NYCS Swag Spotlight: Josh Kelley

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Josh Kelley

Josh Kelley, photographed by Justin Hackworth

 

I love being a dad. I just love it. Family is extremely important, it’s everything. It’s just a feeling, it’s something, I love to grow these babies up, to spend time with them and nurture them, something about building a family.”

 

In honor of Father’s Day this upcoming weekend, we are highlighting dad of three and singer, songwriter, and producer, Josh Kelley. Growing up in Augusta, Georgia, he and his younger brother, Charles Kelley (frontman of Lady A) were surrounded by music. The hometown of legend, James Brown, they were influenced by a diverse range of music growing up including Luther Vandross and the Doobie Brothers when with their mother, classic country music with their father or Black Sabbath and Led Zepplin when driving around with their older brother. “When I started teaching myself to play guitar, I think I was 11 or 12 and I remember getting really good,” Kelley tells us. ” I became a blues guitarist, and James Brown’s band had a side project called First Born and I would sit in and play guitar with them, I was 16-17 and they taught me so much, it was like going to soul-funk camp.”

While in college he wrote and recorded a song called “Amazing” that had a ton of traction on college radio and eventually landed a record deal thanks to the very first streaming platform, Napster. ” When I figured out my little clever angle as to how I was going to make it happen, I remember knowing that it was going to happen,” he recalls. Staying authentic and always writing what he knows, Kelley has produced and recorded the majority of his latest music in a barn turned studio in his home which he shares with his wife, movie, and television star Katherine Heigl.

He and Katherine live in Park City, Utah tucked away in the mountains and are raising a beautiful family, teaching them to appreciate the simple things in life and have really taken to this quarantined time together. “Busy Making Memories” is a touching tribute to slowing down life and taking in the small joyous moments. The video edited by Katherine and Josh features their three children and plays out like an intimate home movie. “It was a little revelation I had, I needed to make sure that, just because I am still a dream chaser, I want my career to grow and get bigger and better and play for more people but I don’t want to do it at the expense of my family,” he tells us. “There is a sweet spot I’ve been trying to find for years and I think I found it.”

He even admits that the next song he is getting ready to release was inspired by his children after watching the movie Trolls together and hearing one of the characters sing in autotune. They all went into Kelley’s at home studio, put on headphones, and started recorded sounds and he was instantly inspired. “I put a groove to it to make it fun and the next thing you know, it started becoming a song,” he laughs.

This new song he tells us has an islandy, summertime vibe, and it is apparent that he continues to push himself into different directions sonically. “It 100% would not be fun for me to write the same kind of music for the rest of my life. I like to produce different kinds of music, I don’t stay in a lane production wise but there is a consistency with my lyrics,” Kelley tells us. “I just love music, I love it to death I typically don’t like putting things in different drawers and compartmentalization.”

During the pandemic, the innovative creator has found a way to involve his fans in his process virtually by hosting “Fan Jam” on FaceBook live. Instead of just playing music, he has given fans the chance to send in lyrics in the comments as he produces a song from start to finish. Check out the finished song from his most recent live below.

Having the ability to create and produce his music in his home, he tells us that his upcoming record is just about finished and he looks ahead to the fall to releasing it. Fans that have followed Kelley’s career since the start or if you are just discovering his music now, you can always count on hearing genuine lyrics, with a fresh new sound each time.

To keep up with Josh Kelley follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

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SHOP THE HERO COLLECTION

The Hero Collection by NYCountry Swag is inspired by the men and women of the Fire, Police and Military Departments across the country. A portion of sales from each purchase is donated to different foundations that support our heroes. We are dedicated to honoring their service and remembering their sacrifice.

—————————-

Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC & Beyond!

Subscribe to our Weekly Round-Up here 
for ticket giveaways, meet & greet contests, upcoming events,
and all things country music in the New York metro area and beyond!

+ Follow our country music adventures on Instagram, Twitter & Facebook:

NYCS Swag Spotlight: Honey County

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Honey County

This week our Swag Spotlight shines on a trio of powerful songstresses, Dani Rose, Tracy Lambertucci, and Sofie Lynn, who make up the group Honey County. Although the group has evolved over the years, their love for making music has always been at the heart of their artistry. We conversed with two of the members, Dani and Sofie about their journey.

Growing up in different parts of the world, including Virginia, Texas, Tokyo, and Los Angeles, Honey County formed organically, when founding member, Dani, fell in love with the idea of creating an all-female musical group. After opening up for female country songstress LeAnn Rimes and receiving encouragement from her manager, Dani set-out to find her group. “We auditioned a bunch of people,” she tells us, “[We] created Honey County, as a trio, and it was like having sisters, but away from home, which was really nice.”

Each of the members grew up liking different genres of music, such as R&B, classic rock, and southern rock, but later in life, realized, that country music was where they belonged. “Music [was] the only thing constant in my life,” Sofie shared during a difficult time in her life, “The only thing that can get me through is music,” she added.” Dani echoed that sentiment, realizing that country music was, where she belonged when she fell in love with a project by Tim McGraw. The ladies also credit singers such as Usher, The Beatles, and Shania Twain as some of their inspirations.

Although it took some time to find the current three members of the group, Honey County could not be happier with how much they have grown and evolved over the past few years. “We finally came up with this really unique kind of pop-country, but still particularly true to our sound and our own beliefs, and our own honest open-writing,” Dani shares about the group’s progression.

Their unique sound and style is showcased perfectly in their newest single entitled “Woke Up Tired.” The ladies co-wrote the song with Kalie Shorr, an artist and friend that they often write with and to refer to as the “secret 4th member of Honey County.” Like everything they do, the new single is rooted in love, harmonies, and killer lyrics.

The song is all about having a really good dream about your love interest that came about after Shorr played a killer rift and Dani had a stroke of genius with what started as a pick-up line. “I’d been running around with you in my dreams girl,” she laughed, before sharing the meaning of the song. “You are running around with this guy that you are so obsessed with in your dreams and you just can’t stop thinking about him,” she began, “You come up with all these different scenarios in your head, and we thought it would be so fun to sing about that.”

Honey County also let us in on a secret, sharing that hopefully some time in the summer another new song, written with Shorr and Hillary Reynolds will be released called “Got It From My Mama.” It seems like that song will be another song for fans to relate to.

Until then, Honey County will continue to promote their new single and current music, as they navigate the waters of digital performances during this chaotic time in the music industry. The ladies have already played ‘Statecouch’ festival and have participated in other live performances via their social media channels. We look forward to more new music and anticipate a big audience when they are finally able to get back on stage.

To keep up at Honey County follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

“Woke Up Tired” is now available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music here on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

—————

SHOP THE HERO COLLECTION

The Hero Collection by NYCountry Swag is inspired by the men and women of the Fire, Police, and Military Departments across the country. A portion of sales from each purchase is donated to different foundations that support our heroes. We are dedicated to honoring their service and remembering their sacrifice.

—————————-

Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC & Beyond!

Subscribe to our Weekly Round-Up here 
for ticket giveaways, meet & greet contests, upcoming events,
and all things country music in the New York metro area and beyond!

+ Follow our country music adventures on Instagram, Twitter & Facebook:

NYCS Swag Spotlight: Davisson Brothers Band

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Davisson Brothers

Our spotlight shines this week on a unique musically-talented band called Davisson Brothers Band. We chatted with the leads, brothers, Chris and Donnie Davisson, about how they got their start, their versatile musical inspirations, and of course, what fans can expect this year.

From day one the Davisson Brothers seem to have been destined to play music for a living. Growing up in West Virginia, the two fell in love with all different genres of music, including country music, bluegrass, and rock & roll. “Music’s always been a big part of the Davisson family,” they tell us, “Our grandparents, our great grandparents, it goes back for a lot of generations.”

For Chris and Donnie though, their father, Eddie, and their uncle, Pete remain two of the biggest inspirations for them. As early as four years old, the boys found themselves on stage, singing with their father, and the next night, jamming with their uncle. Reminiscing, the Davisson brothers shared, “On Friday nights we would go play country music with Uncle Pete, and on Saturday nights, we’d get to go play rock and roll and get more of that side with dad. We got both sides of it.”

Since they performed and grew up around music their entire lives, it was only natural that the two would work in music professionally. Starting out as an acoustic duo, Chris and Donnie set their sights on Nashville, while remaining true to their Appalachian roots. They continue to split their time between two cities while playing shows throughout the world 50-51 weeks a year.

Knowing that they needed to evolve into a four-piece band to keep up with the demand of their live shows, the Davisson Brothers added two members to their group. “The acoustic thing is how we were brought up and raised,” they told us, “We always had that energy, but getting that bass player and drummer, and that sound, is for the energy, for the crowd.”

Flash forward to today, the Davisson Brothers are known across the globe for never playing the same set twice. Their bluegrass and rock and roll roots have resonated well in the jambam festival scene and of course the country music scene, so much so that the men have gotten to play with a lot of their favorites throughout their careers. “We grew up on a lot of Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Allman Brothers Band,” they shared, “We got to do a lot of shows actually with those artists, but our heart was always really at country radio.”

Their unique sound is a direct reflection of their upbringing and their vast musical influences. The Davisson Brothers continue to grow and evolve their sound, their live shows, and of course their songwriting. Most recently, the brothers released a single called “Unbreak You.,” which was written when Chris just couldn’t get a melody out of his head. Written with rising artist, Dan Smalley, and James LeBlanc, they debuted a song that both surprised fans and excited them too.

“It’s definitely a different direction for us,” they tell us of the song, “We kinda like to evolve and keep everything fresh and new. It’s definitely a step in a different direction as far as music from Davisson Brothers.” That is exactly what the brothers continue to do each and every day. They are true musicians and talents that genuinely appreciate good music.

The Davisson Brothers continued to share with us that even though times are chaotic right now, they are still writing almost every day, and are itching to get back on tour. Despite, the standstill that we all feel right now, the brothers let us know that they are releasing a new song called “Dark As A Dungeon” towards the end of June. The song was originally recorded by Merle Travis in the ‘50s, but it has a special meaning to the men.

“Normally we write most of what we release, but this particular song has a deep meaning to us, and it definitely hits home,” they shared, adding, “We never got to do something so personal and something so close to our state. The song reflects the coal mining times in West Virginia, as well as, in Australia, where the men have a huge fanbase and a record deal.

Additionally, Davisson Brothers Band will be releasing a new single to country radio in a few months and a song that was written about the virus. We look forward to all the new music coming our way soon. For hometown fans of the brothers, the band will be playing a concert at Sunset Drive Inn on June 13th in Shinnston, West Virginia, where fans can safely listen to live music for a sure to be killer set. Find tickets to the show here.

To keep up with Davisson Brothers Band follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

“Unbreak You” is now available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music here on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

—————

SHOP THE HERO COLLECTION

The Hero Collection by NYCountry Swag is inspired by the men and women of the Fire, Police, and Military Departments across the country. A portion of sales from each purchase is donated to different foundations that support our heroes. We are dedicated to honoring their service and remembering their sacrifice.

—————————-

Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC & Beyond!

Subscribe to our Weekly Round-Up here 
for ticket giveaways, meet & greet contests, upcoming events,
and all things country music in the New York metro area and beyond!

+ Follow our country music adventures on Instagram, Twitter & Facebook:

Who Is Sean Stemaly? The Story Behind Her Journey to Country Music

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Who is Sean Stemaly? The singer-songwriter joined us to chat about his journey to country music. Get to know the rising star here…

sean stemaly

The Beginning:

This week we spoke with up and coming artist, Sean Stemaly for our Swag Spotlight feature. The Big Loud Records recording artist shared stories and lessons learned during his upbringing with us, as well as, his journey into the country music world. Of course, we also made sure to get the inside scoop behind his latest single “Come Back To Bed” and upcoming plans for his debut project.

Growing up in both Kentucky and Indiana, rural living played a large role in his upbringing. Learning from a young age the importance of hard work and a strong work ethic, Stemaly took a job driving tractors, working as a heavy equipment operator, before he ever considered a career as a musician.

The Turning Point:

“Whenever I was growing up, I was just a listener,” he shares with us, “I was never into actually making music or doing music or whatever. I was more of a music fan.” Interestingly enough, country music was not his first love. Stemaly grew up on classic rock and even shared, “Van Halen was my life back then,” crediting the band as one of his all time favorites. The singer added John Mellencamp and Motley Crue as some of his other favorites from the 80s rock genre.

Although he discovered country music and country radio on his own at around 14 years old, it was not until years later that he actually recognized his natural talent.  “I was listening to Brooks and Dunn on the radio and I was bored and I’ve been in that tractor for ten hours already and I just started singing along.” This led the rising artist to post a vine of him singing, which just so happened to go viral.

Stemaly continued to sing for fun and at church, but his path truly started to light up, when his friend suggested that he head to Nashville. “One of my buddies convinced me to move to Nashville and I took the jump.” Thankfully he did! Since moving to Nashville, Stemaly has found his team of people that support his blossoming career. Recently signing with Big Loud Records, the singer is truly in awe of what his life has become. Interestingly enough he ended up working with a producer who was behind some of his favorite songs, Joey Moi. “I grew up a huge Nickelback fan,” he admits, “I never would have thought that I would be working with the dude that literally produced Nickelback songs, later adding, “Joey is just a master at what he does.”

Today:

Stemaly also attributes Seth England (founder) and the whole team for pushing him out of his comfort zone, and allowing him to grow his talent, especially with his current radio single, “Come Back To Bed.” “Finding the balance between authenticity and being commercial is the challenge in my opinion,” he tells us, but somehow he has been able to showcase both with the new sensual song.

The self-proclaimed smooth and sexy tune had solidified the country crooner as one to look out for. “We decided to take it to the maximum sexy level that you can take country music,” he tells us, “It’s cool that I get to be a writer on a song like that, that I never thought I’d get to write.”

Of course, like the rest of us, Stemaly is not quite sure what the rest of the year has in store for him, but rest assured, a debut project will be leased sometime in the near future. Until then we will have to be patient, and continue to support and champion Stemaly’s one of a kind talent from afar.

To keep up with Sean Stemaly follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

“Come Back To Bed” is now available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music here on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

NYCS Swag Spotlight: Randy Rogers & Wade Bowen

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Wade Bowen Randy Rogers

In the midst of all the chaos in the world, it was a pleasure to speak to our Swag Spotlight artists this week, Randy Rogers and Wade Bowen. Both men have established profound careers in the Texas country scene in their own right with Randy Rogers Band and Wade Bowen music, but together, they are relatable, personable, and of course, make some great country music.

Rogers and Bowen both hail from Texas but grew up with a different attachment to music. For Rogers, music was always in his blood. “I grew up a son of a preacher,” he tells us, “ I was in church at a young age performing piano, guitar, and singing. […] I learned all the melodies of all those songs.” For Bowen, he showed his creative side by writing short stories and poems, calling himself “late” to music. “I didn’t really get into guitar until I was about 17,” he shared. Despite that notion, Bowen added, “I knew I wanted to play music.”

Little did either of the singers know, that they were soon to cross paths. When he was 19, Bowen started a band, playing gigs throughout college in towns like San Marcos, where Rogers went to school. After seeing Bowen gig, Rogers invited him and the band to come party with them, and the rest is history.

“I went up to them after the show and said I have a keg and they came over to my house […] and we were playing music until 5 in the morning most nights. And we started talking about stuff and playing music and stuff, and that was really it,” Rogers exclaims.

Flash forward to almost 20 years later, the two men have created some incredible traditional Texas country music together, as they promised each other years before. “We met through music,” they shared, “We’ve been friends ever since that night and made a pact that we were going to hang out and write songs and stick by each other’s side.”

Their newest record, HOLD MY BEER, VOL. 2 is slated for release this Friday. After a five year wait, fans can expect the record to be exactly what they need right now. For the men, the record and their projects together are a chance to challenge themselves through both the writing and recording processes. The newest record is all about having some fun.

“We focused on lifting people up and making people smile,” they shared, “That’s what this album’s about. Grab a beer with your friends and just listen to this record, and just have some fun.”

Despite not being able to tour just yet, the talented artists made the tough decision to keep their original album release date, and we are so glad they did. Music is something that inspires us all, and Rogers and Bowen truly embody that sentiment. “Country music is the blues,” Bowen shares, “It’s the blue-collar, the working man telling the story, it’s most times- it’s the stories of true life. People make country music a part of their lives. […] It’s crazy how songs just find their way into our lives.”

We are confident that when live music is played again and shows are scheduled, that country music fans, especially New York country music fans will come out in droves to support their favorite acts such as Randy Rogers and Wade Bowen because as Rogers says “We share the same passion for country.”

To keep up with Randy Rogers follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

To keep up with Wade Bowen follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

 Check back on Friday for our full review of HOLD MY BEER, VOL 2.

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SHOP THE HERO COLLECTION

The Hero Collection by NYCountry Swag is inspired by the men and women of the Fire, Police and Military Departments across the country. A portion of sales from each purchase is donated to different foundations that support our heroes. We are dedicated to honoring their service and remembering their sacrifice.

—————————-

Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC & Beyond!

Subscribe to our Weekly Round-Up here 
for ticket giveaways, meet & greet contests, upcoming events,
and all things country music in the New York metro area and beyond!

+ Follow our country music adventures on Instagram, Twitter & Facebook:

NYCS Swag Spotlight: Ron Pope

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Ron Pope

Photo Credit: Nicole Mago

This week we shine our spotlight on a talented singer-songwriter who writes from his heart, Ron Pope. Although a talented singer and an incredible songwriter Pope is first and foremost a doting father and husband. His life experiences and journey has led him to be able to share his stories with a wider audience, but he still remains humble and true to his soul.

The country-rock, soul singer, was born in the Northeast in Newark, New Jersey, but moved to Georgia after his parents divorced. Despite an avid interest in music from a young age, Pope never focused on music as a career or even knew any ‘real’ musicians. “I was always making music,” he tells us, “but it was something I did for fun.” That hobby turned into a way to hang out with his friends, during his teenage years.

He ended up starting his very first band ‘Longfellow,’ while in high school. Together, they played at a dive bar where having fun was the first priority. “We were embarrassingly bad, but it was a laugh,” he shared, “We’d get rip-roaring drunk in the parking lot and then get up on stage and let it ride.” Despite the nature of performing, Pope and his friends were on to something in their younger days.

The singer ended up taking music more seriously, during his third year of college, when he joined a songwriting circle. Although he had been writing music for several years prior, with the encouragement from the older kids in the group, he began to take it more seriously. “That was when I started to consider the idea that I might be a songwriter. Being a songwriter felt different than just being someone who wrote songs.”

Flash forward to today, Pope creates music with a songwriter first mentality. Taking inspiration from various musical influences from the classic rock genre like The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, and Pink Floyd, and R&B artists like Aretha Franklin, Sam Cooke, and Eric Clapton, the singer has truly created his own unique cocktail of music. He also draws inspiration from other greats like Elvis and Johnny Cash. Interestingly enough, Pope also credits famed rapper Tupac as an integral influence. “The way he used pieces of words to keep his phrasing incredibly rhythmic was pretty revelatory to me when I was starting out as a writer,” he shares.

Pope’s unique and eclectic influences have surely manifested in his own music. Most recently, he released a personal record entitled Bone Structure. Even after just one listen it is evident how honest, gritty, emotive, and talented he truly is as a singer and as a songwriter. After a traumatic event occurred in his life, where his driver was attacked by masked men just minutes after he walked inside his house to his baby girl and wife, the singer decided to scrap his original finished project.

The terrifying event shifted his focus and perspective in such a profound way. “I couldn’t shake the terror for a long time afterwards. There’s nothing like fearing for your child,” he vulnerably shares, “I couldn’t get away from the idea that if I were to die, I wouldn’t be there to talk to my daughter when she needed advice as she grew up.” From that point on, he focused on writing and recording a record for what he called, “an audience of one.” The entire Bone Structure project was directed towards his daughter, as he recounts past experiences and lessons learned in each of the fifteen songs, leaving no stone unturned and nothing off limits. Despite his checkered past and various challenges, Pope lays it all out in an honest and pure way for his daughter.

Even though Bone Structure is receiving accolades and media attention, Pope remains humble. Regardless of the praise or admiration his songs receive, he remains unequivocally true to himself and yearns to create music that embraces human connection. “Music has always helped me feel less alone in the world and more connected to those around me,” he says, “If my music can do that for other people, then maybe I’m helping in my tiny way and that feels like something worth doing.” We are sure his music is accomplishing that feat.

As we head into the second half of 2020, Pope, like most of us, does not have a plan. Though the future may be uncertain, the singer how vowed to appreciate the joy in every day and try to quiet the darker moments that can sometimes cloud our heads. When the time is right, Pope would love to be back on the road playing music with friends, but until then, he remains exactly where he should be, with his biggest inspirations, his wife and daughter.

To keep up with Ron Pope follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

Bone Structure is now available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music here on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

—————

SHOP THE HERO COLLECTION

The Hero Collection by NYCountry Swag is inspired by the men and women of the Fire, Police and Military Departments across the country. A portion of sales from each purchase is donated to different foundations that support our heroes. We are dedicated to honoring their service and remembering their sacrifice.

—————————-

Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC & Beyond!

Subscribe to our Weekly Round-Up here 
for ticket giveaways, meet & greet contests, upcoming events,
and all things country music in the New York metro area and beyond!

+ Follow our country music adventures on Instagram, Twitter & Facebook:

NYCS Swag Spotlight: Parker McKay

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Parker McKay

If you are looking for a talented female rising artist to support, look no further than this week’s Swag Spotlight, songstress Parker McKay. The northeast native has carved out her niche in Nashville’s country music scene and her eclectic taste of music has surely influenced her singing, songwriting, and pop-country sound.

Growing up in Northeastern New Hampshire, McKay found herself drawn to music on the radio airwaves. She listened to singers like Shania Twain and the Dixie Chicks, while simultaneously liking pop-radio and artists like John Mayer. Little did she know that these experiences would influence her and her music in the future. “I feel like back then pop radio had kinda everything on it,” she tells us, “I really was able to cherry-pick what I have liked from each genre to create the cocktail of what I do musically.”

Although she always knew that music and singing was something she wanted to do, McKay did not originally follow the path to becoming a singer-songwriter. After high school, she left home to attend college in New York City to study theatre. After finding success in NYC, the songstress came to a crossroads. “I just realized I needed a place with a bigger music community, so I moved to Nashville.”

For the last five years, McKay has resided in Music City, where she has pounded the pavement, working as a singer-songwriter in the country genre. Her dream of telling her own story in her music was coming to fruition. Though she was lucky enough to find success and her place in Nashville quicker than some, the singer shared that it has definitely been a journey. “I just went everywhere I could and met everyone I could,” she shares, “It was definitely a huge, huge change of pace on every level.”

Despite the winding path, McKay has found her voice in Nashville. She is able to create music that feels like her, and she is able to write lyrics that she is passionate about. Most recently, the songstress released “Pity Party”, a single that is both an absolute bop and a song with an impactful and meaningful lyrical message.

We chatted with McKay about the new single, and it was easy to see how special the song is to her. “Honestly I had the idea for “Pity Party” come into my head one day, out of nowhere really,” she tells us about how the song came to fruition. She brought the idea to a write one day and was able to finish the song.

Although disguised as a break-up song, “Pity Party” is much more about what weighs on the singer’s heart, as well as, how she feels about herself. Although personal, the song is extremely relevant to women everywhere. “As a woman,” she tells us, “We’re made to feel like if we make someone else uncomfortable in any way, that we owe them an apology because it’s our job to caretake all the time. Empathy is, of course, important but you also don’t have to take responsibility for everyone else’s problems all the time.” McKay demands respect in her relationships and carries herself with grace and confidence.

The song’s message is so prevalent in today’s society, and it is exciting and refreshing to see a new artist have the courage to express that narrative. Heading into the future, McKay hopes to continue to surprise fans and keep them guessing. She revealed to us that her next single, a song about mental health and relationships, will be out sometime in the summer.

Additionally, this summer, New Yorkers can look forward to McKay’s rescheduled Rockwood Music Hall show on August 6th. The intimate New York City venue will be the perfect setting to fall in love with a new musician or to continue your support of McKay and her one of a kind talent.

To keep with Parker McKay, follow her on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

“Pity Party” is now available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music here on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

—————

SHOP THE HERO COLLECTION

The Hero Collection by NYCountry Swag is inspired by the men and women of the Fire, Police and Military Departments across the country. A portion of sales from each purchase is donated to different foundations that support our heroes. We are dedicated to honoring their service and remembering their sacrifice.

—————————-

Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC & Beyond!

Subscribe to our Weekly Round-Up here 
for ticket giveaways, meet & greet contests, upcoming events,
and all things country music in the New York metro area and beyond!

+ Follow our country music adventures on Instagram, Twitter & Facebook:

NYCS Swag Spotlight: Nikki Briar

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Nikki Briar

This week we shine our spotlight on New Jersey country artist, Nikki Briar. Her unique brand of country music has resonated across the genre and the United States. She fully put her career in God’s hands, but it’s evident that music has been in her soul since birth.

Growing up, Briar was consumed by music. Her father worked as a touring musician, while her mother played classical piano. She tells us “I learned how to play the drums because of him and I learned how to play the piano because of her,” adding later, that her early exposure to music helped to mold her, while also assisting her with working through her own struggles with a speech impediment.

Taking the influences from her parents, Briar’s first introduction to music was in the style of Motown and Jazz. She credits artists like Frankie Valli and Frank Sinatra as early influences. As her musical style evolved, the singer-songwriter found herself listening to boy bands like Hanson, Backstreet Boys, and New Kids On The Block. It wasn’t until middle school that Briar found a connection to country music.

“Country music kinda came into the picture when I started playing the guitar in middle school,” she tell us. The singer’s uncle taught her to play acoustic guitar, which of course, lends itself to country music. Because of the likes of artists like Shania Twain, LeAnn Rimes, and Garth Brooks, “I fell in love with country music.”

Despite her appreciation for music and natural talent, Briar decided to pursue a career as a teacher, even getting her master’s degree. It wasn’t until she was invited to sing the national anthem at a military event that her path in life started to shift. Her boyfriend was overseas serving our country, and a fellow soldier took a liking to the singer’s voice. The soldier happened to also be a producer and writer in Nashville and invited Briar to come down to work on music.

On a whim, the songstress decided to take the risk. She headed to Nashville to write and has not turned back since. On that trip, Briar ended up writing her first single “A Soldier’s Princess,” which found its way to radio. “That’s when I realized, wow, that’s how it easy it is,” she shared, “I just told [him] a story about my email address and that right there, started a title of a song.”

Her first writing experience combined with her first trip to Nashville and the support of her now, husband helped her to find the courage to put all of her energy into music. With newfound confidence and instilled faith, Briar tells us she realized, “I love country music and I do have a story to tell,” adding later, “If God wants it to happen, it’s going to happen. I’ll work on it and I’ll do what I gotta do and if it works out, okay, let’s see what happens.”

Flash forward to today, Briar has been in the business for over thirteen years. Most recently she released a new song called “MAMA’S BOY,’ to her fans via Facebook. The new single will be apart of her upcoming EP FOREVER YOUNG. The singer drew inspiration from her daily life as a mom, and it is a beautiful ode to her 1 and 3-year-old sons. “So Mama’s Boy came probably about a week ago when I just was determined to finish a song that I wanted to write about being a mother,” Briar tells us. Utilizing the downtime of this national crisis, the singer was finally able to finish a song that she has been wanting to write, since becoming a mother.

Old and new fans of Briar alike should keep their eyes peeled for more from the singer as we head into the later part of the year. She is scheduled to play at some festivals, as well as, shows across the Northeast, Nashville, and Florida in the summer and fall months. For current dates and times head to nikkibriar.com.

To keep up with Nikki Briar follow her on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

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SHOP THE HERO COLLECTION

The Hero Collection by NYCountry Swag is inspired by the men and women of the Fire, Police and Military Departments across the country. A portion of sales from each purchase is donated to different foundations that support our heroes. We are dedicated to honoring their service and remembering their sacrifice.

—————————-

Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC & Beyond!

Subscribe to our Weekly Round-Up here 
for ticket giveaways, meet & greet contests, upcoming events,
and all things country music in the New York metro area and beyond!

+ Follow our country music adventures on Instagram, Twitter & Facebook:

NYCS Swag Spotlight: Chevel Shepherd

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Chevel Shepherd

Photo Credit: Shutterstreek

“I think music is the food of the soul and can heal people in a lot of different ways…”

 

One of our youngest, brightest stars that we have interviewed, Chevel Shepherd is this week’s Swag Spotlight and we are thrilled to tell her story. As a child, Shepherd started singing when she was only two years old, following in the footsteps of her mother and sister who also loved to sing. When she was four, she learned “Fly Away” by Tim McGraw and Carrie Underwood’s “Before He He Cheats”, using the latter to try and audition for a high school talent competition in her hometown of La Plata, New Mexico. The judges felt that song was was “inappropriate” she tells us and laughs as she explains she went on to sing “A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes” from Cinderella. She fell in love with country music from the very start of her life, listening to the greats with her parents like Loretta Lynn, Patsy Cline, Waylon Jennings, Tanya Tucker, and Merle Haggard. Ambitious from such a young age, Shepherd would wake up early on Friday mornings and go perform at radio stations before school.

She tells us that her upbringing in New Mexico was very “country”, she grew up on a 3-acre farm, barrel racing and raising horses.  Growing up she loved to watch American Idol and was too young to audition for both Idol and The Voice until they changed their policies. “I would sit in front of the TV and watch the people singing, and I would tell my mom,  ‘I could turn a chair,’ ” she recalls. She eventually saved up her money and went to audition for season 13 of The Voice in Las Vegas, unfortunately not making it past the open call. She was determined to follow her dreams as a singer and then something amazing happened: her mother received an email requested that Chevel, now 16 would audition for season 15.  “It was a blessing really, I am grateful to have gotten the opportunity again,” she tells us.

Talk about timing, this time around Shepherd did turn those chairs, three, in fact, Kelly Clarkson, Blake Shelton, and Jennifer Hudson all hit their buttons for the young singer. Surprising even herself, she chose Kelly Clarkson as her coach instead of Blake Shelton. “it was a gut decision to pick Kelly and I feel like it was a great decision, shes helped me a lot, she knows a lot about pop and country music,” she tells us.  Her sassy personality, remarkable vocals, and genuine charisma took her all the way to the end of the show where she ultimately took home the top prize.

Since winning the singing competition show, Shepherd has played live shows across the country, met some of her idols like Loretta Lynn and attended the ACM Awards with Kelly Clarkson. She has also loved being able to craft and perform her own songs. Earlier this year she recorded and released two songs, “Everybody’s Got A Story” which was written by some of Nashville’s best songwriters, Kacey Musgraves, Shane McAnally, and Brandy Clark and “Mama Got The Chair” which is a nod to George Strait’s number one hit, “The Chair”.

Both songs keep the traditional country roots that Shepherd has loved since she was a child. “I loved listening to the classic country sound, as I got older things started changing and the different genres were incorporated in the genre but I want to keep the traditional sound as long as I can,” she says. Looking into the future, she is dipping her toes in the acting world as well as playing more shows across the nation.

She may be young but her old soul and impeccable talent will certainly carry her far in her career.

To keep up with Chevel Shepherd, follow her on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

“Everybody’s Got a Story” and “Mama Got The Chair” are now available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

—————

SHOP THE HERO COLLECTION

The Hero Collection by NYCountry Swag is inspired by the men and women of the Fire, Police and Military Departments across the country. A portion of sales from each purchase is donated to different foundations that support our heroes. We are dedicated to honoring their service and remembering their sacrifice.

—————————-

Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC & Beyond!

Subscribe to our Weekly Round-Up here 
for ticket giveaways, meet & greet contests, upcoming events,
and all things country music in the New York metro area and beyond!

+ Follow our country music adventures on Instagram, Twitter & Facebook:

NYCS Swag Spotlight: James Dupré

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James Dupré

This week our Swag Spotlight shines on rising artist, James Dupré. We chatted with the singer-songwriter about his path to find music, his stint on The Voice, his hopes for his career going forward, and everything in between.

Growing up in small-town Bayou Chicot, Louisiana, Dupré remembers his parents listening to a lot of different styles of music, but for the singer, one particular voice transcends all for him. “I remember hearing Vince Gill sing for the first time,” he told us, “I remember his voice just absolutely amazed me, and I knew from then, I wanted to be a singer.” Other artists that he credits for his love of music includes greats like Merle Haggard and Randy Travis, and more modern artists like Eric Church and John Mayer, who he draws inspiration from for his own music.

Despite having a passion for music, Dupré’s life took a different turn. The singer actually went to college to study meteorology, where he subsequently also joined a band. At that time, he felt like he should be putting his focus on music, so he went back home, where he worked as a paramedic, all while, writing songs and recording Youtube videos.

Due to his popularity on YouTube, daytime and comedic sensation, Ellen Degeneres invited him on to her show. According to Dupré, “That was the first time I’ve ever been on television. […] It was an amazing experience being backstage and just kinda diving in to see how a major network TV show works behind the scenes. I was hooked after that.”

Dupré found himself moving to Nashville, Tennessee shortly after that. He signed with Warner Music Nashville and released his first debut project. Still being young and trying to cultivate his voice and his message, Dupré ended up leaving the label. With music still his passion, a friend of his, encouraged him to try out for Season 9 of NBC’s The Voice.

After a successful stint on the show, Dupré’s passion was reignited, and he knew once again that music was his calling. “You hear people, old-timers that have been in Nashville for decades- they say that really perseverance is the key because there are so many people that come here, and it’s easy to get discouraged,” adding, “But the people that stick it out no matter what- there’s gong to be ups and downs, those are the people that end up making it. And I don’t have a plan B. I don’t have anything to fall back on and I just love what I do. And I’m so lucky that I’ve had the opportunities that I’ve had, and I’m just going to continue doing it,” he declares.

Within the past year, Dupré has garnered many new fans of his own. Over the summer, the singer released a single to country radio called “Another Love Song,” after the song performed really well digitally on streaming platforms. He also was handpicked by his icon and now friend, Randy Travis for his ‘The Music of Randy Travis 2019 Tour.’

“The only way I can describe it is like going to Disney World like every day,” he tells us about the tour, “Randy Travis is an icon and I grew up listening to him and to be on stage- and to be on stage, including the Ryman Auditorium, with his original band, singing all these great songs, it was just a dream come true.”

According to Dupré, there is talk about the tour adding some more shows this year as well. Additionally, the singer released another song that just went to country radio called “You’re Probably Drunk Right Now.” The song showcases how a break-up feels on both sides of the dissolution of a relationship, and luckily for Dupré fans, both the new single and “Another Love Song” are part of a full-length album that is in the works, and slated to be released in summer, 2020. Fans are sure to be hearing a lot more from Dupré as the year continues, and we are excited to see how his career continues to blossom.

To keep up with James Dupré follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

“Another Love Song” and “You’re Probably Drunk Right Now” are now available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music here on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

—————

SHOP THE HERO COLLECTION

The Hero Collection by NYCountry Swag is inspired by the men and women of the Fire, Police and Military Departments across the country. A portion of sales from each purchase is donated to different foundations that support our heroes. We are dedicated to honoring their service and remembering their sacrifice.

—————————-

Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC & Beyond!

Subscribe to our Weekly Round-Up here 
for ticket giveaways, meet & greet contests, upcoming events,
and all things country music in the New York metro area and beyond!

+ Follow our country music adventures on Instagram, Twitter & Facebook: