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Best Country Albums of 2020 – Our Favorite Picks

As this crazy, unprecedented year finally comes to a close, the one thing we could all find solace in was music in 2020.  The New York Country Swag team is highlighting the wide range of our team’s favorite songs and artists when it comes to the country music genre by featuring our favorite album picks of 2020.  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 the albums we’ve had on repeat this year.

Best Country Albums of 2020 - Our Favorite Picks

Best Country Albums of 2020 – Our Favorite Picks

Find below each of our team member’s favorite albums and why in our 2020 best country album picks.

 

Stephanie Wagner, Founder

Pick: Southern Symphony – Russell Dickerson

Although the album has only been out a few weeks, I would be lying if I said I haven’t been playing it on repeat nonstop since its release. It’s one of those albums you can listen to over and over again and each time fall in love with a new song. This was one of the records I was looking forward to most this year and I’m so glad that in a year of uncertainty, this new music from Russell Dickerson has made its way out into the world. I can not wait to see songs from this project performed live!

Honorable Mention:  Southside – Sam Hunt – When I think of the early days of quarantine, I think of this album and listening to it on repeat night and day. It’s full of jams, relatable lyrics, and clever twists that made it easy to listen to over and over again.

 

Christina Bosch, Managing Editor 

Pick: The Other Side – Cam

Cam

Throughout this unprecedented and unpredictable year music has been healing and also very painful to listen to. Missing live music and the way our old life played out was something I had to come to grips with early on in the pandemic but each time a new album was released, I fell deeper and deeper in love with music and was able to really focus on my favorite part of the country genre – the lyrics.

Picking a favorite album of 2020 was nearly impossible. Three different albums were constantly playing throughout the year, the first half of the year was Nightfall by Little Big Town, then came my favorite singer-songwriter HARDY with A ROCK. Both of those albums were chosen by two of our writers so finally, released at the end of October was Cam’s sophomore project, The Other Side.

Cam’s impeccable vocal ability blew me away from the moment I first heard her sing but with this second project, she proves her power in this genre. Each song tells a different story from heartbreak, divorce, growing older, and a love that is envied by all. “Happier for You”, “Redwood Tree”, and “What Goodbye Means” are highlights but even choosing three songs to showcase was hard. I am so glad that “Diane” is getting a second life on this project as well after being released back in 2017.

For any fans of real country music that tells a story, The Other Side will instantly become a favorite for years to come.

 

Lucie Bernheim, Contributing Writer

Pick: The Dream – Hailey Whitters

2020 has felt like multiple years rolled into one. Between a global pandemic, civil unrest, and ultimately, vast unpredictability, the true silver lining has been the incredible music released over the last 12 months. This year has produced some of my favorite works of all time, two being Brett Eldredge’s risk-taking Sunday Drive, which I got to review in July, and Hailey Whitters’ magical and brilliant The Dream. Choosing between these albums was hard because they are both my favorites on different ways, but when it came down to it, I had to choose Hailey Whitters’ The Dream.

The Dream is a dream album. It’s cohesive and gorgeous, insightful and witty, heartbreaking and hopeful. “Dream, Girl” and “All The Cool Girls” have a real groove and mystique to them, making them standouts. “Janice At The Hotel Bar” is a once-in-a-lifetime kind of song. I remember where I was when I first heard the song, walking in Central Park, so moved I had to stop. I immediately played it for my parents and my sister. Lyrically, it’s incredible, as is any story-song written by Whitters and the unparalleled Lori McKenna. “Paris in the spring of 1973/She said if there is a heaven, that’s where I’ll be”.  Something about the delivery and production makes it incredibly evocative, with Whitters’ reverbed vocals and a shimmering acoustic guitar gliding you along. It’s the kind of musical moment you never forget.

It’s hard to encapsulate what music has meant to me this year. “The Days” gave me the closure I needed to end my senior year of high school; “Heartland” and “Janice At The Hotel Bar” got me through my first semester of college. Whenever I hear this record, I will always be transported back in time to 2020, a year that even if we try to forget, we never will. I can’t wait to see what Hailey Whitters does next.

 

Dylan Bestler, Contributing Writer

Pick: Southside – Sam Hunt

With all live shows being canceled this year, we needed artists to drop a lot of new music to fill the void and get through quarantine. Luckily, country artists delivered and we got a ton of great albums from Luke Bryan, Kelsea Ballerini, Dustin Lynch, Brett Eldredge, Kenny Chesney, Tim McGraw, Carly Pearce, Chris Stapleton, and many others. My favorite was Sam Hunt’s Southside.

Hunt covered a lot of themes on this record. Being that his last album was released five and a half years ago (which could’ve been another reason why I loved Southside so much), he had a lot of stories to tell. His songs are very personal to him, but are general enough where others can relate as well.

If you want to dance and have a good time, “Kinfolks” and “Hard to Forget” are great tailgate anthems. If you want to get in your feels and maybe even cry, “2016” and “That Ain’t Beautiful” are for you. “Young Once” and “Sinning With You” paint great pictures of young love if you want to reminisce on your youth. There is a song for every type of emotion on this record which makes it so versatile and relevant.

Honorable Mentions: A ROCK-HARDY, The Lemonade Stand-Tenille Townes, The K Is Silent-Hot Country Knights.

 

Kristina Callahan, Contributing Writer

Pick: Tullahoma – Dustin Lynch

Remember a time when artists put out albums, did press about the new record, and maybe even have an album release party? It seems like that was a lifetime ago. Dustin Lynch put out Tullahoma, his fourth studio album, right before the Covid-19 pandemic hit and let me tell you, I can still listen to it front to back nearly a year later. The album is named after Lynch’s hometown of Tullahoma, Tennessee, and is a central theme throughout the album from running into an ex-girlfriend at the Circle K in “Thinking ‘Bout You” or singing about momma’s fried chicken in “Dirt Road.”
I grew up on a dirt road dreaming ’bout making a name // And getting out of dodge and the same ol’ same // Graduate and settle down, man I was out of that town // Now I catch myself rewind and reminiscing // ‘Bout a small town girl and mama’s fried chicken // I can taste it right now // Let me tell you I’m proud
 
Lynch sings about his hometown in a way that so many that grew up in the small towns can relate to: driving down backroads, having everything remind you of an ex, and memories with some of your best friends. I think that’s why I love this album so much, it’s relatable and simple. When Lynch can finally perform these songs live in front of thousands of fans, I have no doubt they’ll be crowd favorites.

Jeremy Chua, Contributing Writer

Pick: Rollin’ On – Jesse Daniel

If your knowledge of country music relies solely on what’s played on country radio, you probably wouldn’t have heard of Jesse Daniel. But, if you listen to country radio and also keep up critics’ reviews, you would have heard the buzz about the California native. Though Daniel released his debut album back in 2018, it is his sophomore (and latest) effort that caught the ears of many. Rollin’ On is a throwback to the warmth of classic country, whilst also giving a nod to the Bakersfield sound made famous by icons like Buck Owens and Dwight Yoakam.

The twelve-track project boasts plenty of fiddle, steel, mandolin, and all your favorite traditional country elements. Sometimes, you hear the phrase “my life is a country song” tossed around in lighthearted humor. But Daniel’s life truly is a country song. He’s lived through poverty, drugs, substance abuse, jail time, rehab and more. This roller-coaster journey is on full display in Rollin’ On. “Champion” boasts a story of overcoming odds, “If You Ain’t Happy Now (You Never Will Be)” is a timely reminder of true contentment, while the rollicking title track celebrates the adventure of life everyone is on. Like classic country? Like authentic songwriting? Like a record with impeccable production? Then Jesse Daniel’s Rollin’ On is definitely for you. Look out for him in 2021! This album is just the beginning for the rising country star.

 

Erin Crosby, Contributing Writer

Pick: Lady Like (Deluxe) – Ingrid Andress

This “More Hearts Than Mine” singer-songwriter and piano ballad enthusiast did not only release LadyLike, her debut record, in a time when the word quarantine was still freshly coming off the tongue like a foreign island that protrudes its way onto the coast, impacting the nation in more ways than could have been anticipated. But, Ingrid Andress followed up with a deluxe edition just six months after the collection itself.

LadyLike (Deluxe) deepens and expands a presence of the crisp, lovable yet heartbreaking sentiment that exceeds an already palpable sense of her artistry in the original album. A stripped-down and honest production is only accentuated in the follow-up project with a rearranged tracklist that is said to tell the story in the order that it occurred. Each song acts as a chapter of Andress’ life whether it highlights emotional distress or an attempt at a real relationship, though intentions vary throughout depending on where you left off in the story. LadyLike (Deluxe) acts as a true representation of modern ideologies of romance while not closing the curtain on inner frustrations and insecurities along the way.

 

Caleigh DeCaprio, Contributing Writer

Pick: kelsea– Kelsea Ballerini

There were a few albums that I found myself playing on repeat this year, including The Speed of Now Part 1, What you see Ain’t Always What You Get, and Diplo Presents Thomas Wesley, Chapter 1: Snake Oil. But when it came to what album got me ~through~ this year, it was kelsea.

Too many of these songs felt like Kelsea wrote them just for me. I’ve never heard a song that was so lyrically perfect for me before I listened to “club”. Seriously if you know me, this song is my anthem. I had already loved “homecoming queen?” and “la” because of how vulnerable and relatable they were and when I heard the full album, I felt the very same way about “overshare”, “half of my hometown”, and “a country song”. I related so strongly to these songs to the point that I felt I could have written them myself. (not that I could have done that, but you know what I mean).

The artistry in the songwriting and production of this entire album is a pure example of a true and rare talent. No matter what song you come across on this record, it will be some of the most vulnerable and honest music you have heard. Ballerini shares her highs and lows and everything in between. It’s not that common for an artist to be so open and forward about their struggles with anxiety and introversion, especially this early on in their career, but Ballerini showed that side of her and then some with this album.

My heart hurt for her when this album came out the week the world shut down. I wanted her to get to play these songs live and receive all the glory she deserved for this beautiful work of art. However, the way that she was able to spin that negative into the reimagining of the very same songs on ballerini in order to give herself the chance to re-fall in love with these songs was extraordinary and a lovely example of music that would not exist if it weren’t for this year’s events. The re-imagined ballerini album just made fans understand even more how much love she had for this collection of songs.

The pair of albums was meant to show that there are two sides to every story and every person. Understanding that we all have more to us than what is seen on the surface is an important and beautiful lesson that we can take away from these albums and this year. When the day finally comes for Kelsea to play these songs on tour, I will be the first one in line to see it.

Julia Grubbs, Contributing Writer 

Pick: Starting Over – Chris Stapleton

2020 has been a certain kind of year, so I was looking for something that told a complete story. As soon as I heard Starting Over, I knew it captured everything I was feeling about how the year had gone: some of the anger, some of the resentment, some of the just getting up every day for a brand new day that looked very similar to the one before. While Stapleton always manages to speak truth to listeners in ways no one else can, this year we needed comfort and assurance unlike any other that we will make it through this. “Cold” is one of my favorites, using his iconic tone and lyricism to hit raw emotion. “Starting Over”, just like the title of the album, reminds us that through this journey, we can still learn and grow, find moments of joy, and serves as a reminder that we must accept what has happened, and use that as a pivotal moment for the path forward.

 

Nicole Piering, Contributing Writer

Pick: Nightfall – Little Big Town

My favorite and most listened to album of 2020 was easily Little Big Town’s Nightfall, which came out in simpler pre-pandemic times back in January. In fact, their phenomenal concert at the Apollo was my last taste of live music this year, so at least I went out on a high note.

Although not as single-heavy as some of their other releases, Nightfall is truly a cohesive masterclass in harmony. With standout songs such as “Sugar Coat,” “Questions,” and “The Daughters,” this album is one I’ll be listening to through 2021 and beyond.
Pick: My Gift – Carrie Underwood
Whether or not you’re a religious person, this album is absolutely stunning. We needed something positive to come out of 2020 and the first ever holiday project from the queen of country definitely delivered. From gorgeous covers of Christmas classics like “O Holy Night”, “Mary Did You Know” and “Joyful Joyful” to new original songs like “Let There Be Peace” and “Sweet Baby Jesus” the album truly has something for everyone. Underwood’s voice shines on the power ballads and the softer hymns alike, and you can hear her emotion and faith come through every song.
My personal favorites off the album happen to be the two collaborations: “Hallelujah” with John Legend and “Little Drummer Boy” featuring Underwood’s son, Isaiah. Curling up with hot chocolate and a blanket and listening to My Gift has been my weekend routine since it came out in September, and I’m definitely going to be listening to these songs well after the holiday season.

What a year wild ride 2020 has been. While it was so strange not going to any concerts, new music from many great country artists certainly got me through. While this was a tough decision to make, my favorite album of 2020 had to be Granger Smith’s Country Things (Both Volumes). It just gives you such perspective to live in the moment and enjoy the little things. This was such an important message for 2020 as while we may not have gotten to enjoy the big events, we got to enjoy those moments with our loved ones we may not have gotten to if we had a year of our normal, busy schedules.

 

Erica Zisman, Contributing Writer

Pick: A ROCK – HARDY

If there is one thing that got me through this year, it was music. As 2020 comes to a close, I could not be more grateful for country music! With that being said, my favorite record of 2020 has to be HARDY’s album, A ROCK.

I am completely in love with everything HARDY does as a singer, a songwriter, and a performer. He continues to exceed my expectations and delivers music that I relate to, enjoy, and want to share with my friends and family. HARDY’s ability to craft lyrics is a skill I’ll never get enough of. Moreover, his record is a cohesive masterpiece that tells a full story from start to finish.

Songs like the title track, “A ROCK,” “GIVE HEAVEN SOME HELL,” and “SO CLOSE” are all so different, yet distinctly HARDY.  Time after time, the singer-songwriter and superstar in the making proves that he has an IQ high above the rest when it comes to creating a captivating song and full-length project.

I truly cannot wait to see what he does next. Also, it is an added bonus that HARDY gave us all a live concert via streaming to celebrate this record. Even through the screen, I could feel how amazing the record truly is and will be when performed in front of a live audience; hopefully next year! Congrats to HARDY and his team for delivering a badass and unique record to an ever-growing fanbase!

Honorable Mention: Jordan Davis Self-titled EP

 

How do our favorite picks match up to yours? Let us know what music you’ve had on repeat in 2020. Already anticipating new music in 2021? Check out our list of albums to expect in the new year here.

 

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SHOP THE HERO COLLECTION

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

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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!

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Cam ‘The Other Side’ Album Review

The best records are the timeless ones – the ones that move between the worlds of genre and popular music and will remain classic years after being released. When Cam embarked on her sophomore album, The Otherside, out now, she made sure to make an album that would move you, regardless of what is being played on the radio now, and she did so successfully.

Cam The Otherside

Cam The Otherside Album Cover

The opener, “Redwood Tree” is a conversation between Cam and a tree that lives in her hometown, a place she hasn’t visited in quite some time. This tree watched Cam grow up and her parents get older, and it’s like her personal time capsule. It’s serene sounding, and it sounds like it could be the score of a movie.

Title track “The Otherside” is a mysterious, poppy song co-written with the late Avicii, and it’s one that Cam spent a lot of time perfecting. “[Avicii] never wound up releasing that song, so I was like, ‘Ooh, maybe that means I can,’” she shared with Apple Music. “Even though it’s such a heavy thing not having him around for the final edits, I did feel this great responsibility to work my ass off to get it right. Because I knew that’s what he would have done.”

Previously released tracks “Diane” and “Classic” are retro vibe-wise. “Diane” is like a response-song to Dolly Parton’s “Jolene”. “Diane, I promise I didn’t know he was your man/I would have noticed a gold wedding band.” Rhythmically, both “Diane” and “Classic” sound old-school, but the vocal and instrumental production make it sound new – especially on the lead single, “Til There’s Nothing Left”. Cam’s main collaborator has always been Tyler Johnson, and together they crafted a sound that is modern for country radio in an artistic, effortless way.

“Forgetting You” and “What Goodbye Means” are gorgeous, classic country ballads about love that’s fizzled out but stays frozen in one’s mind. “What Goodbye Means” was written about a friend of Cam’s going through a messy divorce. “[My friend] was being so kind [to his ex]. I asked him, ‘How are you being so nice right now? I don’t get it.’ And he said, ‘Because she might change her mind,’” Cam said in an interview with Apple Music. “I still get goosebumps thinking about it. We’ve all been there, not quite ready to accept the reality of something, and that’s okay.” On the chorus, she pines, singing, “Was it something I did?/Was it something I didn’t do?/Do you just need some time?/Maybe take one more night to think it through.” You can hear the heartbreak clearly in both songs, and that’s what really makes them stand out.

Masked by a wistful, folksy rhythm, “Changes” is one of the truly evocative and uncomfortably relatable moments in the best way. Sometimes you outgrow the things you love most or the things that shaped you into who you are now – it could be a person, or in this case, a hometown – and it leaves you feeling a little lost. Did I change or did they? Cam didn’t write this song, but Lori McKenna and Harry Styles did, and they famously have ties to their hometowns of Stoughton, Massachusetts, and Holmes Chapel, England respectively. They captured that strange feeling of guilt and reminiscing perfectly.

“The demo had Lori McKenna singing with Harry on background vocals and his whistle, which is still in the track,” Cam tells Apple Music. “It was amazing to hear a song that someone else wrote that clicked so much with me personally.” The guitar is sparkly in the way that innocence is, and Styles’ whistle sounds far away, like childhood years slipping through the cracks.

The album’s closer, a stunning Natalie Hemby co-write is “Girl Like Me”, which sounds like a cross between Dawes and Carole King. “It’s funny how sometimes you can’t recognize your own self,” Cam told Apple Music. The piano aches, and vocally, she soars on the chorus. “Well, they’re gonna give up on you/You’re gonna give up on them/And if it’s somebody you really love/You’re gonna find a way to love ‘em again”. It’s a message to those who feel doubt out there, but it’s also a message to Cam herself. You can lose yourself and find yourself all over again.

It’s a cinematic, captivating multi-sided story through and through, and Cam proves herself to be one of the best artists in music right now. There is so much chaos in the world right now, and for just under 40 minutes, Cam has provided an escape. “It’s a gift to be able to see life for what it is,” she said to Apple Music. “I think anyone who has been through that phase of disillusionment will think, ‘Oh yeah, tough.’ But this side is better.”

 

For all your country music, tours, songwriters, news, and releases, fans can subscribe to our Weekly Round-Up newsletter here.

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

NYCS Staff Picks:

Changes

Forgetting You

Til There’s Nothing Left

What Goodbye Means

Like A Movie

THE OTHERSIDE TRACKLISTING:

Redwood Tree

The Otherside

Classic

Forgetting You

Like A Movie

Changes

Till There’s Nothing Left

What Goodbye Means

Diane

Happier For You

Girl Like Me

The Otherside 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.

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SHOP THE HERO COLLECTION

The Hero Collection by NYCountry Swag is inspired by the men and women of the Fire, Police and Military Departments across the country. Specially selected foundations that support our heroes will receive donations from each purchase. Honoring their service and remembering their sacrifice is what we are dedicated to.

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Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC & Beyond!

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

+ Follow our country music adventures on InstagramTwitter & Facebook:

Written By: Tyler Johnson – The Hit Songs You Know, by the Songwriters You May Not Know

The best music comes from a world where genres are limitless and all that matters is getting lost in the lyrics, melody, and instruments. Behind every song are the songwriters, and Tyler Johnson, this month’s featured writer, has one of the most eclectic and magical catalogs there is. Here, we spotlight 10 of the songs that he has written and produced.

Tyler Johnson

Tyler Johnson

“Where The Heart Is”, Brett Eldredge (Sunday Drive)

The opener on Brett Eldredge’s latest record, Sunday Drive, is one that is met with such a feeling of wonder and liveliness. “In a world that’s gone cold, show me where the heart is,” reads the chorus. Without even reading the song credits, lyrically, it sounds like a Tyler Johnson song – there are multiple layers of hope and vulnerability spread throughout the track.

 

“People Need A Melody”, The Head and the Heart (Living Mirage)

The Americana hit by the Seattle natives The Head and the Heart is a gorgeous, hopeful tune about music being what people need in hard times. “People need a melody to open their eyes/To a memory frozen in time.”  Tyler Johnson co-wrote and produced the track, as well the entire Living Mirage album, and he did a spectacular job at making it sound radio-friendly and personal at the same time.

 

“Diane”, Cam (The Otherside)

The lead single from Cam’s newest album, The Otherside, was the outstanding “Diane”, a song written from the other woman’s perspective. “It’s kind of like she’s Jolene, but she wanted to come at it from the other side, and focus on the idea that this is an apology that a lot of people deserved that they never got,” Johnson told Billboard in an interview. Sonically, it’s an epic song that really focuses on the vocal delivery.

 

“Maybe You’re Right”, Miley Cyrus (Bangerz)

Perhaps one of the most influential pop records of the 2010s was Miley Cyrus’ Bangerz. Tyler Johnson, along with the incomparable Cam, co-wrote the deep cut “Maybe You’re Right” with Miley. Melodically, it is clear that both Tyler had a hand in writing it. In many of the pop songs he is a part of, he goes for these harmonic, soaring choruses.

 

“Shade”, Maren Morris (GIRL)

While never released as an official single, “Shade”, off Maren Morris’ latest record, became a fan-favorite after Morris performed it at the CMT Awards. Tyler Johnson had a hand in writing it, and similar to the Miley Cyrus cut, the melody and harmonies are distinct.

 

“Gone Tomorrow (Here Today)”, Keith Urban (Ripcord)

Johnson co-wrote and produced another major country artist’s album opener, and that artist is the three-time entertainer of the year Keith Urban. The jaunty track, which features upbeat pop drums and slick banjo is one that Johnson is proud of. “I love how that track sounds. It has a different sonic basis but Keith, as an artist, knew what he wanted and it comes across as authentic,” he told Sounds Like Nashville in an interview.

 

“Photograph”, Ed Sheeran (x)

Tyler Johnson didn’t actually write this major Ed Sheeran hit, but it’s one of the first songs that he helped engineer and produce and put him on the map. The four-minute-song is all about trying to preserve a relationship forever – making it stand the test of time, keeping the love ageless in a photograph.

 

“Two Ghosts”, Harry Styles (Harry Styles)

The second single from Harry Styles’ debut solo project, “Two Ghosts” is a stunningly sparse song about lovers who aren’t the same people they were. It’s country in the way Beck, Jeff Tweedy, or even Kacey Musgraves is – folksy with rock and pop undertones. Harry is known for experimenting genre-wise on his records, and country is a sound he dabbles in frequently. Tyler Johnson’s expertise in the Nashville sound definitely has influenced Harry’s own sound to make it a cohesively alternative country song.

 

“Burning House”, Cam (Untamed)

It’s hard for a ballad to work at country radio. But a woman in country releasing a ballad and going #1 is even rarer. It went on to be nominated for a GRAMMY. “Burning House”, which Tyler co-wrote/produced with Cam, is practically an acoustic track, with just vocals, guitar, and string arrangements. “There’s a weight to [this song]. Writing [it] was amazing and incredibly life-changing,” he told Sounds Like Nashville. It’s painted with intense imagery, and it’s the type of song to stop you in your tracks.

 

“Fine Line”, Harry Styles (Fine Line)

It’s hard to put into words the brilliant, yet simple song that is Fine Line, the closer on Harry Styles’ latest chart-topping LP. Tyler co-wrote and produced the song, and he did it flawlessly. Lyrically, it reads like a folk song. “We’ll be a fine line/We’ll be alright,” is repeated throughout the choruses, with verses of more intricate poetry throughout. It’s about how in life, one will never be 100% happy or 100% sad. We’ll walk the line between all those emotions, and it’s okay to feel. The bridge is absolutely epic as it builds up to a swell of trumpets, crashing drums, and an orchestral arrangement. It’s beautiful lyrically, but Tyler Johnson’s vision as a producer, sonically, speaks volumes on this song. It’s more than a song – it’s an experience.

To keep up with Tyler Johnson, you can find him on Instagram here.

To listen to some of Tyler Johnson’s discography, you can find the playlist here.

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SHOP THE HERO COLLECTION

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

—————————-

Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC & Beyond!

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

+ Follow our country music adventures on InstagramTwitter & Facebook:

Cam Releases New Song “Classic” & Drops Album Details

Cam Classic

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.

To keep up with Cam, follow her on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

“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.

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SHOP THE HERO COLLECTION

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

Saturday Night Live Combs

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Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC & Beyond!

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

+ Follow our country music adventures on InstagramTwitter & Facebook:

 

Cam Releases Timid Autobiography with New Single “Redwood Tree”

Redwood Tree Cam

It’s been three months since her last single release “Till There’s Nothing Left”, Cam entertains listeners with a new one. “Redwood Tree” has a soothing yet somber production whereas the lyrics talk directly to the rooted presence that is designated primarily to Northern California. This brilliant singer-songwriter, who is from the Golden State, creates this relationship with a redwood that acts as a surrogate set of eyes while the wind works as a roadmap and guides her soul.

“Oh redwood tree, now it’s just you and me / Back then it was hard to stay, and easy to leave / In the soft summer breeze, it’s so simple to see / That time kept ticking back home, while I was living for me / And I saw the world, you saw my parents grow old / You’ve got your roots, and I’ve got the wind – the wind in my soul”

A sentimental, cartoon-style video was made to tell the story of the redwood tree. Still, prior to watching, Cam paints a picture with her words in the music. “Redwood Tree” is a story, meaning the lyrics play the most important role. They take on a narrative approach, using specific and clear language in order for listeners to easily follow the concept. The short film does the same with evolving images. It opens to capture Cam facing the redwood in a shot that suggests that they are one; that they are the same. Then, the progression of Cam’s identity truly begins with a timeline of small but significant moments and ends with a true full-circle moment in relation to the tree.

Cam is set to drop her sophomore album later this year.

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

“Redwood Tree” is now available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more 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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Cam Professes True Ride-Or-Die Love In “Till There’s Nothing Left”

Cam Till There's Nothing Left

It’s been two years since country vocal powerhouse Cam dropped “Diane,” her empowering response to Dolly Parton’s “Jolene.” Today, the Sony/RCA recording artist is back with a brand new single, “Till There’s Nothing Left,” a selfless love song about loving till the end of time.

The mid-tempo, sensual tune is Cam’s profession of her love for her husband, Adam Weaver, and the ends of the earth she’ll go to for him. “My husband and I will go drive and have a quickie in the back of the car. Why am I embarrassed to sing about that? ‘Till There’s Nothing Left’ is a commitment. It’s saying – I am gonna love you with everything I have, physically, spiritually, I’m so in.”

With drum loops, a looming echo and the repetition of “till there’s nothing left,” the nothingness that an end-of-time till-death-do-us-part love could not be conveyed any better.

“Till there’s nothing left / Till there’s nothing left / Me and you in the backseat / Drivin’ me crazy / Killin’ me baby / Till there’s nothing left / Till there’s nothing left / With the windows up / Spendin’ all my love / Prayin’ God don’t save me,” the 35-year-old sings poignantly in this monumental love song.

Penned by Hillary Lindsey (Carrie Underwood, Lady Gaga), Cam, and her longtime collaborators Tyler Johnson (Harry Styles, Sam Smith) and Jeff Bhasker (Kanye West, Bruno Mars), the song also received an incredibly stunning and haunting video treatment, courtesy of director Dano Cerney (The Chainsmokers, Elle King).

Shot at the Hitching Post Western Saloon in Portland, TN, everyone in the honky-tonk and car makes an intentional decision to make out like there’s no tomorrow (pretty literally), and if it that’s the final moment on earth, they’re fine with it. Undeniably, the idea of cherishing final moments with the ones you love is at the crux of this cinematic video’s storyline.

“It’s the end of the world and I know a little place in the eye of the storm. Let’s live our last moments dancing together in the neon glow,” says Cam.

In celebration of the release, Cam performed on The TODAY Show this morning and will be on Late Night with Seth Meyers tonight. Her highly-anticipated sophomore record is due for release later this year.

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

“Till There’s Nothing Left” is now available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music here on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

—————

SHOP THE HERO COLLECTION

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

Saturday Night Live Combs

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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!

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NYCountry Swag Takes Country Radio Seminar: A Full Recap

Country Radio Seminar 2018

The 49th Country Radio Seminar (CRS) took place this past week in Nashville, Tennessee at The Omni Hotel in Downtown Nashville. CRS is an annual three-day convention where country music and the radio industry gather to exchange ideas, set trends, introduce brands, launch artists and make decisions that affect every aspect of the genre’s future.   The seminar includes new music from rising artists as well as some of the most established artists in the business.

Here are some highlights of our week down in Nashville including photos of our favorite artists.  Head to our Instagram to see more exclusive content and videos.

Country Radio Seminar 2018

During the opening ceremonies, attendees gathered in one of the Omni’s ballrooms to honor their sponsors for the week as well as to award Dierks Bentley with the 2018 Artist Humanitarian Award. Humbled by this award, Bentley took the stage to thank the committee who chose him and explain that he is happy to use his platform for a greater good. He received recognition for his charity work with his Miles & Music for Kids concert and the accompanying motorcycle ride. Over the last 10 years, the organization raised over 4 million dollars.

Country Radio Seminar 2018

Next up, our team headed to Broken Bow Records’ showcase which included the signing of a brand new act, Everette The Band as well as performances from each of their talented stars including Walker McGuire, Lindsey Ell, Dustin Lynch, Granger Smith and Jimmie Allen.

Country Radio Seminar 2018

Country Radio Seminar 2018

Closing out the night of incredible music, Jason Aldean took the stage to perform “Tattoos On This Town”, “Any Ol’ Barstool” and his brand new single “You Make It Easy” for the attendees.

Country Radio Seminar 2018

Aldean and Allen then headed to the Amazon Music & CRS Monday Night Showcase where they performed and Garth Brooks joined Aldean on stage for an epic duet of “Friends in Low Places”.

Country Radio Seminar 2018

Heading down to Broadway, we stopped by Dierks Bentley’s brand new Bar, Whiskey Row, for a performance from Hot Country Knights, Bentley’s parody 90’s cover band. Fellow Universal Music Group labelmates Jordan Davis, Kassi Ashton, Maddie and Tae, Jon Pardi, Travis Denning, took the stage to sing classic 90’s hits including “Boot-Scootin’ Boogie”, “Any Man of Mine”, “Sold” and “Lesson in Leavin'”.

Country Radio Seminar 2018

Tuesday, Day 2 of the seminar was filled with 26 artists, performing their new music for the radio and media attendees.  Every year the UMG Luncheon which takes place at the historic Ryman Auditorium is a highlight of the week and this year was certainly no different.  After grabbing our boxed lunch, we headed inside to sit 4th row ready for some incredible music.  Performers at the luncheon included newcomers, Jordan Davis, Kassi Ashton, Travis Denning, and Brandon Lay.  Each of the rising artists that have just been signed to Universal Music Group were so grateful for the opportunity to play the on the historic stage for the most prestigious names in radio.  Other acts to perform were Kip Moore, Darius Rucker, Dierks Bentley, Maddie & Tae, Jon Pardi and Luke Bryan.  Highlights included Vince Gill singing a new song he wrote about sexual misconduct and the powerful movement happening in the world and keeping with the theme, Keith Urban singing his latest single “Female” with Nicolle Gaylon who co-wrote the song.

Country Radio Seminar 2018

Next up we stopped by the NASH FM Nashville campus to visit our friends Ty, Kelly & Chuck and Elaina and Shawn from Nash Nights Live. Then we headed back to the Omni to catch the Sony Showcase.  This guitar pull or acoustic round featured some of Sony’s biggest acts as well as newly signed artists.  The first round included Chris Young, Walker Hayes, LANco, Luke Combs and Cam. Each took turns singing their radio singles and Cam even performed a haunting version of a song she wrote with pop singer Sam Smith called “Palace”.  The second round featured Brad Paisley, Kane Brown, Mitchell Tenpenny, and Maren Morris. Morris sang her very first radio number one, “I Could Use a Love Song” as well as “Rich” which impacts country radio today.

Country Radio Seminar 2018

We then headed to the Warner Suite to catch one of our favorite rising artists, Cale Dodds perform his latest singles “People Watching” and “Take You Back”.

Our final day of the seminar concluded with two shows at the theatre in the Omni hotel.  The first was Big Machine’s Luncheon which featured a remarkable performance by the newest artists to join their label Trent Harmon and Tyler Rich. Thomas Rhett also performed his latest single “Marry Me” and Brett Young played his no. 1 hits.  Making their official comeback as a duo, Sugarland sang their smash “Baby Girl”, “Stuck On You” and their new single “Still the Same”.

Country Radio Seminar 2018

Country Radio Seminar 2018

The culmination of three great days ended with New Faces, a critically acclaimed event which features the brightest rising country acts of the previous year.  This year was no different, taking the stage with their full bands to each play three of their most popular hits was Carly Pearce, Michael Ray, Midland, Lauren Alaina and Luke Combs.

Country Radio Seminar 2018

Country Radio Seminar 2018

Country Radio Seminar

Overall, Country Radio Seminar was an incredible three days for New York Country Swag, being a small part of bringing new country music to listeners and followers in New York City and beyond.  We are already looking forward to next years seminar!

Make sure to follow us on Instagram for more pictures and videos from the incredible events.

 

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– Team NYCountry Swag