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Brandon Lay Drops A New Single, “For My Money”

January 14, 2020/in Blog /by Guest Post

By Briana Lopez

Brandon Lay’s new single “For My Money” is a sweet story where the guy tries to get the girl. Unfortunately, the guy we’re rooting for is lacking one important thing he needs to keep the girl… the money she thinks he has!

The song was compared to the “Fake it ‘til you make it” mantra and was described as a “champagne taste on a very beer budget.”
He sings, “So, if I fake it ‘til I make it, if I keep her long enough, maybe I can find some paper, we can really fall in love.” The upbeat “I’m gonna work for what I want” tune is a sweet gesture of a guy who’s going to give it everything he has to make the girl happy but, while listening, you get so consumed by the vibe you forget to feel sorry that the girl is completely taking advantage of our lover boy. No worries, I’m sure with his snazzy voice and positive attitude it will get him farther than the money will. The song was written by Brandon Lay and Andrew DeRoberts and is receiving a lot of positive buzz.

“This song is exactly what country radio needs- A fun lyric and an infectious groove you can’t help but crank out loud! I’ve got this one on repeat,” says Jonathan “JR” Ruppel, Program Director for WPOR Portland (ME).

Growing up in Jackson, Tennessee, a city that is halfway between two of music’s biggest cities, Lay shares that inspiration came from all sides, “You were hearing out of each ear: rock & roll and R&B to the west in Memphis, and country to the east in Nashville.”

The song will impact country radio on January 21, 2020, just in time to kick-off the Fire’t Up Tour with Brantley Gilbert, Dylan Scott, and Chase Rice on January 23, 2020, in London, Ontario. The tour is hitting over 30 different cities before ending with two nights at the iconic Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado. For tickets and additional info head to www.BrandonLay.com

To keep up with Brandon Lay, follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

“For My Money” is 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.

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Brandon Lay Discusses Covering “Walkaway Joe” For Amazon Music

June 14, 2019/in Blog, Interviews /by Christina Bosch

This past weekend at Taste of Country Music Festival, we discussed the pressure that Brandon Lay felt when he decided to cut Trisha Yearwood’s iconic song “Walkaway Joe” as well as his plans for brand new music.

Watch the full interview with Brandon Lay below and listen to “Wilder Horses” on our New Country Music Playlist.

To keep up with Brandon Lay, follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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Brandon Lay Puts His Own Twist on “Walkaway Joe”

May 1, 2019/in Blog /by Erica Zisman

At the beginning of last year, we named rising country star, Brandon Lay an NYCS Artist to Watch for his enticing debut single “Speakers, Bleachers & Preachers” and his promising music career. Flash forward to 2019, Lay has performed hundreds of shows as an opener for Kenny Chesney, Old Dominion, and Thomas Rhett. Additionally, he was named ‘Vevo’s 2019 DSCVR Artist to Watch” for 2019, representing all country music as the only country artist chosen.

Now, Lay is back with an Amazon Music exclusive cover of Trisha Yearwood’s “Walkaway Joe.” The Trisha Yearwood classic is a song that resonates across the country music genre to artists and fans alike. Lay recognizes it as an honor to sing such a heartbreakingly beautiful and esteemed track by a legendary country artist. He shared on his Twitter, “I’m lucky to have been exposed to great music in an era where females dominated. I think “Walkaway Joe” is a reminder of that prime era. I was humbled to put my spin on it knowing no one could ever beat Trisha’s.”

It is great to see a male country artist support women in the industry. Lay’s rendition is laid back, heartfelt, and features his slight twang effortlessly. The country crooner puts his own spin on the classic, while still keeping with the integrity of the track. We look forward to seeing what Lay has up his sleeve next, as he is slated to deliver more music this year.

Catch the singer at Taste of Country Music Festival at New York’s Hunter Mountain June, where New York Country Swag will also set-up shop for the third year, so make sure to stop by! Additionally, Lay will be playing at other festivals over the summer, including Wisconsin’s Country Thunder and Canada’s Boots and Hearts Music Festival. For tickets and more information, head to brandonlay.com.

To keep up with Lay, follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. “Walkaway Joe” is currently available to stream and purchase only on Amazon Music.

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What We’re Listening To: January Picks

January 24, 2019/in Blog, Team Picks /by Team Country Swag

NYCountry Swag’s “What We’re Listening To” playlist highlights the wide range of our team’s favorite songs and artists when it comes to the country music genre. At the end of the day, we are all fans first with a passion for country music and are eager to share with you all what we’ve got on repeat each month.

Find below each of our team member’s favorite songs and why in our January picks. Then be sure to give our Spotify account a follow and listen to our favorite tracks!

JANUARY PICKS:

Stephanie Wagner, Founder

Pick: “Every Little Thing” – Russell Dickerson
Songwriters: Casey Brown, Parker Welling, Russell Dickerson

“It’s no surprise that one of my favorite artists is Russell Dickerson, so every time he releases a new song to radio, I always have it playing. “Every Little Thing” is such a fun, upbeat song from Dickerson’s debut album, Yours, and when he performs the tune live, his energy lifts the entire venue to another level. I’m excited for the world to hear more of this song and can’t wait to see it become his third #1 song.”

Christina Bosch, Managing Editor

Pick: “Confetti” – Gone West
Songwriters: Colbie Caillat, Danelle Reeves, Eric Arjes, Jason Reeves, Justin Kawika Young

“Recently I was driving and heard a song on Sirius XM The Highway that sounded a lot like Little Big Town, I looked down to see the name of a new band, Gone West, singing “Confetti”. After I did some digging I realized the main aspect of why I loved what I heard, one of the female voices was very familiar, singer-songwriter Colbie Caillat. Caillat teamed up with her husband Justin and husband and wife Danelle and Jason to create Gone West. Their incredible harmonies draw you in while the catchy lyrics will get stuck in your head.

“Yeah, my heart didn’t break when I broke into that old bottle of fancy champagne / I’ve been saving for the perfect time/ You can’t rain on my parade / Got my freedom, gonna celebrate / When you left, I was so damn ready / No tears fell, just confetti.”

Their debut EP, Tides was released last Friday and each song is better than the last. I am looking forward to hearing more from these musicians and in the meantime, I’ll be over here dancing to “Confetti”.

Nicole Bochinis, Contributing Writer

Pick: “GIRL” – Maren Morris
Songwriters: Greg Kurstin, Maren Morris, Sarah Aarons

“GIRL” by Maren Morris is her brand-new song and I am loving every second of it. Since the moment I heard it, I have had it on repeat all day every day. Recently life has been throwing curveballs at me and this song is the perfect pick me up. Every girl should know that they are stronger than they think, and it is the perfect women empowerment song. I can’t wait to see what other new music Maren has in store for us!

Kelly Cunningham, Contributing Writer

Pick: “All On You” – Mitchell Tenpenny
Songwriters: Andrew Albert, Jordan Schmidt, Mitchell Tenpenny, Nick Fradiani

“When I first heard Mitchell Tenpenny’s new album, Telling All My Secrets, this was the first track that stood out to me. The catchy, quick lyrics that make you want to sing along is the most unique melody I’ve heard from Tenpenny so far. His voice can pull off any note and he made an outstanding impression on me with this new album. This track can be a potential single I see in Tenpenny’s future. ”

Taylor Felvey, Contributing Writer

Pick: “Honky Tonk Flame” – Tyler Childers
Songwriters: Tyler Childers

If you’d like to experience old-school country with a modern age feel – look no further. The moment I heard this song I downloaded every album Tyler Childers has and put the song on repeat. The opening chords and story remind me of something Johnny Cash would write. The love song tells the story of a man trying to woo his new woman, who is no-nonsense, and how he’ll need to step up before he steps out with her.

“Hold on now buddy won’t you wait up a minute / You’re mistaken if you think I’m the same as them skirts you’ve been chasing all over town / Along with that honky tonk flame / I’m a woman with a love so true / Truth of the matter, I’d give it to you / You just got to slow down and quit acting that way / Burning your barn in this honky tonk flame”

Molly Holmberg, Contributing Writer

Pick: “Really Shouldn’t Drink Around You” – Teddy Robb
Songwriters: Josh Osborne, Shane McAnally, Trevor Rosen

“Since seeing Teddy Robb a few times in Nashville during his Teddy and Friends shows that we covered, the music that he previewed from his upcoming EP was amazing. Now one of the artists we are most excited about in 2019 is our own Swag Spotlight star.

Just after signing to Monument Records, Robb has been working nonstop with some of Nashville’s best songwriters to create his first project. His newest release following “Lead Me On” which has been streamed over 4 million times, “Really Shouldn’t Drink Around You” was released at the beginning of the year. The new song is relaxed and easy going. Describing the decisions that are made when drinking around an ex, Robb decides that maybe it isn’t always the best idea. The song is currently being featured on Spotify’s ‘New Boots’ playlist and Apple Music’s ‘Breaking Country’ playlist. We are patiently waiting for the anticipated release of Robb’s new project and cannot wait for it to come out!”

Nicole Piering, Contributing Writer

Pick: “Running Man” – Randy Houser
Songwriters: Jeffrey Steele, Randy Houser

“When I began listening to Randy Houser’s new album, Magnolia, I was immediately taken by how mature his voice sounded and how deeply personal the singer’s lyrics had become. Since releasing the album, Houser has revealed that he wasn’t always proud of his past musical releases, but that he’s very proud of his newest album.

Despite the fact that I truly enjoy every song on the album, it was track 11, “Running Man,” that immediately captured my attention. The song tells the story of a man who discovers what he was made for, but continues running through lives, filling his “pockets full of empty things.” It’s easy to look at this song as autobiographical for Houser, and it’s even more powerful listening to it that way. On this song, Houser challenges himself vocally and lyrically, and this song is truly a must-listen. “Every show’s got an end/ Where’re you gonna go then/ Running man?”.”

Olivia Reese, Contributing Writer

Pick: “Wilder Horses” Brandon Lay
Songwriters: Brandon Lay, Jon Nite, Ross Copperman

“Wilder Horses” by Brandon Lay is the epitome of a nostalgic song. The lyrics provide a vivid image of missing someone and days gone by “I think about you a little too much these days/Riding no-name lost back roads we take/Ain’t easy for gettin’ out innocent stays”

I’ve been listening to this song on repeat since it came out late last year after really enjoying other music Bradon Lay has released. The imagery of the lyrics is what really got me hooked on this song. It’s like a quick story and you can imagine yourself there experiencing the simultaneous feeling of innocent love and longing for past days “Whoa I wish I was down in Dixie tonight / Where we were / Wilder Horses, stronger whiskey, faster two lanes / Every other mile marker you kiss me”

Nicole Sellati, Contributing Writer

Pick: “Puzzle of Us” – Adam Doleac
Songwriters: Adam Doleac and Anthony Smith

“Recently, Adam Doleac kicked off the year releasing not one but two tracks. Both songs, “Famous” and “Puzzle of Us” are incredible, showing off his pure talent and smooth vocals. It’s hard to pick which of the two is my favorite, but if I had to choose one, it would be “Puzzle of Us.” I fell in love with the story behind the song, showing that inspiration can easily come from anywhere.

“The only piece missin’ is you / Fallin’ into my kiss / Your hand slippin’ through my fingertips / Locked up in my arms where you perfectly fit / I wanna hold you so close / I can feel your heartbeat / And be the air that you breathe / And together you and me can put together all the colors of love / Yeah well that’s the puzzle of us”

Doleac took a moment with a stranger and turned it into a beautiful love song. “Puzzle of Us” has easily become a favorite of mine, and I can’t wait to see what he comes out with next!”

Danielle Tornatore, Contributing Writer

Pick: “The Way That She Loves” – Tyler Hilton

Songwriters: David Barnes, Jon Green, Jordan Reynolds

“One Tree Hill is my all time favorite show, so of course I have to listen to all of the music Tyler Hilton puts out. I love his previous albums because of his unique sound and raspy voice, but his newly released album, City on Fire, has to be my absolute favorite. There’s just something about the country twist on this one that is sticking with me, particularly “The Way That She Loves.” This song reminds me of something that would play in an early 2000s teen movie and I wholeheartedly mean that in the best way possible. Between the lyrics, the beat, and his voice, this has to be my favorite on the album and possibly of all of his music, obviously besides the iconic “When The Stars Go Blue” (if you know, you know).”

Shanna Vitaliano, Contributing Writer

Pick: “Michigan for the Winter”
Songwriters: Aaron Eshuis, Neil Mason, Ryan Hurd

For this month, the song I chose is Ryan Hurd’s “Michigan for the Winter” written by himself, Aaron Eshuis and Neil Mason of The Cadillac Three. With his commanding vocals and captivating lyrics, you can practically feel the loneliness and emptiness Hurd sings about throughout the mid-tempo breakup song.

With lyrics like: “I can’t stay watching you move on all February long/I’m going to Michigan for the winter/Between the dark and the light of the sky and the snow/Most people go south for the weather/Instead of hiding out in the cold,” Hurd takes us on a journey escaping a broken heart and returning to his home state of Michigan.

I am sure all of us in the NY area including myself can relate to the cold weather feeling Hurd sings about in “Michigan for the Winter” regardless if we are going through a breakup or not. It is the perfect song to play on a chilly day while relaxing on the couch with a glass of wine and the fireplace going! I am excited Hurd will be singing this song live Friday, January 25th at his sold-out show at The Bowery Ballroom in New York City!

Erica Zisman, Contributing Writer

Pick: “Heart’s Having a Hard Time” – Filmore
Songwriters: Hannah Ellis, Jason Massey, Tyler Filmore

“This month it was really difficult for me to pick a song, especially with all the great records that have dropped recently. After much deliberation, I kept going back to Filmore’s “Heart’s Having a Hard Time.” I discovered the song thanks to NYCS’s 2019 Artists to Watch list. I had heard of Filmore, but never really listened to any of his songs. Right away, I found “Heart’s Having a Hard Time” to be completely relatable and heartbreaking all at the same time.

The feel of the song is right on trend but still feels fresh and new. More importantly, this track makes me excited to hear more from the recording artist, which is always exciting for me. I encourage you to give “Heart’s Having a Hard Time” a listen if you haven’t already.”

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Brandon Lay Named Vevo’s 2019 DSCVR Artist to Watch

December 11, 2018/in Blog /by Shanna Vitaliano

Last week, country singer Brandon Lay was named “Vevo’s 2019 DSCVR Artists to Watch.” It is a huge honor for Lay, as he was one of only 20 artists from all over the world that was chosen to perform Vevo Originals of his songs. In fact, Lay is representing country music as the only country artist chosen.

It is no surprise that Lay is named as a rising artist after his debut single “Speakers, Bleachers, & Preachers” received plenty of airtime and recognition. His second single “Yadda, Yadda, Yadda” is currently climbing the country music charts.

Lay released “Miss and Tell” and “For My Money” live with his band for Vevo on December 7th. He brings a unique flair to both performances, and with catchy lyrics and beats, the recognition as an up-and-coming artist is well deserved.

“For My Money” has an old-school rock vibe to it as he talks about a woman that likes to fly in private jets, live the city high life dream, and wants to be with him because she thinks he’s rich. The chorus, however, tells a different story with lyrics “She only loves me for my money, the thing that she don’t know, I ain’t got none honey, but I just hate to see her go.”

“Miss and Tell” slows things down a little bit and tells a story about a guy that sees a girl he loves and misses at a bar but does not want to show his true feelings. Lay sings “Cause a real man don’t miss and tell, he bottles it up and keeps it down,” and as he sees the girl from across the bar he sings “keep on dancing baby through those smokey lights, I’ll be going crazy but it won’t show tonight.”

Both songs showcase the incredible talent Lay has and we are definitely looking forward to more as he continues to make a name for himself in country music and across all genres. Lay has tour dates lined up the remainder of this year and into 2019. Check out www.brandonlay.com for more information.

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NYCS 2018 Artist to Watch Where Are They Now: Brandon Lay

November 15, 2018/in Blog /by Molly Holmberg

Here at New York Country Swag, we pride ourselves on being tastemakers, finding and championing new and up-and-coming artists and introducing our followers to the best of the best of the rising acts. Back in January of this year we named the 10 artists below in our “Artists to Watch in 2018” and we are proud to say, we know rising talent before they make it big. Someone to add to your watchlist is Brandon Lay.

It was just over a year ago newcomer Brandon Lay’s song “Speakers, and Bleachers, & Preachers” got added to Spotify’s New Country Playlist, which changed the whole course his career was on. Accumulating over 44 million streams and counting, Lay caught the industry’s attention. Quickly joining fellow labelmate, Kenny Chesney, on his 40 date stadium tour, Lay had quite the summer touring around the country gaining more fans than ever. Being his first tour on a bus, playing HUGE crowds, and getting to open up for Old Dominion, Thomas Rhett and Chesney himself, Lay learned the ropes of being on tour from some of the best.

Lay has released songs in pairs first being “Speakers, Bleachers, & Preachers” alongside “Let It”. Then came “Break Down On Me” and “Wilder Horses.” “Wilder Horses”, “Let It”, and “Break Down On Me” have not been released to country radio so they are not as well known to some. With that being said these three songs have racked up nearly 9 million streams combined. Fans are in love with Lay’s ability to create infectious songs with his soft vocals and insightful lyrics.

Lay just released his newest song “Yada Yada Yada” almost three years after he originally wrote it in 2015. The new song highlights his ability to find catchy melodies to add to those smooth vocals. The song explains a couple’s hope for a night in together despite their friends trying to convince them otherwise. On top of a full band song, Lay also released a stripped down acoustic version as well. Both tracks are racking up streams and airtime on the radio. With its release earlier this month, “Yada Yada Yada” was the Number 1 most-added song at country radio across the country.

There are no signs of Lay’s success stopping anytime soon. He is a newcomer that has shaken everyone with his quick and successful rise to fame. We hope to see him add more tour dates soon in the coming year as well as some new music. If the pattern continues, fans will be getting a new song very soon! Keep up with Lay on all his socials and streaming platforms to be the first to know when he drops new music!

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Record Breaking Crowds Withstand the Storm for Kenny Chesney

August 21, 2018/in Blog, Concert Reviews /by Christina Bosch

This past weekend, fans from New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut packed up their buses, trucks, and coolers to head to MetLife Stadium. Each year, Kenny Chesney brings his star-studded line up to the home of the New York Giants and the New York Jets and year after year “Kenny Day” turns out to undoubtedly be one of the best concerts of the summer. This year was no different. New York Country Swag gathered 130 friends and followers on two buses and made it to the parking lots early. We played cornhole, drank beers and lived the brand’s lifestyle for the entire afternoon, all while listening to our favorite country songs.

When it came time to head into the stadium, fans flocked to the security lines to catch Brandon Lay, the opening act on the tour. Lay entertained by playing his latest singles “Speakers, Bleachers and Preachers” and “Yada, Yada Yada”. Just as Lay’s set was coming to a close, dark clouds rolled in and MetLife took the necessary precautions to protect all of the concertgoers by postponing the show until the severe weather had passed. The heavy rain and thunder did not dampen the spirits of the crowd who huddled together in the concourse. After about 45 minutes, the thunderstorm was over and fans headed back to their places in the crowd, patiently waiting for Old Dominion to take the stage.

For a brief moment, as the band took the stage playing their biggest hits, the clouds gave way to an incredible sunset. Kicking off their set with their second no. 1 single, “Song for Another Time”, then keeping it old school with “Wrong Turns” they relished in the fact that the entire stadium was now filled to catch their set. “Since the last time we were here, our lives have changed dramatically,” lead singer Matt Ramsey stated referring to releasing their sophomore album and adding even more number one songs to their repertoire since opening for Kenny Chesney on his 2016 Spread the Love Tour. The rain didn’t hold off long, but the band didn’t miss a beat, appropriately singing “New York at Night” which features Brad Tursi on vocals and their current single “Hotel Key”. They closed their set with one of the nights first sing-a-longs to “Snapback”.

Next to the stage was an artist who is sure to be a future Entertainer-of-the-Year, Thomas Rhett. Although the now superstar has headlined his own tour for the past few years, it has never made its way up to the NY/NJ area, making it the first time in a while that Rhett has performed a full show in the New York area. Rhett’s absolute electric personality and onstage presence was felt buzzing throughout the entire stadium as he played his smash hits from all three of his studio albums including “It Goes Like This”, “Craving You” and “Vacation”.

“Thank you for being kind people, I just look at your faces and you all seem like kind people out here tonight, thank you so much,” Rhett said during “Die a Happy Man” “I’m not going to get sappy, but this is my last show on the Kenny Chesney tour and I feel like I’ve learned more in 17 shows, than I’ve learned in my whole eight years of touring, I just want to say thank you so much to Kenny Chesney wherever he is standing right now.” His genuine gratitude towards the fans and the mega country star that brought him along for this run on the Trip Around the Sun Tour was apparent and the audience ate it up. Asking the 50,000 plus fans to sing the chorus back to him was a highlight of the night, as he closed out the song by singing “…if this the last show that I ever get to play in my whole life I swear then I could die a happy man.” Check out our exclusive video of the emotional moment here.

Over an hour later than expected due to the storm, the man of the night took the stage dressed in his signature jeans, boots and cowboy hat. In total, 58,642 fans were on their feet, breaking his own MetLife stadium record and beating out giant acts such as Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi, and Taylor Swift if you add up the concert attendances in the same number of appearances. His set was filled with the usual Chesney hits from his giant career including “Beer in Mexico”, “No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problem” and “American Kids”. Throughout the night, the entire stadium was lit up, allowing Chesney to see the at-capacity crowd singing and dancing along. Drenched in sweat, the singer ran up and down the catwalk giving all he had for the fans who had withstood rain and thunderstorms to see him perform.

“Coming back year after year I’ve learned a lot about this audience,” he stated in between songs. “Everybody here has a lot in common, we work hard, we play hard, we learn hard and we really love music.” Not only is he one of the industry’s best entertainers, but he always brings the most amazing country acts on tour with him and makes sure they get the recognition that they deserve. Old Dominion joined him on stage once again to perform “Save it For a Rainy Day” which Brad Tursi and Matthew Ramsey co-wrote, Thomas Rhett took the stage for “When the Sun Goes Down” and surprise guest David Lee Murphy showed up to sing their current single “Everything’s Gonna Be Alright” as well as “Dust on the Bottle”. Closing out the night with Brandon Lay, Chesney sang one of the very first songs he ever released “She Thinks My Tractors Sexy”.

It was certainly a night to remember for all who attended, further proving that waiting all summer long for Kenny Chesney to come to town is worth it every single year.

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5 Reasons To Never Go a Summer Without a Kenny Chesney Show

August 17, 2018/in Blog /by Team Country Swag

Take a ‘Trip Around the Sun’ with the country king of laidback living. We couldn’t be more excited for tomorrow’s show at MetLife Stadium! Here, 10 reasons you can’t miss the summer’s most epic party.

Tailgate Party of the Summer

Before any of Chesney’s openers even hit the stage, fans can be found filling up the parking lot as soon as the gates open. With their pirate flags, coolers and plenty of beer in tow, the country music will be blaring from speakers surrounding the stadium until the sun starts to set.

The Amazing Music Starts Right at 5 PM

With artists like Brandon Lay, Old Dominion and Thomas Rhett all on the bill for tomorrow’s show, make sure to wrap up your tailgate nice and early and head into the stadium for incredible music from some of country music’s hottest stars. Chesney takes pride in only bringing the best of the best out on tour with him, allowing exposure to even rising acts like Brandon Lay.

No Shoes Nation Epitomizes Summer Living
Channel the easy-breezy vibe of the No Shoes Lifestyle: Barefoot freedom, cranking some classic Chesney and cracking open an ice-cold drink in the pre-show parking lot tailgate. Chesney fans are loyal to his brand, showing up year after year to celebrate life and their love for his music.

Positive Vibes, Positive Life
We can all benefit from channeling our energy, turning the negative into the positive, and sharing kindness and compassion, much like the message of his recent song “Get Along”. Did you know that his most recent album, Song for the Saints, is benefitting the Love for Love City Foundation, with proceeds being donated to helping rebuild the islands that were devastated last year by natural disasters?

Celebrate Everyday
Chesney’s stage presence and energy are empowering and happy, sharing the idea that each day is a gift to be appreciated; what screams summer more than enjoying every moment of each day?!

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First Impression: New Music from Mitchell Tenpenny, Kacey Musgraves, Brandon Ray, & More

February 23, 2018/in Blog, New Music /by Christina Bosch

Some of our favorite artists released new music this Friday including Mitchell Tenpenny, Kacey Musgraves, Brandon Ray, The Swon Brothers, Cole Swindell and more. Check out our playlist here and while you are at it give us a follow.

First up: Kacey Musgraves released two brand new songs from her next album, Golden Hour, which she announced will be released March 3oth. “Space Cowboy” is a slow burn, written with Luke Laird and Shane McAnally. The breakup tune highlights Musgraves’ delicate vocals and her ability to deliver a heartbreaking lyric. “Butterflies” is quite the opposite from “Space Cowboy” in that it focuses on those first love feelings. As a new bride, Musgraves flits and floats through the enchanting song.

New York Country Swag followers are no stranger to Mitchell Tenpenny who has a killer new song out today. “Drunk Me” is from his self-titled EP and features Tenpenny’s strong gritty voice, where his desperation rings clear that remaining sober is his only option since “…drunk me can’t get over you”. While cliched country songs are about indulging yourself in alcohol to get over an ex, Tenpenny flips that on its head, proving his versatile songwriting and deliverance is fast-tracking him to stardom.

It’s been a little while since Cole Swindell released a new song and “Break Up in the End” is a total heart-wrencher. The song puts a twist on the sentiment that it is better to love and lost than never love at all. The single is the first from his next album. Written by Jon Nite, Chase McGill, and Jessie Jo Dillion, Swindell wrote on Twitter, “This is one of those songs from the first time I heard it I knew it was special. So many people can relate to the lyrics. Even though I didn’t write it, I’m amazed the best writers in town are bringing me songs like this.”

Brandon Ray released “Small Talkin’ today, a new single which was produced by Ross Copperman and Keith Urban. The mid-tempo groove will have you snapping your fingers or tapping your foot at your desk on this dreary Friday. The track was co-written with Jon Mabe and Jessica Mitchell, an idea Ray wrote on Instagram that he has had in his phone for months.

The Swon Brothers released a nostalgia-filled tune, reminiscent of those great 80’s tunes complete with catchy guitar riffs and questions like “what ever happened to the good old days?“. Head to their Instagram to see some classic throwback photos of the brothers, highlighting those good old days as a promo leading up to today’s release.

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Thanks for supporting Country Music in NYC!

Click Here to learn more about NYCountry Swag
+ Follow our Country Music Adventures on Instagram, @NYCOUNTRYSWAG!

– Team NYCountry Swag

NYCountry Swag’s 2018 Artists to Watch

January 2, 2018/in Blog, New Music /by Stephanie Wagner and Christina Bosch

The New York Country Swag team loves to discover new artists that are releasing great music and share our favorite songs with New York country fans. Here is a list of 10 rising country artists we think you should look our for in the new year. —

Ryan Griffin – Releasing his debut EP, Sake of the Summer back in March, the first single “Back Seats & Burnt CDs” hits you with just the right amount of nostalgia. Fans of Thomas Rhett and Dan & Shay will love this newcomer. P.S. he also co-wrote Kelsea Ballerini’s number 1 hit, “Dibs”.

Listen: Back Seats & Burnt CDs
Stay Connected: @RyanGriffinLive

Brandon Lay – Brandon Lay’s debut single packs a punch of small-town living and growing up. Fans can look forward to a full-length EP in the new year and can catch him as an opening act for Kenny Chesney’s, “Trip Around the Sun” Tour in 2018.

Listen: Speakers, Bleachers & Preachers
Stay Connected: @BrandonLayMusic

Jordan Davis – Fans of Thomas Rhett and for more of a contemporary country sound will love Jordan Davis. Just wrapping up his opening slot on Kip Moore’s, “Plead the Fifth” Tour, Davis is currently working on his debut full-length album for Universal Music Group Nashville.

Listen: Singles You Up
Stay Connected: @JordanDavisOfficial

Jillian Jacqueline – Continuing to change the game for women in the country genre, Jacqueline released her debut EP, Side A, featuring six new tracks along with three acoustic versions of her singles. Fans of Maren Morris and Cam will relate to the singer’s honest approach to songwriting and compelling storytelling.

Listen: God Bless This Mess
Stay Connected: @JillianJacqueline

Adam Doleac – With a grit-filled, blues-inspired vocal, Doleac’s debut EP released earlier this year features all kinds of love songs. The first single on the project “Whiskey’s Fine” earned him a spot on Sirius XM’s Highway Finds Tour and since then the nationwide stations have played “Some Girls” and “Everybody Needs Somebody”. Doleac even stopped by Refinery Rooftop for Swag Sessions with us back in October.

Listen: Whiskey’s Fine
Stay Connected: @AdamDoleac

Ryan Kinder – Blending R&B and country to make his own unique sound, Ryan Kinder released the powerful “Still Believe In Crazy Love” earlier this year which has racked up over 2 million streams on Spotify. Read more about the artist in our review of his first NYC show here.

Listen: Still Believe In Crazy Love
Stay Connected: @RyanKinder

Jimmie Allen – With a larger than life personality and catchy songs, Broken Bow recording artist, Jimmie Allen is sure to have a big 2018. During a recent trip to NYC, Allen joined New York Country Swag for a Swag Session to tell us about the trials and tribulations he overcame to follow his dreams.

Listen: Blue Jean Baby
Stay Connected: @JimmieAllen

Danielle Bradbery – Reinviting herself in 2017, Danielle Bradbery released her sophomore album, I Don’t Believe We’ve Met which showcases the young singer’s beautiful vocals and songwriting skills. Check out her next single, “Worth It” which features a powerful message for women of all ages.

Listen: Worth It
Stay Connected: @DanielleBradbery

Cale Dodds – Rising artist, Cale Dodds has racked up over 8 million streams with his break out single, “People Watching”. Fans of Dustin Lynch and Ryan Hurd will definitely dig Dodds’ vibes.

Listen: People Watching
Stay Connected: @CaleDodds

Morgan Evans – Our final ‘Artist to Watch’ in 2018, Morgan Evans hails from Austraila, just married country superstar Kelsea Ballerini and has his first single on country radio. “Kiss Somebody” is infectious and watching Evans’ live show will mesmerize fans, he uses a peddle loop to play each of the instruments and acts as his own backup band.

Listen: Kiss Somebody
Stay Connected: @MorganEvansMusic

Like what you hear? Give a follow to our 2018 Artists to Watch List here.

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Thanks for supporting Country Music in NYC!

Click Here to learn more about NYCountry Swag
+ Follow our Country Music Adventures on Instagram, @NYCOUNTRYSWAG!

– Team NYCountry Swag