Every Monday, we post our NYCountry Swag, Swag Spotlight artist interview, where we showcase a rising artist in the country music industry. Over the past three years, since this feature began, we have had the opportunity to highlight artists at the brink of their careers, as well as, interview some interesting rising talent.
We decided to take a look back and share some of our favorite songs from some of the hundreds of artists we have featured as a Swag Spotlight artist.
We love stellar songwriting, and that’s truly what Jameson Rodgers does best. “Missing One” is just another example of this, and we believe that his career is going to take off.
Brandon Ratcliff is as humble and he is talented. His newest project, featuring “Living for the City (Uncovered)” is funky and fun, just what we need right now!
This Australian duo is up and coming that’s for sure. They have unmatched charism and stage presence, and fans are going to continue to fall in love with their music.
Although a cover, we just cannot get enough of Hannah Ellis and her fiancé Nick Wayne’s cover of this song. It truly sounds like an original, and it is one of the best covers out there.
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!
As 2020 shows and tours are canceled or postponed throughout the country due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Luke Combs’ What You See Is What You Get Tour becomes the latest to post an update. The entire tour is being postponed and shifted to 2021 dates.
“Never in a million years did I think the show I played in Europe this past March would be the last headlining show I’d play this year. Believe me, I’m just as bummed as y’all are… Playing shows for y’all is what I love to do, but I want y’all to be completely safe, so we’re rescheduling all of the shows that were scheduled for the rest of this year to 2021. The new dates are listed above, and tickets already purchased for previous dates will be valid for new dates. I can’t wait to see y’all in person next year.” Combs wrote in an Instagram post.
The Hero Collectionby 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!
https://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/luke-combs-tour-2021.jpg6301200Stephanie Wagnerhttp://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/logo-new-cs-white.pngStephanie Wagner2020-07-23 12:35:172020-09-19 17:41:17Luke Combs Reschedules What You See Is What You Get Tour
Southern California native Cam is best known for her dreamy, thought-provoking songs that infuse country, pop, folk, and rock all into one sound. Untamed, her debut record came out five years ago, and on Friday, July 17th, Cam finally announced her follow-up, The Otherside, due October 30th. Ahead of its release, four songs are now available to fans, including the new summer jam “Classic”.
“Classic” was written by Cam and GRAMMY-winning writer and producer Jack Antonoff. Some of Antonoff’s most recent projects include The Chicks’ Gaslighter and Taylor Swift’s Lover, and you can hear his influence throughout the song. The track opens with a fun, 12-string guitar strumming pattern set to a driving percussion that sounds ‘70s and retro, and yet at the same time, modern in the way Antonoff’s producing credits feel.
The song is essentially about a love that is timeless and outlasts current trends and superficiality. Cam describes the love as “a big yellow taxi/Like your best friend’s mixtape/A big limo and a prom date”; all things that don’t belong to one specific decade. They’re simply classic. It’s clever, fun, and poppy, and a reminder that the simple things in life are some of the shiniest and best.
“Jack and I caught something in the air that day and ran with it,” Cam explained in a press release. “The track is so much fun. Jangling guitars, claps, it feels like when a group of familiar people get back together over the holidays, clanking around after dinner with too much wine, and amidst the chatter and laughter and closeness they are really telling each other, deep down, just how much they love each other.”
What Cam always does best is combine her pop instincts, these melodies that stick around in your head forever, with heartfelt and interesting country storytelling to go along with it. She’s distinct in her vocal delivery, and especially on a song like “Classic”, she shows fans how her music isn’t perfectly fit for the country radio mold, but at the same time could still easily be played on the air and be cranked up. Just like the song says, she’s classic.
“Classic” 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.
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!
https://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/cam-classic-new-album.jpg6301200Lucie Bernheimhttp://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/logo-new-cs-white.pngLucie Bernheim2020-07-21 21:08:402020-09-19 17:41:17Cam Releases New Song “Classic” & Drops Album Details
Country superstar, Keith Urban released a new track titled “Superman,” last Friday (July 17th) and a music video to go along with it. The song will feature on the Urban’s upcoming project, The Speed of Now Part One, coming out September 18th, along with other previously released tracks, such as “Polaroid,” “God Whispered Your Name,” “We Were.’
Although the idea around the song is sad, the upbeat tempo and colorful video make “Superman” a feel-good, summer jam. Urban reminisces on his time spent with a particular girl and how when they were together, he felt like a superhero. In the video, Urban sings the first verse as a cartoon sketch, and when the chorus comes around, he is brought to life in front of imaginative scenery. Watch it below:
Urban, who is up for ACM Male Artist of the Year, is scheduled to host the award show on September 16th, two days before his album release. Check out the full list of nominees here.
“Superman” is now available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out 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.
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!
The country music band A Thousand Horses are back, collaborating with producer Dave Cobb again on new music. The group released their brand new song entitled “A Song to Remember” today, marking their first single from their upcoming album, Let the Band Play On, and with their new label home.
Lead singer Michael Hobby co-wrote the track with Brett Warren, Brad Warren, and Christopher Stevens. “A Song to Remember” is a catchy, southern-rock jam written during the phase after a breakup. The men lament about the suffering one feels during heartbreak and the array of emotions that follow suit. Their gritty vocals and enticing lyrics make help fans to have empathy for the protagonist.
“I need a song to remember / And a drink to forget / I’m on my way to gettin’ over you / But I ain’t there yet / When the melody hits me, a little Coke in my whiskey / I’m as close to good as I can get / I need a song to remember / And a drink to forget”
This quasi-positive mentality is refreshing in a break-up song. The track overall is a perfect song that compliments the skill-set and talent of the members of A Thousand Horses. “’A Song To Remember’ is about being stuck in the purgatory of heartbreak and dealing with the rollercoaster of emotions that comes along with it,” said guitarist Bill Satcher. “We always love working with our old pal Dave Cobb, and to have Warner Music Nashville in our corner alongside Low Country Sound/Elektra means the world to us.”
“A Song to Remember” 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.
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!
https://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/a-song-to-remember-ath.jpg6301200Erica Zismanhttp://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/logo-new-cs-white.pngErica Zisman2020-07-17 15:37:322020-09-19 17:41:17A Thousand Horses Cheers to Heartbreak in “A Song to Remember”
Country music fans have been waiting fourteen years for The Chicks, formerly known as the Dixie Chicks, to rise from the ashes, and boy are they about to set fire to everything we ever knew about them in the best possible way. The powerful trio of songstresses is ready to share their truth with the world and lean into their brazen, rebellious side. Gaslighter is a masterpiece that was released at the absolute perfect time.
The Chicks’ evolution has been a long time in the making, and the new record is both sure to burn some bridges and build some new ones. The record is full of humor, pain, and honesty beginning with the album’s title track, “Gaslighter.” It is the perfect introduction to everything that makes this record what it is. The song is a reminder to all the naysayers that they are strong and independent women. The word itself is a not so subtle message about what the ladies have endured as products of their environment back in the heyday; however, the song is something special.
“March March,” is an in-your-face political tune about the power and importance of protest. It is sure to spark some controversy, but clearly The Chicks aren’t holding anything back, which is an evident theme throughout the entire record. In the same vein, “For Her” is another outcry for women. The beautiful harmonies shine as the songstresses pose the ideals of standing up for one another, standing up for your younger self, and showing up for yourself and other women simultaneously.
Heartbreak, bad experiences, and marital discord with men is another theme that is weaved throughout many songs on the record. In the heartbreaking ballad, “Everybody Loves You,” The Chicks break-down the hardships of ending a relationship, where your ex is loved by everybody. The singers examine that relational dynamic and divorce again in the story-telling song “My Best Friend’s Weddings;” however in this song, the ladies learned that they actually prefer their own company. “I’ve never seen her look more happy / Guess from ashes we can really grow”.
The Chicks continue to channel their angst and new-found confidence in “Tights On My Boat,” where they call out a cheating ex in a comedic, yet dark lyrical prose. Despite the subject matter, the song has an anthemic feel about it. Of course, “Sleep at Night” is another, not so subtle, message that reveals cheating rumors to be true. Ironically, the ladies cleverly place “Texas Man,” an outlier on the record, after the latter, which showcases some hope and romanticism for a post-split life.
In back to back songs, the ladies share their experiences of how divorce can impact kids. In “Julianna Calm Down,” the ladies give advice to women, who are in the throws of disintegrated relationships, naming all their children and nieces on the track. The ladies turn heartbreak into women empowerment in this necessary track, which was written by Julia Michaels, Jack Antonoff, and Natalie Maines. “You’re gonna make it through / So just put on, put on, put on your best shoes / And strut the fuck around like you’ve got nothing to lose”
“Young Man” addresses the sons that have been impacted. Specifically written for Maines’ son, the songstress encourage him and other boys to not take on the pain of the adults. The bluegrass tune is both inspiring and sad all at the same time.
Finally, the last two songs on the record have the ladies facing their pain and trials head-on. “Hope It’s Something Good” examines the heartbreaking reality that a twenty-plus year relationship is over. The vulnerability of the song is sure to resonate with fans across music genres. With that being said, the ladies end the record on a different note with “Set Me Free.” Although equally as emotive, the ballad feels like a release of pain and hurt, expressing a readiness to move on and find happiness again. It expresses closure both literally and figuratively.
The Chicks have found a way to take us through their journey for the last twenty years through their music. Gaslighter, though maybe not what fans expected or hoped for, is a fully cohesive album that is exactly what we needed. The Chicks have created a completely new space for themselves in the music scene and have really upped the ante for other artists to speak their truth in their music.
Gaslighter 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.
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!
https://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/gaslighter-the-chicks.jpg6301200Erica Zismanhttp://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/logo-new-cs-white.pngErica Zisman2020-07-17 15:15:202020-09-19 17:43:50NYCS First Impression: The Chicks ‘Gaslighter’
LANCO continues to showcase their folk-country sound and honest lyrics with their new track titled, “Save Me.” This is the double-platinum, country group’s first release since October when they dropped “What I See” and “Old Camaro.”
“Save Me” is a song about a lost, troubled man who meets a girl that helps him not only find love but find himself. Backed by a string-heavy production, the feelings become physical as lead singer, Brandon Lancaster describes his attraction for this woman in the second verse with the suggestive lyrics, “My addiction to this friction is like the skin against your jeans.” The slow tempo of the song amplifies when the chorus comes around.
“I’ve been lost and I found you / You can be the someone to / hold me close and make me believe / You could save me”
Although they have not been releasing new music like other artists, LANCO has stayed busy during the pandemic performing virtually on multiple live streams and for personal parties, appearing on an episode of P.K. Subban’s NHL Trivia show, and partnering with the non-profit organization, Purposity to raise money for families in need and much more.
LANCO was supposed to open for Miranda Lambert on her Wildcard Tour, which has been pushed back to start in October, but given the current state of the country, those shows are likely to be postponed again or canceled completely.
“Save Me” may be the first of many new songs coming from LANCO. The band already has “What I See,” “Old Camaro” and “Rival” to feature as the first few songs on their upcoming sophomore album.
“Save Me” 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.
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!
Swag Spotlight Sean Stemaly is an upcoming artist signed to Big Loud Records with a few releases under his belt. He grew up in southern Indiana driving heavy machinery and teaching himself the ways of music. He relocated himself to Nashville and penned over 100 country songs for other artists that led to his deal with Big Loud Records.
“As Far As I Know” is a summertime anthem and a story of heartbreak. Co-written by Jameson Rodgers, Hunter Phelps, and Justin Wilson, it holds a conventional country feel, a small-town country heartbreak. This close to home hitter is a mid-tempo dot on the map.
He sings: “But if she takes it through the red light // And hangs right // She’s probably just headed to her mama’s // And she takes a left turn // By the big church // There’s a 50/50 chance of where she’s going // I know where one road goes // And the other I don’t // I just hope the county line is as far as she goes // ‘Cause that’s about as far as I know.”
Mentioned in a press release, “From the second my team played me “As Far As I Know,” I immediately connected with it. It’s line for line a story I had actually lived. When I was 18 living in Evansville, IN, my girlfriend at the time struggled with our small town life. Let’s just say she hung a left at the big church and I never saw her again. That’s why I knew I had to cut it – I can sing it every night at shows and tell a real story, and that’s what Country music is all about. Thank you to Hunter Phelps, Justin Wilson, and Jameson Rodgers for writing such a good, honest song and letting me bring it to life.”
The country singer + songwriter is currently working on his debut album with producer Joey Moi who has worked with Florida Georgia Line and Morgan Wallen.
“As Far As I Know” is now available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more 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.
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!
https://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/as-far-as-i-know-sean.jpg6301200Brianna Vaccahttp://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/logo-new-cs-white.pngBrianna Vacca2020-07-15 20:37:332020-09-19 17:43:51Sean Stemaly Drops Small Town Anthem “As Far As I Know”
The Coronavirus pandemic has canceled live music events all over the world, including the beloved CMA Fest that takes place every summer in Nashville, Tennessee. Although we couldn’t physically be there this year, we got to re-live all the best moments of the four-day event from the past two decades in ABC’s “Best of Fest” television special. Country superstar, Luke Bryan hosted from the field at Nissan Stadium, the venue in which the festival always takes place.
The show started with a fiery performance from Carrie Underwood singing “Last Name” in 2010. It was followed by Sam Hunt’s performance of “Body Like a Backroad” from 2017. He shared his first CMA Fest experience with us before the clip was shown. “My first CMA Fest was my second time in Nashville. I came up with some buddies and we went over to the stadium to watch the concert,” Hunt recalled. “We got to see Alan Jackson play that night who I am a big fan of — I grew up listening to his music. I was really inspired by that night and decided to move to Nashville and pursue music after college.”
After a 2012 clip of Little Big Town performing “Pontoon,” Luke Combs discussed what it was like standing on the CMA stage for the first time. “You’ll never forget walking out on the stage seeing 60,000 people there,” he stated before viewers saw his video of “When It Rains, It Pours” from 2018. “I remember being a fan there myself and just sitting way up in the top section and thinking, ‘Man, what if that was me one day?’” They then showed Thomas Rhett performing “Life Changes” from the same year. They threw it back to 2007 with the next performance — Miranda Lambert rocking out to her hit song “Kerosene”.
From one strong female voice to another, Maren Morris’ 2019 performance of “GIRL” was featured in the special. Also from 2019, we got to re-live the epic collaboration of Keith Urban joining Billy Ray Cyrus and Lil Nas X on their record-breaking song “Old Town Road.”
Fellow American Idol host, Lionel Richie introduced Luke Bryan, as his 2012 performance of “Country Girl (Shake It For Me)” was featured on the show. After that, fans got to see Garth Brooks’ 2017 melody of all his biggest hits. Before ‘taking the stage,’ he shared his memories from that unforgettable night. “They introduce me, I walk out there and that crowd was like 1,000 times louder than I was ready for,” Brooks admitted. “I couldn’t hear the track, couldn’t hear nothing so I knew we were gonna blow that entrance.”
We flashbacked to 2014 and 2010 with Darius Rucker performing “Wagon Wheel” and Brad Paisley performing “American Saturday Night,” respectively. Paisley was introduced by his good friend and future Hall of Fame quarterback, Peyton Manning, who joked that he was actually the one who taught Paisley how to play guitar.
Back to 2018, Dan + Shay performed their smash hit, “Tequila” that earned them a Grammy for Best Country Duo/Group Performance. Later, the special featured Kelsea Ballerini’s 2017 performance of “Yeah Boy.” She shared what it felt like to go from a CMA Fest fan to a performer.
“My mom would buy me tickets for Christmas and we would hop in the car from Knoxville with some friends and drive down and spend the afternoons waiting on line to meet my favorite artists at the time and then at night, of course, go to the stadium and sit up in the nose bleeds and absolutely lose my mind over my favorite artists,” Ballerini confessed. “Now that I get to be on that stage, I don’t take it for granted – it’s my favorite thing to do.”
The show reminisced on many more collaborations from past CMA Fests. Carrie Underwood shared that one of her favorite CMA moments was from last year when Joan Jett joined her on stage to perform “I Love Rock n’ Roll” and “I Hate Myself for Loving You.” Dwight Yoakam joined Dierks Bentley on stage to sing Yoakam’s “Fast As You,” Little Big Town joined Rascal Flatts to cover Kansas’ “Carry On My Wayward Son” in 2011 and Trace Adkins joined Blake Shelton to sing their number one hit, “Hillbilly Bone.”
We went back to Lady A’s first-ever CMA performance in 2008. It featured their debut single, “Love Don’t Live Here.” Comedian, Jim Gaffigan called Zach Brown Band’s “Chicken Fried” “the perfect country song,” as they showed their performance of it from 2009, next. After Tim McGraw’s 2010 performance of “Something Like That,” we saw more collaborations, such as Brooks and Dunn and Brothers Osbourne performing “Hard Working Man” last year, Kane Brown and Lauren Alaina singing their number one song, “What Ifs” in 2018, and Eric Church and Lizzie Hale shredding out to Church’s “That’s Damn Rock n’ Roll” from 2014.
The show ended with Luke Bryan and Darius Rucker joining together (six feet apart, of course) to sing a cover a John Mellencamp’s “Small Town” from the field at Nissan Stadium, followed by a clip from Keith Urban’s 2017 performance of “Wasted Time.”
Although it hurt not having CMA Fest this year, we are thankful we had this special to re-live some of the most memorable performances from past years and are hopeful that 2021’s festival will be the best one yet! As we all are yearning for concerts to return, the only thing we can do is follow the guidelines our health officials have set for us, like wearing our masks and social distancing. The better we comply, the faster we can return to normal, which means a return for live music and country concerts!
Keep up with the Country Music Association by following them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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!
https://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/abc-best-of-cma-fest.jpg6301200Dylan Bestlerhttp://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/logo-new-cs-white.pngDylan Bestler2020-07-14 12:33:142020-09-19 17:43:51ABC Celebrates The Best of Fest ‘CMA Fest’ Television Special
Friday (July 10), Morgan Wallen welcomed his first child, son Indie Wilder. The singer-songwriter took to Instagram Monday evening to share the news.
“Little Wilder, I’m a changed man. Since you came into the world Friday, I see mine differently now. It’s not just me anymore, and I’m glad it’s not. This year has been the hardest of my life in so many ways, but that’s not what i will remember it by. You are. You are a gift and this tough year just made sense. I’ll be the Dad you deserve as well as the co-parent your mother deserves. Since you were born, I know that every decision I make will be with you in mind. I promise I’ll always protect you, and do my best to be an example of a good, godly man just like my daddy was for me.” Morgan wrote.
He added, “I knew this day was coming when I got to share this news with y’all. And I’m glad that day is here. I didn’t know what being a dad would feel like, honestly have been a little scared. But it’s the coolest damn feeling, and I’m ready for whatever God has planned for me and my little guy. He’s healthy and happy and while I’m typing this I’m getting in the truck to go hold him right now. Thank you for all the love and prayers. Thank you to my friends and family who have called and texted me letting me know how happy they are for me and that I have their support. I can’t wait to see him hook into his first big one.”
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!
