The Whole Thing last September. Just two months later, we hosted a Swag Session with the singer-songwriter, where she sang two incredible songs off her album, including “Pull You Through.” For her national TV debut, Rose performed “It’s You,” an equally powerful song off her record.

During the third hour of the broadcast, co-anchors, Al Roker, Dylan Dreyer, and Craig Melvin welcomed Rose to the stage, as part of The Artist Lounge segment. The new segment spotlights some of our favorite singers as they perform stripped-down versions of their songs. Roker stated “We are so excited to have Maggie Rose in The Artist Lounge,” while Dreyer went on to share, “She recorded her latest album with a live 13 piece band!”

Just before performing her love song, “It’s You,” Melvin quickly introduced the track as a love song, while the talented artist agreed, sharing the sweet sentiment, “we’re all about love.” Looking equally as beautiful as her vocals sounded, Rose gave a killer performance of the track, truly evoking every emotion. Backed by a two-piece band and strapped with a guitar, she showed off her vocal range effortlessly, while conveying the lyrical story with so much poise and charisma. Everything about her performance was stunning and captivating.

Check out the clip below to see for yourself.

Rose continues to play shows across the United States, playing Nashville’s iconic Grand Ole Opry on April 16th alongside fellow country musicians, Montgomery Gentry, Dale Watson, Dustin Lynch, and Kelsea Ballerini. For tickets and more information, head to maggierosemusic.com

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

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The Break Up Playlist You Didn’t Know You Needed

March 26, 2019/in Blog /by Abby Kaye-Phillips

Break-ups come in many forms, with varying degrees of blame, guilt, and heartache. Whatever the circumstances of the end of your relationship, there is a country song that speaks perfectly to what you’re going through.

“Every Little Thing” – Carly Pearce

One of the best things you can do for yourself right after a break-up is let the emotions run their course. “I’m haunted by the memories of every little thing / The high, the hurt, the shine, the sting / Every little thing”. Take off your make-up, cue up this track, and let the tears fall until there is nothing left.

“Tonight I Wanna Cry” – Keith Urban

Another tearjerker (literally) is this KU ballad about a man who realizes letting it out is the only way. “It’s gonna hurt bad before it gets better / But I’ll never get over you by hidin’ this way / I’ve never been the kind to ever let my feelings show / And I thought that bein’ strong meant never losin’ your self-control / To hell with my pride, let it fall like rain from my eyes / Tonight I wanna cry.”

“Tin Man” – Miranda Lambert

There comes a point in every painful break-up when you wonder why on earth it’s even worth having a heart at all. In an ode to the Wizard of Oz character with a hollow chest, “Tin Man” portrays a girl offering up her shattered heart just so she no longer has to feel pain. “Every time you’re feeling empty / Better thank your lucky stars / If you ever felt one breaking / You’d never want a heart.”

“Starts with Goodbye” – Carrie Underwood

If you were the one to end it, this old-school track describes the moment you know it’s time to leave. “So hard to see myself without him / I felt a piece of my heart break / But when you’re standing at a crossroad / There’s a choice you gotta make / It’s sad but sometimes moving on with the rest of your life / Starts with goodbye.” It’s not easy, but sometimes walking away really is best.

“Potential” – Danielle Bradberry

Some relationships end not because you aren’t in love, but because you realize your partner is never going to change. “I could tell myself that you’ll get there, you’ll get there / But the more that you don’t, the less blind I am / I’m not in love with you / I’m in love with your potential”. The truth hurts, but it also sets you free.

“Clean” – Taylor Swift

The end of a toxic relationship can feel like a weight has lifted. “The rain came pouring down when I was drowning / That’s when I could finally breathe / And that morning, gone was any trace of you, I think I am finally clean.” You are not defined by your choices, and you are strong enough to start over.

“Break Up in the End” – Cole Swindell

A relationship can be fleeting and still teach us valuable lessons. “Even if I knew you’d be my best and worst mistake / Oh, I’d still make it with you / Over and over, again and again, / Even though we break up in the end.” Just because it wasn’t meant to be doesn’t mean it was a waste of time or that you’d do anything differently if given the chance.

“Rules of Breaking Up” – Brandon Ratcliff

We all know them, don’t call after being out late, don’t go to the same bars you used to go to together, those rules that you must abide by when you are dealing with a breakup. Rising artist Brandon Ratcliff wrote a song about that one relationship that makes you want to break all of those rules. “Whoever wrote the rules of breaking up never kissed your lips / Touched your skin, held the world at their fingertips / Didn’t have a clue what heaven was / No they didn’t have to lose that kind of love”.

“Break Up In a Small Town” – Sam Hunt

Even in a big city, it’s hard to fly solo after time as a couple. “There’s only so many streets, so many lights / I swear it’s like I can’t even leave my house / I should’ve known all along / You gotta move or move on / When you break up in a small town.” You’re paranoid that you’ll run into your ex, and you see places in town as tainted, but the truth is, that’s perfectly normal.

“Like We Never Loved At All” – Tim McGraw and Faith Hill

Crossing paths with your ex for the first time is scary. And if he or she doesn’t acknowledge you at all it can feel like a dagger straight to the chest. “How can you just walk on by // Without one tear in your eye? // Don’t you have the slightest feelings left for me? / Maybe that’s just your way / Of dealing with the pain / Forgetting everything between our rise and fall / Like we never loved at all.”

“Best Days of Your Life” – Kellie Pickler

At some point, you’ll realize that you’re better off without them. In fact, it’s their loss entirely, because they’ll never find someone better than you. “Cause I’ll be there, in the back of your mind / From the day we met to the very last night / And it’s just too bad, cause you’ve already had the best days / The best days of your life.” Sing it loud and sing it proud, there are other fish in the sea.

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Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC & Beyond!

Subscribe to our Weekly Round-Up here
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