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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Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC & Beyond!

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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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Kassi Ashton Pays Homage to her Hometown in “Field Party”

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Kassi Ashton Field Party

One of our 2019 Artists to Watch, Kassi Ashton is an exciting up and coming female artist, hailing from Missouri. She has a flair for blurring genre lines, writing unique, yet real lyrics, and unapologetically being true to herself and her artistry. Earlier this year, she released a haunting ballad entitled, “Pretty Shiny Things,” which highlighted her powerful and vulnerable vocals. The singer-songwriter is following up that ballad with an anthemic up-tempo jam, “Field Party.”

Proving that she beats to her own drum, Ashton announced via Twitter that she was dropping the new song for fans, who signed up on her website, against advice. She was told to not drop the tune, prior to CMA Fest. The songstress joked, “the Illuminati said I couldn’t put this song out before CMA Fest, so I”m putting it out before CMA Fest,” encouraging fans to “turn the damn volume up,” when listening to the new track.

The enticing track features R&B and even hip hop influences from the first beat. Although Ashton’s distinctively country twang shines through, she adds some flavor with a rhythmic talking/rapping verse and a head-bopping melody. Singing a verse to her female fans, she invites the ladies to dance along to the track, “make them shake in their boots girl.”

“Field Party” is a stylistic ode to her hometown, California, Missouri, reminding fans that she knows exactly who she is and where she comes from. The new jam is one of those tracks that will be playing on repeat in your head and on your music playlist! To listen before it is released everywhere, head to www.kassiashton.com and enter your email address.

“Don’t got to be country music / You can drop a beat / And if there’s trouble out here, we don’t call the police / I can go back anytime that I wanna / Aye, all ya’ll just holler / I can go back anytime that I wanna.”

Ashton will be a staple at festivals this summer. She makes her first stop at the iconic CMA Fest in Nashville, playing both the Chevy Breakout Stage and Nissan Stadium this weekend. The songstress is also slated to play at LakeShake Festival, Country Concert Festival, and the Faster Horses Festival.

New Yorkers are in luck because Ashton makes her New York City debut at the Radio City Music Hall on September 6th, opening up for Maren Morris. For tickets and more information, head to kassiashton.com.

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

 

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Chris Lane Releases Feel-Good Video for His Next Single “Fishin'”

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Platinum-selling country superstar Chris Lane released the music video to his feel-good summer song “Fishin'” and watching it will make you want to be beachside. “Fishin” is the latest off of Lane’s hit sophomore album Laps Around The Sun, and is filmed on a pier overlooking the waves crashing in beautiful Pensacola Beach, Florida. Directed by Justin Clough and penned by Florida Georgia Line’s Brian Kelley, Josh Thompson, and Matt Dragstrem “Fishin” is a light-hearted love song about escaping and enjoying life with a summer fling.

As a couple dances playfully in the sand, Lane sings the chorus, “And when they ask us where we’re heading / We’ll say somewhere where they’re biting / Little secret spot hiding / When them lighting bugs are bugging/Catch a buzz and catch a feeling / Just reeling you in / Stealing kisses, just go missing / When they ask where we’ve been / We’ll call it fishin.'” Whether it is cruising on the boat, playing guitar on the pier, or hanging out in the beach town, Lane sings along to what looks like the perfect date.

“Fishin'” is the latest song to be released by Lane after his chart-topper “I Don’t Know About You” and the hit collaboration “Take Back Home Girl” with Tori Kelly. His album Laps Around The Sun landed at #1 on iTunes Top Country and was named one of Billboard’s Top 10 Country Album’s. After closing out the second leg of his successful headlining Laps Around The Sun tour in January, Lane is joining Brad Paisley on his 2019 World Tour across the U.S. and Europe. Later in the year, Lane will be joining Danielle Bradbery, Travis Denning, and Rachel Wammack in the U.K. as part of CMA’s Introducing Nashville series.

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

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Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC & Beyond!

Subscribe to our Weekly Round-Up here 
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