Tag Archive for: Kane Brown

Jason Aldean Brings The Ride All Night Tour to PNC

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Jason Aldean brought the party and his Ride All Night Tour to Holmdel, New Jersey at the PNC Bank Arts Center on Saturday night. With him were special guests Kane Brown and Carly Pearce.

Carly Pearce Jason Aldean

Pearce opened up the show, energizing the crowd with hits such as “Catch Fire”, “Every Little Thing” and her newest single “Closer To You”. She ended her twenty minute set with her hit song “Hide The Wine”. Before the song, Pearce shouted out “Do I have any wine drinkers in New Jersey?!” which caused an uproar of the fans.

Kane Brown was next, opening his set with the first track on his newest album Experiment, “Baby Come Back To Me” and his first number one song “What Ifs”.  After performing “Weekend”, Brown asked the audience “Who out there loves their mama?” which generated a lot of feedback. He explained his next song, “Good As You”, was written in dedication to his mother and grandmother. If you are familiar with the singer-songwriter and his story, you know how important these women are to him.  Brown performed “Short Skirt Weather” karaoke style as the words were displayed on the big screen. He then covered Ben E. King’s “Stand By Me” and Sean Kingston’s “Beautiful Girls”.

Kane Brown Jason Aldean

After his covers, the stage went dark and various military veterans were displayed on the screen. Brown explained how his next song, “Homesick” was dedicated to the US military. He performed a slowed down version and revealed it will be his next single to country radio.  The stage went dark again and old videos of Brown singing on Facebook and YouTube appeared on screen. “This is a little embarrassing to show but this is how I got my start in country music. It was you guys who made my dreams possible. Here’s my first radio single ‘Used To Love You Sober’”.

Brown ended his set with his two most recent number one songs in “Heaven” and “Lose It”. He brought his dance moves out for “Lose It” as the country star showed off his moonwalking skills to give the fans one last thing to cheer about before Jason Aldean took the stage.

Groundbreaking DJ/remixer/producer/radio host Dee Jay Silver was keeping the fans entertained in between sets. Silver recently released a single with country duo Waterloo Revival called “Getaway Driver” which he played for us after Pearce’s set. Silver is set to release his first full-length album titled Corners this summer. The album plans to blend music from all different genres. “The reason for naming the record ‘Corners’ is because this album literally takes you into all corners of my mind,” Silver explains in a recent press release.

Jason Aldean

The headliner for the night, Jason Aldean opened his set with “Take a Little Ride”, “Tattoos On This Town” and “Fly Over States”. Aldean then took a few minutes to chat with the crowd.  “I’m not one of those guys up here that does a lot of singing and dancing; that ain’t really my thing. So if that’s what you came to see, you’re at the wrong show. Our show’s a little bit more rock and roll if you guys are into that.”

He explained to the fans that he will be playing songs from his most recent album Rearview Town, songs from his first album and ones from the middle six. “So what I’m basically saying, we’re going to be here for a while tonight so you guys settle in.”

Unlike Brown, Aldean is not much of a talker; he wants to fit as many songs in his set as possible. Aldean performed 24 songs for the New Jersey crowd, taking very few breaks in between. His next set of songs highlighted his earlier music, including “Big Green Tractor”, “Crazy Town” and “Amarillo Sky”. He then jumped all the way to his most recent single “Rearview Town”.

Aldean then rolled off seven more hits from a variety of albums, barely stopping to take a breath. “Burning It Down”, “Any Ol’ Barstool”, “Getting Warmed Up”, “Johnny Cash” and “Night Train” were among those songs.

Jason Aldean PNC

Before performing “Drowns The Whiskey”, Aldean praised Miranda Lambert who is featured on the track and described how important she was to making this song go number one. “Unfortunately, Miranda isn’t with us tonight so I’m going to need y’all help with this one”, he encouraged. Aldean has a ton of party anthems, which he played for the fans on Saturday night. “Lights Come On”, “Girl Like You”, “They Don’t Know” and “My Kinda Party” were next in the set.

He got the crowd was roaring before “My Kinda Party” by taking a shot of tequila on stage. “I feel like at every party there’s that one thing that happens that takes it from like a really good party to a really kick-ass party….and even though I think this party’s pretty good right now, I’m about to drink this shot of tequila and I think it’s time we kick this bitch into overdrive.”

“Hicktown” and “Dirt Road Anthem” followed. Aldean then expressed his opinion on encores at concerts, calling them bull**** and how they just waste time.  “We’re going to give you guys everything we got and when the show’s over it’s just over. How does that sound?”

He closed the show with “She’s Country”, “You Make It Easy” and “The Only Way I Know”. Aldean chugged a beer and then walked off the stage in style, putting an end to the fun, exciting and boisterous night at the PNC Bank Arts Center. 

The Ride All Night Tour will return to the Metropolitan Area September 6th at Jones Beach Theater in Long Island.

To keep up with Jason Aldean, follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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NYCS First Impression Brooks & Dunn Feature New Artists On ‘REBOOT’

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Brooks & Dunn REBOOT

Making their old hits new, Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn have gotten together with some of country music’s hottest acts to repurpose and reimagine their biggest songs in the new album REBOOT. It has been over a decade since the best selling duo of all time released new music and exactly 10 years since they released anything at all, their last album #1s…and then some was a compilation of their hits.

For fans who are new to loving the genre, they may not be familiar with the duo or any of their songs however Brooks & Dunn have shaped the landscape of country music and helped cultivate and influence the artists that you know and love today. This new project allows fans of Kane Brown, Luke Combs, Ashley McBryde and so many more really dig into these tracks otherwise may have been lost on them.

Released first and prior to the full album, Luke Combs and Kane Brown’s contributions (“Brand New Man” and “Believe”) gave fans a taste of what to expect from REBOOT, without changing the songs melodically, they breathed new life into them.  “What’s really intriguing to me is that we didn’t do any production meetings about how we might cut these things,” Kix Brooks said in a recent press release. “We kind of just went in, and it morphed in the process.”

Choosing which songs out of their twenty, that’s right twenty number one hits, couldn’t have been easy but each track shows a different side of the duo’s outstanding discography. A standout on the record is “Ain’t Nothin’ Bout You” which features Brett Young’s soulful and sultry vocals. Young starts the song with the familiar lyrics, sonically slowing things down to accentuate the words, changing things just a bit, instead of singing to the girl, they are singing about her to each other. The addition of a saxophone solo adds a sexy spunk to the vibe, making this track one of the best on the record.

Currently one of the most talked about country acts, Kacey Musgraves who humbly took home Album of the Year at this year’s Grammy Awards is featured on “Neon Moon”. Her sweet voice highlights the buzzing neon signs in bars that will always welcome you back when experiencing heartbreak.  The decision to have a female voice adds so much to the two tracks on the record, the ACM New Female of the Year Ashley McBryde adds her grit and unique vocals to “You’re Gonna Miss Me When I’m Gone”.

Possibly one of their most popular songs, “Boot Scootin’ Boogie” is energized by Grammy-nominated Midland who’s debut album is filled with songs just like their cover for REBOOT. Their version is perfect for dance halls and bars across America.

While every song on the record is an absolute proven gem, when Texas native, Cody Johnson starts off the last chorus alone on “Red Dirt Road” over a quiet acoustic guitar, it will make you fall in love with the song that has been a classic since its release in 2003.

It was just recently revealed that Brooks & Dunn will be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame later this year. Making timeless hits brand new again, fans Brooks & Dunn and fans of these modern day country artists will have a record to blast for years to come.

To keep up with Brooks & Dunn, follow them on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

REBOOT 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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Brooks & Dunn REBOOT Featuring Kane Brown, Luke Combs and More

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Brooks & Dunn Reboot

For the younger generation of country music fans, Brooks & Dunn may seem like your grandparents country music, but their songs and stories are important centerpieces of the genre.  In their latest news, after taking a break from performing and recording together, Ronnie Dunn and Kix Brooks are back and rebooting their most famous songs with some of the genre’s biggest rising names. The duo has had 20 number one hits over the last two decades and they are now getting ready to reimagine those incredible songs with some of the freshest talent coming out of Nashville.

Artists like Thomas Rhett, Brett Young, LANCO, Ashley McBryde, Brothers Osborne, Midland, Cody Johnson, Jon Pardi, Tyler Booth, and Kacey Musgraves will be featured on the new project. Released today are the first two tracks from their next studio album, REBOOT slated for release on April 5th. Luke Combs joins the best selling duo of all time on “Brand New Man” while Kane Brown lends his vocals to “Believe”.

“This whole experience has been humbling, to say the least. What a cool rush to hear somebody do one of your tunes in a unique way, and it still holds up,” said Ronnie Dunn in a recent press release. “That’s the greatest compliment you can get as an artist. People used to ask us all the time about the legacy we wanted to leave, and it’s honestly just that – you hope the music stands up over time. This is the first opportunity we’ve had to run it up a new flagpole…and it really flies.”

“Brand New Man” features Combs’ rugged voice and dimensional grit. The multi-platinum singer-songwriter is not new to honoring the duo, he usually performs at least one Brooks & Dunn song in his set. When we caught his set at Madison Square Garden opening for Jason Aldean on his High Noon Neon Tour he covered a rousing rendition of “Boot Scootin’ Boogie”.  The entire idea for this project happened when Combs met with the duo’s longtime manager and he explained how important Brooks & Dunn had been to his career. “Brooks & Dunn’s music absolutely had a tremendous impact on me,” said Combs in a recent press release. “To me, they invented that foot stomping, driving sound. And it’s so cool that this has turned into such an awesome album, with artists that actually grew up listening to Brooks & Dunn. Their music was so influential to us that having the chance to come in and bounce ideas off the guys and sing with them in the studio was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

Kane Brown may be one of the artists in the genre who is pushing the boundaries of pop/R&B but he recognizes his Georgia/Tennessee roots by collaborating with Brooks & Dunn on “Believe”.  His sultry baritone voice tells the riveting story of Old Man Wrigley. In our opinion, this song is one of their best, and we were lucky enough to experience it live when Brooks & Dunn took the stage at the Grand Ole Opry back in 2017.

Both songs, and hopefully the entire REBOOT  album will keep the integrity of the original songs while adding the fresh new twist and inspiring vocals from rising artists. This album is a chance for an entirely new generation of country fans to experience the beautiful songs that Ronnie and Kix made famous. Take a listen to “Brand New Man” and “Believe” below.

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Kane Brown Featured on Khalid’s “Saturday Nights” Remix

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Kane Brown Khalid

Kane Brown is kicking off 2019 with a bang. Not only did the platinum-selling country singer begin his ‘Live Forever Tour’ last night in Duluth, Georgia, but he also joined R&B star Khalid on a remix of his single, “Saturday Nights” which was released today.

Brown teased fans of this collaboration via his Twitter last week when he posted a video of himself singing along to the original track.  This is not the first time he has ventured off to a different genre for a sure to be hit duet. Last year, he was featured on a remix of pop star, Camila Cabello’s platinum-selling hit “Never Be The Same.”

“Saturday Nights” was originally released in October of 2018 on Khalid’s sophomore project, Suncity. Brown has now taken over the second verse, putting his own spin on this tale of a woman with obstacles standing in the way of her dreams. He sings, “Saturday nights, your works shoes are stilettos / Smell of cheap perfume / Makeup on your face, try to hide the pain / All the lies look like the truth / Deep in your heart, all you want is love / But you never felt good enough / You got wrapped up in other plans / But this ain’t the way the story ends”  Brown later shows off his vocal skills on the bridge and in later choruses. The two voices pair together perfectly, their alluring harmonies add something special the original version did not have.

Brown is not finished with surprise collaborations just yet. On Thanksgiving of last year, he and hit-making producer Marshmello engaged in a Twitter exchange about their “jam” coming out this year. No further details have been announced, but we can sure look forward to hearing more new music from Brown in the near future.

“Saturday Nights REMIX” is now available everywhere you stream or purchase music. Take a listen below.

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Country Music Well Represented in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

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The show must go on; despite the freezing cold weather that took over New York City during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The cold winds and record-breaking low temperatures did not stop the crowds from coming out to watch the time-honored American tradition.

The annual parade features some of the biggest stars in music today and luckily for country fans, country music was well represented in this year’s lineup. Leading the trek, from the west side of Central Park to Macy’s flagship store on 34th street was none-other than the Turkey itself, making way for all the performers and balloons to follow.

Photo via @sugarland on Instagram

Photo via @sugarland on Instagram

The first country act to make their way down were Grammy Award winners, Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush, of Sugarland. The duo was on the Ocean Spray float, performing their hit single, “Babe,” featuring vocals from singer-songwriter, Taylor Swift. Nettles and Bush performed the song effortlessly with big smiles on their faces the entire time.

Shortly after, rising country star, Carly Pearce took over the Green Giant float, performing her brand new single, “Closer To You.” She was smiling from ear to ear while dancing in place singing her fresh upbeat tune. Performing in the parade gave Pearce one more item to check off her bucket list as she shared later that day on Instagram.

Photo via @carlypearce on Instagram

Photo via @carlypearce on Instagram

Following Pearce, was country’s youngest newcomer, Tegan Marie on the Girl Scouts of the USA’s “Building A Better World” float.  Celebrating girls who build a better world through STEM, Tegan Marie was chosen for the honor for embodying the G.I.R.L (Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, Leader)™ spirit. The Warner Music Nashville recording artist performed her bright and positive single “Keep It Lit,” which was the perfect song to inspire young girls everywhere to raise their voices, have an impact, and make the most of every moment.

Photo Credit: Steve Remich for Girl Scouts of the USA

Photo Credit: Steve Remich for Girl Scouts of the USA

Next up was multi-platinum selling artist, Kane Brown, performing “Good As You,” off his sophomore album Experiment. He took over South Dakota’s Mount Rushmore’s American Pride float, showcasing his rich vocals while dancing to his uptempo tune.

The final country performer of the parade was 4-time CMA Female Vocalist of the Year, Martina McBride, performing on the Balsam Hill float. She was joined by the Young People’s Chorus of New York City, performing her rendition of “It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year”. The beautiful tune is also featured on her latest release, It’s The Holiday Season. McBride brought the holiday spirit to the parade, surrounding herself with a talented group of kids.

Photo via @martinamcbride on Instagram

Photo via @martinamcbride on Instagram

Closing out the celebration was Santa Claus, making it officially the Christmas season. The freezing cold temperatures may have left the performers frozen on their floats, but that didn’t stop them from giving their all and performing for the thousands of people braving the cold with them. Once again, making the country community proud and thankful for all they do!

 

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[Watch] Kane Brown Performs on Jimmy Kimmel Live!

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As he continues to celebrate the success of his newly released sophomore album, Experiment, Kane Brown doesn’t show any signs of slowing down. Fresh off presenting at the CMA’s last night, the entertainer performed on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, as part of the concert series sponsored by Mercedes-Benz.

Kimmel, record in hand, introduced the singer, “This is the album. It’s called Experiment. Here with the song “Lose It.” Kane Brown!,” just before the camera panned to the stage. Donning a red bomber jacket, the singer-songwriter, engaged with the crowd on Hollywood Boulevard, encouraging them to clap along to the beat. Brown sang the opening lyrics to his smash hit “Lose It,” just as the audience was getting into it.

Backed by a five-piece band, the country star was clearly having the time of his life, constantly showing off his dance moves and pumping up the crowd. Check out the clip here.

Although not aired on television, Brown brought a different vibe to the show, playing a second song off his album for the crowd, “Good As You.” The love song seems to be one of the singer’s favorites, as he smiled throughout most of the performance. Interacting with concertgoers, Brown stated “Y’all know this song?!,” just before putting the mic to the audience, where they sang back the lyrics to the singer. See the full performance here.

These performances gave fans a taste of what a headlining show from the entertainer would look like. Brown embarks on his recently announced 2019 tour, ‘Live Forever Tour’ this January, accompanied by country singers Granger Smith with Raelynn, Danielle Bradbery, and Jimmie Allen on select dates.

Although there is not yet a New York date, New Yorkers, who scored tickets for Brown’s special one-night-only concert in collaboration with Budweiser at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden on November 7th, already got a sneak-peak at a potential setlist. Head to kanebrownmusic.com to keep up with the artist.

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What We’re Listening To: November Picks

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We recently welcomed a team of writers to the NYCountry Swag Squad. With that, we’re excited to share a new monthly feature with our “What We’re Listening To” playlist, where we’re highlighting 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 November picks. Then be sure to give our Spotify account a follow and listen to our favorite tracks!

 

NOVEMBER PICKS:

 

Stephanie Wagner, Founder

Pick: “Rules of Breaking Up” – Brandon Ratcliff
Songwriters: A.J Babcock, Brandon Ratcliff, busbee, Pete Good

“Brandon Ratcliff is a brand new artist to hit the scene, but he is sure to make a big impact in the country music world. I first heard his song “Rules of Breaking Up” when one of our writers sent me a 30-second video clip from the song during a writers round she attended in Nashville. I watched that 30-second clip maybe 100 times that night alone. I was immediately hooked on the chorus and knew it was going to be a jam. Fast forward a few weeks later and the song was officially released on all music platforms. I’ve pretty much had it on repeat ever since. The song proposes the realistic idea that a break-up is easier said than done and puts that thought into relatable and catchy lyrics. Paired with a fresh and unique sound, “Rules of Breaking Up” is a standout song in the slew of new country music songs being released.”

“Whoever wrote the rules of breaking up never kissed your lips, touched your skin, had the world at their fingertips / Didn’t have a clue what heaven was / No, they didn’t have to lose that kind of love / And if they ever saw that smile, ever felt your vibe, they might know what I’m going through / Whoever wrote the rules of breaking up, never been broke up, broke up over you”

 

Christina Bosch, Managing Editor 

Pick: “When I Was His Wife” – Pistol Annies
Songwriters: Angaleena Presley, Ashley Monroe, Miranda Lambert

“What is better than one badass female country artist? Three badass female country artists.  Pistol Annies have never backed down, never shied away from writing and singing the truth and with their latest release, Interstate Gospel the truth isn’t the only thing they are serving up.  After Lambert’s very public divorce, the ladies have more than enough material and “When I Was His Wife” takes heartbreak to a whole new level.  The song which was written by the Annies focuses on the veil of love that blinds you in when a relationship is new, only to realize it isn’t all it seems to be as things start to fall apart.  It takes the stance of the ex singing to the new woman in her man’s life.

“He’d never cheat, he’d never lie / He’ll love me forever, till the day that we die / He’ll never take me for granted / I said that too when I was his wife”

“Holy Matrimony” this track from the new album is real and raw, showcasing the southern belle’s heartbreak and the storytelling that traditional country music is known for. I will always love a good emotional wreckage song.

 

Nicole Bochinis, Contributing Writer

Pick: “Love Heals” – Levi Hummon feat. Alison Krauss
Songwriters: Levi Hummon, Marcus Hummon, Tom Douglas 

“I heard “Love Heals” for the first time back in August when Levi Hummon came to Stamford CT. I was blown away by the song and the story behind it. Hummon’s voice is truly amazing and it pairs perfectly with Alison Krauss’ beautiful vocals.  The song was inspired by his mother and her Thistle Farms charity. The organization provides support and employment to victims of sexual assault and human trafficking. This song just gives a hopeful message to all of the women who have suffered. I also feel that this powerful message is for anyone who is struggling. No matter what you are going through, and no matter what is going on in the world, love is powerful, and love heals.”

 

Kelly Cunningham, Contributing Writer

Pick: “How Do I Get Close” – Nick Wayne
Songwriters: Nick Wayne, Josh Kerr, Hannah Ellis

“The first time I heard Nick Wayne sing his upcoming songs at The Listening Room in Nashville he sang this with his friend Josh Kerr and his girlfriend Hannah Ellis. The vocals on this song are insane and the harmonies are even better. He just recently released this song in October and it’s long overdue for the world to hear him. Wayne’s a game-changer to the country music scene and I can’t wait for his upcoming project to drop.”

 

Molly Holmberg, Contributing Writer

Pick: “Miss Love” – Julia Cole
Songwriters: Andy Timmons, Julia Cole, Simon Gugala

“Now I may be biased towards my pick of the month, maybe because I was just on tour with her or because I shot her new single cover, but nonetheless Julia Cole’s new single “Miss Love” is nothing short of amazing. The Houston, Texas native is stunning fans with her perfect combination of country, R&B, and pop and has caught the eyes of many in the country music world including CMT! “Miss Love” is a song about resisting the urge to fall back into an unhealthy relationship with the wrong person just because you miss the perks of being in love. This catchy upbeat song gets everyone singing along during her concert and you will too after the first time you hear it. This single is just a part of a full-band EP that is set to release in 2019, so be on the lookout!”

 

Nicole Piering, Contributing Writer

Pick: “Do You Ever Dream” – Delta Rae
Songwriters: Brittany Holljes, Eric Holljes, Ian Holljes

“From the opening line of Delta Rae‘s “Do You Ever Dream?,” I was immediately captivated by the discernible ache in the lead singer’s (Brittany Holljes) voice. While the song begins acapella, the music builds around the vocals, with guitars, drums, and harmonies adding to the song, rather than detracting from it. That musical build climaxes all the way at the end of the song, and the result is absolutely magical. In some ways, “Do You Ever Dream?” reminds me of country music from the early-2000’s, and that is NOT a bad thing. It’s been on repeat for me since I first heard it, and I can’t wait to hear more from this band. In fact, I’d argue that if this song was released by Little Big Town, it would be a huge hit, and it deserves to be a breakthrough moment for Delta Rae.”

 

Olivia Reese, Contributing Writer

Pick: “This Feeling” – The Chainsmokers feat. Kelsea Ballerini
Songwriters: Alex Pall, Andrew Taggert, Emily Warren

“There have been numerous collaborations between pop and country artists in the past few months, but “This Feeling” captures the unique blend of The Chainsmoker’s electro-pop sound and Kelsea Ballerini’s country background to create a one of a kind song, that I think is perfect for both a Saturday afternoon drive or a night out.

The song brings back the nostalgia of high school or college and going after someone you are crazy about, that your friends don’t like as they try to convince you out of it, to “Think with my head, not that thing in my chest/They got their hands at my neck this time”. Despite their pleas, in your best interest, to reconsider you don’t listen because “They don’t know what this feeling is like.””

 

Nicole Sellati, Contributing Writer

Pick: “Float Your Boat” – Ryan Follese
Songwriters: Adrienne Follese, Cameron Montgomery, Jamie Follese, Keith Follese, Ryan Follese

“I’ve been a fan of singer-songwriter, Ryan Follese since he was the lead singer of Hot Chelle Rae. Ever since then I have kept up with his career and was happy to learn he was working on a solo album in country music. I had the chance to see him perform again on last years tour with Sam Hunt and have been listening to his music non-stop. His entire album is on repeat but in particular the song, “Float Your Boat,” making it the perfect November pick for me. I love how the song is all about living in the moment and doing whatever makes you happy, which is exactly how I try to live life. I can’t wait to see what comes next for his career!”

 

Danielle Tornatore, Contributing Writer

Pick: “It Ain’t You It’s Me” – Kane Brown
Songwriters: Kane Brown, Taylor Phillips, Josh Hoge, Brock Berryhill

“Kane Brown is one of my top five favorite country artists and I have been anxiously awaiting the release of Experiment since it was announced. I’ve had it on repeat since the clock struck midnight last Friday and “It Ain’t You It’s Me” has been the standout for me. For some reason, I’m always drawn to the heartbreaking tracks of albums. Though this one is a bit more upbeat, the message is all the same. I’m hoping this will be on his setlist for the ‘Live Forever Tour’ next year!”

 

Shanna Vitaliano, Contributing Writer

Pick: “Last Shot” – Kip Moore
Songwriters: Kip Moore, Dan Couch, David Lee Murphy

“Kip Moore’s “Last Shot” takes a different outlook on the true meaning of loving someone. I came to really admire this song as I understood the genuine meaning behind the lyrics.  There’s no doubt that Moore’s rugged and infectious vocals can reel you in, but the meaning behind living life to its fullest and enjoying it with the person you care about is what makes the song so special.
Lyrics such as: “If you were my last breath, I’d just want to hold ya/ If you were my last night I ever had on wheels/ I’d wanna drive you like I stole ya,” makes you think of how you’d want to spend the last moments with a person you love.

It is the perfect reminder to show how much you cherish someone as well as who and what matters most in life.”

 

Erica Zisman, Contributing Writer

Pick: “Whole Lot In Love” – Austin Burke
Songwriters: Austin Burke, Sherrie Austin, Will Rambeaux

“My November song pick came pretty easy this month. Keeping with my theme of picking songs that resonate with me personally, while still having that aspect of story-telling that is such a staple of country music, this month I went with Austin Burke’s “Whole Lot In Love.”

Burke puts his own twist onto a love song, having a hard time expressing that he’s in love with his partner and exploring the consequences of admitting his feelings out loud. The song is relatable and catchy, while the singer’s unique voice gives it an edgy feel. On a personal note, I can relate to having some difficulty expressing how I feel in relationships, so this track definitely hit home for me.”

 

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NYCS First Impression: Kane Brown ‘Experiment’

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Kane Brown Experiment

 

It’s been two years, since Kane Brown rose to country music stardom, with the release of his self-titled debut album. Since then, the singer-songwriter has only garnered more and more fans and continues to push the envelope with his artistry and blur the lines of musical genres with his songs, finding inspiration in R&B, soul, pop, and even rock music. Brown’s sophomore album, Experiment, which officially dropped today, blends those influences into a country album that only he could deliver.

Similar to his previous album, Brown’s new project is filled with tear-jerkers, anthems, and everything in between. Properly named, the record truly is the singer’s culmination of his experiences and the experimentation of different sounds and arrangements. The 12 track LP is filled with songs that anyone can relate to, dance to, sing along to, and appreciate.

Experiment begins with“Baby Come Back To Me.” which features an infectious beat that will keep any listener tapping their feet or bopping their head along to the music. The sultry track is the singer’s plea to a partner to come back to him, and a promise to change his seemingly worrisome ways. “Don’t go throwing that away / I need you so damn bad / Baby come back to me / Give me one more chance / One more chance to be- to be a better man / This don’t have to be- goodbye / Don’t do this to me, tonight / Please come back to me / Baby come back to me.”

Brown transitions effortlessly, into his recently released track, and potential single, “Good As You”, a love song to his wife and the backdrop to their picturesque wedding. The heartfelt lyrics showcase Brown’s signature smooth vibe, and fit his vocals perfectly, as he confesses his love and admiration for his now, wife. The chorus is catchy and will be stuck in your head in no time.

Another notable track on the record is the heart-wrenching, “It Ain’t You It’s Me.” In this song, Brown continues to tap into a gamut of emotions, as he explores the feelings associated with dealing with a break-up. The recent American Music Award winner puts a unique twist on dealing with heartache, bitterness, and moving on. “It ain’t you that’s been going through hell / It ain’t you with a heart for sale / It ain’t you riding around this town with a ghost in the shotgun seat / It ain’t you that’s been trying to call / It ain’t you that still misses it all / You ain’t the one that can’t move on- still holding memories / It ain’t you, it’s me.” For fans who prefer fun-loving, radio-friendly songs from Brown, like “Found You” and “Hometown,” Experiment has that too. “One Night Only” is a cheeky rendition of meeting a girl and wanting more than just a hook-up, whereas, “Short Skirt Weather” and “Weekend” are perfect songs to tailgate to.

One of the more poignant songs off the record is entitled “American Bad Dream.” The entertainer, like many other musicians, such as Eric Church, is speaking his piece about the turmoil Americans have experienced, due to school shootings and untimely deaths. Although this song will probably not be a radio single, the vulnerability the singer expresses and the conversation about the important narrative that he touches upon is both refreshing and meaningful.

Brown celebrated the release of Experiment with several exclusive events including a sold out show at New York City’s Hulu Theater in partnership with Budweiser’s One Night Only Concert Series. Check out our full recap of the special show here.

Experiment is available everywhere music can be bought or streamed. 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. Next up, Brown will embark on his 2019 headlining tour, ‘Live Forever Tour,’ with direct support from country singers, Granger Smith, Raelynn, Danielle Bradbery, and Jimmie Allen on select dates. Find more information about the tour on kanebrownmusic.com.

 

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Kane Brown Celebrates ‘Experiment’ with Sold Out NYC Crowd

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Last night (Nov. 7), multi-platinum-selling country star, Kane Brown celebrated the release of his sophomore studio album entitled Experiment with a sold-out show at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City, as apart of Budweiser’s One Night Only Concert Series.

Kane Brown

Brown was joined by special guests Clare Dunn and Seaforth. Both acts warmed up the crowd for the singer-songwriter’s epic headlining set in New York City for the first time in nearly two years. The lingering buzz from the crowd was palpable as we all awaited Brown to kick off his 75-minute performance with the track “Found You” from his debut self-titled album. He entered the stage shouting, “New York City! You ready to have a good time tonight? Come on!” Fans erupted into screams and applause while raising their Budweisers into the air.

Brown kept the crowd going with his upbeat anthem “Hometown.” “This next song is basically what got me started, it’s what got me to Nashville. So if you know it, sing along with us,” the superstar shared with the crowd before performing his first ever single “Used To Love You Sober.” Brown took a moment to thank the show’s sponsor and express his excitement to be back in New York, “Can I tell y’all something real quick? There’s no better place to be than New York City on a Wednesday. Especially when you got Budweiser sponsoring this show, so we gotta make a little toast right quick and take a picture.”
Brown performed five of the twelve new tracks off of Experiment. First up, “Short Skirt Weather.” The inspiration behind this song was Tim McGraw’s “I Like It, I Love It.”

“Lose It” was next, the superstar exclaimed to the crowd, “This is my latest single out to country radio. Put y’all hands up in the air, come on!” Fans clapped along as loud as they could while singing along.
Brown recently teased on his socials that “Good As You” or “Homesick” would be his next single to country radio.  Introducing “Good As You” he told the crowd, “This next one is actually the last one I released. It’s only been a month or two, I’m really excited to see how many of y’all know it.” Brown’s face lit up when the audience sang back every word of the chorus to him.

“I had to dedicate this next song to our military… I finished writing it at about 5 AM and went back to my bunk, I was trying to picture who else could relate to this song and the first thing that came to mind was the military,” Brown shared before the crowd erupted into a “USA” chant, “If you know it, sing along with us, it’s called “Homesick.” The gratitude expressed across the star’s face was indisputable as fans continuously sang every word of these new songs back to him.

Brown teased the crowd a bit before performing “Weekend,” “I have a question, how many people like hanging out, just chillin’? Y’all like weekends? Because I know it’s a Wednesday but we can make it a weekend for about three minutes if y’all want to. We can still make it a weekend so let’s do it!”
The singer-songwriter proceeded into a mashup of covers inspired by the music he listened to in middle school including “Billionaire” by Travie McCoy feat. Bruno Mars, “Over My Head (Cable Car)” by The Fray and “Ms. Jackson” by OutKast. All while showing off his signature dance moves, the crowd yelled along to every word.

Brown featured other tracks from his Chapter 1 EP and his self-titled album during his set, such as “There Goes My Everything,” “Better Place,” “What’s Mine Is Yours,” “Pull It Off,” and “Learning.” Prior to performing “Learning,” the singer-songwriter shared his backstory and the intimate, traumatic details of his childhood with the crowd, in which the song entails. He conveyed the gratitude he has for his grandmother before preaching to the audience, “The most important song I ever wrote in my life because I just want to let everybody know that has a dream, anybody who has ever been through anything, that you can do whatever the hell you wanna do, no matter what anybody tells you.” Brown continuously thanked the crowd for showing up, singing along and supporting him before the encore.

Kane Brown

The country superstar closed out his show with his two biggest hits, “Heaven” and “What Ifs.”
Brown shared the spotlight during “Heaven” with two young fans who went viral in a video on his Facebook page. The two young boys knew every word when he passed the microphone to them. The audience cheered them on.

The crowd continued to chant “One more song!” even after Brown had exited the stage. The fans’ high energy and devotion was evident the entire night.  Experiment drops tonight at midnight. Be sure to check it out and come back tomorrow for our First Impression Review.

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Kane Brown Performs “Lose It” on LIVE with Kelly and Ryan

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Country star, Kane Brown is in New York City this week to celebrate the upcoming release of his sophomore album, Experiment, dropping on November 9th. Check back for our First Impression Review of the album on Friday. Today, the singer-songwriter, visited co-hosts, Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest on ABC’s ‘LIVE with Kelly and Ryan’ to close out the show.

Seacrest gave a warm introduction to the singer’s performance, “Our next guest recently took home three American Music Awards, including one for ‘Favorite Male Artist.’ His sophomore album drops this Friday. Here’s Kane Brown with his new hit “Lose It.” Kane, take it away.” The crowd immediately erupted into screams and applause, as Brown appeared on stage, mic in hand, with a five-piece band to back him up. “Everybody, stand up for me, c’mon,” the singer exclaimed, just before singing the opening lyrics to his new song, “Lose It.”

The always stylish, personable, and edgy singer had a blast on the stage, showcasing some of his signature dance moves and showcasing his raspy, deep voice to belt the lyrics to the newly released song. The entertainer has also dropped his tracks, “Good As You,” and “Short Skirt Weather” off his sophomore record. Although Brown was clearly center of attention, he gave the guitarists some time to shine, as they shredded the guitar strings, adding killer instrumentals to the performance.

This performance, which you can check out above, gave fans a taste of what the entertainer’s live shows and recently announced 2019 tour, ‘Live Forever Tour’ will be like. The headlining tour will feature country singers, Granger Smith, Raelynn, Danielle Bradbery, and Jimmie Allen on select dates, as direct support. New Yorkers who were lucky enough to score tickets for Brown’s special one-night-only concert in collaboration with Budweiser at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden on November 7th, will sure to witness some of the new tracks live, just prior to album release day. Find tickets for the show here.

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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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