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babes-booze-brunch

5 Reasons You Shouldn’t Miss Our Babes, Booze, and Brunch Event

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Our Babes, Booze, and Brunch event is back! Join us on Sunday, March 20th at Refinery Rooftop in Manhattan! Still thinking about purchasing a ticket? Here are 5 reasons you don’t want to miss our brunch below!

1. Ashley Cooke is performing.
Ashley Cooke is one of our favorite rising artists right now! When she hits it big on the charts and starts playing to larger audiences, you can say you were one of the first New York fans to see her perform, up close, and personal at our brunch! Cooke’s music is authentic and relatable. Her debut EP Already Drank That Beer was one of our favorites of 2021. She is a must-see!

2. The DJ will be spinning all our favorite girl-power anthems.
When we are not featuring our live music acts, the DJ will be sure to play all our favorite girl power anthems! From classics like Shania Twain’s “Man! I Feel Like A Woman!” to Beyonce’s “Who Run The World?”, bring your girls and get the party started on the dance floor!

Babes Booze & Brunch

3. Sunshine and a rooftop, do we need to say more?!
Refinery Rooftop is one of the prettiest venues in Manhattan. The stunning rooftop views of the Empire State Building are a perfect spot for your Instagram pictures, and of course, to take in the sun, on what is supposed to be a beautiful 60-degree day! Not to mention, the location is an easy walk from Penn Station, in case you are coming from the train station.

Brunch

4. Mimosas, mimosas, mimosas… and bloody marys of course.
We will have a build-your-own mimosa and bloody mary station, as well as, a full bar available. Every ticket even comes with a complimentary mimosa and VIP tickets include a 2-hour open bar! The byo mimosa & bloody mary stations are always a hit at our event, and it is sure to be this year too!

5. Be part of a day celebrating and empowering women.
Most importantly, be a part of the movement in country music. Come to the brunch, and support a rising female country artist, a female-run business, and of course, each other! Take pictures with your friends in our photobooth or come solo, and make some new friends! Together, we can dance like no one’s watching to all different types of music, have fun, and celebrate the strength of being a woman!

Find tickets for our event here. We will see you there!

Country Swag Reveals 2022 Artists to Watch

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Introducing our 2022 Country Artists to Watch!

Over the past 6+ years of Country Swag, we have always loved to support rising artists and introduce our followers to the best new music in the genre. Since our first Artists to Watch list back in 2017, we have pinned rising stars like Luke Combs, Brett Young, Russell Dickerson, Walker Hayes, HARDY, Gabby Barrett, and more. Each year we choose ten new artists that we believe are destined for killer careers, our only rule when choosing is the artist can NOT already have a number one song.

Check out our picks in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2o2o and 2021, before checking out the 10 artists we picked to have a huge 2022 below.

CONNER SMITH –

Listen: “I Hate Alabama”
Stay Connected: @ConnerSmithMusic

When we think 2022, we think CONNER SMITH. We were first introduced to this talented singer-songwriter in early 2021 when he joined us in New York City to film an acoustic session and interview. As Smith performed for our crew, it was obvious that everyone in the room could feel the magic from this talented artist. Just a few weeks later, after an overwhelming fan response to an unreleased song “I Hate Alabama” prompted Smith to officially release the track, the artist found himself in headlines everywhere. Barely 24 hours after it’s official drop, the Alabama Crimson Tide football team notoriously lost their game after a 19-week winning streak. Coincidence?

Conner Smith is destined to be a name stay in country music. His debut EP Didn’t Go Too Far is due out January 14th and fans can catch him on the road in early 2022 with Ryan Hurd.

 

ALANA SPRINGSTEEN –

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Listen: “Zero Trucks”
Stay Connected: @AlanaSpringsteen

We first became familiar with Alana Springsteen with the release of “Think About You”, a relatable and catchy song put out to country radio with Curb Records’ artist, Filmore back in 2020. Continuing to impress with each new release, the 21-year-old officially dropped her studio debut EP, History of Breaking Up (Part 1) in September 2021. The project truly showcases her beautiful vocals and honest and raw songwriting. Paired with an infectious stage presence, Springsteen was an easy contender for our 2022 watch list.

 

DREW GREEN –

Listen: “She Got That”
Stay Connected: @DrewGreen

Drew Green is a standout artist as the Tennessee native continues to blend genre lines making a one-of-a-kind sound uniquely his own. With hints of country, trap, and rap in his music, paired with his honest approach to songwriting and compelling storytelling, there is a song for everyone in this newcomer’s catalog. Check out his latest project, Dirt Boy Vol. 2 here.

 

BRELAND –

Listen: “Cross Country”
Stay Connected: @Breland

Breland is indisputably an artist to pay attention to and the Jersey native has quite the collection of collaborations that serve as a testament to the music community’s appreciation for his undeniable talent. Songs like “My Truck” ft. Sam Hunt, “Throw It Back” ft. Keith Urban, Nelly’s “High Horse” ft. Breland + Blanco Brown, are just a few standout tracks with Breland’s name attached. However, his highly personal, yet relatable single, “Cross Country” is what helps us get to know the rising star. Cultivating a sound of his own matched with his infectious personality and energetic stage presence makes Breland a must-see act. Catch him on the road in 2022 with Russell Dickerson on the All Yours, All Night Tour.

 

ASHLEY COOKE –

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Listen: “Never Til Now”
Stay Connected: @TheAshleyCooke

After having viral success on TikTok, Ashley Cooke has racked up millions of fans over the last nearly two years. The talented singer-songwriter was not only able to land the attention of new fans on the popular social app, but she was able to keep them. With each new music release she continues to impress with her heartfelt vulnerability in her lyrics and captivating vocals. Get to know Ashley Cooke with her debut EP, Already Drank That Beer – Side A here.

 

WARREN ZEIDERS –

Listen: “Ride The Lightning”
Stay Connected: @WarrenZeiders

Warren Zeiders’ gritty vocals meshed with his own unique blend of country music and southern rock influences sets him apart from the pool of rising acts in the country music world. His lead single, “Ride the Lightning”, penned by himself along with Eric Paslay and Rob Crosby, will stop you in your tracks and have any listener captivated beginning to end. A Warren Zeiders x Morgan Wallen collab is a thought we’d like to put into the universe.

 

MORGAN WADE –

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Listen: “Wilder Days”
Stay Connected: @MorganWadeMusic

Perhaps the most buzzed about artist of 2021, Morgan Wade is a name that will be around for years to come. Breaking out onto the scene with her debut project, Reckless, Wade delivers real, raw, and authentic lyrics in her music. The rising star can be found on the road with Luke Combs in 2022, a coveted spot that is sure to help even further boost her fanbase. Wade continues to stun on her latest release, “Run”, listen here.

 

CHAYCE BECKHAM –

Listen: “23 – Steel Mix”
Stay Connected: @ChayceBeckhamMusic

Chayce Beckham won the hearts of fans everywhere during his run on Season 21 of American Idol. The singer stunned throughout the series, ultimately claiming the winning title. The popular singing competition helped introduce fans to Beckham’s incredible tone and talent. After performing his own deeply personal song “23”, which he independently wrote, Beckham released the track and instantly saw it hit #1 on iTunes charts. Recently, the singer-songwriter teamed up with label-mate, Lindsay Ell for a brand new high-energy song, “Can’t Do Without Me” Listen here.

 

ERIN KINSEY –

who-is-erin-kinsey

Listen: “Just Drive”
Stay Connected: @ErinKinseyTX

We first met Erin Kinsey this past fall when she joined us in New York City for an acoustic session and interview. Her positive and contagious energy is what got our attention, but her incredible vocal skills matched with her catchy and relatable lyrics are what kept us wanting more. The Texas native certainly has a bright future. Get to know the singer-songwriter in our spotlight interview here.

 

LARRY FLEET –

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Listen: “Different Shade of Red”
Stay Connected: @LarryFleet

Larry Fleet’s debut single “Where I Find God” left us awestruck upon first listen and in high anticipation for a full-length project. Delivering 14 tracks, all in-which he had a hand in writing, on his debut album Stack of Records, Larry Fleet lived up to the hype. A combination of honest lyrics, staggering vocals, and country grit make Larry Fleet an artist to watch. Catch him on the road in 2022 with Morgan Wallen on The Dangerous Tour.

Like what you hear? Give a follow to our 2022 Artists to Watch Playlist here.

Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about upcoming announcements and releases.

Check out the latest tunes in country music on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

 

5 New Female Country Artists to Be Excited About

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Here are five new female country music artists that you should be paying attention to as they establish themselves in the genre.

Country music is ever-growing and it’s sound is ever-changing. These five female artists are among the many fresh faces that are helping grow country music with their own unique flavor. We’re excited about what these ladies have done so far and what they will go on to do and we think you should be paying attention to them as they continue to pave their paths.

Ashley Cooke

Listen: “Jealous of the Sky”

Ashley Cooke is currently enjoying an incredible breakout year as an independent artist. We were first introduced to the budding star with the release of her debut single “Jealous of the Sky” in October of 2020, followed by “Sunday Morning Kinda Saturday Night”. The ladder debuted #1 on the iTunes Country Chart and #15 all-genre. Cooke added to the new music with her debut EP, ‘Already Drank That Beer – Side A’, recently released on August 27th. Cooke is a Tiktok success story. In fact, back in April she celebrated one year of her very first video that went on to receive over two million views and sent her into the public eye with a massive following. Check out the video here. Cooke moved to Nashville when she was 18 to attend Belmont University and has since co-created The 615 House, a collab house in Nashville created as a result of the pandemic for country singers and songwriters to create content, build fan-bases, and collaborate with other like-minded young new talent.

Follow Ashley Cooke on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

 

Tenille Arts

Listen: “I Hate This”

Tenille Arts, alongside the remainder of the women on this list, were each named one of ten female artists in CMT’s Next Women of Country Class of 2021. Arts, born and raised in Canada, first caught attention when she appeared on The Bachelor in 2018, which resulted in a record deal with the indie label, Reviver Records. Her second appearance on the show came a year later when she performed her song “I Hate This”, which hit #1 on the US and Canadian iTunes Country Charts and #9 on US iTunes all-genre. Her third appearance on The Bachelor came just before she released her latest album Love, Heartbreak, and Everything In Between. Arts landed her very first number one song earlier this year with “Somebody Like That” and fans can look forward to brand new music from the singer-songwriter from her upcoming album, Girl to Girl, due out October 22nd.

Follow Tenille Arts on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

 

MacKenzie Porter

Listen: “Drinkin’ Songs”

Signed with Big Loud Records, MacKenzie Porter is experiencing rising success after two years of releasing music including her EP: Drinkin’ Songs: The Collection, which includes popular singles like “The One”, “Drinkin’ Songs”, and “These Days”. Porter also collaborated with Dustin Lynch earlier this year on their current fast-rising single “Thinking ‘Bout You”. The Canadian-native moved to Nashville in 2014. Since then she has collaborated with many well-known songwriters. She has shared the stage with some of the biggest in the business including Kenny Chesney, Rascal Flatts, Blake Shelton, Chris Lane, and Dallas Smith. We featured Porter in a spotlight interview late last year and you can check it out to learn more about her journey to country music here.

Follow MacKenzie Porter on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

 

Harper Grae

Listen: “Still Your Mother”

Harper Grae, an Alabama-native, made waves with a song she released earlier this year called, “Still Your Mother.” It is a beautiful song that pulls on the heart strings about mothers who have either suffered a miscarriage or are the mothers of what Grae likes to call ‘rainbow babies’. Personal to her own story, Grae received a much-deserved overwhelming response for mothers that have used this song as their own therapy, much like Grae did for herself. Grae released her debut album, Break Your Crowns, in 2017, and since then has released singles like “Monster” (2018), “Bloodline” (2018), “Muddy Water” (2020), “Best For You” (2020), and “Caviar and Bars” (2021). She has been named one of CMT’s “Five LGBTQ and Americana Artists You Need to Know” and received a 2020 GLAAD award for Rising Country Star.

Follow Harper Grae on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

 

Brittney Spencer

Listen: “Sober & Skinny”

A Baltimore native, Brittney Spencer made her way to Nashville in 2013 to follow her dreams of becoming a singer-songwriter. She has toured and performed as a background singer for Carrie Underwood and just recently kick-started her own musical career late last year when she released her 4-song debut EP Compassion in December of 2020. Kicking off the new year, Spencer sang on Common Hymnal’s Christian Album Praise and Protest singing “Thoughts and Prayers” with Brock Human. Most recently, she released her latest single, “Skinny & Sober”. Spencer received a shoutout from Maren Morris at the 2020 ACM Awards when she accepted her award for Female Vocalist of the Year and from Mickey Guyton back in April during ACM promotions and a segment “Country Music Looks Like”.

Follow Brittney Spencer on Instagram,  Twitter, and Facebook.

 

Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about upcoming announcements and releases.

Check out more new recently released tunes on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

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Ashley Cooke: Already Drank That Beer – Side A – EP Review

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Ashley Cooke releases her debut EP titled Already Drank That Beer – Side A,  out today, August 27th on all streaming platforms.  Check out our full review and listen to the new music below.

Up and coming talent, Ashley Cooke has garnered millions of fans over the last year. Her heartfelt vulnerability has left a mark on country music lovers everywhere. Today, Cooke released her debut EP Already Drank That Beer – Side A, available on all streaming platforms.

With just eight songs, Cooke manages to showcase her personality, talent, and story all at once. The record kicks off with the song “Gettin’ Somewhere,” written by Hunter Phelps, Jameson Rodgers, and Alysa Vanderheym. The fun-loving opener sets the tone for the songstress’ talent.

“Feels like we’re kinda late to the party // ‘Cause now it’s just getting started tonight // We’ve been riding around this little town // With the window down all night long // We’ve been taking our time // Doin’ fifty-five in a sixty-five to the right songs”

Cooke slows it down for the next two songs on the project, “Under” and “Sunday Morning Kinda Saturday Night.” Both songs were hits with fans on social media before their releases. The former, one of the best on the project, utilizes wordplay to convey heartbreak. While, “Sunday Morning Kinda Saturday Night,” one of Cooke’s breakout hits, shares how it feels to be missing your ex.

On the title track, the singer-songwriter showcases her vocals and vulnerability yet again. The song expresses how easy it is to fall back in love with someone for just the night, even though it is not good for you. The relatability of this song is somber, yet so real.

“We could drink the night away, chasing that buzz // And talk about Bourbon Street and how hard it was // fall right back together like we don’t know better // Like we, we ain’t been here // It’s too bad, baby, we already drank that beer”

Cooke continues to grapple with that push-pull, break-up on “Opposite of Love.” One of the five tracks that the singer had a hand in writing, the song displays how it feels to still love someone, even though you’re trying not to. Cooke tackles a similar topic in her duet with Jimmie Allen, “Good Goodbye.”

Interestingly, Cooke revels in the moving on on “First Time, Last Night.” The song conveys how good it feels to finally be out at a familiar place and not drinking to forget, but just drinking to have fun. This song reminds us all that eventually, we do move on.

The final song on the new EP is an acoustic ballad titled “Never Til Now.” Cooke pours her heart out to her fans on this song. Co-written by the singer with Matt Roy, the track is arguably the most vulnerable on the project. She shares the joys of love and settling down, something she thought she would never do or find. The song is the perfect way to end the expressive and emotive record.

According to Cooke, “These songs are pages out of my journal put to music. They’re my stories over the last year or so, and they feel like an extension of me.” This is the perfect way to sum up the project. Cooke hits the nail on the head with this stellar debut!

Already Drank That Beer – Side A EP Tracklist:

  1. Gettin’ Somewhere
  2. Under
  3. Sunday Morning Kinda Saturday Night
  4. Already Drank That Beer
  5. Opposite of Love
  6. Good Goodbye (feat. Jimmie Allen)
  7. First Time, Last Night
  8. Never Til Now
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Ashley Cooke’s new EP ‘Already Drank That Beer – Side A,’ is out now

Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about upcoming Ashley Cooke announcements and releases.

To keep up with Ashley Cooke, follow her on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

Already Drank That Beer – Side A is available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released tunes on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

Ashley Cooke Collaborates with Jimmie Allen on New Song “Good Goodbye”

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Ashley Cooke and Jimmie Allen’s new song “Good Goodbye,” is available now, August 6th, on all streaming platforms. Take a look below as we dig a little deeper into the new song.

Ashley Cooke is becoming a more and more well-known name in country music. A little over a year after going viral on TikTok, the 24-year-old is gaining serious traction in the music industry. With five singles, each one better than the last, and an upcoming album, all released in less than a year, Cooke is keeping busy and gaining more and more fans as she goes.

Ashley Cooke’s latest release “Good Goodbye” features Jimmie Allen and marks the last single to be released ahead of her forthcoming full-length debut album, Already Drank That Beer, due out August 27th. The eight-track project will include previously released tracks like “Sunday Morning Kinda Saturday Night”, “Jealous of the Sky”, “Under” and the title track, as well as four brand new songs.

“Good Goodbye” is a beautiful collaboration that showcases the extraordinary vocals of both Cooke and Allen. Written by Cooke and Blake Pendergrass, tells the story of two people pulling away from a relationship that they know is near the end. It touches on the mixed emotions that are felt while trying to soak up your last moments together, but knowing that it’s already over.

On how this duet came about, Cooke shares, “We originally recorded ‘Good Goodbye’ as an individual song with just my voice on it, but something felt missing to give the song the depth it deserves.” She adds, “I knew Jimmie would be the perfect addition and I’m just honored to get to collaborate with such an unbelievably talented artist. His tone, harmonies, riffs, storytelling, etc. adds so much to the song and I’m so proud to be releasing this with him.”

“If we ain’t gonna make it baby // whatcha say we make it a good, goodbye // love me for the last time // wrap me in your arms, like we never grew apart // come and kiss my lips, take me back to when // you were all my heart was chasing // If we’re gonna say it, make it a good, goodbye”

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Ashley Cooke and Jimmie Allen’s new song “Good Goodbye,” is out now

Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about upcoming Ashley Cooke and Jimmie Allen announcements and releases.

To keep up with Ashley Cooke, follow her on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.

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

Roman Alexander and Ashley Cooke Duet on “Between You & Me”

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Roman Alexander joined forces with Ashley Cooke on a reimagined duet version of “Between You & Me” available now, April 23rd, on all streaming platforms. Take a look below as we dig a little deeper into the new music.

Roman Alexander, this week’s Swag Spotlight Artist, is keeping busy with a slew of new music releases. Just this past November 2020, Alexander released his debut EP, Between You and Me. The 5-track project includes his “Cocktail Conversations” and the original version of “Between You and Me”. He also released an acoustic version of both songs last month, along with another song from the EP, “Bad for Me”. Right around the same time, he joined Alana Springsteen on her single “Trying Not To”.

Now, Alexander has just released a new version of “Between You and Me”, this time adding an incredible duet with talented singer-songwriter, Ashley Cooke. Cooke, is a rising new artist who has risen to fame over the last few months in part thanks to TikTok and has also recently released new music, her first two singles: “Jealous of the Sky” and “Sunday Morning Kinda Saturday Night”. 

The two up-and-coming artists are a perfect pair in their version of “Between You and Me”. Alexander said that the decision to drop a new version of the song with Cooke was an easy one. When his manager suggested a female artist joining him on the song to “throw some fuel on the fire and keep things going”, Alexander said “what about Ashley Cooke? It was a no brain,” he tells us in our spotlight interview. After hearing the two collaborate on this version, we couldn’t agree more. 

“Between You & Me” is a song about two people who just want to get as close to each other as possible, emotionally and physically. Adding Cooke as the female vocal and making the song a duet takes the story from a thought and a one-sided conversation to a mutual feeling. Rather than just a hope for him, it makes it something that you know they both want to happen. 

Roman Alexander & Ashley Cooke's, "Between You & Me" is available now, April 23rd

Roman Alexander & Ashley Cooke’s, “Between You & Me” is available now, April 23rd

“Between you and me // All I can think about // Is leaving here early to get you alone // Pulling you into me, not even music on // Nothing but you, my tee, white sheets // Between you and me”

Alexander and Cooke are both rising singer-songwriters and are each incredible vocalists. We’re not just excited about what’s ahead for them both, but we’re so happy they had the chance to collaborate together so early on in their careers, as they’re both promising faces for the future of country music.

Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about upcoming Roman Alexander/Ashley Cooke announcements and releases.

To keep up with Roman Alexander, follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
To keep up with Ashley Cooke, follow her on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

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

Our Favorite Viral Country Songs from TikTok

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TikTok is full of talented budding artists with millions of followers. Lately, we have noticed that many country songs have gone viral just before their release. Check out a few of our favorites below and let us know how your list matches up with ours.

“Villain”- Lily Rose

“You can be the hero, I can take the fall / If that’s how your story goes, say it’s all my fault / Whatever helps you sleep at night / Yeah, you can make me the bad guy”

Named one of our 2021 Artists to Watch, Lily Rose rose to stardom on TikTok, building a community of loyal fans almost instantly. Staying true to herself and her personal story, “Villain” is the perfect introduction to Rose’s budding talent. The new soulful tune is the perfect track for anyone that is feeling like the “bad guy” after a break-up.

To keep up with Lily Rose, follow her on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

 

“Jealous Of The Sky”- Ashley Cooke

“You can shine all the time like it’s just another day / Let the rain out when you feel like you wanna cry / Now you get to say hello while I gotta say goodbye / I’m jealous of the sky”

Ashley Cooke rose to fame on TikTok over quarantine, and there’s clearly no stopping her. She just released her new heartfelt song, “Sunday Morning Kinda Saturday Night,” but it was “Jealous Of The Sky” that captured our hearts first. Written in remembrance for her best friend that passed away from his battle with cancer, the touching tune is a song that really puts Cooke on the map for her vocals and her songwriting.

To keep up with Ashley Cooke, follow her on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

 

“Better Than You’re Used To”- Tyler Rich

“He don’t take you dancing, he don’t understand / What he’s got, but baby I do / You need someone to love, love, love you / Better than you’re used to”

Although already an established country artist, Tyler Rich utilized social media, especially TikTok to his benefit. After writing the demo of “Better Than You’re Used To,” he shared it with his followers, and his fans instantly took to it. With no real plans to release it, Rich quickly changed his mind and released the song at the perfect time just before Valentine’s Day. We hope it becomes a hit for the singer-songwriter!

To keep up with Tyler Rich, follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

 

“Just About Over You”- Priscilla Block

“Guess I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time / You must’ve heard I was moving on / Then right out of the blue / A quarter past two, I’m all about you / When I was just about, just about over you”

Priscilla Block is undoubtedly one of our new favorite songstresses’ in county music. With a sassy attitude, killer songwriting, and honesty for days, how could you not fall in love with her?! Although she has many songs that have gone viral on TikTok, “Just About Over You” is a clear standout.

To keep up with Priscilla Block, follow her on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

 

“She Broke My Heart”- Noah Schnacky

“Cause I wouldn’t have been riding solo / Friday night at the house of blues / And I wind’ the ben there to accidentally spill my drink on you / You wouldn’t have laughed at how I dance”

TikTok has a ton of artists that are both newcomers and established artists in the field. Noah Schnacky is a rising artist, who has gained a lot of success with his TikTok page. He continues to utilize it to share new releases and demos with his fans. Most recently, he has been sharing “She Broke My Heart,” and it is both a viral hit and an absolute smash!

To keep up with Noah Schnacky, follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

 

How does our list of favorite viral TikTok country songs match up to yours? Let us know in the comments.

Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about upcoming country music releases in the coming weeks.

Ashley Cooke Releases “Sunday Morning Kinda Saturday Night”

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Ashley Cooke’s new song “Sunday Morning Kinda Saturday Night” is available now, March 2nd, everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a look below as we dig a little deeper into the track.

Back in October 2020, Ashley Cooke burst on to the country music scene with a heartbreaking song called “Jealous Of The Sky,” written in remembrance of her late best friend. Continuing to pour her heart out in her music and making her fans proud, the songstress is following up her release today with “Sunday Morning Kinda Saturday Night.”

Using her TikTok notoriety to connect with her fans, Cooke finally released this track, one that her followers have been asking for. The new song was written by Craig Wiseman and Matt Roy, but feels like it’s coming straight from the pages of her diary. The mid-tempo song is all about needing a change after a break-up. Cooke admits to needing to take a break from wild Saturday nights out in favor of a Sunday morning of faith and slowing down.

Ashley Cooke's new song "Sunday Morning Kinda Saturday Night" is available everywhere now, March 2nd

Ashley Cooke’s new song “Sunday Morning Kinda Saturday Night” is available everywhere now, March 2nd

“Let the FM hymns blow the bench seat speakers / Let the fireflies and the starlight be my preacher / Shine a little deeper than the neon lights / I need a Sunday morning kinda Saturday night”

Relatable as ever, the song reminds everyone that you cannot get over hurt and heartbreak by partying someone away. Unfortunately, we cannot heal our hearts by partying. Cooke is one of those artists that have found so much success from TikTok, and we think she has a lot of promise in the industry if she keeps releasing songs like this that are catchy, relatable, and lyrically-driven.

Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about future Ashley Cooke releases.

To keep up with Ashley Cooke, follow her on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

“Sunday Morning Kinda Saturday Night” 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.

Woman of the Month: Rakiyah Marshall

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We’re bringing you stories from women who are chasing their dreams and building a life that they love with New York Country Swag’s, “Woman of the Month”.

Each month, we highlight a different female pursuing her passions. Introducing you to women who are taking risks, working relentlessly, and turning their dreams into reality. These are empowering women who serve as role models and should be celebrated.

Rakiyah Marshall

“I love music, I love songwriters, and I love that music makes the world go round”

 

Our first Woman of the Month for 2021 hails from the same hometown as our Managing Editor, Christina, on Long Island New York. Rakiyah Marshall now resides in Nashville but her inspiring story of finding her passion for music, moving to Nashville to pursue that passion, and taking a leap of faith to start her own business all started in New York.

Thinking back to her childhood, music was always playing in her home. Whether her mother was cleaning on a Sunday morning listening to gospel music, getting ready for a party and listening to reggae, or even listening to the country female powerhouses taking over the airwaves in the ’90s, the energy music brought to her household influenced her life. She attended Seton Hall in New Jersey for college and knew that she wanted to be involved in the entertainment world. She landed an internship at Republic Records at a crucial time for the label, when it was just beginning to expand and take off. She recalls watching major artists like Ariana Grande and Nelly walk through the office and seeing artists who weren’t huge yet, get their start with Republic. “I remember going back to my dorm and thinking to myself, ‘What world did I just walk in to and how do I stay in it’,” she recalls.

Marshall speaks so highly of her internship and what she learned there, explaining that after she graduated she asked if she can stay on, that she would help with whatever they needed at the time, and eventually that turned into a full-time job. She tells us that one summer a friend asked her to go to see Rascal Flatts at PNC Bank Arts Center in New Jersey and it was her very first time at a country concert. “I had never gone to a tailgate like that, so many people just in a parking lot out in a field, it felt like everyone was friends and family already, I never enjoyed a concert like I did that day.” She tells us after that show she really started digging into the newer country acts, learning to love the true storytelling aspect of the genre.

She made the move to Nashville and took a job working at BMG in publishing, helping to guide and work with songwriters like Lindsey Ell, Sean Stemaly, and Emily Landis. “The Music Row feeling, it’s one I don’t even know how to describe,” she tells us.  “It’s a street filled with labels, publishers, PROS, and they are all located on one street, it’s magical and something that just does not exist in New York or Los Angeles, where it’s very corporate-driven and all high rises.” She quickly started to cherish the songwriter and the powerful energy that they brought to music city.

Like most people who work in the music industry, the COVID-19 pandemic forced everyone to pivot their strategies, sit down and figure out how they could use the slowed-down moments to their benefit. Marshall, who has always taken her own route in life decided that it was time for her to bet on herself, her talents, and confidently take a leap of faith and start her own company. After spending time watching cat videos on TikTok, she laughs, she tells us that she quickly realized that this new app was filled with untapped, unsigned yet very talented artists. After coming across Ashley Cooke, she knew she wanted to work with her. “My boyfriend, Seth England said ‘Why don’t you do it yourself? If you really believe in her, and she believes in you, you can start it together.’ It was scary to quit my corporate job in the middle of a pandemic, I had a lot of anxiety but I thought, there is no better time, I had time to think and strategize.”

England who is the CEO and partner at Big Loud Records also suggested the perfect name for her new venture and Back Blocks Music was born. “The term Back Blocks is because my dad and my family members say it a lot, when we are in traffic or trying to get somewhere fast, my dad will always say, “Take the back blocks”, and it’s basically his version of the dirt road”. Seth said to me, ‘Why don’t you call your company Back Blocks music? I have always found that you are a person that does really well at your job, you do it right, but you do it in your own way, you realize you can break artists too, but just in a different fashion’.”

Marshall also came across Lily Rose, on TikTok and she was instantly captivated by her. “I’ve never heard a voice like this, I’ve never heard a song written that way, she doesn’t look like anybody else, I am so curious and so I met her and I knew she was special, I gave her some strategies for TikTok and couple of weeks later, Villain was posted,” she tells us. The song skyrocketed, going viral and landing her a joint venture record deal with Back Blocks Music, Big Loud Records, and Republic Records.

With an exciting future ahead of her and her new company, we close out our conversation discussing the advice she would give to young girls looking to find their path in the music industry. “Internships are key. It changed my life, but also, the time you put into what you want to learn in those positions will change the rest. It’s ok not to know what you want to do, but there is no way to find out if you don’t try or work hard at it,” she explained. “I was always willing to do everything and anything to move to that next level and I think it really shows everyone above you, that you are ready to work. So that when it comes time for you to start your own company or work for someone else, that you feel you can bet on yourself and do it correctly because you had those tools before.”

In closing, she says, “As a female, confidence is key. We can do whatever we want and how we want to do it and be great at it. There is nothing that can stop us, not a man, not a corporation, nothing we are powerful and we are amazing.”

 

To keep up with Rakiyah Marshall follow her on Instagram and be sure to follow Back Blocks Music as well.

Ashley Cooke Debuts New Song “Jealous Of The Sky”

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Ashley Cooke’s brand new song, “Jealous Of The Sky” is available now, October 13th on all streaming platforms. Take a look below as we dig a little deeper into the track.

Ashley Cooke "Jealous Of The Sky"

Ashley Cooke’s “Jealous Of The Sky” is available everywhere now

TikTok megastar and country singer-songwriter, Ashley Cooke debuted her new song earlier today, “Jealous Of The Sky”. Already making waves, the song is quickly climbing the charts on the iTunes, and fans are going absolutely crazy for the new tune.

“Jealous Of The Sky” is in remembrance of Cooke’s best friend, Adam who passed away from cancer. She shared a video of her friend on Instagram captioning the images with “This is for anyone who’s ever lost anyone. For me – this is for you, Adam.” A touching tearjerker, the song showcases the songstress’ voice in the best light.

“You get to be blue and grey / You don’t mind the season change / You can shine all the time / Like it’s just another day / Let the rain out when you feel like you wanna cry / Now you get to say hello, while I gotta say goodbye / I’m jealous of the sky”

Cooke sings her heart out about dealing with loss and grief, yet trying to hold it all together. Anyone who has ever lost someone they loved will relate to this song. It is clear why the singer has had so much success on social media, as she finds a way to connect with her fans in an authentic, refreshing, and genuine way.

Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about Ashley Cooke releases.

To keep up with Ashley Cooke, follow her on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

“Jealous Of The Sky” is now available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recent releases on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

 

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