What We’re Listening To: January Picks

/in , /by

NYCountry Swag’s “What We’re Listening To” playlist highlights the wide range of our team’s favorite songs and artists when it comes to the country music genre.  At the end of the day, we are all fans first with a passion for country music and are eager to share with you all what we’ve got on repeat each month.

Find below each of our team member’s favorite songs and why in our January picks. Then be sure to give our Spotify account a follow and listen to our favorite tracks!

 

JANUARY PICKS:

 

Stephanie Wagner, Founder

Pick: “Every Little Thing” – Russell Dickerson
Songwriters: Casey Brown, Parker Welling, Russell Dickerson

“It’s no surprise that one of my favorite artists is Russell Dickerson, so every time he releases a new song to radio, I always have it playing.  “Every Little Thing” is such a fun, upbeat song from Dickerson’s debut album, Yours, and when he performs the tune live, his energy lifts the entire venue to another level. I’m excited for the world to hear more of this song and can’t wait to see it become his third #1 song.”

 

Christina Bosch, Managing Editor 

Pick: “Confetti” – Gone West
Songwriters: Colbie Caillat, Danelle Reeves, Eric Arjes, Jason Reeves, Justin Kawika Young

“Recently I was driving and heard a song on Sirius XM The Highway that sounded a lot like Little Big Town, I looked down to see the name of a new band, Gone West, singing “Confetti”. After I did some digging I realized the main aspect of why I loved what I heard, one of the female voices was very familiar, singer-songwriter Colbie Caillat. Caillat teamed up with her husband Justin and husband and wife Danelle and Jason to create Gone West. Their incredible harmonies draw you in while the catchy lyrics will get stuck in your head.

“Yeah, my heart didn’t break when I broke into that old bottle of fancy champagne / I’ve been saving for the perfect time/ You can’t rain on my parade / Got my freedom, gonna celebrate / When you left, I was so damn ready / No tears fell, just confetti.”

Their debut EP, Tides was released last Friday and each song is better than the last. I am looking forward to hearing more from these musicians and in the meantime, I’ll be over here dancing to “Confetti”.

 

Nicole Bochinis, Contributing Writer

Pick: “GIRL” – Maren Morris
Songwriters: Greg Kurstin, Maren Morris, Sarah Aarons

“GIRL” by Maren Morris is her brand-new song and I am loving every second of it. Since the moment I heard it, I have had it on repeat all day every day. Recently life has been throwing curveballs at me and this song is the perfect pick me up. Every girl should know that they are stronger than they think, and it is the perfect women empowerment song. I can’t wait to see what other new music Maren has in store for us!

 

Kelly Cunningham, Contributing Writer

Pick: “All On You” – Mitchell Tenpenny
Songwriters: Andrew Albert, Jordan Schmidt, Mitchell Tenpenny, Nick Fradiani

“When I first heard Mitchell Tenpenny’s new album, Telling All My Secrets, this was the first track that stood out to me. The catchy, quick lyrics that make you want to sing along is the most unique melody I’ve heard from Tenpenny so far. His voice can pull off any note and he made an outstanding impression on me with this new album. This track can be a potential single I see in Tenpenny’s future. ”

 

Taylor Felvey, Contributing Writer

Pick: “Honky Tonk Flame” – Tyler Childers
Songwriters: Tyler Childers

If you’d like to experience old-school country with a modern age feel – look no further. The moment I heard this song I downloaded every album Tyler Childers has and put the song on repeat. The opening chords and story remind me of something Johnny Cash would write. The love song tells the story of a man trying to woo his new woman, who is no-nonsense, and how he’ll need to step up before he steps out with her.

“Hold on now buddy won’t you wait up a minute / You’re mistaken if you think I’m the same as them skirts you’ve been chasing all over town / Along with that honky tonk flame / I’m a woman with a love so true / Truth of the matter, I’d give it to you / You just got to slow down and quit acting that way / Burning your barn in this honky tonk flame”

 

Molly Holmberg, Contributing Writer

Pick: “Really Shouldn’t Drink Around You” – Teddy Robb
Songwriters: Josh Osborne, Shane McAnally, Trevor Rosen

“Since seeing Teddy Robb a few times in Nashville during his Teddy and Friends shows that we covered, the music that he previewed from his upcoming EP was amazing. Now one of the artists we are most excited about in 2019 is our own Swag Spotlight star.

Just after signing to Monument Records, Robb has been working nonstop with some of Nashville’s best songwriters to create his first project. His newest release following “Lead Me On” which has been streamed over 4 million times, “Really Shouldn’t Drink Around You” was released at the beginning of the year. The new song is relaxed and easy going. Describing the decisions that are made when drinking around an ex, Robb decides that maybe it isn’t always the best idea. The song is currently being featured on Spotify’s ‘New Boots’ playlist and Apple Music’s ‘Breaking Country’ playlist. We are patiently waiting for the anticipated release of Robb’s new project and cannot wait for it to come out!”

 

Nicole Piering, Contributing Writer

Pick: “Running Man” – Randy Houser
Songwriters: Jeffrey Steele, Randy Houser

“When I began listening to Randy Houser’s new album, Magnolia, I was immediately taken by how mature his voice sounded and how deeply personal the singer’s lyrics had become. Since releasing the album, Houser has revealed that he wasn’t always proud of his past musical releases, but that he’s very proud of his newest album.

Despite the fact that I truly enjoy every song on the album, it was track 11, “Running Man,” that immediately captured my attention. The song tells the story of a man who discovers what he was made for, but continues running through lives, filling his “pockets full of empty things.” It’s easy to look at this song as autobiographical for Houser, and it’s even more powerful listening to it that way. On this song, Houser challenges himself vocally and lyrically, and this song is truly a must-listen. “Every show’s got an end/ Where’re you gonna go then/ Running man?”.”

 

Olivia Reese, Contributing Writer

Pick: “Wilder Horses” Brandon Lay
Songwriters: Brandon Lay, Jon Nite, Ross Copperman

“Wilder Horses” by Brandon Lay is the epitome of a nostalgic song. The lyrics provide a vivid image of missing someone and days gone by “I think about you a little too much these days/Riding no-name lost back roads we take/Ain’t easy for gettin’ out innocent stays”

 I’ve been listening to this song on repeat since it came out late last year after really enjoying other music Bradon Lay has released. The imagery of the lyrics is what really got me hooked on this song. It’s like a quick story and you can imagine yourself there experiencing the simultaneous feeling of innocent love and longing for past days  “Whoa I wish I was down in Dixie tonight / Where we were / Wilder Horses, stronger whiskey, faster two lanes / Every other mile marker you kiss me”

 

Nicole Sellati, Contributing Writer

Pick: “Puzzle of Us” – Adam Doleac
Songwriters: Adam Doleac and Anthony Smith

“Recently, Adam Doleac kicked off the year releasing not one but two tracks. Both songs, “Famous” and “Puzzle of Us” are incredible, showing off his pure talent and smooth vocals. It’s hard to pick which of the two is my favorite, but if I had to choose one, it would be “Puzzle of Us.” I fell in love with the story behind the song, showing that inspiration can easily come from anywhere.

“The only piece missin’ is you / Fallin’ into my kiss / Your hand slippin’ through my fingertips / Locked up in my arms where you perfectly fit / I wanna hold you so close / I can feel your heartbeat / And be the air that you breathe / And together you and me can put together all the colors of love / Yeah well that’s the puzzle of us”

Doleac took a moment with a stranger and turned it into a beautiful love song. “Puzzle of Us” has easily become a favorite of mine, and I can’t wait to see what he comes out with next!”

 

Danielle Tornatore, Contributing Writer

Pick: “The Way That She Loves” – Tyler Hilton

Songwriters: David Barnes, Jon Green, Jordan Reynolds

“One Tree Hill is my all time favorite show, so of course I have to listen to all of the music Tyler Hilton puts out. I love his previous albums because of his unique sound and raspy voice, but his newly released album, City on Fire, has to be my absolute favorite. There’s just something about the country twist on this one that is sticking with me, particularly “The Way That She Loves.” This song reminds me of something that would play in an early 2000s teen movie and I wholeheartedly mean that in the best way possible. Between the lyrics, the beat, and his voice, this has to be my favorite on the album and possibly of all of his music, obviously besides the iconic “When The Stars Go Blue” (if you know, you know).”

 

Shanna Vitaliano, Contributing Writer

Pick: “Michigan for the Winter”
Songwriters: Aaron Eshuis, Neil Mason, Ryan Hurd 

For this month, the song I chose is Ryan Hurd’s “Michigan for the Winter” written by himself, Aaron Eshuis and Neil Mason of The Cadillac Three. With his commanding vocals and captivating lyrics, you can practically feel the loneliness and emptiness Hurd sings about throughout the mid-tempo breakup song.

With lyrics like: “I can’t stay watching you move on all February long/I’m going to Michigan for the winter/Between the dark and the light of the sky and the snow/Most people go south for the weather/Instead of hiding out in the cold,” Hurd takes us on a journey escaping a broken heart and returning to his home state of Michigan.

I am sure all of us in the NY area including myself can relate to the cold weather feeling Hurd sings about in “Michigan for the Winter” regardless if we are going through a breakup or not. It is the perfect song to play on a chilly day while relaxing on the couch with a glass of wine and the fireplace going! I am excited Hurd will be singing this song live Friday, January 25th at his sold-out show at The Bowery Ballroom in New York City!

 

Erica Zisman, Contributing Writer

Pick: “Heart’s Having a Hard Time” – Filmore
Songwriters: Hannah Ellis, Jason Massey, Tyler Filmore 

“This month it was really difficult for me to pick a song, especially with all the great records that have dropped recently. After much deliberation, I kept going back to Filmore’s “Heart’s Having a Hard Time.” I discovered the song thanks to NYCS’s 2019 Artists to Watch list. I had heard of Filmore, but never really listened to any of his songs. Right away, I found “Heart’s Having a Hard Time” to be completely relatable and heartbreaking all at the same time.

The feel of the song is right on trend but still feels fresh and new. More importantly, this track makes me excited to hear more from the recording artist, which is always exciting for me. I encourage you to give “Heart’s Having a Hard Time” a listen if you haven’t already.”

 

—————————-

Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC!

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!

+ Follow our country music adventures on Instagram, Twitter & Facebook:

Brothers Osborne Perform on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

/in /by

Tuesday night in New York City, Brothers Osborne performed on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon marking their Tonight Show debut. The duo performed their current single “I Don’t Remember Me (Before You)” that they penned with Shane McAnally and Matt Dragstrem.

Fallon gave them a warm welcome to the stage as they were about to begin. From the beginning of their performance, as they sang “Did I stop and watch the sunset fade? / What gave me life and took my breath away?” they showcased their vulnerable ballad with mesmerizing harmonies. TJ’s raw vocals made you believe every word. It was such an elegant and touching setting that was surely connecting with the audience. This performance was a display of genuine talent and pure success for this romantic track.

Not only did they get to share this debut on the Tonight Show, but they’re celebrating being nominated for multiple awards at the upcoming 61st GRAMMY Awards including Country Album of the Year for Port Saint Joe and Country Duo/Performance for “Shoot Me Straight”.

Brothers Osborne is currently on the road as part of their headlining tour that started in the UK and Canada and kicked off the US run earlier this month. They’ll be touring over 40 spots through the spring including sold-out dates in Nashville, Boston, Philadelphia, and of course their show last night in New York City at Terminal 5. For tour dates and more details head to http://www.brothersosborne.com/events

—————————-

Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC!

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!

+ Follow our country music adventures on Instagram, Twitter & Facebook:

[Watch] Brantley Gilbert & Lindsay Ell “What Happens in a Small Town”

/in /by
What Happens in a Small Town Video

Photo Credit: BMLG/Joseph Llanes

Country singer-songwriters Brantley Gilbert and Lindsay Ell teamed up and released their brand new music video for “What Happens in a Small Town”. In Gilbert’s first ever duet, both him and Ell play storytellers narrating two young kids who can’t escape the memory of their past relationship. Gilbert wrote this song along with Brock Berryhill, Rhett Akins, and Josh Dunne and was inspired by his own life depicting his earlier days of falling in love, breaking up, eventually getting back together and finally marrying his wife Amber. A country ballad collaboration that has not only compelling vocals from Gilbert and Ell but their guitar instrumentals bring the song to an entirely different level.

With Ell set in a school hallway and Gilbert on an isolated main street road, the two reminisce of their high school relationship under Friday night lights at a football game and driving around town in her white jeep. Each scene depicts a memory that they just can’t seem to shake whether it be driving off into a country field, or hanging at the local bar. Gilbert and Ell prove breaking up is even harder to deal with when you are in a small town and it is expressed in the chorus:

“‘Cause what happens in a small town stays in a small town / Every back road, we’ve ever gone down / Friday night bleachers, Sunday pews / Ain’t a county line mile without a memory of you Every whisper, every room, I walk in / Every time the bartender fills it up again / Everybody knows why I’m here, and you ain’t around / ‘Cause what happens in a small town, stays in a small town”

There is no denying that Gilbert and Ell work effortlessly together, and create a captivating song that is easily relatable to us all. “What Happens in a Small Town” is a BIG glimpse into what Gilbert has in store for us when his upcoming album is released. Let the anticipation and excitement begin!

For a behind the scenes look at the making of the video with Gilbert and Ell, watch the video below.

—————————-

Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC!

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!

+ Follow our country music adventures on Instagram, Twitter & Facebook:

Science Says…Concertgoers Will Live Longer

/in /by

Science Says

The next time you’re contemplating whether or not to splurge on concert tickets, science says you should do it for your health.

A recent study was done by the UK’s music and entertainment venue O2 and Goldsmith’s University associate lecturer Patrick Fagan. Fagan took a group of volunteers and gave them heart rate monitors to wear while doing various activities for 20 minutes including yoga, walking their dog and attending a concert. The results of this experiment were very interesting.

The study concluded that concert attendance every two weeks can extend a person’s life expectancy by nine years and that feeling of wellbeing can increase by 21% after 20 minutes of live music. In contrast, doing yoga for the same amount of time only increased a person’s feelings of wellbeing by 10%.

Now that’s not saying that you shouldn’t partake in other activities, but when forced to make a choice, concerts always win.

Fagan said, “Our research showcases that profound impact concerts have on feelings of health, happiness, wellbeing – with fortnightly (every two weeks) or regular attendance being the key…we arrive at a prescription for a concert a fortnight which could pave the way for almost a decade more years of life.”

The social aspect of a concert and shared experience with others is the true driving factor behind increasing happiness. So whether you’re going through a rough time, stressed out, or just need to do something fun, listening to music by yourself will not give you a quick fix but going to a concert might just be what the doctor orders.

Head to our calendar for a list of upcoming concerts that you don’t want to miss if you’d like to increase your happiness and live longer.

—————————-

Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC!

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!

+ Follow our country music adventures on Instagram, Twitter & Facebook:

Russell Dickerson Sings “Blue Tacoma” On TODAY

/in /by
Russell Dickerson Today Show

Photo Via Today.com

Back in 2016, singer-songwriter Russell Dickerson performed at New York Country Swag’s very first event at Libration in NYC. Just a year later, he released his debut album, Yours, which continues to garner more and more success. Flash forward to today, earlier this morning, the hitmaker performed his number one hit “Blue Tacoma” on NBC’s ‘Today with Kathie Lee & Hoda’ for the second time in his blossoming career co-hosts Hoda and Jenna Bhager excitedly introduced Dickerson sharing, “Its been a very good year for Russell Dickerson. Not only was he named Billboard’s Number 1 emerging artist, he also landed two consecutive number one singles. Tomorrow, Russell hits the road, kicking off his first co-headlining tour, but before he wants to sing for us his hit song “Blue Tacoma” off his debut album Yours,”

Just before the performance, the co-hosts chatted with the singer about his co-headlining tour with country singer Carly Pearce, his inspiration for his famous $6 music video for “Yours,” and of course shouting out his beautiful wife, Kailey. Dickerson shared the sweet sentiment, “From day one, before we had any budget, before we had anything going on – I had her. We shot the ol’ music video for my first single “Yours,” and that’s honestly what kinda put us on the map, and got us started, got us going,” adding later “what a babe,” when the cameras showed his wife. Dickerson delivered a high-energy and entertaining performance of “Blue Tacoma” from the first note. His energy and enthusiasm for performing and his music is seemingly unmatched.

Clearly having fun, the rising country star played with his vocals and his lyrics throughout the entire performance, adding to his lyrics, “It’s right here- baby, on the Today Show.” Check out the full performance above. Dickerson embarks on his co-heading, ‘The Way Back Tour,” with Carly Pearce starting in Cleveland. He will also play Madison Square Garden in September, as a supporting act on Thomas Rhett’s headlining tour. Head to russelldickerson.com for tickets and more information.

 

—————————-

Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC!

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!

+ Follow our country music adventures on Instagram, Twitter & Facebook:

NYCS Woman of the Month: Olivia Hanceri

/in , /by
Our first Woman of the Month for 2019 is Olivia Hanceri, Director of Public Relations for SMACK, a unique company based out of Nashville.  More on SMACK later but first, in our recent interview, Hanceri told us about her non-conventional journey to Music City and the musical influences in her life.

Growing up in Mobile, Alabama, she was not raised on country music or whatever music was popular at the time, rather she grew up listening to classical music.  “I could tell you any classical composer but as far as things that were on the radio, I don’t remember that being influential in my life,” she explains. Her father played the cello, her mother owned a dance studio and she played piano competitively, that being her entry point into music.  She immersed herself in the classical world until she reached college. She double majored at the University of Alabama in political science and public relations and originally thought she would go into lobbying in DC.

“In a series of random events I got connected with Ebie McFarland and interned for her and fell in love with her company,” Hanceri explains.  “I landed a job right out of college with her and worked with her for four years.” She worked as a day to day publicist in Nashville, eventually learning to love the country music scene, specifically the songwriters who were behind the curtain. During her four years with Essential Broadcast Media (EBMediaPR) she assisted on some of the larger accounts but recalls two major moments that were very special to her. One working with Old Dominion from the very early days, eventually seeing them get signed to Sony and release two albums and then more recently, watching Caitlyn Smith’s career blossom in a format that isn’t country.

She also worked closely with Walker Hayes, Shane McAnally, and other songwriters, “I kept being drawn to songwriters as clients, the common thread was SMACKSongs and that’s what is interesting, they were all a part of SMACK so at Ebie’s I learned first hand about publishing and songwriting, it was a world within a world and that to me is where the real magic happens. I was fortunate enough to transition from EBMediaPR to SMACK,” she tells us.

Now she works with a roster of fourteen songwriters and within that roster, four of them are artists as well as songwriters, Kylie Morgan, Walker Hayes, one of our Swag Spotlight’s Renee Blair and one of our 2019 Artists to Watch, Teddy Robb. Along with handling media relations for the individual songwriters, she is also responsible for PR for the company itself, strategizing for awards and recognition.  “We are unique because we have a publishing arm, a management arm, an artist development arm and a production arm,” she explains. The work with their roster in different capacities, allowing Hanceri’s day to day to evolve and change. “It’s been fun to lean into marketing or lean into merchandise, if it has to do with your brand, I am fortunate enough to touch it,” she tells us. “We all get to shift and figure out what is needed so my days never look the same.”

SMACK not only has some of the biggest writers in the industry, Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne but they also have a band of new writers, each raising the bar to write and create incredible songs. She explains two things she is most excited about working on currently are Shane McAnally’s new show Songland which was just greenlit for season one on NBC as well as helping to launch artist Kylie Morgan‘s career.

As a passion project, Hanceri also manages ‘Girls of Nashville’, a seasonal showcase that highlights female songwriters who are looking to make a positive change in the community. “There is something really fulfilling about nights like that, where you get to walk away with such a full heart,” she says of the event.

As we close out our conversation, Hanceri gives advice to any young women just starting out, looking to find their dream job. “Lean in to working as hard as you can, as soon as you get out of college or in your early twenties, that first season of life as a young adult should really be about being ambitious and excited and hungry,” she offers. She also says that getting to Nashville and having boots on the ground to show what you can do in person is half the battle of landing a job in the music industry. Looking ahead, Hanceri is excited to see the evolution of SMACK who received SESAC Writer of the Year,  SESAC Song of the Year, Publisher of the Year, ASCAP Song of the Year, and several BMI Radio Airplay Awards in 2018. Keep up with Olivia on Instagram.

—————————-

Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC!

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!

+ Follow our country music adventures on Instagram, Twitter & Facebook:

NYCS First Impression: Gone West ‘Tides’

/in , /by

Gone West

There are certain voices that are just meant to be together. On their own, each voice is powerful and special, but when combined, there’s a transcendent magic that occurs. This is the case with the likes of country super-groups like Lady Antebellum, Rascal Flatts, and Little Big Town. Now, a new group has hit the scene, and we’d like to introduce you to Gone West.

The quartet is comprised of four accomplished singers and musicians, who have joined forces to create musical magic. Most notable is Colbie Caillat, the Grammy Award-winning, multi-platinum-selling singer-songwriter. Caillat is joined by multi-platinum singer-songwriter Jason Reeves, singer-songwriter Justin Kawika Young, and ACM and CMT nominated Nelly Joy.

On January 18, Gone West released their debut EP, Tides, and we’re already anxious to hear more. Together, the foursome co-wrote all of the EP’s four tracks, joined by some of Nashville’s biggest names, including Liz Rose, Eric Aries, and Tom Douglas. What’s most exciting about the debut project is the fact that it’s equally diverse and cohesive. Each of the four tracks shows a different side to the band, while all sounding alike enough to fit on the same project.

The EP opens with “Gone West,” a song describing how each of the band’s four members went west and ended up in California. “I’ve gone west, bring the best back with me,” They sing here, relaying the musical journey that led them to each other. Relying heavily on their harmonies over a toe-tapping melody, this song is remnant of Little Big Town’s earliest releases, as is much of the EP.

The quartet slows things down on the somber “Home is Where the Heartbreak Is,” telling the tale of a home that holds nothing but heartbreaking memories. “Love found somewhere else to live,” the quartet sing on this track, evoking the sadness of a broken relationship. “Where do you go when all that you know has slipped right through your fingertips?”

Things pick back up with “Confetti,” an endlessly fun track devoted to turning a broken relationship into a positive. Here, the quartet take a breakup and turn it into a celebration with a clever lyrical twist. “Yeah my heart didn’t break when I broke into that old bottle of fancy champagne / I’ve been saving for the perfect time/ You can’t rain on my parade / Got my freedom, gonna celebrate / When you left, I was so damn ready / No tears fell, just confetti.”

On “This Time,” the incredible harmonies of Gone West are on full display, as they urge “next time, there might not be a this time.” The song is an ode to living in the moment and not putting things off until tomorrow. “Life and love, they don’t age like fine wine, there’s no time to waste to taste the sweetest vine,” they sing, urging listeners to seize the day. “Let’s fill this cup, and drink it up tonight.”

Watch Gone West’s video for “This Time” here:

Gone West made their Opry debut on October 26th at Opry Goes Pink, a fundraising event at The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, TN to raise breast cancer awareness and benefit Susan G Komen. The band also recently signed to Triple Tigers Records, the musical home of Scotty McCreery and Russell Dickerson.

Based on the masterpiece that is Tides, we cannot wait for a full release from Gone West. We fully expect big things from this foursome, and if things continue on this trajectory, we expect them to be country’s next huge super-group.

Tides Track List:
1. “Gone West” (Colbie Caillat, Justin Kawika Young, Danelle Reeves, Jason Reeves)
2. “Home Is Where The Heartbreak Is” (Colbie Caillat, Justin Kawika Young, Danelle Reeves, Jason Reeves, Liz Rose)
3. “Confetti” (Colbie Caillat, Justin Kawika Young, Danelle Reeves, Jason Reeves, Eric Arjes)
4. “This Time” (Colbie Caillat, Justin Kawika Young, Danelle Reeves, Jason Reeves, Tom Douglas)

 

—————————-

Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC!

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!

+ Follow our country music adventures on Instagram, Twitter & Facebook:

Caroline Jones Entertains at The Loft at City Winery NYC

/in /by

Caroline Jones NYC

Rising country star Caroline Jones took the stage last night at The Loft at City Winery to a packed house of excited fans. The singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist is no stranger to New York City, in fact, she was born here and went to school at New York University. The buzz in the venue was like a true homecoming as she opened the show with her upbeat song “Rise.” With the energy level up, Jones sang the title track off her latest album and fan favorite “Bare Feet.” The crowd sang along to the catchy beat and lighthearted lyrics. Following her hit she sang “Worth the Wait” and had everyone in awe of her purely delicate voice as she harmonized the opening lyrics.

Jones slowed it down with a more traditional ballad that depicted her life growing up in the Northeast, but still knowing and appreciating her southern roots with her song “Country Girl.” As Jones introduced her next song “Old Blue”, she shared intimate details as to how she got her start in country music. She told the crowd, “In my late teens I went to Nashville for the first time and I went to a show at the Bluebird Cafe and saw artists and songwriters capture the hearts and minds of people with just a guitar – something in me clicked.” Jones explained how she “delved into the history of country music and folk music and storytelling music and discovered Old Blue along the way.” Classic hit “Old Blue” showcased her extremely poised vocals and her admiration for the genre and storytelling.

Halfway through the set, Jones brought out Jesse Harris singer-songwriter and producer/guitarist to play a brand new song “Chasin’ Me” and the song “Don’t Know Why” made famous by Norah Jones. As she introduced her song “Chasin Me'” she provided a backstory as to why she wrote it. “This is a song about old fashioned romantic values that at least I still believe in and I think the man should chase the woman,” and the screams and applause of the crowd confirmed they agreed. Jones covered the upbeat Hall and Oats “You Make My Dreams” as the crowd sang along, and continued entertaining everyone with songs “All of the Boys” and “Fix You”.

Caroline Jones NYC

Closing out the show Jones sang her hit single “Tough Guys” about being unapologetically yourself and she said,” If other people don’t like it, it’s too bad for them.” Jones told the crowd “Get your hands up” and kicked off the last song of her set with the audience clapping along. Accompanied by her unbelievable harmonica playing she fed off the crowd’s energy and you could tell she was having just as much fun up there as everyone watching.

Undeniably talented, an incredible musician and performer, Jones has everything going for her right now. Be sure to catch her on the road as she opens for Kenny Chesney and his “Song for the Saints Tour” which kicks off in April and give her album Bare Feet a listen below!

————————-

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!

+ Follow our country music adventures on Instagram, Twitter & Facebook:

NYCS Swag Spotlight: Walker Montgomery

/in , /by

Our Swag Spotlight this week, Walker Montgomery was born and raised in Nicholasville, Kentucky a small town that had produced not one but two major country artists in the past who just happened to be Walker’s uncle Eddie and father, John Michael. Eddie Montgomery, of Montgomery Gentry and John Michael Montgomery who had his own solo career for years in the business. “I always say that I am blessed to be under the umbrella of the Montgomery family if I ever need advice, I have the perfect outlet but the kind of music I release, the things that I do, people will see that he’s not just John Michael’s son or Eddie’s nephew,” he says.

His parents allowed him to have a well-rounded childhood, acting playing sports but of course playing music as well. He was playing the guitar and basic chords when he was only five years old, instilling the love of music at an early age. When discussing his musical influences he tells us; “Obviously, my family was in the country music business so I grew up listening to country music but I also listened to Big Band, Frank Sinatra, Benny Goodman which was far from country but I loved all kinds of music and having music in the house really made me who I am today”.

During high school, he decided to take music a little more seriously and took the stage at the country fair and played for 1,000 people.  He recalls stepping onto that stage for the first time, he was only a sophomore in high school but decided from that day on that he loved the energy from the crowd, “There was no other feeling like it,” Montgomery tells us.  It was soon after that when he knew he wanted to write his own music.

His debut single “Simple Town” was written as an anthem for his small town, a local radio station programmer heard it and started playing it in Kentucky and now it has over two million streams on Spotify.  Living in Nashville, Montgomery is now taking his small-town roots to the big city, stating that along with his father and uncle, Randy Travis and Luke Bryan are amongst some of his biggest influences. His love for traditional country music and appreciation for the way modern country incorporates new sounds, he wants to infuse them together. “When I write, I’m just writing what I feel, I just need to write what is on my heart that day,” he explains. “I want songs to be relatable, I always say if you can tap into the heart of somebody in country music, they are going to like the song.”

Looking forward to the new year, Montgomery is excited to play more shows and make more connections with his fans. Towards the end of the last year, they released a video for “Just Say When” the next single he will be pushing from his Simple Town EP.  Fans can look forward to new music in the new year. Follow Walker Montgomery on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to keep up with new announcements.

————————-

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!

+ Follow our country music adventures on Instagram, Twitter & Facebook:

NYCS First Impression: HARDY ‘Where To Find Me’ EP

/in , /by

HARDY

Big Loud Records recording artist, HARDY has had major success as a songwriter, co-writing label-mate, Morgan Wallen’s smash hit “Up Down,” as well as, Florida Georgia Line’s songs “Simple” and “Talk You Out of It.” Already deemed, in a recent press release, as “the most exciting new lyricist in County today”, now, HARDY is putting his own spin on country music as a solo artist. The vocalist debuted his second EP, Where to Find Me earlier today.

HARDY’s latest project features four perfectly crafted tracks that feature witty lyrics, confidence, fresh sounds, and undeniable charm. The EP opens up with a creative love song entitled “I’ll Quit Lovin You”. The track puts the talented singer’s vulnerability and cleverness as a lyricist on display. The chorus will have country fans swooning at the heartfelt words and HARDY’s charming vocals. When you look at me / I just don’t believe that some things can’t last forever / I’ll quit lovin’ you / When country roads don’t wind and curve / When cold beer don’t quench your thirst / When there ain’t an ‘Amen’ in Church.”

HARDY continues to play with his traditional country sound in the next track off the EP, “All She Left Was Me.” The up-tempo track, co-written by the singer with rising country star, Morgan Wallen and songwriter Jesse Frasure, features that county boy charm that HARDY is becoming known for. Deemed a “starting-over anthem,” the jam will have fans singing along in no time at a live show.

Next up is arguably the most powerful song on the EP, named, “Signed, Sober You.” Featuring HARDY’s unique vocals and a quiet steel guitar, the ballad will tug at your heartstrings. The song is a take on going through a break-up and missing someone, especially when drunk. It is a reminder from “Sober You” on how to cope with the mixed emotions that are so prevalent, during the demise of a relationship.  “I know you think you miss her, but I promise you, you don’t / There’s healing in the lonely / Sit back, kick off your boots / And you’ll thank me in the morning like you always do / Signed, Sober You,” sings HARDY in the lyrical letter to himself. Although the lyrics are still a standout, HARDY really hones in on his voice and talent as a singer on this track.

Closing out the well-rounded EP is the title track, “Where To Find Me”. Written by HARDY with James McNair and Zach Abend, the song is as country as it gets. The bluesy, backwoods, hard-hitting track showcases HARDY’s gritty vocals and unapologetic pride in his home state of Mississippi. “I be staying in the woods or on the water / Top of a hill / Down in the holler / Anywhere where I can unwind / Drink a beer / Disappear / Put the world behind me / Y’all I was born in Mississippi / I’m redneck / I’m a hick / I’m a hippie.”

HARDY has quite the year ahead of him. He is currently on the ‘If I Know Me Tour’ with headliner, Morgan Wallen. The tour hits New York City’s Irving Plaza on February 21st. Additionally, HARDY will join forces with Wallen again on select dates of Florida Georgia Line’s 2019 ‘Can’t Say I Aint’ Country Tour’ kicking off this June. New Yorkers can catch the show at the Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theatre on July 20th. Tickets will be on sale via Ticketmaster soon. Make sure to keep up with HARDY via social media.

————————-

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!

+ Follow our country music adventures on Instagram, Twitter & Facebook: