Blog Archives

NYCS First Impression: Kelsea Ballerini Releases ‘Unapologetically’

November 3, 2017/in Blog, First Impression /by Christina Bosch

After her debut album soared and the first three songs she released hit the top of the charts, one of the most highly anticipated albums of the year is Kelsea Ballerini’s follow-up record, Unapologetically. With what seems like a bit of a whirlwind career in such a short time, Ballerini has written her music alongside some of the industry’s best songwriters for years, perfecting her craft and building her fan base.

The sophomore project features a deeper look into who Ballerini is, her persona and will have fans of “Yeah Boy” and “Love Me Like You Mean It” loving her new spin on her pop-country princess-vibes. It feels like this record has evolved with Ballerini herself, going from liking boys to loving them, leaving childish things behind and growing up to be a strong adult in the music business. Releasing The First Time when she was merely 21 years old, those next few years of your life are crucial to shaping who you will be and what your career looks like. For Ballerini, writing about her life and what she is going through comes naturally. “It starts with loss, and it goes into life, and then it goes into love; it’s the story of my life over the last few years,” she says of the record.

The album truly follows in that order, if you listen straight through it tells like a good novel, starting with breakups, finding yourself again and then eventually opening up to a new love.

Kicking off the album, “Graveyard” and “Miss Me More” are a refreshing look at a break-up song, deciding to choose yourself over a relationship that isn’t working. It’s a strong outlook to give the young girls who fill out Ballerini’s fan base. “High School” and “In Between” are definite highlights on Unapologetically, the lyrics are honest, raw and illustrate how best to navigate growing up. The latter takes a close look at those years between childhood and adulthood where life can be confusing, something that a ton of her fans will identify with.

Sometimes I’m my mother’s daughter, sometimes I’m her friend / sometimes I play grown up and sometimes I play pretend / Sometimes I’m a princess dressed all ribbons and all curls and sometimes I just want to scream I’m not a little girl / Dumb enough to think I know it all, smart enough to know I don’t / Young enough to think I’ll live forever, old enough to know I won’t / In the in between”

Other stand-outs are the first single off the project, “Legends” which is the last track on the album and “I Hate Love Songs”, a real look at the sappy songs dedicated to love, she flips the concept on its head. Ballerini gets real about hearts skipping a beat and the cliche’ of Cupid and honeymoon phase. “I hate love songs, yeah I really do, I hate love songs, but I love you”. With her pending nuptials quickly approaching the twist on the classic romantic song.

Ballerini stays true to her self, to her story and true to the career that she has shaped thus far with Unapologetically by releasing a cohesive, well-rounded album. Instead of a few hit singles, the album as a whole is a great listen from the first track to the last. Grab Unapologetically on iTunes here.

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NYCS First Impression: Blake Shelton’s ‘Texoma Shore’

November 3, 2017/in Blog, First Impression /by Christina Bosch

Blake Shelton has released his 11th studio album Texoma Shore today, the culmination of his 10 previous albums, bringing him back to his roots and to the traditional country genre. The title is derived from Lake Texoma on the border of Texas and his home state of Oklahoma. The project was recorded right near the lake, making the title relevant for many reasons.

Texoma Shore is light and playful featuring happy songs that imitate where he is in his life. His undeniable twang allows for the traditional country sound throughout the project. Majority of the tracks highlight affection, for instance, the first 7 songs all reflect on romance and being lucky in love (“Money”, “Beside You Babe”, “Why Me”). His current single and the first off of Texoma Shore, “I’ll Name the Dogs” is reminiscent of his number one single “Honeybee”. “When you listen to the record, it will go from something traditional to something that will make your head spin, back to something even more traditional,” says Shelton in a recent press release. “That’s just what you can expect from one of my albums.”

A stand-out on the record, “The Wave” features strong imagery and can be the perfect wedding song for 2018.

“I was a boat trapped in a bottle, dying for water, you were the ocean / I was a compass that couldn’t find heaven, I didn’t know how bad I was broken / I was a castaway with no land / I drew a broken heart in the sand and you were the wave that washed it all away”

Plenty of Nashville’s greatest songwriters are featured on the album including Ben Hayslip (“I’ll Name the Dogs”, “I Lived It”) Ashley Gorley (“Why Me”) and Rhett Akins (“When the Wine Wears Off”). Shelton only co-wrote one song on the record, (“Turnin’ Me On”) with Josh Osborne and Jessi Alexander, which features a subtle reference to his current girlfriend, pop-star Gwen Stefani’s Revlon partnership, and her bold red lips.

“Knows how to set me on fire, she’s always holdin’ the match / And when my body’s beside hers, there ain’t no turnin’ back / She’s Revlon red in the blackest night, lighting up the room in the world just like she’s turnin’ me on.”

Along with his album release week, Shelton announced on Monday his latest tour which will kick off in March. The Country Music Freaks Tour is hitting cities across the US and he is bringing Trace Adkins, Brett Eldredge, and Carly Pearce along for the ride.

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Country Music Stars Slated for 2017 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade…

November 1, 2017/in Blog /by Christina Bosch

Thanksgiving’s most time-honored traditions, the New York City Macy’s Day Parade will have plenty for country fans this year. Airing on Thanksgiving Day, November 23rd from 9:00 AM-noon, be on the lookout for Lauren Alaina, Cam, Sara Evans and Dustin Lynch to take part in the festivities.

Other artists who will be featured in the 91st annual parade are 98 Degrees, Andra Day & Common, Andy Grammar, Bebe Rexha and many more. Click Here for the full lineup and more information.

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10 Country Artists Who Nailed It With Their Halloween Costumes This Year…

November 1, 2017/in Blog /by Stephanie Wagner

From Thomas Rhett, The Beekeeper to Pink Lady, Maren Morris, we’ve rounded up our Top 10 favorite looks from Halloween in the country music world…

1. Luke Bryan & wife, Caroline

2. Keith Urban & wife, Nicole Kidman

3. Maren Morris & Bandmates

4. Russell Dickerson and wife, Kailey

5. Thomas Rhett & daughters, Willa Gray & Ada James

6. Carrie Underwood & husband, Mike Fisher

7. Shay Mooney, wife, Hannah & son, Asher James

8. Dan Smyers & wife, Abby

9. Granger Smith, wife, Amber & kids – London, Lincoln & River

10. Jason Aldean & wife, Brittany

Looking for the perfect Halloween jam? Listen to Walker Hayes’, “Halloween” & be sure to check out our recap of his NYC show here!

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Thanks for supporting Country Music in NYC!

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

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!

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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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Follow our Country Music Adventures on Instagram, @NYCOUNTRYSWAG
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[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.