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Walker Hayes Entertains at American Beauty & Brings Out a Special Guest

October 31, 2017/in Blog, Concert Reviews /by Christina Bosch

With his 10-track album, Boom slated for release in just over a month, Walker Hayes the talented country artist played to a packed NYC venue last night. The Alabama native and father of six gives a unique spin to the country genre, combining spoken word and song. While some artists in the genre are lacing their latest hits with pop or R&B, Hayes infuses his clever lyrics with hip-hop to create something new.

Although this wasn’t his first show in the big apple, Hayes was grateful to be back again, this time with a full band. He played songs off his 8tracks Vol. 1 including “Beautiful”, “Dollar Store” and his breakout radio hit “You Broke Up With Me”, as well as “Beckett”, “Break the Internet” and “Your Girlfriend Does” off of his second installment of his 8tracks.

Two highlights of the night included with Hayes took a moment to slow things down and tell a story about life before his newly found fame. Explaining that before his record deal with Monument Records, he was working the morning shift at Costco, his car was falling apart and he didn’t have the money to fix it. Using his daughter’s thumbtacks to hold up the material of the roof and wondering if he should continue to pursue his dreams of a music career, he wrote “Lela’s Stars”.

Several times throughout the night, Hayes thanked the audience for being there, for knowing his lyrics and for singing them back to him. As a surprise to the fans, Nicolle Galyon, number one hit songwriter joined Hayes on stage to sing the chorus of the song they wrote together “Halloween”. The duet was fitting considering the show took place one night before the beloved holiday.

The 60-minute set allowed fans to dig deeper into what Hayes’ brings to the table as an artist and a songwriter. He is genuine and his lyrics reflect the good and bad parts of his life thus far. Pre-order Boom on iTunes here and automatically get “Beautiful”, “Halloween” and “You Broke Up With Me”.

Walker Hayes in New York City with New York Country Swag Managing Editor, Christina Bosch (Left) and New York Country Swag Founder, Stephanie Wagner (Right)

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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

NYCS First Impression: Granger Smith ‘When the Good Guys Win’

October 27, 2017/in Blog, First Impression /by Christina Bosch

Granger Smith’s latest album, When the Good Guys Win is available everywhere today. While his last record Remington featured only songs Smith wrote, this album leans away from that a bit, letting the best song win and features a mix of songs from many different writers. He decided to be the voice of some great songs written by Frank Rogers, Ben Hayslip, Tommy Cecil and Seth Ennis. Smith, however, did co-write eight of the fourteen tracks making this project well rounded and unapologetically honest.

The first single off of the project, “Happens Like That” was written by Smith along with Jordan M. Schmidt, Andrew Albert, Justin Wilson and Florida Georgia Line’s Tyler Hubbard. It is currently sitting in the top 40 on the country charts and is only the first of probably many from the project that will take to country radio.

His giant fan base, known as “Yee Yee Nation” has organically grown over his career and this record will allow his audience to dig deep into the next phase of his career. All of the songs have a strong tie to love, faith and being grateful for what life has given you. While “Everybody Lives”, “Reppin’ My Roots” and “Home Cooked Meal” are raw, meaningful and poignant, the record also has plenty of fun moments for the live show. “Still Holds Up” and “When the Good Guys Win” are feel-good songs that help to round out the project.

One of the highlights is “Raise Up Your Glass”, encouraging listeners to relish in the little victories in life.

“Raise up your glass and make a toast / to all the times that mean the most / Go on and let your worries roll right off your back / We still got some memories left to make / a whole lot of shots left to take / so let’s hold ’em high and live tonight like it’s our last / raise up your glass.”

You can almost see concert-goers lifting up their beers in the air, singing along to the anthemic track.

For fans of Smith’s alter ego, Earl Dibble’s Jr., don’t worry he makes an appearance in the 13th song, “Don’t Tread on Me”. “Each of these 14 tracks fills an important space and it is my hope that they take you on a ride through peaks and valleys, from light-hearted to painfully honest and then back out again,” Smith says in a recent press release. Wrapping up his opening spot on Luke Bryan’s Huntin’ Fishin’ Lovin’ Tour and kicking off his own headlining “Don’t Tread On Me” tour, Smith is busy as ever promoting his brand new album. Check out the full tour dates below and grab When the Good Guys Win on iTunes.

“Don’t Tread On Me” Headlining Tour (11/3 – 12/29)

11/3/17 7 Flags Event Center Clive, IA

11/4/17 Surf Ballroom Clear Lake, IA

11/5/17 The Blue Note Columbia, MO

11/10/17 Grand Casino Mille Lacs – Event Center Onamia, MN

11/11/17 Limelight Eventplex Peoria, IL

11/16/17 The Stage on Bay Savannah, GA

11/17/17 Double Dee’s Ranch West Palm Beach, FL

11/18/17 The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon Fort Myers, FL

11/22/17 Stampede Houston Houston, TX

12/14/17 The City Center Champaign, IL

12/15/17 8 Seconds Saloon Indianapolis, IN

12/16/17 The Intersection Grand Rapids, MI

12/17/17 The Machine Shop Flint, MI

12/29/17 Brewster Street Ice House Corpus Christi, TX

Granger Smith in New York City with New York Country Swag Managing Editor, Christina Bosch (Left) and New York Country Swag Founder, Stephanie Wagner (Right)

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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

NYCountry Swag: For the Modern Country Fan

October 26, 2017/in Blog /by Stephanie Wagner

Based in New York City, New York Country Swag is the only special events, promotions, and marketing agency for Country Music in New York.

In this video, Stephanie Wagner, Founder, takes you into the world of New York Country Swag…

Learn More & Shop our Hero Collection here + Join the Weekly Round-Up for upcoming event reminders, ticket giveaways and more!

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Thanks for supporting Country Music in New York City!

Follow our Country Music Adventures on Instagram, @NYCOUNTRYSWAG
+ Shop the Store for your favorite Country Swag & Tag us to be featured. #nycountryswag

– Team NYCountry Swag

[Watch] #TBT Russell Dickerson Covers Justin Bieber

October 26, 2017/in #TBT, Blog /by Christina Bosch

Check out this #ThrowbackThursday to brighten your afternoon. Russell Dickerson covering Justin Bieber’s “One Less Lonely Girl” uploaded to YouTube 6 years ago!

If you haven’t downloaded Yours, yet, grab your copy here and check out our First Impression here.

WIN a Meet & Greet with Walker Hayes…

October 24, 2017/in Blog, Contests /by Stephanie Wagner

NYC – Who’s joining us to see Walker Hayes LIVE from NYC at American Beauty on Monday, 10/30!?

We’ve got your chance to win an exclusive Meet & Greet with Walker before the show!

*Don’t forget you *MUST* have tickets to the show to qualify.
Purchase your tickets here, then enter for a chance to win a pair of Meet & Greets below!

Whoops! This contest has ended. Be sure to follow us for giveaways, upcoming events & more!

NYCountry Swag Takes Nashville :: The Round-Up

October 24, 2017/in Blog, NYCountry Swag Pop-Up Sets /by Christina Bosch

Nashville, Tennessee has so much to offer including great live music, delicious places to eat and plenty to do. Earlier this month, New York Country Swag spent three jam-packed days exploring everything Music City has to offer.

Right off the plane, we headed to see our friend, Gracie Moakler (wife of rising country star, Steve Moakler) at Thread Co. to check out their shop and see where their incredible custom made clothes are created. Keep a lookout for a full interview with Gracie hitting the blog soon.

After a quick bite to eat at Bartaco, we stopped by Broken Bow Records to chat with JoJamie Hahr, the VP of Marketing for the label. BBR is home to some of your favorite country artists including Jason Aldean, Dustin Lynch, Chase Rice, Randy Houser and Lindsey Ell. The record label offices are located on Music Row, which is the heart of the music industry in Nashville. Music Row is home to hundreds of businesses, recording studios and writers rooms where your favorite music is written, recorded, produced and marketed.

Next, it was off to the Grand Ole Opry where we were treated to an incredible VIP tour and to some really emotional performances. Check out our full recap of our night at the Opry here.

Our second day in Nashville started off bright and early at the Cumulus Studios to hang with Ty, Kelly & Chuck’s morning show. We also took a tour around the building, checking out Kix Brooks’ recording studio and where Nash Nights Live with Elaina Smith and Shawn Parr is taped. Click here for more from our stop at the studio.

We headed to Hillsboro Village to eat at The Grilled Cheeserie, which offers not only insanely delicious and gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches but great desserts and a friendly atmosphere. For a full recap of all of the food and the milkshakes, they treated us too, click here.

To continue our busy day, we headed to a number 1 party for Midland’s debut single “Drinkin’ Problem” at The Sutler which celebrated the writers, the artists, and producers of the song. Read more here.

Next up was a pre-party hang with Russell Dickerson and his entire team next door to the Exit-In. Russell’s sold-out album release show was so much fun and we were so happy to be able to fly in from New York to be there to support him. Check out a full recap of the show here.

Our last full day in Music City started off with a new trend in things to do, Goat Yoga. Yes, you read that right, we traveled to Brentwood, TN about forty minutes outside of Nashville to start our morning off with a yoga class with baby goats. The best part was the goats were all ready for October and Halloween, dressed in costumes. Read more about our Goat Yoga experience here.

Our last stop included eating lunch and learning how to make FGL House’s signature cocktails. The atmosphere is unapologetically, Florida Georiga Line, with memorabilia and artwork of the duo hung on the walls, you feel like you are walking into Tyler Hubbard or Brian Kelley’s house. With great food and even greater views, check out more about FGL House here.

The New York Country Swag team wants to thank everyone who opened their offices, restaurants, and hearts to us during our visit. We had the best time and will certainly be back soon.

The Enchanting Magic of The Grand Ole Opry

October 24, 2017/in Blog, NYCountry Swag Takes Nashville /by Christina Bosch

We are sure that you have heard the name Grand Ole Opry before but few people understand the sheer magnitude of what it feels like to stand in that building surrounded by the rich Nashville history of country music. The Opry began as a simple radio broadcast back in 1925 and still to this day is broadcast on live radio. Among a few other venues throughout the early years, the Ryman Auditorium in downtown Nashville was the home of the show until 1974 when it moved to its newly built Grand Ole Opry House.

Earlier this month, the New York Country Swag team was treated to an incredible VIP backstage tour of the Opry. Walking through those hallowed halls, you feel the presence of all of the artists who have stepped into the circle, laughed backstage and made their mark on country music. We were taken through the special entrance where all of the artists enter for the evening, past the wall of names of all of the current members and their mailboxes where fans can write letters and have it reach the artist directly.

Each dressing room is unique, with the decor emulating the reason for the room. One room that is particularly special is the “Into the Circle” which is set aside for artists to prepare for their debut Opry performance. The walls are lined with photographs of the Opry’s most memorable moments including Garth Brooks, Little Jimmy Dickens, Carrie Underwood and Randy Travis hugging and much more.

Making your way to the side of the stage you can look out on the packed house each night, listening to their favorite artists who are standing in the same wooden circle that has stood the test of time.

On that particular night, artists Maddie & Tae, Chris Janson, Brooks and Dunn and Keith Urban were among a few of the artists to take the stage. Highlights of the night included Brooks and Dunn performing together at the Opry for the first time in many years to sing “Believe”, “Red Dirt Road” and “My Maria”. Closing out the night, Keith Urban performed with just his guitar, putting a different spin on his hits including “Wasted Time” and “Blue Ain’t Your Color”. Inviting Chris Janson to the stage, to duet on John Michael Montgomery’s 1995 No. 1 hit, “Sold (The Grundy County Auction Incident)” the performance was definitely one to remember.

New Yorkers are going to get the opportunity to experience the Grand Ole Opry right here at home with the opening of Opry City Stage in Times Square. The first home away from home, this authentic venue will have four levels of music and southern hospitality allowing fans from all over the world a chance to experience a real country music show. Be sure to follow along to find out more information on the opening and events here and on their social media (Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.)

For more on our ‘New York Country Swag Takes Nashville’ experience, click 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

NYCountry Swag Heads To NASH FM Studios in Nashville

October 24, 2017/in Blog, NYCountry Swag Takes Nashville /by Christina Bosch

Whether you are in New York City, Nashville, Michigan or Florida NASH FM’s morning show with Ty Kelly & Chuck and Nash Nights Live are syndicated throughout the country, blaring through your radio with the best country music and interviews with your favorite artists.

During out ‘New York Country Swag Takes Nashville’ Experience, New York Country Swag took a tour of the studios where the magic happens, where artists are interviewed and where plenty of antics happen. We happened to be sitting in on the live Ty Chuck & Kelly Mornings show which was #WicksWednesday, both Ty Bentli and Kelly Ford were dressed as Chuck Wicks. We got to see the behind the scenes of the show, listen to a #10-minutetune written by guest, Ayla Brown, about the new mystery Oreo competition and hear some of our favorite songs.

The morning also included a tour of additional Cumulus studios including Kix Brooks’ very own studio where he records American Country Countdown. The space is filled with photos and memorabilia throughout the years that Kix has collected from friends, fans, and artists. Elaina Smith and Shawn Parr also work out of the Nash Studios recording their night show, Nash Nights Live.

We loved getting a chance to meet the Nashville crew, introduce them to New YorkCountry Swag and explain the story behind our Hero Collection.

In New York, catch Ty, Chuck & Kelly Mornings weekdays from 5:00 AM- 10:00 AM and Nash Nights Live with Shawn & Elaina weekdays from 7:00 PM-Midnight.

For more from our ‘New York Country Swag Takes Nashville’ Experience, click here.

Midland Reaches #1 with “Drinkin’ Problem” & Celebrates at The Sutler

October 24, 2017/in Blog, NYCountry Swag Takes Nashville /by Christina Bosch

Friends, family, and members of the industry lined the wall of The Sutler bar and restaurant in Nashville Wednesday, October 11th to join the trio, Midland, co-writers Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne who also produced the song along with Dan Hough to celebrate their debut single hitting the number one spot on the charts. “Drinkin’ Problem” was the first single off of their first full-length album, On The Rocks.

As a part of New York Country Swag Takes Nashville week, we were invited to attend this prestigious event and take part in the festivities. The afternoon was co-sponsored by BMI and ASCAP the performance rights organizations.

Among the speakers at the event, Scott Borchetta, head of Big Machine Records, Midland’s label took the stage to congratulate all involved saying “One of these days, we’re going to look back and say, ‘Do you remember when Midland had their first No. 1?”

The event ended with each member of the band taking the microphone to emotionally thank everyone in the room and each other for this accomplishment. The band heads out for the CMT On Tour with Jon Pardi and Runaway June and then will join The Breakers Tour with Little Big Town and Kacey Musgraves. For the full list of tour dates click here.

Check out more from our ‘New York Country Swag Takes Nashville’ Experience here.

Russell Dickerson’s Sold Out, Album Release Party in Nashville

October 24, 2017/in Blog, NYCountry Swag Takes Nashville /by Christina Bosch

Russell Dickerson has been working towards releasing a debut country album for over seven years. Last Friday his dream came true and Yours, hit shelves and was available digitally everywhere. To celebrate the release of his album, Dickerson played to a sold-out crowd in Nashville during his album release week. The Exit/In in Nashville has been open for 46 years and is a staple venue in the Nashville.

Prior to his set, Dickerson attended an industry party at the bar next to the venue and New York Country Swag was delighted to be invited. He greeted his guests, family members, and team while the line of fans to get into the venue loomed around the block. Dickerson got the room’s attention by standing on a chair to thank his wife Kailey, his family, his team and all of the members of the industry who supported him and got him to this moment. “I do want to say a thank you for, even coming out tonight to celebrate with us, we’ve been going at this for coming up on seven years and now I finally get to release an album to the world full of songs that we wrote together about the people we love,” he says emotionally to the gathering. As a surprise, Norbert Nix from Triple Tigers, Dickerson’s record label, stood next to him to and held up a plaque saying “Russell, your single “Yours” is certified gold!” A record is American RIAA-certified Gold when a single or album that has sold 500,000 units. Proudly, he held up the plaque over his head, pure excitement on his face as the room filled with cheers.

The incredible night only continued when everyone made their way next door to the venue to watch Hannah Grey Ellis, who co-wrote “Would You Love Me” with Dickerson, which is featured on Yours,. The sold-out venue was lined with fans as “Twentysomething” opened the set. Singing all 11 tracks off the new record including “Billions”, “Low Key” and a fan favorite, “MGNO” the set was high energy and filled with great songs. Dickerson is a true performer, he gives it all during his live shows and his fans and everyone around him can’t help but feed off of his energy.

Check out our First Impression of Yours, and be sure to catch Dickerson at one of his upcoming shows, full list of dates here.

For more on our ‘New York Country Swag Takes Nashville’ Experience click here.