The NYCountry Swag Team Recalls Their Very First Concerts

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Do you remember your first concert? The first time you experienced the lights going down and hearing deafening screams? Well our team of music lovers sure does and is recalling the very first time they experienced live music and guess what, most of the shows were not country artists! Check out each writer’s first concert experience below.

 

Stephanie Wagner, Founder

“As a kid, my uncle was always introducing me to new music and taking me to shows around the city, but the first major concert I can remember was at Brookhaven Amphitheater at Bald Hill (Now Long Island Community Hospital Amphitheater) with Jill Gioia, Nine Days and headliners: The B-52’s. I had to have been about 9 or 10 years old, but I still remember it like it was yesterday. It was on the 4th of July and my brother and I were pumped to catch the opening acts. Nine Days was an American rock band from Long Island, NY and my uncle would catch their shows in their early days out at Dublin Pub. From him listening to them for so long, my brother and I became fans at a really young age. I remember their hit song “Absolutely (Story of a Girl)” hitting the radio and my 4th grade self thinking… “I’ve been listening to this song for months… how is it just now getting popular?” It was truly my first taste of how the music industry worked, without really knowing it. As for Jill Gioia, she is still arguably one of the best vocalists I’ve ever heard. From following both Nine Days and Jill Gioia, I became fascinated with the music industry, rising acts, and their journeys.

It wasn’t until I was older that I discovered my love for country music which led me to establish NYCountry Swag, but live music, in general, has been a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember. I don’t think it ever occurred to me that I could have a career in the music industry, but it’s funny to look back at something like this now and realize how so many little happenings in my life all played a major role in getting me to where I am and what my company focuses on, without really knowing it at the time the kind of impact those moments would have.”

Christina Bosch, Managing Editor 

“My love for music goes WAY back before I ever attended a live concert but like many of the other writers, I was a huge boy band fan. I loved Backstreet Boys but my first live concert experience was *NSYNC at Nassau Coliseum with friends and my mom is the 7th grade. I just remember being so excited, knowing all of the words because of course, I had every single CD that they put out. Growing up as a dancer, I was fascinated with the choreography and the spectacle of it all.

As far as country music goes, I loved Shania Twain and of course, Garth Brooks but I got my first taste of a country music show when Rascal Flatts came to the city in 2010. Their showmanship, huge stage that stretched out into the pit and absolutely catchy songs had me hooked and just a few months later I was driving 15 hours to CMAFest in Nashville in 2011 to see all of the country artists that I would soon come to admire and love. Even now, going to concerts for a living, I am still in awe of the way a song or an artist can captivate a crowd and it makes me fall in love with my job each and every time. ”

 

Dylan Bestler, Contributing Writer

“Although country is my favorite genre, my favorite artist does not come from country. I have seen Imagine Dragons four times now, most recently at Radio City two weekends ago. They headlined my first ever show at Jones Beach in the summer of 2013. New to the concert format, I was unaware there were going to be three acts before them. When the second act came on (I don’t even remember who they were) it started raining and I was miserable.

When I finally think it’s time (Imagine Dragons pun) for them to go on, Senora Lanza took the stage instead to perform a 20 minute set. Senora Lanza consisted of Joe Gatto and Sal Vulcano from the now famous TV show “Impractical Jokers”. Looking back at it, the set was hilarious (I’m a huge fan of the show now) but in the moment I was very frustrated because we already waited two and a half hours and I was soaked. However, Imagine Dragons put on an incredible show like they always do to turn the night around. It’s crazy how one band or even one song can change your whole mood. Big concert guy now.”

 

Julia Grubbs, Contributing Writer

“It’s possible I might have been to a small concert before this, but not really one of my choosing, i.e. a possible Lynyrd Skynyrd concert when I was 7, but this is the first concert I actually planned to go to. My two best friends from college were going with me in Pittsburgh, and it was no less than an emotional experience. We tailgated outside of the Steelers stadium, where I competed in a pushup contest and won, and made it to see Lee Brice, Cole Swindell, and Dierks Bentley. Can you get any better? At this point, I had been listening to country for about two years, and was in love.
I just remember having the time of my life, sharing this with my best friends, loving Luke’s dancing and knowing every word to his songs. This started my real concert-going experience, later seeing Kenny Chesney, Thomas Rhett, Dierks Bentley, Sam Hunt, and following new artists such as Cale Dodds, Carson Beyer, and many more. I don’t think any concert will live up to that night, however, but I am willing to be proven wrong.”

 

Molly Holmberg, Contributing Writer

“My first concert experience was Justin Bieber when I was in 7th grade. He was still that young kid with the swooped haircut that made every girl fall in love. What I remember most about that concert was how much the music really impacted me. Not necessarily the lyrics or the songs themselves but just being around people that were fully engulfed in the music was something that I had never experienced before. Since then I have loved surrounding myself with people that love music, no matter what kind, as much as I do. Pulling out our favorite childhood songs, new artists, or lyrics always makes for a fun time with the people you love the most. Concerts have a unique way of pulling people together, no matter the size, for a of couple hours to celebrate something we are all passionate about and that is why I will continue to go to as many as I can.”

 

Abby Kaye-Phillips, Contributing Writer

“Growing up I would drive by our local arena every day on the way to school. After months of begging, my parents finally agreed to let me, my twin sister and our best friend at the time see Britney Spears on her Onyx Hotel Tour in 2004. I was 12 years old, but I remember so clearly planning our outfits weeks in advance, counting down the hours, and then screaming our heads off from the 15th row for the entire show. I had always loved music but I was blown away by the energy of the crowd, the spectacle of the stage and the lights, and how close we were to the action. My Britney stage may not have lasted long, but I’ll always credit her with my obsession with concerts!!”

Tricia Murdy, Contributing Writer

“When I was a kid I got to go to 2 concerts pretty close to each other and so I can’t remember which one was actually the first. One was Debbie Gibson and the other was New Kids on the Block – standard issue for a kid growing up in the 80s. I must have been 7 years old and was going through that phase where I had posters plastering my wall and almost everything I owned had one or all the New Kids on it. My mom had taken me to both concerts. The Debbie Gibson show was on the beach in Atlantic City, NJ at one of the resorts. It was not a very big crowd and we got to sit pretty close to the stage. I remember the sheer excitement of getting to see one of my favorite singers in person. The NKOTB show we had won tickets to from a local radio station. The radio station had been set up at the mall and you had to fill out an entry form to win. My mom must have filled out a hundred of those. They called on the phone to say we’d won. I remember feeling over the moon about winning and knowing we were going to get to go see the New Kids. This was a much different experience as the seats were in the nose bleeds and as a kid, it’s really hard to understand why you have to sit so far away and deal with it. I’m pretty sure I whined and cried most of the show because I couldn’t see. It was most definitely attending concerts at an early age that contributed to my love for music and my constant need for seeing it live. Throughout those younger years, I saw such a broad variety of artists with my parents. It truly instilled in me a great love and passion for music and concerts.”

 

Nicole Piering, Contributing Writer

“The first concert I ever attended was the Backstreet Boys at Nassau Coliseum when I was in middle school. I went with two of my best friends… and our dads! Our fathers weren’t sure about letting us attend a concert on our own so they braved the throngs of screaming teen and preteen girls and then were left to wonder why they were nervous about us going alone. We were typical middle school girls and wore homemade shirts and brought posters proclaiming our love for Nick Carter. This concert was still in the earliest days of the Backstreet Boys’ career, so their biggest hits at that time were “Quit Playing Games With My Heart,” “As Long As You Love Me,” And “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back).”
I can remember loving the concert and the energy and would go on to attend quite a few more BSB shows, including one a few years later where they blew my mind by flying over the audience on giant surfboards. While I’m not sure that that BSB concert directly led me to my love of country music, it certainly opened up my eyes to that untouchable feeling that you can only experience at a live show. Due to that, I think I can safely thank Nick, Brian, A.J., Howie, and Kevin for my love of live music.”

 

Olivia Reese, Contributing Writer

“The first concert I attended was Carrie Underwood in August of 2006 at Musikfest. I was a huge fangirl since she was on American Idol and knew I had to go the minute it was announced. The concert took place in a park between a river and train tracks, so it was a super cool, untraditional place for a concert until a train went by and the show had to be temporarily stopped because it was so loud, which is such a unique memory to have from a concert. I was 11 at the time and couldn’t see much so I stood on my chair the entire show and had the time of my life. Ever since then all I have wanted to do is go to concerts and have succeeded in that endeavor and don’t plan on stopping any time soon.”

Sara Schonmann, Contributing Writer

“I’ve attended a lot of concerts in my life some of those to see an artist I’ve longed to see, just having fun with friends, or accompanying someone and expanding my music taste. When I was seven years old my first concert was a Hilary Duff, which I attended with my mom. No one can deny that the Lizzie McGuire movie didn’t make millennials (like myself) want to go on a spontaneous trip around Rome, but unfortunately, I do not remember much from that particular concert. However, what I did learn was that my mother has been the best plus one for concerts ever since. Fast forwarding ten years later my mom has introduced me to country music that I have loved ever since.

On June 4th, 2017 at Jones Beach theater I attended our first country concert which included performances by Kane Brown, Chris Young, and Jason Aldean. Before even entering the venue I was shocked at the unity country concerts have that all start with the tailgate. After seeing the amazing atmosphere from the parking lot I knew country concerts were going to be the most entertaining. While walking into the amphitheater I saw cowboy hats, boots, denim, and flannels being worn all around and everyone looks the same, but in their own unique way. After being blown away by the performances I knew this wouldn’t be my last time seeing them (since then I have seen Jason Aldean two more times!). While my first concert wasn’t a country concert I’ve never felt happier than at a concert with my mom. The unity that country music has on the everyday person makes these events even more special.”

Nicole Sellati, Contributing Writer

“My first concert experience was attending Arthur Ashe Kids day in 2007 to see the Jonas Brothers for the first time. I was 13 going on 14 and my parents bought me and my sister tickets as a birthday gift to celebrate. It was a day to never forget, I got to see my favorite band perform live and that was only just the beginning. I always say my love for music started with the Jonas Brothers and ever since then I’ve gone to countless shows, never going a month without a concert.”

Christine Sellers, Contributing Writer

“My first concert was back in 2006 when my parents took me to see Hilary Duff’s Still Most Wanted Tour in Atlantic City. I’d grown up watching Hilary Duff on Lizzie McGuire, which is what led me to her music. I considered her my favorite singer then, so I was really excited to finally go to one of her concerts.

The concert was in the summer, so my mom purposely scheduled our family vacation to Ocean City, New Jersey around it. I remember that it was on a Friday night and we all got dressed up and went to dinner beforehand. I also remember being completely awestruck as I watched Hilary perform.

Music and performing are two things I’ve always been fascinated by and getting to go to my first concert definitely gave me a greater appreciation for all the hard work that comes with making an album and planning a tour. It’s also an exhilarating experience to hear your favorite songs live after you’ve listened to them alone in your room or your car.

I’ve been to many other concerts since seeing Hilary Duff and I’ve truly enjoyed every single one. I look forward to going to concerts any chance I get.”

Julia Singer, Contributing Writer

“The first concert I ever attended was Taylor Swift’s Red Tour in 2013, and it completely changed my life. To be honest, as much as I loved Taylor Swift at the time, I was more excited to see Ed Sheeran as the opening act. My mom and I bought tickets for nosebleed seats at the Prudential Center the day of the show, and although the seats were nothing special, the overall experience took my breath away. Before Ed took the stage, Florida Georgia Line performed. This was right as “Cruise” took over the radio, so it was so exciting to hear them live (and maybe why I’ve seen them live 3 times since!)

When Ed hit the stage, my 13-year-old self completely lost it. I cried and screamed along to every song. Even though I was all the way in the back of the sold-out arena, seeing an artist I admired in person truly meant something to me. After Ed, Taylor took the stage and put on an extremely impressive show that I will never forget. It’s crazy to look back at this experience, as now I have been to over 50 shows and am studying the music business in school in hopes to one day work in live music. No matter the size or scope of the shows I go to now, I will always remember my first Taylor Swift concert and how it shaped my love for music.”

Danielle Tornatore, Contributing Writer

“My mom took me to my first concert when I was just five years old. Like everyone else in the late 90s/early 2000s, I was just a little girl obsessed with *NSYNC. I don’t remember every single detail but I remember being there with her and my aunt and I have memories of seeing the guys on stage. A few years later, they took me to see Britney Spears and I remember singing my little heart out. Little did she or I know, years later I would become obsessed with Justin Bieber and attend my first concert that I would remember in vivid detail. It was October 9th, 2009 in the Hofstra Dome at Hofstra University. I went with my best friend at the time and I remember that exhilarating feeling, that rush, as soon as he entered the stage and I’ve been chasing that same feeling since. I attend live shows at least once a month and they will never get old. Concerts are my happy place and a way to escape and get lost in the music.”

Jaclyn Tracy, Contributing Writer

“My first concert was the Jonas Brothers first major tour in 2009. I was in the 5th grade, a major fangirl and went with my mom. It was at Madison Square Garden and fans were lined up for blocks outside the arena with every type of Jonas Brother shirt and sign you could imagine. When they actually came out on stage it was a surreal feeling that I never felt before actually seeing a band that I listened to each day play live. Even though my ears were ringing for days after, ever since then I’ve grown such a love for live shows and try my best to make sure I can get to as many as possible because they are an experience that nothing compares to!”

 

Shanna Vitaliano, Contributing Writer

“Growing up, Shania Twain’s album Come On Over was on repeat in my house.  I can still remember my Dad telling me and my sister that he got us tickets to see her show in Trenton, NJ at the former Sovereign Bank Arena.  I was in fourth grade and my sister was in second grade, and we felt like the luckiest little girls around.  It was so much fun hearing all of the songs we would listen to as a family (“Man, I Feel Like A Woman!,” “From This Moment On”) and such a nice memory being introduced to country music early on.  It is definitely a concert that I will never forget!”

 

Erica Zisman, Contributing Writer

“Looking back, music was always a big part of my life growing up. I remember being 9 years old, and my parents surprised me with Avril Lavigne tickets. I don’t remember why I liked her so much, but I suppose it was because of the meaningful lyrics. I mean obviously, my life was really “complicated” in 4th grade.

Joking aside, I was mesmerized by my first concert experience. The show was at the Nassau Coliseum and I went with my mom and my best friend. I knew every song by heart and jammed out the entire show. I remember talking about and writing about it in my school journal for weeks to come afterward.

Although I don’t remember specific details anymore about the show, I’m sure it had an impact on my love for music and specifically, why I love country music. I’ve always been connected to singer-songwriters, who bare their souls through their music, and like I always say country music does it best.”

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and all things country music in the New York metro area and beyond!

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Jon Pardi Releases Debut Single From Forthcoming Album “Heartache Medication”

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Jon Pardi Heartache Medication

Platinum-selling singer-songwriter Jon Pardi’s new highly anticipated single “Heartache Medication” hit country radio today.  Co-written by Pardi, Natalie Hemby, and Barry Dean, the song brings heartbreak to life and creates uplifting feelings of encouragement to anyone who may be going through losing someone you love.  Pardi has a tremendous ability to take his traditional country roots and blend it with a contemporary sound, which is second to none in the industry.  “Heartache Medication” is another perfect example that highlights his incredible talent.

Rolling Stone named “Heartache Medication” as one of the Top 10 Best Country and Americana songs and added, “If the lines scan as a little bummed out, the rhythmic, danceable mix of fiddle, steel and Pardi’s twang that accompanies them actually makes getting over a breakup sound like pure bliss.”  And Pardi does just that as he manages to turn going through a breakup into a fun-drinking time, with an upbeat fiddled chorus, “And here I go again, I’m drinkin’ one, I’m drinkin’ two/I got my heartache medication, a strong dedication to gettin’ over you/turnin’ me loose.”  Transport yourself to a good timing honky tonk bar and let go of the heartache and give Pardi’s new single a listen now.

Pardi’s long-awaited album Heartache Medication is set to be released September 21st, and it is the follow up to Pardi’s co-produced Platinum-selling #1 album California Sunrise, which included chart-topping hits “Dirt on My Boots,” “Head Over Boots,” “Heartache on the Dancefloor” and “Night Shift.”  In addition to the anticipation of the new album, Pardi announced his first ever-headlining tour HEARTACHE MEDICATION kicking off at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on October 1st and 2nd.  Prior to that, you can catch Pardi on the road with Dierks Bentley on his Burning Man Tour.

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

“Heartache Medication” 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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and all things country music in the New York metro area and beyond!

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NYCS Swag Spotlight: Hannah Bethel

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Hannah Bethel

Continuing to celebrate her newly released song “Rhinestone Rodeo” our Swag Spotlight this week is Hannah Bethel. Born in Wisconsin, the talented singer-songwriter starting playing guitar when she was only 13 years old. Her influences growing up included Tom Petty, James Taylor, Fleetwood Mac, and The Eagles as well as all of the great female country artists of the 1990s like Martina McBride, Trisha Yearwood, and Shania Twain. She explains in our most recent interview that she never played sports or really had any other focuses besides being on stage. “I didn’t really have anyone else in my life who was musical but I loved singing, using my voice and basically I loved entertaining people,” she tells us. “I was always putting on a show at family get-togethers and being a ham and I just loved the reaction I would get when people heard my voice.”

She recalls the whole process of learning to play the guitar and even writing songs came very natural to her and she started playing gigs wherever she could. Finding inspiration early on, she just knew she needed to do what it takes to get herself to Nashville “I had this clipping from American Songwriter magazine that said: “Inside every good girl is a bad girl packing her bags and heading to Nashville” she laughs.  “It was hilarious but when I was 13, I cut it out, I laminated it with scotch tape and I put it in my school locker and I just always knew I would end up there.”

Hannah Bethel – “Train” – Official Music Video from Dawson Waters on Vimeo.

After high school she did just that, making the move to Nashville and attending Belmont University for two years, studying music. As her life as a musician got busier, she decided to focus all of her energy on writing, recording, and touring but is so grateful for the community she built while at Belmont. Ever since leaving college, Bethel has spent her time honing in on her craft, co-writing and releasing music.  Last October she wrote a song called “Train” with her younger sister and it was her first release in quite some time. “I had just come out of a 2 year period that was really tough for me, I had left a 4-year relationship, I had been in Nashville for what seemed like forever, I wasn’t sure if I should still be doing music, it was just hard. In that, that season of darkness I really, really was able to connect to my center and find my voice as a writer,” she explains. She spent the next six months looking for a videographer who would work with her specific vision for the video for the song that she says felt like “magic” from the very start. “Everything just flowed so naturally for “Train” and it was almost like when I finally decided to surrender to being my truest self, everything just started moving,” Bethel says. “It was really magical and just special for this song that came out of a dark difficult place, to turn into so much joy and forward movement for something I’ve been working on my entire life.”

Just last Friday (May 31) Bethel released her next single “Rhinestone Rodeo”.  Our writer Erica when reviewing the song wrote: “The song is innovative, carefree, and alluring, as Bethel blurs genre lines effortlessly on the track. Her voice is impactful, yet soft, reminiscent of country megastar Kacey Musgraves’ undeniable talent. Proving that she is a force to be reckoned with in the industry, the songstress pushed to write and record this song, as it embodied a message and a story that she wanted to share with the world.”

Bethel tells us that she had the idea for years, pitching it in writing rooms around town but nobody seemed interested in talking badly about Nashville. Eventually, she wrote the song with Nicole Witt of Farewell Angelina and Tiffany Goss. “I just wanted to share an authentic story about what it’s like to live this life, I think it might be cathartic for us.” The song tells the story of frustration and ultimately it doesn’t matter if the listener is or isn’t a musician, its a struggle and being transparent about those difficult times that the lyrics relate to. “That is the one common thing that we share, we are all improvising as we go, we are all chasing our joys, and trying to stay in our peace,” she shares. “Being transparent is so empowering, it brings peace of mind to me that we are all just trying to figure it out.”

Looking ahead to the rest of this year, Bethel is excited to continue to promote the new single out on the road, adding dates across the country and to releasing even more new music. For all of her tour dates head to https://www.hannahbethel.com/.

We caught her stellar show in NYC last month, check out the full recap here. To keep up with Hannah Bethel follow her on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

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Kelsea Ballerini Lyrics To Use As Instagram Captions

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Country music’s princess, Kelsea Ballerini is a staple in the genre nowadays. As a 25-year-old female singer-songwriter, the songstress has already accomplished so much in the industry. Between headlining her ‘Miss Me More Tour,’ being inducted in the Grand Ole Opry, and continuing to release radio hits, effortless deep cuts, and killer collaborations, there’s truly no stopping her.

Kelsea Ballerini Lyrics

Photo Credit: Emma Flies

We decided to compile a list of some of our favorite Kelsea Ballerini lyrics that will make the perfect captions for your Instagram photos. If you’re heading to any of her shows, make sure to tag us in your posts for a chance to be featured!

1. “And I’ll always love you, but I don’t have to sing it”- I Hate Love Songs

2. “I put on my old records that I hid in the back of the closet. And I turn them up to ten. And then I played them all again”- Miss Me More

3. “We were golden, we were fire, we were magic”- Legends

4. “Every song that’s playing gets me thinking about you, baby”- Yeah Boy

5. “If you’ve got a Friday night free and a shot seat, well I’m just sayin’, I ain’t got nowhere to be”- Dibs

6. “Yeah, we were classic”- Roses

7. “If your gonna love me boy, love me like you mean it”- Love Me Like You Mean It

8. “It all starts when it’s me and you, goin’ out on a Friday night”- Music

9. “And I’m so unapologetically in love. No matter where it takes me”- Unapologetically

10. “We can rename constellations, while we’re making wishes”- Looking At Stars

11. “Dancing with your best foot forward” – homecoming queen?

12. “I like puttin’ on a dress and dancing with my feelings” – club

13. “Got to go through hell to get to heaven” – End of the world

14. “Finding hearts and rules to break” – High School

15. “I don’t care enough to hate you” – Get Over Yourself

 

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SHOP THE HERO COLLECTION

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

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Maren Morris Releases Three Reimagined Tracks On Apple Music

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Maren Morris Apple Music

Grammy, CMA, ACM and Billboard award winner Maren Morris has established herself as an incredible artist, performer and vocalist over the course of her career thus far. She is now taking it one step further and reimagining three of her newest tracks in one-take, no track, stripped-down acoustic versions.

Exclusively featured on Apple Music, the EP consists of “GIRL,” “The Bones” and “The Middle.” Accompanying the EP is a special short film, taking fans behind the scenes in the studio as the songstress breaks down her creative process and the stories behind her original lyrics in “GIRL” and “The Bones,” as well as her choice to take on “The Middle” with hit-making DJ and producer, Zedd.

Morris collaborated with Nashville producer Dave Cobb on the entire project. By watching the short film, viewers will perceive the authenticity of their combined musical talents. “I just feel like Dave is such a creative entity in the room,” shares Morris in a press release, “Dave you know, his production is so–rootsy and very soulful and Americana and he just understands that sound so intensely. I love the way it turned out.”  Morris’ passion for storytelling was made evident throughout the length of the short film. Fans can take a sneak peek of the film here.

“GIRL” was sparked by a conversation the songstress had with a friend but later realizing she was writing the song to herself. “We all live in this really bizarre but connected in this Instagram social media culture where all we’re doing is just looking at other people’s lives’ highlight reels that are not reality and comparing what we are doing to someone else’s day in the life [..] and so I think a song kind of addressing that mental state felt really cathartic and then by the end of GIRL, it’s talking about everything’s gonna be alright.”

Speaking about her family and friend’s most favorite track from her sophomore record, Morris shared, “The Bones is about the structure of a relationship remaining steadfast, even through the worst fight or worst tragedy [..] the house don’t fall if the bones are good.”

Discussing her decision to take on the lead vocalist role for the award-winning smash hit collaboration “The Middle,” “When I first heard The Middle, I was really struck by the bareness of the song itself, there was not a ton of track or music happening [..] I kinda took it as this is about a really passionate, tumultuous, contentious relationship where there’s this desperation to see eye to eye with someone else,” Morris shares, “I think that the legs that that song stands on are the vocals and I miss that about pop music, where it’s not all just tracks and overproduction, it’s just who’s singing their ass off right now.” The raw route Morris embarked on for this project accentuates her incredible vocals and undeniable pure talent.

GIRL is still the #1 day one and week one female country album worldwide on Apple Music and holds the record for the top pre-added country album globally by a female artist to date on Apple Music.

Morris’ list of accolades will potentially expand next week as she is currently nominated for three CMT Awards; Video of the Year, Female Video of the Year and CMT Performance of the Year. The powerhouse vocalist will also be a performer on what is sure to be an incredible night of country music. Be sure to tune into the CMT Awards this Wednesday, June 5th airing live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville at 8/7c.

To watch the full length behind the scenes video, click here. Subscribe to Apple Music to hear the three reimagined tracks.

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

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Subscribe to our Weekly Round-Up here 
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Thomas Rhett Album Release Week in New York City

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Thomas Rhett Album Release Week iHeart

Platinum-selling singer-songwriter, Thomas Rhett arrived in New York City this week to celebrate the release of his fourth studio album Center Point Road, which is available everywhere you buy or stream music today (5/31). With a many number one songs already, successful collaborations, and sold-out shows to his name, Rhett is sure to find success with his new record that perfectly embodies both nostalgia and personal moments with fun and lively summer anthems.

To promote his new LP, Rhett headed to the iHeartRadio Theatre in downtown Manhattan yesterday afternoon to meet and play for some of his lucky fans, as part of iHeart’s album release party. iHeart’s Amy Brown of the ‘Bobby Bones Show’ introduced Rhett to the stage, where an intimate amount of fans were eagerly waiting for the reigning ACM Male Artist of the Year to start his performance.

Thomas Rhett iHeart Album release

The entertainer sang songs off the new record, including his smash hit, “Look What God Gave Her,” the heartfelt “Remember You Young” “That Old Truck,” and the rowdy, “Beer Can’t Fix.” Although some songs were just released, fans in the audience jammed out and sang along to each and every song, leaving the artists awestruck and grateful. Although this was an album release party, the singer made sure to mix in some fan favorites as well, including “Marry Me” “Die A Happy Man,” “Life Changes,” and ending with, “Crash and Burn.”

In between songs, Brown interacted with the singer, asking him his inspiration for the new album, the writing process, and about his upcoming ‘Very Hot Summer Tour. Rhett shared that he knows a song is good when his daughters want to listen to it again and again, and of course, that his beautiful wife, Lauren is his muse.

Thomas Rhett Album Release Week

(Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Pandora Media)

Next up, New York Country Swag headed to SubCulture in SOHO to catch Pandora Music’s Sound On Special With Thomas Rhett presented by Marshalls. Fans lined up down the block, in hopes of being one of the few lucky fans to snag a coveted seat to the invite-only event. Once inside, guests were greeted with a cocktail and a Thomas Rhett lanyard, and of course, invited to take a photo in front of a backdrop, inspired by the Center Point Road album art. After a few minutes, attendees were escorted downstairs to enjoy some snacks and drinks. Once seated, guests were gifted a gift card to Marshalls, as well as, a suede official Thomas Rhett and Pandora koozie to keep.

The lights in the beautiful and intimate venue began to dim, as both SiriusXM’s The Highway radio host, Storme Warren and Thomas Rhett took the stage to talk everything Center Point Road for the broadcast that will air this weekend. Seated across from each other in comfy chairs, Warren and Rhett dived deeper into the singer’s inspiration for the new album, highlighted his favorite songs, and gave audience members a first listen of ten of the sixteen songs off the record. The duo even recounted about Rhett’s journey in the music industry, offering valuable advice to always stay true to who you are.

Although only 29, as Warren liked to say, Rhett shared “people say that 29 is too young to be nostalgic and I say bull crap,” as the singer-songwriter explained the reflective creative process that embodies the new record. He added that he likes to write music based on what he’s listening to, which inspired the opening track off the album, “Up,” a modern take on gospel music with an incredibly inspiring message. Invitees also learned that the track was written on the same day as his previous hits “Unforgettable” and “Marry Me.” Warren and Rhett went through a similar process with nine other songs- Rhett provided the audience with some context, and each track played afterward.

Both the iHeart and Pandora events were filled with highlights, but one of the most magical moments, during the interview was when Rhett spoke about the songs inspired by his wife, “Notice” and “The Dream You Never Had.” Each song was both a thank you and an apology to Lauren for always standing by him; even the times when he is in his own head or on the road. He left the audience in awe and in tears with the tracks, and his meaningful statement, “when you’re on each others’ team so much, there’s nothing that can break ya.”

Thomas Rhett Album Release Week Pandora

(Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Pandora Media)

At the end of the interview, Rhett was gifted with a plaque from Pandora for 3 billion spins on the streaming platform, a feat that music icons, Keith Urban and Fleetwood Mac had just recently achieved. As the night came to a close, Rhett humbly and graciously thanked everyone in the room for supporting him and his music and was escorted off stage, during a standing ovation.

Soon thereafter, attendees made their way out of the venue with a cookie and a t-shirt in hand, and excitement buzzing around, as we all eagerly awaited for the clock to strike midnight on album release day.  For more exclusive coverage of his album release events, check out his Today Show performance, as Thomas Rhett took the plaza stage this morning to further celebrate the new record.

In addition to the new album, Rhett’s “Very Hot Summer” tour just kicked off with his dad Rhett Akins, Russell Dickerson, and Dustin Lynch. Hitting thirty-nine cities across the country, there are plenty of opportunities to see this star-studded concert. New York fans will have the chance to see this tour at the legendary Madison Square Garden on September 20, 2019.

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

Center Point Road 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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Tucker Beathard Confesses His Vices To God in “Find Me Here”

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Tucker Beathard Find Me Here

Warner Music Nashville’s most recently signed recording artists and songwriters, Tucker Beathard has committed to authenticity when releasing new music. While his standout “Better Than Me”, is all about a relationship ending, “Find Me Here” is reflective, focusing on the inner soul rather than external connections. The track is dripping with honesty and is the second release from the forthcoming second chapter of his double debut album. Beathard cowrote the song with Monty Criswell and Phil O’Donnell.  “This song is my confession to the man upstairs,” shared Beathard in a recent press release. “Because it’s such a vulnerable, personal and emotional song, the only way to fully capture that when recording it was by waiting till about 3 AM. That way I could fully get into that headspace, while my voice was tired as we recorded this as a live take with just me and a guitar.”

The accompanying visual, also released today, is simple, Beathard is sitting on the trunk of an old car, picking an acoustic guitar, baring his soul to God in front of the motel rooms he sings about. “I wish I was on a plane, or hoppin’ trains or standing with my thumb in the air, waving down a cab somewhere /Granted, I don’t want to be caught in room 316, with a hotel Bible as a coaster underneath my beer / Lord, if you decide tonight’s the night you’re comin’ back, I hope you don’t find me here”

During the second verse, he is found sitting on the bed in that same dingy motel room, and as you peer into this private conversation between a sinner and his saving grace, you can’t help but relate. We recently caught Beathard at Mercury Lounge where his intimate show proved he can perform the rock-heavy anthems just as well as these quiet messages. “Find Me Here” is a moment during the show where you could hear every single breath he took before each word, the crowd captivated waiting to hear the next line. Check back later this year for the full album.

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

“Find Me Here” 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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Thomas Rhett Continues Album Release Week on The Today Show

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Thomas Rhett Today Show

Thomas Rhett is celebrating his newest album released this week, Center Point Road, with a few huge events here in New York including a performance at the iHeartRadio Theater, media interviews, a Pandora listening party and this morning’s Today Show concert series appearance.

Carson Daly, Savannah Guthrie, and Craig Melvin introduced Rhett and all took turns sharing praises about Rhett’s new album saying, “It is already blowing up on the iTunes charts.” Prior to the album coming out, Rhett had released songs “Look What God Gave Her” and “Center Point Road,” with Kelsea Ballerini, that have already proven to be hits.

The country singer started off the morning with his hit “Look What God Gave Her” and rocked the crowd despite how early it was. Everyone was dancing and singing along to songs off his new album as well as some throwbacks including “Crash and Burn.” For exclusive clips head to our Instagram Stories.

Rhett slowed it down for another track off his album, “That Old Truck.” The song brings back the nostalgia about his first car in high school. “I fell in love in it / Made a lifetime full of memories / On a half tank of gasoline / I learned just who I wasn’t and who I was / In that old truck, mmm / In that old truck” Swaying back and forth to Rhett’s soft strum on the guitar, the fans were soaking up every minute of it.

Check out more exclusive coverage of Thomas Rhett’s New York City album release week as he hit iHeart Radio as well as Pandora, performing to an intimate crowd.

Rhett also just kicked off his “Very Hot Summer” tour with his dad Rhett Akins, Russell Dickerson, and Dustin Lynch. Hitting thirty-nine cities across the country there are plenty of opportunities to see this star-studded concert. New York fans will have the chance to see this tour at the legendary Madison Square Garden on September 20, 2019.

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

Center Point Road 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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NYCS First Impression: Austin Jenckes ‘If You Grew Up Like I Did’

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Austin Jenckes

Austin Jenckes has had quite a musical journey. From releasing several solo projects over the last decade, to joining a group (called “The First Call), to being a Team Blake contestant on Season 5 of The Voice. While most people are familiar with him from the TV show in 2013, the Duvall, Washington native has taken a step out of that television spotlight and returns with a full album, his first since the competition.

Released via Nashville artist development company and indie label Red Dot, If You Grew Up Like I Did gives listeners a very personal glimpse into Jenckes’ journey as he lets the art take individuals on a ride through love, death, hardship, and celebration. Proving himself as both a vocalist and songwriter, Jenckes had a hand in co-writing eight out of nine tracks on the record.

Album opener “We Made It” celebrates triumphing over all odds to lead a beautiful, satisfying life that is not perfect by worldly standards, but the couple’s own. Penned by Jenckes, Jaren Johnston (of The Cadillac Three) and Jonathan Singleton, the song paints imagery of a life with joys and hardship co-existing together but still living, the couple is grateful enough to say it ain’t got what we want but got what we need, hey, we made it.

A sweet, nostalgic look back on love so sweet is then followed with “Never Forget” (Jenckes, Brinley Addington), and the feel-good “American Nights,” a celebratory anthem about the carefree in-the-moment feelings of fun and earning our stripes underneath the stars.

Lead track “Fat Kid,” which features Grammy-nominated songwriter Lori McKenna (Tim McGraw, Little Big Town), encompasses one word in 4 minutes: nostalgia. We all have felt, at some point in our almost-picturesque life, like outliers. We may be happy with our choices, but something unsettles us about a certain aspect of it. This is when Jenckes’ emotional delivery shines, along with the writing of McKenna, Neil Mason (1/3 of The Cadillac Three) and the late Andrew Dorff. The one lyric that hits? “That summer before your senior year, you lost a damn good friend. / And finally on a Sunday morning, you learned how to say Amen”

Penned with one of Sony Nashville’s newest artist, Jameson Rodgers, “Bet You’d Look Good” pays compliments to his significant other about her unceasing beauty, whether in a Willie Nelson shirt [he] bought from a southern thrift store for a couple hundred pennies or in a world that keeps on spinning. “Never Left Memphis” is a rocking, soulful, feet-thumping song that showcases Jenckes’ evident rhythm and blues influences.

An undeniable highlight on the album is the deeply personal “If You’d Been Around.” Co-written with Lynn Hutton (Eric Church, Florida Georgia Line, Jon Pardi) and Tammi Kidd Hutton (Scotty McCreery, Kellie Pickler, LeAnn Rimes), is delivered as a personal letter to Jenckes’ late father (who passed away when the singer was just 16) about what he would’ve witnessed in his son’s life, if he had still been around. The heart-wrenching tune explores the what-ifs and emotions entailed in a loss too soon. “The road ain’t been busy, but I found my way / Sometimes I think I might’ve turned out more like the man I’ve heard stories about / If you’d been around”

Proving the universal power of music, the same three writers team up again on “There’s A Song,” a track that lists some of the biggest songs across all music genres, in a convincing invitation to listeners to realize how there truly is a song for the roller-coaster journey of life. Jenckes then wraps up the album by taking a step back and promising his wife he knows what matters the most at the end of the day; and he’ll “Ride Away” with her anytime, wherever she wants to go

After listening to this record, we dare say, he’s “made it”– both as a writer and artist. Our guess is, it won’t be long till a major label takes interest in his artistry and the irrefutably perfect storyteller that he is. Not only is the country singer readying to bring his music across the pond to Europe later in the fall, but he is also slated to make his big Grand Ole Opry debut in Nashville on June 15.

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

“If You Grew Up Like I Did” is available now. 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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NYCS First Impression: Thomas Rhett ‘Center Point Road’

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Thomas Rhett Center Point Road

Upon first listen, Thomas Rhett’s Center Point Road may come off as a fairly standard collection of country ballads and modern party tunes. Yet, upon further listening, Center Point Road is a collection of love letters. While some are to the expected recipient, his wife Lauren, there are also declarations of love to his home town (“Center Point Road”), his first car (“That Old Truck”), his younger days (“Remember You Young”), and his favorite beverage (“Beer Can’t Fix.)

“For me, Center Point Road really symbolizes what it was like to grow up in Hendersonville [Tennessee],” said Rhett in a statement. “First dates, first football games, first heartbreak, first kisses, success, and failures. I really feel like that road shaped who I am today, and it felt fitting because the record, for the most part, is pretty nostalgic. Songs like ‘Almost,’ ‘That Old Truck’ and especially ‘Center Point Road,’ really describe who I was as a kid and teenager, and who I’ve become as an adult.”

On the 16-track collection, all co-written by Rhett, he seamlessly soars from slick pop-leaning tracks to more traditional country offerings. The album shows Rhett in two main modes: reflective and ready for a good time. There are songs for both moods, and while Rhett rarely strikes out musically, he also manages to hit quite a few home runs on his latest release.

While Rhett can release a party song with the best of them, and they are aplenty, he shines on the slower, more reflective tracks. He’s at his best when he’s singing about his love for his wife, as evidenced on “Blessed.” Rhett sings, “People say I’m lucky/ but lucky ain’t the word/ Oh I’m blessed.” There’s also “Notice,” which shows that Rhett notices the little things about the woman he loves, revealing, “You think that I don’t notice, but I do.”

In a similar vein are “Dream You Never Had” and “Almost.” On the former, Rhett sings the praises of his wife who’s living his crazy life with him. “You married the music the day that you married me,” Rhett proclaims here. “Baby I’m just the singer / And you are the songs that I sing.” On “Almost,” Rhett reflects on all of the “almosts” in his past, the things he “almost” did or didn’t do that would’ve changed the entire course of his life. This is the Thomas Rhett equivalent of Garth Brooks’ “Unanswered Prayers” and it’s truly a poignant way to end the album.

If you’re here for a good time, this album is full of songs for that as well. In fact, Rhett has single-handedly created our summer playlist with songs like “VHS,” “Sand,” and “Barefoot.” In case you were wondering, “VHS” stands for “Very Hot Summer,” and is most definitely not about those tapes that went in your VCR.

Prior to the release of Center Point Road, Rhett released a handful of tracks including his collaborations with Jon Pardi (“Beer Can’t Fix”), Little Big Town (“Don’t Threaten Me With a Good Time”) and Kelsea Ballerini (“Center Point Road”.) Interestingly, each of these tracks brings out a different side of the singer, as he’s a bit more country on the Pardi collab, a bit more funky with LBT, and a bit more anthemic pop-rock with Ballerini.

On Center Point Road, you can hear the superstar experimenting with different themes and sounds. The album’s opening track “Up” sets the tone as Rhett harmonizes over funky horns and unique grooves, singing along to a choir that reminds us that “Everything’s Gonna Be Alright.”

For Rhett, everything is definitely going to be alright. With Center Point Road, he’s sure to continue his ascent through the ranks of the country music community. In fact, I think it’s safe to say that it’s only a matter of time before that coveted Entertainer of the Year trophy is on his mantle.

In addition to the release of the album, Thomas Rhett took New York City by storm during his album release week. With visits to iHeartRadio, Pandora and the TODAY Show, check out our exclusive coverage here.

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

Center Point Road 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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