Are you a country fan looking to feed your passion? Love writing? Have a lot to say and need a place to say it? We’ve got you covered.

We’re looking for writers to contribute to our blog at countryswag.com!

Although we are primarily focused on all things country music in New York City, the usual “Top 10” lists, new music, videos, concert reviews, tour information & general Country Music in the News works as well!

We want your take on the country music world. New York CountrySwag was created by Country Fans, for Country Fans and we intend to keep it that way. By featuring your articles on New York CountrySwag.com, your work will be seen by our 6,500+ daily followers and included in our Weekly Round-Up which hits 10,665+ inboxes. This is an excellent resume builder and can lead to future opportunities with New York Country Swag.

Ready to write? Send your work to: [email protected] with the subject title “NYCS Blog.” Don’t forget to include your full name and social media handles so proper credit can be given if your articles are chosen to be posted.

We look forward to reading your pieces!

– Team NYCS

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Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott and Dave Haywood of Lady Antebellum stopped by the CBS Studios Thursday Morning (Feb. 16) to reveal the 52nd Annual ACM Awards Nominations Live from NYC.

The show, dubbed “Country Music’s Party of the Year,” honors country music’s superstars and hottest emerging talent including Keith Urban (who leads the pack with seven nominations), Miranda Lambert, Maren Morris, Florida Georgia Line, Thomas Rhett and more. Luke Bryan and Dierks Bentley will return to host for the second consecutive year.

The ACM Awards will broadcast LIVE on CBS from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 2, 8PM.

Check out the complete list of nominations below:

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR

• Jason Aldean
• Luke Bryan
• Florida Georgia Line
• Carrie Underwood
• Keith Urban

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

• Jason Aldean
• Dierks Bentley
• Thomas Rhett
• Chris Stapleton
• Keith Urban

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

• Kelsea Ballerini
• Miranda Lambert
• Maren Morris
• Kacey Musgraves
• Carrie Underwood

VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR

• Big & Rich
• Brothers Osborne
• Dan + Shay
• Florida Georgia Line
• Maddie & Tae

VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR

• Eli Young Band
• Lady Antebellum
• Little Big Town
• Old Dominion
• Rascal Flatts

NEW MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR PRESENTED BY T-MOBILE

• Kane Brown
• Chris Janson
• Chris Lane
• Jon Pardi
• Brett Young

NEW FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR PRESENTED BY T-MOBILE

• Lauren Alaina
• Cam
• Brandy Clark
• Maren Morris
  * four nominees only

NEW VOCAL DUO OR GROUP OF THE YEAR PRESENTED BY T-MOBILE

• A Thousand Horses
• Brothers Osborne
• Dan + Shay
• LOCASH
• Maddie & Tae

ALBUM OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]

• Black – Dierks Bentley
  Producers: Ross Copperman, Arturo Buenahora Jr.
  Record Label: Capitol Records Nashville

• Dig Your Roots– Florida Georgia Line
  Producer: Joey Moi
  Record Label: Big Machine Label Group

• HERO – Maren Morris
  Producers: busbee, Brad Hill, Maren Morris
  Record Label: Columbia Nashville

• Ripcord – Keith Urban
  Producers: Jeff Bhasker, busbee, Nathan Chapman, Nitzan Kaikov, Dann Huff, Tyler Johnson, Johnny Price, Nile Rodgers, Keith Urban, Greg Wells
  Record Labels: Hit Red Records, Capitol Records Nashville

• The Weight of These Wings– Miranda Lambert
  Producers: Frank Liddell, Eric Masse, Glenn Worf
  Record Labels: RCA Nashville, Vanner Records

SINGLE RECORD OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]

• Blue Ain’t Your Color – Keith Urban
  Producers: Dann Huff, Keith Urban
  Record Labels: Hit Red Records, Capitol Records Nashville

• H.O.L.Y. – Florida Georgia Line
  Producer: Joey Moi
  Record Label: Big Machine Label Group

• Humble And Kind – Tim McGraw
  Producers: Byron Gallimore, Tim McGraw
  Record Labels: McGraw Music, Big Machine Records

• My Church – Maren Morris
  Producers: busbee, Maren Morris
  Record Label: Columbia Nashville

• Vice – Miranda Lambert
  Producers: Frank Liddell, Eric Masse, Glenn Worf
  Record Labels: RCA Nashville, Vanner Records

SONG OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Songwriter(s)/Publisher(s)/Artist(s)]

• Blue Ain’t Your Color – Keith Urban
  Songwriters: Clint Lagerberg, Hillary Lindsey, Steven Lee Olsen
  Publishers: WB Music Corp (ASCAP), Music Of The Corn (ASCAP), HillarodyRathbone Music (ASCAP), BMG Gold Songs (ASCAP), House of Sea Gayle Music (ASCAP), Spirit Catalog Holdings (S.a.r.l.), Spirit Two Nashville (ASCAP)

• Die A Happy Man – Thomas Rhett
  Songwriters: Thomas Rhett, Sean Douglas, Joe Spargur
  Publishers: EMI Blackwood Music Inc (BMI), Cricket On The Line (BMI), Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp (BMI), Eastman Pond Publishing (BMI), Music of Big Deal (BMI), Nice Life (BMI), Frederic And Reid Music (BMI), BMG Platinum Songs (BMI), Brodsky Spensive Publishing (BMI)

• Humble And Kind – Tim McGraw
  Songwriter: Lori McKenna
  Publishers: Songs of Universal Inc (BMI), Hoodie Songs (BMI)

• Kill A Word – Eric Church Featuring Rhiannon Giddens
  Songwriters: Eric Church, Luke Dick, Jeff Hyde
  Publishers: Emileon Songs (BMI), Little Louder Songs (BMI), Longer And Louder Music (BMI), Mammaw’s Fried Okra Music (BMI), Sony/ATV Tree Publishing (BMI)

• Tennessee Whiskey – Chris Stapleton
  Songwriters: Dean Dillon, Linda Hargrove
  Publishers: Universal-Songs Of PolyGram International (BMI), EMI Algee (BMI)

• Vice – Miranda Lambert
  Songwriters: Miranda Lambert, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne
  Publishers: Sony/ATV Tree Publishing (BMI), Pink Dog Publishing (BMI), Smack Hits (GMR), Kobalt Music Group,
  Ltd. (GMR), Anderson Fork In The Road Music (ASCAP), Kobalt Music Publishing America, Inc. (ASCAP), Smackville Music (ASCAP)

VIDEO OF THE YEAR PRESENTED BY XFINITY [Awarded to Producer(s)/Director(s)/Artist(s)]

• Fire Away – Chris Stapleton
  Director: Tim Mattia
  Producer: Jennifer Rothlein

• Forever Country – Artists of Then, Now & Forever
  Director: Joseph Kahn
  Producers: Nathan de la Rionda, Jil Hardin, Charleen Manca, Joanna Carter, Chandra LaPlume, Sarah Trahern, Damon Whiteside

• Humble And Kind – Tim McGraw
  Director: Wes Edwards
  Producer: Jennifer Rothlein

• Peter Pan – Kelsea Ballerini
  Director: Kristin Barlowe
  Producer: Michelle Abnet

• Vice – Miranda Lambert
  Director: Trey Fanjoy
  Producer: Ashley Bergeron Ford

SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR*(Off Camera Award)

• Ashley Gorley
• Luke Laird
• Hillary Lindsey
• Shane McAnally
• Lori McKenna

VOCAL EVENT OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]

• Different For Girls – Dierks Bentley Featuring Elle King
  Producers: Ross Copperman, Arturo Buenahora Jr.
  Record Label: Capitol Records Nashville

• Forever Country – Artists of Then, Now & Forever
  Producer: Shane McAnally
  Record Label: MCA Nashville

• May We All – Florida Georgia Line Featuring Tim McGraw
  Producer: Joey Moi
  Record Label: Big Machine Label Group

• Setting The World On Fire – Kenny Chesney Featuring P!nk
  Producers: Buddy Cannon, Kenny Chesney
  Record Labels: Blue Chair Records, Columbia Nashville

• Think Of You – Chris Young Featuring Cassadee Pope
  Producers: Corey Crowder, Chris Young
  Record Labels: RCA Nashville, RCA Records

RADIO AWARDS – The following previously announced radio awards will be presented during the ACM Party for a Cause® event at The Joint on Saturday, April 1 in Las Vegas, NV.

NATIONAL ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR

• Big D, Bubba, Patrick Thomas, Carsen                             The Big D and Bubba Show
• Cody Alan                                                                          CMT After MidNite with Cody Alan
• Kix Brooks                                                                         American Country Countdown with Kix Brooks
• Lon Helton                                                                         Country Countdown USA
• Tracy Lawrence                                                                 Honky Tonkin’ with Tracy Lawrence

ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR – MAJOR MARKET

• Chris & Nina                                                                      KMLE-FM                 Phoenix, AZ
• George, Mo & Cowboy Dave                                             KILT-FM                   Houston, TX
• Paul Schadt, Meg Butterly, Geof Knight                           WKKT-FM                Charlotte, NC
• Rob & Linda Show – Rob Stone & Linda Lee                     WYCD-FM                Southfield, MI
• Tanner in the Morning                                                        WSOC-FM               Charlotte, NC

ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR – LARGE MARKET (tie within category increased nominees)

• Ally & Andy                                                                       WDSY-FM                Pittsburgh, PA
• Big Dave, Chelsie and Statt                                              WUBE-FM                Cincinnati, OH
• Dave O’Brien                                                                     WLHK-FM                 Indianapolis, IN
• Jim Denny, Deborah Honeycutt & Kevin Freeman           WFMS-FM                Indianapolis, IN
• Marty McFly                                                                      WSM-FM                  Nashville, TN
• Q Morning Crew – Mike, Marty and Janie                          WQDR-FM                Raleigh, NC

ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR – MEDIUM MARKET

• Andy Ritchie, Alison Mencer, Jimmy Holt                          WIVK-FM                  Knoxville, TN
• Jack Ryan                                                                         WMYL-FM                 Clinton, TN
• Scott Wynn & Sarah Kay                                                   WQMX-FM                Akron, OH
• Steve & Geoff                                                                    KUZZ-FM                  Bakersfield, CA
• Steve & Gina in the Morning on Kat 103.7                         KXKT-FM                  Omaha, NE

ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR – SMALL MARKET

• Ben Butler and Arnie Andrews                                             WCOW-FM                Sparta, WI
• Brent Lane and Candy Cullerton                                          WYCT-FM                  Pensacola, FL
• Jason and Ashley “The Q Crew” on Q100.3                        KRWQ-FM                 Medford, OR
• Scotty Cox & Cara Denis                                                     KCLR-FM                   Columbia, MO
• The Roger & Carly Morning Show                                         KORA-FM                 Bryan, TX

RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR – MAJOR MARKET (tie within category increased nominees)

• KKBQ-FM                            Houston, TX
• KMLE-FM                            Phoenix, AZ
• KUPL-FM                             Portland, OR
• WIL-FM                               St. Louis, MO
• WKKT-FM                            Charlotte, NC
• WSOC-FM                           Charlotte, NC

RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR – LARGE MARKET

• KAJA-FM                             San Antonio, TX
• WQDR-FM                          Raleigh, NC
• WSIX-FM                            Nashville, TN
• WSM-FM                             Nashville, TN
• WUBE-FM                           Cincinnati, OH

RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR – MEDIUM MARKET

• CKRY-FM                            Calgary, AB
• KAWO-FM                           Boise, ID
• KUZZ-FM                            Bakersfield, CA
• KXKT-FM                            Omaha, NE
• WIVK-FM                            Knoxville, TN

RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR – SMALL MARKET

• KCLR-FM                            Columbia, MO
• KKNU-FM                            Eugene, OR
• KTHK-FM                            Idaho Falls, ID
• WCOW-FM                          Sparta, WI
• WXFL-FM                            Florence, AL

(*The Academy of Country Music’s professional membership selects the nominees and winners of the Academy of Country Music Awards.)

Don’t forget to tune-in to CBS on Sunday, April 2, 8PM for the big show!

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Join the Weekly Round-Up for upcoming event reminders,
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Stay Swaggin!
– Team NYCountry Swag

Wednesday evening, February 15th, 1400 lucky fans poured into the historic United Palace theatre for a special set by Lady Antebellum. The “secret show” was recorded for the 12th season of Live from the Artists Den.

Live from the Artists Den is a three-time New York Emmy-nominated television and digital music series that features popular recording artists performing intimate, secret shows in non-traditional and often historical settings throughout North America. Featured artists have included Tim McGraw, Zac Brown Band, Dierks Bentley and now, Lady Antebellum.

The Multi-platinum group owned the beautiful stage for their 14-song set which included several of their #1 hit songs, “Need You Now,” “Bartender,” “Love Don’t Live Here Anymore” and recent single from the upcoming new album, “You Look Good.” The unique setting made for a magical evening as Lady A kept the crowd on their feet from beginning to end.

Among those in attendance were the winners of the Chase Sapphire® cardmember ticket sweepstakes who received VIP tickets to the show, including entry to the after-party, access to reserved seating and more.

For more information, tv schedule details and more visit: www.artistsden.com/ladyantebellum

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Join the Weekly Round-Up for upcoming event reminders,
ticket giveaways and more.

Stay Swaggin!
– Team NYCountry Swag

 

It’s one thing for a newcomer to sell out a NYC venue on their debut tour; it’s another to sell it out TWICE in the same night. That was the case for CMA New Artist of the Year, Maren Morris, who kicked off her first headlining tour with back-to-back sold out shows at the Bowery Ballroom on Thursday, February 2.

Opening the night was Morris’ boyfriend and singer-songwriter, Ryan Hurd. The Michigan native has already made a name for himself as a songwriter, earning cuts by artists like Florida Georgia Line, Tim McGraw, Randy Houser, just to name a few. Plus, let’s not forget he’s got a #1 and Grammy and CMA-nominated track, “Lonely Tonight,” recorded by Blake Shelton & Ashley Monroe, under his belt. Now, Hurd is approaching the music world from a different perspective, putting his own voice to the songs he’s penned.

Hitting the stage in jeans and a white tee, the longhaired, budding country star put on a powerful performance. Singing songs from his EP, plus his own version of Lonely Tonight, Hurd brings a new and exciting raw energy to the country music scene. Hurd, named one of our “2017 Artists to Watch,” is on a one-way road straight to the top and the journey is sure to be one you will want to follow.

During the quick set change, we ran into model/actor, Colton Haynes amongst the sold out crowd. Best known for his roles on Arrow and Teen Wolf, Haynes claimed to be a huge Country music fan and was surprised by friends with tickets for the show, while in town for Men’s Fashion Week.

Next up, the flawless, Maren Morris, hit the stage for the first set on her first headlining tour. Often with new artists playing a NYC show, we see that sense of nervousness as they take the stage, but not Morris. With a fan blowing her hair back, the 5-foot-tall country hit-maker made her presence known.

Effortlessly belting out songs from her debut album, Hero, Morris proved why she is the CMA New Artist of the Year. Her eclectic sound and powerhouse ballads had the sold-out room singing and dancing along to every beat. Ending the show with her breakout single, “My Church,” Morris left the crowd chanting for more, before she returned to the stage with boyfriend, Ryan Hurd, for a cover of Tim McGraw’s, “Last Turn Home.” The song is a special one for the two as they had written the song together long before they had began dating.

Morris hits the road this summer on Sam Hunt’s 15 in a 30 Tour. The show hits the area on Sunday, June 25^th at PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, NJ. Grab your tickets here.

 

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Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram (@NYCOUNTRYSWAG) to catch a glimpse of our Country Music Adventures in NYC + Chances to win tickets, giveaways & more!

Stay Swaggin!
– Team NYCountry Swag

Eric Church made headlines when he announced last August that he’d be “Holdin’ His Own” Tour in the New Year. The tour was said to consist of two full sets by Church, himself and no opener. That show hit the New York City area on Friday, January 27^th at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

If Church was planning on giving us his all, we were planning on giving ours right back. – SO we did what we do best, we went ALL OUT and booked a VIP suite, bringing 36 New York Country Swag fans to the show for an unforgettable concert experience.

 

38 songs in his 3-hour set, a tribute to Merle Haggard, several shots of Jack and a few Springsteen covers… To put it simply, Church did not disappoint. Singing to the sold out crowd of over 18,000 Fans, Church held his own from beginning to end, proving he is one of the best in this industry.

 

 

Leading up to the show, we ran a few giveaways for some of our lucky followers. Congrats to Courtney of NYC who won a pair of pit tickets to the show. Congrats to Ashley & Johnny of Queens, NY who each won a pair of Suite tickets and Congrats to Cassie of East Meadow, NY who won a Jack Daniels guitar autographed by Eric Church at our New York Country Brunch following the show.

Don’t forget to subscribe to the Weekly Round-Up for Upcoming Events, Ticket Giveaways and more!

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Fllow us on Instagram (@NYCOUNTRYSWAG) to catch a glimpse of our Country Music Adventures in NYC + Chances to win tickets, giveaways & more!

Stay Swaggin!
– Team NYCountry Swag