Swag Spotlight: Jillian Jacqueline

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Jillian Jacqueline

 

New York Country Swag 2018 Artist to Watch and our next Swag Spotlight, Jillian Jacqueline, grew up in Pennslyvania where she found herself the odd one out, listening to country music.  Her mother who was from South Carolina only listened to country music and CMT was the only television station they would watch, she recalled during our recent interview.

From a young age, music was important to Jacqueline and her entire family.  Her sisters were in a family band that sang at weddings and festivals. They covered everything from The Beatles and Carol King to James Taylor and The Eagles, rounding out her childhood influences. Moving to New York City with her family when she was thirteen, her musical palette expanded. Throughout her teenage years she was a fan of punk rock bands such as Third Eye Blind and All American Rejects.  “That heavily shaped my melodic sense on top of the country music that I grew up on. Now what I do is sort of a melting pot of all of those different influences. As it is with a lot of artists, I feel like it is the roots of what you grew up on and then the music you got into in your teen college years, that all meshes together.” she tells us.

Jillian Jacqueline was signed to Big Loud Records in March of 2017, she released her first project for the record label, Side A back in September. The project as a whole is in one word, vulnerable.  Showcasing her songwriting skills and unique take on the country genre, Side A has a little something for all fans and is completely relatable. The lead single from the EP is “Reasons” and has racked up over 12 million spins on Spotify since it was released.  The song was written after Jacqueline decided to tap into her emotions and use her songwriting sessions as therapy after a tough breakup.  “It turned out to be some of the most honest stuff I have ever written,” she explained.  Just a week ago, she made her late night TV debut on Seth Meyers to sing “Reasons.” Check out the video below.

Each song highlights a personal detail of her life, which has prompted fans to reach out and explain how the songs have helped them.  “I like to say it was sort of like jumping off a cliff naked, releasing these songs, it was so true to life,” she laughed.  Proud of the human connection she has created, she says, “That’s why we are here”.  When she recorded the songs for Side A, she explained she had seven more songs that she recorded as well, so hopefully, in 2018 she will release her first full-length album.

Jacqueline hits the road this summer with opening slots on two of the hottest tours this year, Thomas Rhett’s Life Changes Tour and Brett Eldredge’s The Long Way Tour.  She will also be joined by another one of our NYCS 2018 Artists to Watch, Jordan Davis on The White Wine and Whiskey Tour.

For more about Jillian Jacqueline be sure to be following her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here for her full list of tour dates for the new year.

 

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Granger Smith and Smithfield Entertain Fans at Irving Plaza

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Granger Smith

 

Last night, Granger Smith fans came out in droves to support the singer at Irving Plaza.  Plaid-wearing country fans packed out both floors of the famed NYC venue to catch Granger Smith, his alter-ego Earl Dibbles, Jr., and opening act, Smithfield on the first night of the “Don’t Tread On Me” Tour.

 

Smithfield

 

Rising country duo, Smithfield, took the stage to warm up the eager crowd.  Singing songs from their 2015 self-titled EP including the first song that Sirius XM The Highway played “Nothing But the Night”.  Mid-set, they hyped up the crowd with their  medley of cover songs including Justin Timberlake’s “Cry Me A River”, Shania Twain’s “That Don’t Impress Me Much”, and even the classic Goo Goo Dolls song, “Iris”.  Closing out the 45 minute set with their latest single (slated to head to country radio this week) “Hey Whiskey”, Smithfield’s harmonies and incredible on-stage chemistry was the perfect way to kick off the night. Check out an exclusive acoustic performance of the song during our New York Country Swag Session.

 

Granger Smith

 

With this being both the first show of the tour and of 2018, Granger Smith was primed for an energetic night.  Opening his set with “Gimme Something”, it was instantly apparent how equally happy he was to be on that stage and his fans were to hear him sing.  He spent the entire night fist bumping and high fiving the lucky fans who waited online in the bitter cold to be front row. Throughout the set, he alternated between songs from his latest album When the Good Guys Win and from his earlier albums such as Remington. 

Taking a moment to slow things down, he grabbed a stool and sat on the edge of the stage to chat with his audience.  “This is my first full band show in New York City and it’s an honor that we get to play here and that you guys come out to see us,” he says.  “We get to see a lot of cool places but it comes at a price, we miss birthdays, weddings, funerals, being a dad and a husband it’s hard and sometimes I have to ask myself if it’s worth it?  Then I come out here on a Thursday night in New York City and I see your faces and see you reacting emotionally to these songs and that tells me it is definitely worth it.”  He then sang one of the most powerful songs on his newest LP, “Everybody Lives”.

 

Granger Smith

 

The night wouldn’t be complete without Smith transforming into his alter ego, Earl Dibbles, Jr. “NYC is officially Yee Yee nation tonight,” Smith yelled as he appeared on stage dressed in his signature overalls, boots, tank top and trucker cap. He rolled a cooler out on to the stage and cranked the end of the party up a notch.  Singing “Don’t Tread On Me” and “If The Boot Fits” to close out the night, Smith proved he is a mega entertainer. Fans that will catch this tour in the future are in for a fun, high-energy filled set.  Click here for the rest of the tour dates and ticket information.

 

Granger Smith and NYCountry Swag

 

Days before the show, New York Country Swag hosted a special Meet & Greet contest for our followers. We gave one lucky winner a pair of Meet & Greets for Granger Smith before the show. Congrats to our winner & thank you for supporting New York Country Swag! Make sure you’re following us on instagram for contests, ticket giveaway & more!

 

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Thanks for supporting Country Music in NYC!

Click Here to learn more about NYCountry Swag
+ Follow our Country Music Adventures on Instagram, @NYCOUNTRYSWAG!

– Team NYCountry Swag

 

Devin Dawson Dark Horse

First Impression: Devin Dawson ‘Dark Horse’

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Devin Dawson Dark Horse

 

Continuing the trend of great music being released in the new year, Devin Dawson‘s debut full-length album Dark Horse is finally here.  The soulful crooner grew up near the famed Folsom Prison in Calfornia, yes the same one that Johnny Cash performed at in the 1950’s.  Dawson is proud of his California roots, and the steps he took to get to where he is today in the music industry. Including spending time in a heavy metal band and growing up listening to R&B music as well as country music.

 

His highly anticipated album, Dark Horse is a culmination of years working towards releasing music to the world.  The lead single, “All On Me” has garnered over 43 million streams on Spotify, introducing his new blend of music to country music fans who are looking for something different.

Highlights on the LP include the title track, which unapologetically describes Dawson himself, his outlook on life and his career. (“Anyone who ain’t afraid to stray off course / My heart bleeds for country music, where the honest outlaw truth is / no I ain’t no white knight, I’m a little more dark horse.”)  

 

 

Dawson spins lyrics into images with “War Paint” a tale of revenge on a cheating man. (“She ain’t crazy but she’s gonna make him pay / you can see it on her face, black mascara moulin rouge, blood red lipstick high heeled shoes / it’s her turn to do him wrong, that ain’t makeup that she got on, its war paint / go on girl  make that man feel your pain”) The record ends with “Prison” which a rocking mid-tempo closer, paralleling a love story to unavoidable confinement.

Late in 2017, Dawson performed in an intimate setting at New York City’s Rockwood Music Hall, introducing members of the music industry to these new songs.  Check out a full recap of the evening here.  Listen to the full album below.

 

 

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Click Here to learn more about NYCountry Swag
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– Team NYCountry Swag

 

 

 

LANco Plays New Album, “Hallelujah Nights” to a Packed Out Gramercy Theatre…

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LANCo

LANco took the stage last night at The Gramercy Theatre in Manhattan and played cuts off their debut album which is available everywhere tomorrow. “The album is called Hallelujah Nights, just like nights like tonight that you spend with your friends and family.” Brandon Lancaster, the lead singer of the band told the packed house. He explained to the crowd how this week was a historic one for them as a band, getting to play shows in New York City and releasing their very first full-length album.  We were first introduced to LANco back in 2016 when they opened for Brothers Osborne, now they are headlining their very own show.

Lanco

They played songs off their album including “Pick You Up” and the title track, “Hallelujah Nights” as well as covers of Alabama’s classic,”Dixieland Delight” and John Michael Montgomery’s “Sold”.  “A full room like this in New York City is a dream come true for us,” Lancaster said before singing “Long Live Tonight” which was featured on their EP released back in 2016.  Taking a moment to ask the crowd to split, Lancaster then jumped into the audience holding a giant drum and interacted with his biggest NYC fans.

The album features 11 tracks that tell the story of young and small town living, chronically the way the band members grew up.  The title track encompasses the feel-good notion that the band wanted to ensure when fans were listening to the record, just being able to look around and enjoy all that life has given you. 

“These are the hallelujah nights / These are the best days of our life / The ones we won’t get back / The ones that go too fast / The ones that make you feel like heaven might be right next to ya / Throw your hands up, hallelujah / These hallelujah nights”

“We wanted the album to reflect our worldview,” Lancaster told the Tennessean in a recent interview. “The album explores a lot of different times in your life, whether it’s finding love or losing love or being broke. But knowing that all of those things are things you can rally around and celebrate the fact that you’re going through these different stages in life. That’s a connection we have with our fans is they are all going through the same things.”

The band ended 2017 by celebrating their first no. 1 single, “Greatest Love Story” which they used to close out the night, all of the audience swayed along and sang every word.

 

Days before the show, New York Country Swag hosted a special ticket giveaway contest for our followers. We gave two lucky winners a pair of tickets to the show. Upon arriving at the venue, our contest winners were surprised with a special meet & greet. Congrats to our winners & thank you for supporting New York Country Swag! Make sure you’re following us on Instagram for contests, ticket giveaway & more!

 

 

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Thanks for supporting Country Music in NYC!

Click Here to learn more about NYCountry Swag
+ Follow our Country Music Adventures on Instagram, @NYCOUNTRYSWAG!

– Team NYCountry Swag

 

 

Maren Morris, Brothers Osborne & Eric Church to Honor Vegas Victims at Grammys 2018

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Grammys Vegas Victims Tribute

Maren Morris, Eric Church and Brothers Osborne each took the stage back in the fall in Las Vegas for the Route 91 Festival before tragedy struck when a gunman killed 58 concertgoers and wounded more than 500 on October 1st. All three artists will team up to hit the stage during the 60th Annual Grammy Awards to pay tribute to those lives lost at Route 91 as well as the victims at the bombing in Manchester, England at the Ariana Grande concert.

“Live music events have always provided a safe space for fans to gather in a shared celebration of music,” President/CEO of the Recording Academy, Neil Portnow, said in a statement. “Sadly, that wasn’t always the case this past year. We believe it’s incredibly important to pay tribute to those who lost their lives in these senseless tragedies and to remind musicians and music lovers alike that live music will continue to be a powerful force that unites us all.”

Morris is nominated in the same category she won at last year’s awards, Best Country Solo Performance while Brothers Osborne are up for Best Country Duo/Group Performance.   The 60th Annual Grammy Awards will air live on January 28th on CBS.

 

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Click Here to learn more about NYCountry Swag
+ Follow our Country Music Adventures on Instagram, @NYCOUNTRYSWAG!

– Team NYCountry Swag

 

 

Save-the-Dates: Major Country Music Tour Announcements…

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Over the past few days, some of our favorite country acts have announced their 2018 tours and they are all heading to the metro area!

First up, Lady Antebellum announced they will be co-headlining with Darius Rucker and bringing Russell Dickerson on the road.  The “Summer Plays On Tour” will stop at PNC Bank Arts Center in New Jersey on August 3rd and Northwell Jones Beach Theater on August 4th.  Tickets and more info available at LadyAntebellum.com

Lady A Tour Announcements

 

Announced last night at an intimate show at the Exit/In in Nashville, Keith Urban will release his new album early this year and is hitting the road with Kelsea Ballerini.  The “GraffitiU World Tour” heads to Barclays Center on October 27th.  Tickets and info here.

Keith Urban Graffiti U Tour Announcements

 

Last but not least, earlier today Jason Aldean announced a 34-city “High Noon Neon Tour” featuring rising stars, Lauren Alaina and Luke Combs. The tour stops at the iconic Madison Square Garden on Saturday, August 11th.

Jason Aldean Tour Announcements

 

Be sure to be following us on Instagram for the latest and greatest in NYC Country news, ticket giveaways, meet & greet contests & more!

 

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Thanks for supporting Country Music in NYC!

Click Here to learn more about NYCountry Swag
+ Follow our Country Music Adventures on Instagram, @NYCOUNTRYSWAG!

– Team NYCountry Swag

 

 

Smithfield Live

NYCS Exclusive: “Hey Whiskey” – Smithfield (LIVE)

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Jennifer Fielder and Trey Smith who make up country duo, Smithfield stopped by The Barrel Room at Park Avenue Tavern to perform their latest single “Hey Whiskey” for a New York Country Swag Session.  The intimate setting and incredible acoustics made for quite the moment, highlighting the duo’s beautiful harmonies.  The song, written by Jennifer and Trey along with their friends, Casey Derhak and Adam Wood, decided to put a new spin on the same old drinking songs.

 

 

The song is going to country radio this week as Smithfield joins Granger Smith on his winter tour.  The tour kicks off at Irving Plaza tomorrow night, Thursday, January 18th.  Grab your tickets here.

If you like what you hear, make sure to share this on your socials and let us know what you think! Follow Smithfield on Twitter, Instagram & Facebook.

 

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Thanks for supporting Country Music in NYC!

Click Here to learn more about NYCountry Swag
+ Follow our Country Music Adventures on Instagram, @NYCOUNTRYSWAG!

– Team NYCountry Swag

 

 

Dierks Bentley Gives Sneak Peak into New Album with Latest Single, “Woman, Amen”…

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If “Woman, Amen” is any indication of what’s to come from Dierks Bentley‘s new album The Mountain, fans should look forward to heading back to Bentley’s roots. The uptempo anthem was written with Bentley’s frequent cowriters Ross Copperman and Josh Kear.  It is a passionate love song dedicated to his wife Cassidy and is deeply personal for the singer.

“I feel like it all starts at home with my wife,” he told Billboard. “She is who grounds me, she is also the one who has helped me to grow as a person over all these years, so I feel if I’m going to tell these stories (on this album) right, I need to start with her.”

The accompanying video above shows the rustic cabin where the song was recorded as well as incredible shots of forests, steep hills and wheat blowing in the wind. Bentley is not only expressing appreciation for the love and devotion from his wife but also taking the time to soak in all that mother nature and this world have to offer. The Mountain is slated for release this Spring.

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Zac Brown/Sir Rosevelt’s, “It Goes On” Featured in New War Movie, ’12 Strong’…

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Sir Roosevelt - 12 Strong

 

In addition to recently releasing their debut album, Sir Rosevelt, (the newly formed southern pop group consisting of Zac Brown, Niko Moon and Ben Simonetti), have a new song that will be featured in the upcoming movie, ’12 Strong.’

The war drama, starring Chris Hemsworth and Michael Shannon, is a story of heroism based on true events that unfolded in the aftermath of 9/11.  Zac Brown’s familiar voice lends itself to a song about the resilience of love in the face of adversity, fear, and doubt, over a chilling acoustic arrangement.

Take a listen to the new track below available everywhere today and ’12 Strong’ will be in theaters everywhere this Friday, January 19th.

 

 

Want more of Zac Brown? Don’t miss Zac Brown Band’s return to New York on the ‘Down The Rabbit Hole’ Tour hitting Citifield on July 28th & 29th. Check out tour info & more dates here.

 

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Thanks for supporting Country Music in NYC!

Click Here to learn more about NYCountry Swag
+ Follow our Country Music Adventures on Instagram, @NYCOUNTRYSWAG!

– Team NYCountry Swag

Swag Spotlight: Kaylee Rutland

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Kaylee Rutland

 

When Kaylee Rutland was just eight years old she recalls raising her hand to sing a solo during her church choir show and was immediately bit by the performance bug. “It was the best feeling in the world and I knew I wanted to do this all of the time. It is something that I will always remember.”  She spent her childhood in Flower Mound, Texas, and grew up  listening to Christian music and Radio Disney, before falling in love with country music.  “It’s always been country music for me, in particular, I would listen to Reba, Carrie Underwood, and Sara Evans,” she recalls.

After graduating high school, Rutland made the move to Nashville to attend Belmont University as a Music Business major. She graduated this past December and attributes so much to her college experience.  Having heard from songwriters in the industry how they wished they had gotten a degree in the inner workings of the music industry, she decided to pursue that track and outside of class take voice lessons and go to songwriting sessions, ultimately creating a good balance of knowledge.  “Getting to take what I learned in the classroom at Belmont and then apply it to my own career and mix being a student with being a musician has been fantastic,” she says of her four years at Belmont.

Her EP, That Side of Me, released in October features five original songs, all of which Rutland co-wrote as well as a new twist on Adele’s “Rumor Has It”.  She explains how some of the tracks were written four years ago while others were written and recorded just months before the EP was released.  “I wanted a variety of songs that showcased a different side of me as an artist, as a 22-year-old girl and I hope that each of the songs speak out to other people and show them different sides of them as well,” she says of the project. She has learned that being vulnerable and going into a songwriting session and opening up to the other writers is the way to find great, honest lyrics.  “That’s what I love about country music, so much of it is real, it’s really just somebody sitting there with a guitar and pouring our their thoughts,”  Rutland says.

Kaylee decided that the EP should close with a cover, and she knew that she could take a song that wasn’t a traditional country song and transform it into something new with an added twist.  After one of her bandmates suggested an Adele song, she recalls laughing to herself thinking she couldn’t sing an Adele song, however, she took the upbeat revenge song and made it her own.

Looking forward to life as a college graduate, Rutland is excited to have her classroom days behind her and not have to balance her school schedule with her music career.  “I plan on doing a lot more widespread performances, I am always performing in Texas and in Nashville, but I would love to get to more places around the country that I haven’t been before,” she explains.  For more about Kaylee Rutland be sure to be following her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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Thanks for supporting Country Music in NYC!

Click Here to learn more about NYCountry Swag
+ Follow our Country Music Adventures on Instagram, @NYCOUNTRYSWAG!

– Team NYCountry Swag