Third Grade Teacher Surprised by Students with Cole Swindell Tickets

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Sometime last week, New York City public school teacher, Ms. Courtney Gallagher of Rockaway Beach shared a story of a heartwarming surprise from her third graders. “My students are so thoughtful and amazing! For my birthday they got me tickets to see Cole Swindell!” the third grade teacher shared via Facebook. “How do they know I like Cole Swindell? Well, when I’m testing them or reading individually, I tell them, “Please do not interrupt me unless there’s a fire, someone is bleeding, or Cole Swindell walks through the door,” Gallagher continued, “I love my students and my job.” 

photo via Facebook

The humorous way of keeping the children’s attention while learning clearly left an impact on them. Approaching the beloved teacher’s birthday, the resourceful students took matters into their own hands and with the help of their parents, they came together to present Ms. Gallagher with Cole Swindell tickets to show their appreciation for their teacher. 

Educators change lives every day and it is so important to make sure that they know they are appreciated. The sweet gesture from her young students along with their parents is evidence of their love for the special teachers in their lives. 

Ms. Gallagher, thank you for inspiring the lives of these little individuals each and every day. On behalf of NYCountry Swag, we are hooking you up with a pair of Meet & Greets to meet Cole Swindell the day of the show. Enjoy the concert and thank you for everything you do!

Cole Swindell heads out on the road this summer with Luke Bryan on the “Sunset Repeat” Tour. The tour kicks off this May in Philadelphia and runs through October. The Sunset Repeat Tour will return to the New York Area on July 13th at Northwell Health Jones Beach Theatre.

Check out the full list of tour dates and more information here. To keep up with all things Cole Swindell, follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. 

Make sure you’re following @NYCOUNTRYSWAG on Instagram, so you don’t miss any upcoming announcements, ticket giveaways and more.

 

[Cover photo via @coleswindell on Instagram]

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NYCS Swag Spotlight Lena Stone

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Lena Stone

This week’s Swag Spotlight shines on Lena Stone, the Concord, Massachusets native that is one of the founding members of the Song Suffragettes in Nashville. Living about forty minutes outside of Boston, Stone recalls her childhood being filled with music, being the oldest of three sisters that all loved to sing. Her parents were also both music lovers, playing incredible singer-songwriters like James Taylor, Joni Mitchell and Carol King around the house. Continuing to love the great lyricists, Stone grew to love artists like Michelle Branch, Liz Phair, Sara Bareilles and of course, Taylor Swift. While visiting her grandparents in Florida when she was twelve years old, she was exposed to country music for the very first time when she heard Sugarland’s “Baby Girl” on the radio. “I just felt like this is me, this is my song, this is my story,” she tells us. “I then found Keith Urban and Rascal Flatts then right around then Carrie Underwood won American Idol so that new wave of country music started when I was starting to have my own taste in music.”

Loving story-telling and lyrics, she remembers making up stories and turning them into songs when she was in grade school, following in the footsteps of her grandmother who was a music therapist. “I just kind of grew up thinking that everyone wrote songs, I thought that was normal,” she laughs.  “I thought it was like people keeping a diary and that was how people dealt with their feelings, I just started making up melodies I just stuck with it.” After picking up a guitar and seeing Taylor Swift write and record all of her own music, Stone just knew that was what she wanted to do with her life.

She attended GRAMMY Camp which is a 5-day program in L.A for high school students who want to pursue a career in the music industry. “Just being included as a high school student was such a boost of confidence for me, the music industry can be really challenging, especially when you are a 17-year-old girl living in Massachusets where there really is no country music scene, it was amazing to be inspired by other people,” Stone told us. It was during that week that she met with Darrell Brown, a songwriter who had written “You’ll Think Of Me” for Keith Urban and “Why Don’t We Just Dance” for Josh Turner and he listened to some of her songs and told her that if she wanted to pursue songwriting, she better move to Nashville. And that she did, she attended Vanderbilt, and eventually teamed up with other rising female artists in Nashville including our Swag Session album Kalie Shorr, to create Song Suffragettes. Song Suffragettes is a collective of female singer-songwriters that performs on Monday nights at The Listening Room Café in Nashville.  She explains to us how proud she is to be a part of the first wave of people calling attention to the lack of females being played in country music. “We don’t want more time on the radio than men, we just want to be played on the radio and the same opportunities,” Stone explains. “I think it is such an important movement and any way I can be apart of standing up for women especially in the music industry, I am all about it.”

Stone is currently in the studio recording music that she has been writing for the past few years and tells us how excited she is for everyone to hear it. “I feel like I really got to establish myself with my first EP and I can take the next step and now I want to show you some deeper complicated, fun and interesting sides to me.”  Focusing less on relationships and more on the struggles and triumphs of figuring out how to be an adult, she wants her music to reflect exactly what she is going through as a young female in today’s society.

She just announced that she will be playing her very first show in New York City on April 16th at Berlin. Ticket info and more available at https://www.lenastone.com/

To keep up with Lena Stone follow them on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

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neonPPL Release Next Collaboration with Brett Young “ONElittleTOWN”

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neon PPL ONElittleTOWN

neonPPL, the mysterious and talented collective out of Nashville, just dropped their second song featuring the talented Brett Young. “ONElittleTOWN” is a message about unity and that despite our differences we are all similar in a lot of ways – “all the same kind of different”, “somebody’s sons and somebody’s daughters”. This is definitely a song you are going to have on repeat. The mystery female lead sounds amazing and pairs perfectly with Brett’s sultry voice with a catchy beat to boot. This was a great follow up to their first single “BeYoutiful”.

It seems this group is more out to spread a message with their music than be in the spotlight. In a recent press release, they were quoted as saying, “Through our music, our goal isn’t to tell you how to feel, but more so just to hope that the songs make you feel something. We want to give affirmation and a feeling of acceptance through them. We’re happy Brett joined us for this song and we hope it spreads the positive message we’re hoping to convey with this music. We are all neonPPL.” Having released two songs promoting positivity and collaboration, they’re clearly here to spread the love without gaining any recognition. This will allow people to really focus on the music and their message. There sure will be some curiosity on this talent though. Everybody loves a good mystery. We can’t wait to see who they collab with next!

To keep up with neonPPL follow them on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

“ONElittleTOWN” 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 Gets Personal With New Track “Your Woman”

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Hannah Ellis Your Woman

Here at NY Country Swag, we love to champion rising country artists throughout their careers. One of those talented artists, Hannah Ellis just released her first new song of 2019, “Your Woman.” The singer-songwriter and one of CMT’s Next Women of Country is a Swag Sessions alum, as well as, performed at our first ever ‘Babes, Booze, and Brunch’ last year.

Ellis’ new single “Your Woman,” is a sassy and clever track that is sure to encourage repeat spins. The lyrics describe the songstress’ personality, giving fans an inside scoop into who she is as a person. Ultimately a love song, the track is a unique take on feeling blessed to be in a good relationship. Written by Ellis along with Parker Welling and Casey Brown, it is an anthem for that good woman in your life.

“I’m a southern saying on a church marquee / I’m a little bit flirty with tequila in me / I’m level headed til I’m not / I can’t sleep when I’m hot / I’m an FM radio turned up loud / I live big city, but I talk small town / You could say that I’m a lot / Add it all up and you got / Your woman.”

Just prior to the release, she shared a sweet sentiment on her Instagram, stating “BABES! I’m so excited that my brand new song #YourWoman is out tomorrow! This song is so special to me and I can’t wait for you all to hear it.” Like her song, Ellis is completely relatable and humble, which makes us love her just as much as we love the new song.

New Yorkers can catch Ellis, alongside fellow CMT Next Women of Country songstresses Cassadee Pope and Clare Dunn at the Gramercy Theatre on Friday, April 26th. Find tickets for the show here. Head to hannahellismusic.com for more information.

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

“Your Woman” 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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Midland Is Paying Homage to Their Honky Tonk Heroes in “Mr. Lonely”

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Midland Mr. Lonely

Since bursting onto the scene with “Drinkin’ Problem” in 2016, Midland has been one of the best things to happen to country music. Their sound and style is distinct, somehow perfectly toeing the line between retro and modern. While their schtick could easily become hokey, the trio has managed to avoid that pitfall by continuously releasing good music.

That trend continues today (3/29) with the release of “Mr. Lonely.” According to the band, “This song pays homage to our honkytonk heroes. It’s balls to the wall country honkytonk rock ‘n’ roll. It’s about having fun and it’s not meant to be taken too seriously, except for on the dance floor.” Midland co-wrote the song with Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne. It’ll hit country radio on April 15.

“Mr. Lonely” is an ode to the man you call for a good time, and it’s a toe-tapping tune that is sure to be played in country bars forever. If you’ve got a broken heart, Mr. Lonely is there to pick up the pieces and show you a good time. The trio harmonizes about the character, singing, “So if you got a girl you better treat her right/ You better never tell a lie, you better never start a fight/ ‘Cause when she hangs up on you, guess who’s on the other line? / It’s never hard to find/ Mr. Lonely, Mr. Good time/ Mr. One you gonna want on a Saturday night.”

Midland Mr. Lonely

Photo Courtesy of @Midland Facebook

The video for “Mr. Lonely” was filmed on the set of The Ranch, at Netflix Studios. The track is the first single off their upcoming album, due out later this year.

You can learn more about Mr. Lonely at https://www.callmrlonely.com/. To keep up with Midland, follow them on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

“Mr. Lonely” 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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LOCASH Perform “Feels Like A Party” on Good Morning America

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LOCASH GMA

Photo Courtesy of ABC

This morning, ACM Duo of the Year nominees and our recent Swag Session guests LOCASH performed their current Top 30 single “Feels Like a Party” from their new album Brothers, live on ABC’s Good Morning America.  Before taking the stage, GMA anchor Cecilia Vega and multimedia personality Bobby Bones came out to introduce the group. Bones who was on a segment earlier this morning to talk about his job as the in-house mentor on American Idol, stuck around to do the honors of introducing them saying, “These are my buddies, these are my friends, here’s LOCASH with their new single “Feels Like a Party!”

As the duo took the stage you can see that the studio was packed with audience members on and off the stage. Even though it was just before 9 am LOCASH brought the party to the New York City studio o their album release day. They had everyone up on their feet moving around, waving and clapping along to their upbeat sing-along song. The duo ended the morning show on a high note, giving everyone in the studio and watching at home an energized performance to wake up to.

Make sure to check out LOCASH’s brand new studio album Brothers, which is available everywhere you buy or stream music. The duo is currently playing shows and festivals around the US and will be joining Chris Young on his Raised On Country Tour, as well as Rascal Flatts Summer Playlist Tour on select dates. For more information go to www.locash.com.

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

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Granger Smith and Earl Dibbles Jr. Get Rowdy with “Holler”

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Granger Smith Earl Dibble's Jr.

Texas country music superstar and singer of the No. 1 “Backroad Song,” Granger Smith released a new single called “Holler” with special guest Earl Dibbles Jr. Dibble’s Jr. is Smith’s infamous alter-ego who often comes out on stage, or in YouTube videos such as “The Country Boy Song” where he was made famous. Dibbles Jr. is quite the opposite of Smith’s low key, polished persona. Dibbles Jr. is a rowdy, dressed down, tattooed version of Smith, who sports overalls, boots, and a trucker hat.

“Holler” is an up-tempo song about a group of down-home country boys going out on a Friday night to “burn that barn down” as Smith says and to have a good time. With a crisp, dynamic guitar and a slow drum beat in the background, the catchy “Holler” will reel you in. Smith is all about a living it up with lyrics, “Raise em up to the sky, if you’re trying to throw down/get a little country faded/ take it way on out/park your truck in the line/ if you’re looking for a buzz and the girls in love with the boys in the blue collars – holler.” Dibbles Jr’s appearance comes in the last verse and he is ready to party, singing “I’m about to get the fuse lit, crack a can take a long sip,” and you better believe it – Dibbles Jr. sure knows how to make an impression shouting, “I don’t care what the city boys say, we where the party is, and that’s damn right! Yee yee”

Granger Smith Earl Dibbles Jr.

“Holler” is the perfect energizing track to play and get a little rowdy, written by Smith along with Andy Albert, Jordan Schmidt, and Justin Wilson. It is a light-hearted follow up to the title track of his compelling documentary honoring fallen soldiers with “They Were There.”

The official video for “Holler” is premiering tonight (3/29) at 7:00 PM on YouTube, click here to set a reminder.  Check out Smith and his comedic alter-ego Dibbles Jr. on tour now. For tour dates and more information go to www.grangersmith.com.

To keep up with Smith follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. “Holler” 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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Blake Shelton Releases Boot-Stompin’ “God’s Country”

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God's Country Blake Shelton

It’s not uncommon for a country artist to sing about their roots and that is exactly what Blake Shelton did in his new single “God’s Country”. Written by Michael Hardy, Jordan Schmidt, and Devin Dawson, the lyrics discuss what it was like growing up in his town of Oklahoma.

“We pray for rain, thank him when it’s fallin’ / ‘Cause it brings a grain and a little bit of money / We put it back in a plate / I guess that’s why they call it God’s country.”

The town Shelton calls “God’s Country”, Tishomingo, is the town where he grew up and now owns a franchise of restaurants and entertainment complexes called Ole Red. However, he tells Billboard that God’s country is not a specific place; it’s a state of mind.“‘God’s Country’ is a song that has a strong and deep meaningful lyric, but at the same time it leaves it up to the listener’s interpretation,” Shelton said in a recent press release. “But no matter where you are from or where you’re standing it is my belief that you’re standing in God’s Country. It’s really about a state of mind. Wherever you’re from and how you feel about that place. For me, it’s about being from Oklahoma – where I was born, raised and still live today.”

Texoma Shore was released in November of 2017 and less than a year and a half later, we have the first single off his next album. “God’s Country” will have listeners across America stomping their boots, no matter which town they call home.

Shelton has had a lot of success in his 18-year career as a country artist and television personality. He has released eleven albums (including his Christmas album), charted 24 number one singles and won nine CMA Awards, five ACM Awards, and seven CMT awards. He is also a member of the Grand Ole Opry and the Oklahoma Hall of Fame.

There are no New York tour dates available yet but you can catch him at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachutes with George Strait on August 17th.

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

“God’s Country” 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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NYCS First Impression: Jake Owen ‘Greetings From…Jake’

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Jake Owen Greetings From Jake

After three long years, Florida native and ACM nominated, Jake Owen, has given fans what they have wanted for so long. Greetings from…Jake is Owen’s debut full-length album with Big Loud Records who signed him in late 2017.

The cover art is stylized as a retro postcard that was inspired by postcards from Owen’s childhood and highlight his Floridian roots. This new album reunites Jake with producer Joey Moi, who was at the helm of some of his biggest hits in the past, including “Barefoot Blue Jean Night,” “Beachin’” and “Alone With You.”

The album’s lead single, “I Was Jack (You Were Diane)” was inspired by young love and also pays homage to John Mellencamp and his iconic hit. The song also became Owen’s seventh No. 1 hit when it was released to country radio in 2018. The follow-up single to the album, “Down to the Honkytonk” is currently in the Top 10 and nominated for ACM Single of the Year at the 54th Annual ACM Awards on April 7th.

“Grass is Always Greener” is a highlight on the record and not because it features the one and only Kid Rock. This feel-good track focuses on appreciating what you have and living life to the fullest without wanting for more. “We’re always gonna want a little more than we got / yeah that just the way the big world turns / ridin’ that stock market rocket, holes in your pocket, if there’s just one thing I’ve learned / If your mad at the man, or mad at the hand you were dealt, with well then you’re missing the point, the grass is always greener in somebody else’s joint.”  We can already see this being a hit during Owen’s live show and a definite hit while you are floating in your pool or on a lake this summer.

Another standout is “Homemade”, written by Bobby Pinson, Drew Parker, Jared Mullins, and Ben Goldsmith, the midtempo track will make you miss the simple pleasures of life and if you have moved away, miss your home town and all the comforts it brings. “Home made me love a dirt road / home made me crave some ice cold, homemade sweet tea only mama knows how to make, yeah homemade / home made me love a small town / home made me want to settle down in a homemade for the two of us / everything I love is homemade.” 

“In It” is Owen’s striking new ballad that was written by Jimmy Robbins, Josh Thompson, and Laura Veltz. The track is a nostalgic song about looking back on a relationship and recalling old memories, hoping the woman he set free will always think back fondly on their time together.  Like many of the songs, sonically Owen has gone back to a traditional country sound, the lyrics are smoothly laid over a simple acoustic and slide guitar.

Greetings From…Jake offers listeners the perfect songs to so many of life’s situations including, ending a relationship, drinking a cold beer, reminiscing on simpler times and recognizing that if you just slow down and take a look around, life is pretty great. Owen’s debut release on Big Loud Records brings him back to the roots where his fans first fell in love with him and we believe this album will be one that will encourage repeat spins for the entire year.

Fans can catch Owen and all of his new music on April 2nd in the big apple at Marquee for a sold-out show. To keep up with Owen follow him on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

Greetings from…Jake 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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New Country Music Friday – The Playlist 3/29/19

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It’s our favorite part of the week, New Music Friday! Today, we see the highly anticipated album Brothers from LOCASH. The ACM nominated duo joined us earlier this week for a live performance + interview in New York City, check it out here.

We also see a new album from Jake Owen, a greatest hits album from Eli Young Band, as well as a brand new album from George Strait.

Additionally, we see new tracks from Thomas Rhett, Luke Bryan, Hannah Ellis, Granger Smith, Jana Kramer and so much more.

Check out our Spotify New Country Music Playlist below and be sure to follow for updates each and every Friday:

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Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC & Beyond!

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