Circle in the City Archives

As the summer comes to a close, Circle in the City presented by NASH FM 94.7 in partnership with Southwest Airlines held its final event of the season, Friday night featuring Ryan Kinder. He took to the mini Opry circle to sing a few new songs and his latest single “Still Believe in Crazy Love”. As the sun set, Kinder attracted a crowd around the Southwest Porch in the corner of Bryant Park with his powerful voice. Kinder had two backup singers join him for the evening and the beauty of the three voices harmonizing made for an extremely special night.

Sitting down with the Alabama native, he recalled the first moment he heard “Still Believe in Crazy Love”. “I had one night home and we flew in to play for XM in Nashville, I was so tired and Nick my manager asked me to come to this writing round. I was exhausted, but he said ‘just come with me,’ so I did,” he explains. “The first song that Jerry Flowers came out to play was “Still Believe In Crazy Love” and I just woke up….I was so delirious I didn’t care, I walked up to the stage and said: “Don’t you let a single person hear this song, you send it to me, I’m cutting it.”

Kinder was once told, “Never ever cut an outside song unless you are really pissed off you didn’t write it.” With “Still Believe In Crazy Love,” he felt such a passion for this song that he knew he had to cut it himself. Written by Jerry Flowers and the late great, Andrew Dorff, the lyrics are universal while still remain unique to each listener. Dorff’s father makes an appearance in the emotional video for the song, which Billboard.com premiered today, along with the most important people in Kinder’s life.

‘Crazy Love’ is the first off his forthcoming debut album, which Kinder says is definitely in the works. “We don’t have a date. I’m taking my time on it, because I want to get it right,” he explains. He tells us the new project will be more southern and rootsy than his past endeavors.

When we asked about his opportunity to play as a part of the Circle in the City series, Kinder could not hide his smile. “It was unbelievable, The Opry is so cool because they are some of the greatest people I’ve ever met, they are so kind and the Opry doesn’t really chain themselves to country even though it is the bedrock of everything that is country…” he tells us “The Opry understands the true meaning of a music lover and they don’t care if the radio plays them or not, they care about the genuine nature of music and that’s really all they care about.”

For reviews of other Circle in the City events check out Opry Circle in the City with Michael Ray and Morgan Evans.

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With a fall chill in the air, Thursday night at the Southwest Porch in Bryant Park was the perfect setting for some acoustic country music. Circle in the City presented by Southwest and NASH FM 94.7 is a free show available to all those in New York City who want to experience a taste of Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry.

First up to stand in the Opry’s signature microphone was rising star, Morgan Evans who was introduced by NASH FM 94.7 DJ, Katie Neal. Evans, who just released his first single in the U.S, hails from Austraila. He stood in the mini wooden circle to sing three songs including “Kiss Somebody”. A highlight from the country crooner included a song called “Everything Changes”. Before singing Evans’ explained how quickly life can change, going from living in Austraila to moving to Nashville, meeting the love of his life and getting engaged. For all those who don’t know, Evans is engaged to country superstar Kelsea Ballerini.

Not only was the Southwest Porch filled with country fans, but the surrounding areas of Bryant Park had people holding up their phones to take videos and were singing along to the radio hits. Next to stand in the wooden circle was Florida native, Michael Ray. Ray, who gratefully thanked Southwest and Nash FM for the opportunity to perform in NYC, sang songs including “Real Men Love Jesus”, his latest single “Get To You” and even a cover of Keith Whitley’s, “Don’t Close Your Eyes”.

“To be here representing the Grand Ole Opry is an unbelievable thing,” he said as he acknowledged the radio team here in New York, as well as everyone that works behind the scenes in the music industry. To close out the night, Ray sang his first number one single, “Kiss You in the Morning” and even gave the fans a chance to sing along.

Missed the show? Check Out the Facebook live video from the Grand Ole Opry’s Page of Morgan Evans’ set here and Michael Ray, here.

If you weren’t able to make this event, don’t miss Ryan Kinder this Friday, September 15th. For more information, visit Click Here, plus check out our throwback to #CircleThrowdown from last year’s event with RaeLynn.

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Thanks for supporting Country Music in NYC!

Follow our Country Music Adventures on Instagram, @NYCOUNTRYSWAG!
+ Shop the Store for your favorite Country Swag & Tag us to be featured. #nycountryswag

Join the Weekly Round-Up for upcoming event reminders, ticket giveaways and more!

– Team NYCountry Swag

Posts

Ryan Kinder Chats After Circle in the City Set in Bryant Park

Opry Circle in the City with Michael Ray and Morgan Evans