January 16, 2016, NYCountry Swag kicked off it’s very first event with none other than a country music themed brunch at lower east side nightclub, Libation NYC.
The New York Country Swag Team got to Libation early Saturday morning to double check guest lists, floor plans, set-ups and made sure everything was absolutely perfect for our big day.
At 10AM the star of our show, Russell Dickerson, arrived with his beautiful wife, Kailey. For those of you who do not know him, Russell is a Nashville native & Belmont University alumnus. This past summer his latest single, Yours, was picked up by Sirius XM’s The Highway Find program. The program picks up new & often unsigned artists and showcases their music to country music lovers across the nation. Competing with hits by artists like Luke Bryan and Blake Shelton, Dickerson’s power ballad peaked at number 15 on the radio stations Hot 45 Countdown.
NYCountry Swag Founder, Stephanie Wagner, caught Russell Dickerson’s set last November on the Florida Georgia Line Cruise and was immediately hooked. When thinking of a special talent for our first event, Russell Dickerson immediately came to mind.
As Russell & Kailey walked in to Libation, we were both equally excited & nervous for what’s to come. When Russell asks where he is playing, we take a look at the bar & with a nervous laugh ask, “How do you feel about playing on top of that?…” To us, this was a total “New York City Meets Country Music” vibe. Russell agreed.
We got through soundcheck, a few last minute adjustments and before we know it the doors were opening and the line of guests to our sold out event began trickling in.
Within the first twenty minutes, we had all three floors of Libation BUMPING with Country Music, Country Fans & Country Love. We had two DJ’s, Johnny A & Timmy H of DJ’s @ Work, a photobooth, a photographer, endless props of cowboy hats, bandanas & blow up horses. We had line dancing and cornhole with Nash fm & a very special guest host, from Nash fm’s ‘Ty, Kelly & Churck’, Kelly Ford. Mimosas were flowing, sparklers were flaring and everything we had taken weeks to plan was unfolding perfectly right before our eyes.
Russell performed two acoustic sets. Playing everything from new music from his EP, Yours, including our personal favorites “Every Little Thing” and “Blue Tacoma,” to covers like “Friends in Low Place”s by Garth Brooks mixed with a bit of Drake’s, “Hotline Bling” & Fetty Wap’s, “Trap Queen”. There was something for everybody in Russell’s set. If you weren’t a fan of Russell before our Brunch, you certainly were after.
Like all great things, our big day quickly came to an end. Wrapping up the event was bittersweet. As much as we did not want it to end, we smiled knowing it was only the beginning for NYCountry Swag. We couldn’t have asked for a better kick-off party and are looking forward to all of the amazing events we have planned for the future.
Now head to our Facebook page & check out all of the awesome & hilarious pictures from the big day! While you’re there, be sure to give us a follow, as well as on our Instagram & Twitter, so you do not miss any of the fun & new things coming up!
Finally, We want to send a big Thank You to those who made our big day so special. To the lovely Kelly Ford & our friends at Nash FM – Thank You for bringing Country Music back to NYC & co-hosting our event! We are honored to call you friends.
To Russell & Kailey Dickerson – Thank You for bringing your contagious energy, optimism & love to our event! It was an honor & pleasure to work & spend time with the two of you. You have lifetime friends & fans in us!
To Libation – Thank You for trusting in our event, for your support & for providing an amazing & accommodating venue & team!
And to all of you, our GUESTS! Thank YOU for being a part of the NYCountry Swag family. We loved meeting & getting to know all of you and look forward to rocking with each and every one of you at future events!
Peace, Love & Country Music.
-NYCountry Swag
