Adam Doleac Talks About The Story Behind “Famous”

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Our very first Swag Session back in October of 2017 was with rising artist, Adam Doleac and you can watch the Facebook Live here. This past weekend during Taste of Country Music Festival, we caught up with the singer-songwriter as he celebrates having his single “Famous” be in the number one slot for the second week on Sirius XM The Highway’s Hot 30 Countdown. In our interview, he tells us his plans for new music and the inspiration behind “Famous”.

Watch the full interview with Adam Doleac below and take a listen to “Famous” on our New Country Music Playlist.

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

Adam Doleac rockin’ a NYCountry Swag Camo Flag Tank from our Hero Collection – Grab yours here

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NYCS Swag Spotlight: Raleigh Keegan

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Raleigh Keegan

Named one of Nashville Lifestyle’s “Most Beautiful People” our Swag Spotlight this week is Raleigh Keegan. His very first musical memory is of his adopted father singing James Taylor, “Fire and Rain” and “Carolina In My Mind” to help him get to sleep as a child.  The newcomer is from a town north of Cincinnati and although he used to play trombone in high school, he didn’t pick up a guitar and start songwriting until he was finishing up college. “I was this jock who played trombone,” Keegan told us. “I always said ‘I have a football player body trapped in a musicians mind,’ I was first chair, all state jazz trombone, but when I was 18 years old, all you care about is how do I get the girls, I played football in college but I couldn’t wait to go home after practice to write and play my guitar.”

He recalled falling in love with John Mayer’s album Continuum and being inspired when he saw him perform in 2007 but ultimately caught the country music genre bug after seeing Zac Brown Band. “I quit my job the week after I saw them, there was something about the feeling he was giving, I wanted to move people the way I am being moved by his music.” After making the decision to go all in, Keegan and his wife sold their house and moved to Nashville so he could pursue his career. He taught himself about the industry, how to book gigs, how to make money as a musician and after about a year of learning all he could, he knew he had to hire a team to help promote his music. “I was quickly feeling like I need to get better as an artist so I need a team. You can only operate to a certain level, to cross that threshold you need other people, so a little over a year ago I brought on a team so I could spend more time focusing on my music, which is the whole point and reason I moved.”

His current single “Don’t Take Time” was written about the very first time Keegan saw his wife, Shelby. “I was dating a girl for four years and I was in a conversation with her at the time, then I saw Shelby across the room and I just felt something, I wasn’t sure what it was but there was something about her. I broke up with that girl and ten months later Shelby and I were engaged,” he romantically explains. He continues that the girl he was dating ended up marrying his roommate and they were married before they were. He had the line “some good things don’t take time” and knew he wanted to write about their love story.

He plans on releasing six more songs on an EP later this year and continuing to promote “Don’t Take Time”.

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

NYCountry Swag’s 3rd Year at Taste of Country Music Festival

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For the third consecutive year, the NYCountry Swag team packed a U-haul and drove up to Hunter Mountain for a weekend of music, meeting country music fans and interviewing the artists. Each year we have gotten bigger and better and 2019 was no exception.

Taste of Country Festival

The Taste of Country Music Festival lineup this year included headliners, Keith Urban, Rascal Flatts, Brooks and Dunn and Little Big Town with rising artists such as Lindsay Ell, Adam Doleac, Tyler Rich, Runaway June and more. Each day the festival kicked off in the afternoon and the perfect sunny weather made for quite the exciting festival. Highlights included artists like Adam Doleac and Tyler Rich premiering new music, Brooks and Dunn showcasing the military during “Only In America” and the fans packing onto the mountain for each and every headlining set.

Taste of Country

This year we featured all of our merchandise from our shop including brand new exclusive items. Our signature line features hats, tank tops, t-shirts and sweatshirts that all help to cohesively explain our brand, clothing, and accessories that country music fans will love. In addition to our country music inspired items, our Hero Collection was expanded this summer with the addition of tank tops and t-shirts all showcasing the red and the blue line American flag. This turned out to be a huge seller at the festival and two artists, Tyler Rich and Adam Doleac even supported by wearing our shirts on stage.


Photo Credit: Chuck Merrihew

Besides hosting exclusive interviews right at our booth in front of our step and repeat, festival-goers were able to grab a prop and take their picture in our photo booth. All of the photos can be found online, here. We hosted a giveaway for two pit tickets to see Luke Bryan on July 14th, at Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theatre, and we want to congratulate Kristy Olivier on being the lucky winner!

Tyler Rich TOC

Each day artists stopped by our booth to chat about their new music, playing a festival in New York and more. Check out our interviews with Walker Hayes, Adam Doleac, Runaway June, Brett Eldredge, Lindsay Ell, Ross Ellis, Tyler Rich, LANCO, Michael Ray, Ryan Hurd, Josh Turner, and Brandon Lay.

Taste of Country Festival

The weekend was filled with meeting so many of our followers and making new friends that rocked our gear at the festival.  Between the amazing weather and the talent on the stage, Taste of Country Music Festival 2019 was a great success.  We are already looking forward to next years event, for more information and tickets head to tasteofcountryfestival.com  Our team wants to thank everyone who stopped by to say hello, purchased an item from our booth or just was friendly to us this weekend.  We had the best time and look forward to seeing all of our followers at more events this summer.

We want to thank each of our friends in the industry and the folks at Townsquare Media and Taste of Country for all of the great opportunities over the years. Click the post below to read more about how we’ve grown each and every year at Taste of Country Music Festival.

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King Calaway Make Their Television Debut on Jimmy Kimmel Live!

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King Calaway

Comprised of bandmates Caleb Miller, Chris Deaton, Simon Dumas, Jordan Harvey, Chad Michael Jervis, and Austin Luther, King Calaway isn’t looking to blend into the crowd. They’re not even looking to fit in. They’re in the business of standing out…and King Calaway stands tall. We hosted an exclusive NYCountry Swag Showcase featuring the boys in January right before the drop of their debut self-titled ep King Calaway and instantly fell in love with their style of music.

It is no surprise they are rising to the top very quickly in these last few months and have added yet another milestone to their journey. Last night, June 10th, the band made their national television performance debut on Jimmy Kimmel Live! They performed their debut single “World For Two.” With six single spotlights and an intimate crowd, the band knocked their debut out of the park. Not only has the single garnered over 2 million streams, but it also was the most added song at country radio in its first week at US radio and has been in the Top 5 for consumption per spin and streams per spin for the past six weeks.

Ahead of their late night debut, the fast-rising stars performed at The Grand Ole Opry for their second performance on June 1, followed by their first CMA Fest appearance where they performed at the Firestone Country Roads Stage at Ascend Amphitheater and the HGTV Lodge on June 6. The band most recently opened for Garth Brooks at his U.S. Bank Stadium show in Minneapolis, MN on May 3, 2019. Brooks himself introduced the band onstage as the opening act, marking the first time he had done this in his career.

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

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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Gone West Showcase Excellent Harmonies on “What Could’ve Been”

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Gone West

Since the January release of their debut EP, Tides, Gone West has been making major waves in country music.
On Friday (June 7) the foursome released their new single, “What Could’ve Been,” a heart-wrenching ballad about love lost.

With somber instrumentation and heartfelt harmonies, the quarter is filled with regret and wondering. Interestingly, Gone West is composed of two happy couples: Grammy-Award winning singer-songwriter Colbie Caillat and her fiance Justin Young, and married songwriters Nelly Joy and Jason Reeves. Yet, romantic statuses aside, the group do heartbreak incredibly well on “What Could’ve Been.”

The slow-burn ballad features the foursome’s unparalleled harmonies as they’re left to wonder what could’ve been in the wake of a failed relationship. “I don’t know what this is or what it isn’t/ But it feels like we’ve got unfinished business,” They sing, and the tone for the entire song is set. “I thought I’d see it clearly from a distance/ But it still feels like we’ve got unfinished business.”

“It’s just about two people that maybe let their relationship fall apart and then they think back years later on what they could have done differently and maybe they would still have been together,” Caillat told PEOPLE of the song.
“We’re two happy couples, but we really love writing heartbreak songs or breakup songs. There’s just something about writing and singing sad songs that feels better, even if you’re not sad at the moment,” revealed Reeves. “We’ve all been sad in the past and we probably will be in the future.”

Interestingly, the song is similar in tone and composition to Lady Antebellum’s latest release, “What If I Never Get Over You,” but there’s room for both harmonic super-groups in today’s country landscape. Based on everything we’ve heard from Gone West thus far, we can’t wait for their forthcoming debut album, due out on Triple Tigers Records.

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

“What Could’ve Been” is now available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music here on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

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Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC & Beyond!

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Walker Hayes Chats About New Music, Dance Moves and Dad Jokes

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This past weekend at Taste of Country Festival up at Hunter Mountain, NY, we caught up with Walker Hayes.  Besides telling us a hilarious dad joke, Hayes talked about the inspiration behind his brand new single “Don’t Let Her” as well as his plans for new music.

Watch the full interview with Walker Hayes below and take a listen to “Don’t Let Her” on our New Country Music Playlist. 

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

 

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Ryan Hurd Chats About New Music and Playing for NY Country Fans

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This weekend at Taste of Country Festival up at Hunter Mountain, New York we interviewed Ryan Hurd before his set, opening up the festival. His newest release “Her Name Was Summer” is officially out now and Hurd explained the story behind the song as well as the process from going from being just a songwriter for other artists to an artist himself.

Watch the full interview below and take a listen to “Her Name Was Summer” on our New Country Music Playlist. 

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

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Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC & Beyond!

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NYCS First Impression Luke Combs ‘The Prequel – EP’

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Luke Combs The Prequel

With his unassuming presence and every-man attitude, Luke Combs has captured the hearts of country music fans in a way that’s rarely seen nowadays. Rather than relying on glitz and glam, Combs has earned his legion of tried and true followers by staying true to his country roots and releasing great music. As the follow up to 2017’s This One’s For You, Combs’ released The Prequel – EP today (June 7), featuring 5 new songs, including the project’s first single, the anthemic “Beer Never Broke My Heart.”

Aside from “Beer Never Broke My Heart,” The Prequel’s two other standout tracks are “Refrigerator Door” and “Even Though I’m Leaving.” The former is a celebration of nostalgia and life’s best days while “Even Though I’m Leaving” is a heartstrings-tugging ode to the relationship between a father and a son. On “Refrigerator Door,” Combs executes such a simple concept expertly, celebrating life through the contents of a refrigerator door. “With all those pictures hanging side by side / Forgotten memories from another time/ And all the places that I’ve been before/ A couple magnets, recipes, and Polaroids / Yeah, but that’s my life on the ‘frigerator door.”

“Even Though I’m Leaving” is the chill-inducing moment of the EP, taking listeners on a journey through a father and son’s special relationship. It starts with monsters under the bed then moves to the son leaving for the military, ultimately ending with the father’s passing. The message here is clear on the simple yet intense chorus, as Combs sings, “Even though I’m leaving, I ain’t going nowhere.”

What Combs does best is on full display on this EP, weaving powerful lyrics over anthemic country music. He takes us through a wide range of emotions including nostalgia, love, and loss. Not to be missed are “Moon Over Mexico,” a slow jam that celebrates a magical moment in Mexico, and “Lovin’ On You,” where Combs brings the party to the exciting buzz that comes from new love.

When it comes to modern country, many new acts are more style than substance, but Luke Combs is truly an exception. He shines by simply releasing solid songs with an unmatched voice. The Prequel is a perfect example of that and is truly just another step towards his superstardom.

Combs will hit Long Island’s Mulcahy’s Pub and Concert Hall next week for an acoustic show with Hunter Hayes, Gone West, and Aaron Goodvin.

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

The Prequel – EP 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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Brett Young Tells His Real Life Story in the Visual for “Catch”

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Brett Young Catch

Country singer-songwriter, Brett Young returned to his alma mater, Ole Miss, to shoot the music video for his next radio single, “Catch” off his newest record Ticket to L.A. Watch the video below!

The song, which was co-written by Ashley Gorley and Ross Copperman, takes place at a bar. Young sings about how he just wants to go out with the boys and take in a game but then sees a girl who steals all his attention. The visual, however, takes place on the baseball field. Young is the star pitcher of the Ole Miss Baseball team. While on the mound, he catches a glimpse of the young, attractive girl in the front row who returns the same look. They meet up after the game to get milkshakes and just like that they’re campus’ cutest couple. He waits for her to get out of class and greets her with lunch and she’s at every game, cheering on her new boyfriend as he strikes out a bevy of opposing hitters.

This feel-good story suddenly takes a turn for the worst. After Young throws his next pitch, he immediately clutches his right arm in pain as the ball sails over the fence. He heads to the training room to be treated; his girlfriend following to comfort him in his time of need. His bullpen session the next day does not go well as the coaches agree to shut him down for what would end up becoming forever.

This video is based on Young’s true life. Young, slated for a career in professional baseball, suffered a serious elbow injury that would halt his ability to pitch for good. Luckily for Young, he was blessed with two outstanding gifts growing up; his pitching arm and his voice. Young began singing in high school as a worship leader and became inspired by country music through Gavin DeGraw records. “Chapters”, another track off the new album features DeGraw and is all about Young’s life in baseball.
The story does a complete 360 as Young catches a young boy’s pitch on the same baseball field Young used to pitch in. He then grabs the boy’s hand and walks off the field.

“Catch” was a Most Added song at country radio this week, debuting on the chart at number 48. The music video was directed by Seth Kupersmith, who also directed the video for Young’s “Mercy”.

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

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New Country Music Friday – The Playlist 6/7/19

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It’s our favorite part of the week, New Music Friday! As the follow up to 2017’s This One’s For You, Luke Combs’ released The Prequel – EP today (June 7), featuring 5 new songs, including the project’s first single, the anthemic “Beer Never Broke My Heart.” Check out our full first impression review here.

Additionally, we hear new music from Ryan Hurd, Clare Bowen, Chase Rice, Runaway June, Gone West and more.

Check out all the new music and more on 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!

Subscribe to our Weekly Round-Up here 
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