NYCS First Impression: King Calaway’s Self-Titled Debut EP

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King Calaway Self-Titled EP

If there’s any question as to which new country act is bound to be the genre’s next big thing, look no further than King Calaway. The six-man band released their self-titled debut EP today (Jan 25.) via BBR’s Stoney Creek Records. Based on the mounting buzz and the cleverly-crafted EP, this group is undoubtedly poised for superstardom.

What makes King Calaway unique is the fact that the group is comprised of six individual musicians from three different countries, each with a diverse musical background and varied experience that includes international tours, television and award show appearances, and even American Idol golden tickets. Interestingly, the band does not boast a true frontman, but instead features Jordan Harvey, Chad Michael Jervis and Simon Dumas trading off on lead vocals, backed by multi-part harmonies from drummer Chris Deaton, lead guitarist Caleb Miller and bassist Austin Luther. Additionally, each member is a well-rounded musician, resulting in a sound that is heavily influenced by the likes of the Eagles, Keith Urban, and Ed Sheeran.

Formed in 2018, the sextet teamed with Ross Copperman and Robert Deaton for their debut project. “The six musicians who make up King Calaway are a fresh take on contemporary country music,”says Deaton. “These young men hail from all corners of the globe, but when put together on a stage, they are one and magic happens.”

On their debut EP, King Calaway enlisted a plethora of Nashville’s biggest songwriters and artists to contribute songs. The EP features the likes of Copperman, Jon Nite, Josh Osborne, Andy Albert, Teddy Geiger, Mitchell Tenpenny, Devin Dawson, Jordan Schmidt, and more.

The EP opens with the debut single, “World For Two,” a mid-tempo love song, co-written by Copperman, Josh Osborne, and James Abrahart. From the first notes, it’s clear that King Calaway’s harmonies are what makes them unique. The track evokes a bit of Extreme’s “More Than Words” mixed with Thomas Rhett and late-90’s Brit sensations BBMak to create something unique to country music. “World For Two” is a perfectly crafted piece of pop country, and we’d be shocked if it doesn’t end up topping the radio charts.

The EP picks up the pace on “No Matter What,” a fun, up-tempo track that will have you singing along by the song’s catchy second chorus. “I Do” is a lovelorn ballad that has our leading men crooning over the one that got away and the fact that they still think about the mistakes that led to the breakup. “What really hurts is/ I say the words/ You always wanted me to / I do/ Yeah I do/ Oh I do/ Think about you.”

One of the highlights of the EP is a cheerful, harmonic cover of the Stephen Stills classic, “Love the One You’re With.” Maybe it was the instant familiarity of the track, but this one immediately brought a smile to my face.

The EP ends with “Rivers,” which is much more pop than country (think “The Middle” or “This Feeling”), but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Looking at the crossover power of artists like Maren Morris, Kelsea Ballerini, and Dan + Shay, and it’s abundantly clear that King Calaway is being groomed for multi-genre success. “Rivers” is an instant hit, ear-wormy and delightful, and we guarantee you’ll have it on repeat.

In many ways, King Calaway is the boyband that country music never knew it always needed. With a diverse group of six talented guys, this band is sure to have the girls swooning, snatching up their albums, and coming out in droves to their live shows. Watch out Why Don’t We and BTS, King Calaway is here to claim your crowns.

This past week, King Calaway hit the stage at New York City’s Bowery Electric for an exclusive show with NYCountrySwag. Additionally, they’ll make their Grand Ole Opry Debut on Friday, March 1. For more information on King Calaway, please visit kingcalaway.com and be sure to follow them on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Spotify.

King Calaway 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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King Calaway Performs at Exclusive NYCountry Swag Showcase

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Wednesday (Jan 23.), New York Country Swag filled the room at Bowery Electric to max capacity with our followers and lucky winners to experience a brand new band out of Nashville Tennesse, King Calaway. The group, which is made up of six men from all over the world came together to record a unique brand of country music.  In our interview prior to the set, Chad Michael Jervis told our Managing Editor, Christina, that they want to bring the authenticity of The Beatles, The Eagles, The Doobie Brothers, and some of their favorite country artists like Ricky Skaggs and Keith Urban to their sound.

King Calaway

The doors of the downtown venue opened at 6 PM and fans had already piled into the upstairs bar, awaiting their chance to head downstairs and grab their spot for the exclusive showcase. After just a few minutes, Chad, Simon, Austin, Jordan, Caleb, and Chris took the stage ready to wow the packed venue.

King Calaway

Right from the first notes of their opening song “Driver’s Seat” you could instantly hear the magic that was being created up on the stage. Each member of the band playing an instrument and lending their voices to build on a united harmony. King Calaway announced that their EP will be released this Friday (Jan 25.) and that the next song they were about to sing was the debut single called “World For Two”. The track was written by hitmaker songwriters Ross Copperman, Josh Osborne, and James Abrahart. The band played all five tracks from their self-titled EP including their fresh version of “Love The One You’re With”. Check out a recap of the special night in the exclusive NYCountry Swag video above.

King Calaway

The performance culminated at the end of their set when they performed “Rivers” an instant fan favorite, with its catchy beat and EDM vibes similar to the recent sensation cross-over hit “The Middle” or Zac Brown Band’s “Tomorrow Never Comes”. After the 45 minute set, each of the band members made their way into the crowd, introducing themselves, hugging the fans, and posing for selfies. It was the perfect way for our followers to understand why we are so excited about King Calaway and we look forward to seeing the absolute superstardom that is sure to follow.

For more information on King Calaway, please visit kingcalaway.com and be sure to follow them on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Spotify.

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What We’re Listening To: January Picks

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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.”

 

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Brothers Osborne Perform on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

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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

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

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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.

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Science Says…Concertgoers Will Live Longer

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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.

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Russell Dickerson Sings “Blue Tacoma” On TODAY

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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.

 

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NYCS Woman of the Month: Olivia Hanceri

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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.

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NYCS First Impression: Gone West ‘Tides’

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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)

 

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Caroline Jones Entertains at The Loft at City Winery NYC

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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!

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