Keith Urban Archives

And The Nominees Are…2020 CMA Award Nominees Announced

September 1, 2020/in Blog, News /by Erica Zisman

Luke Combs & Carly Pearce Announce First Round of 2020 CMA Awards Nominations Live from Grand Ole Opry on Good Morning America

Last year, Stephanie and Christina of NYCountry Swag flew down to Nashville to attend the 53rd Annual CMA Awards, witnessing an iconic night for women in country music including hosts Carrie Underwood with special guests Dolly Parton and Reba McEntire. Of course, this year is looking a little different, but the show must go on and we are certainly excited that the nominees for this years’ award show were announced today. Revealed live from Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry House, superstars Luke Combs and Carly Pearce joined forces to announce the nominees on Good Morning America (GMA).

Leading the pack with seven nominations, Miranda Lambert earned nods in multiple categories, including the coveted Entertainer of the Year and Album of the Year. This brings Lambert’s total number of career nominations to 55, making CMA Awards history by surpassing Reba McEntire’s 51 total nominations.

Of course, megastar Luke Combs also walked out with six nominations, including his first entry into the Entertainer of the Year category after winning New Artist of the Year just two years ago. His rise to fame has been nothing short of extraordinary, as his singles continue to be chart-toppers, time after time again.

We especially enjoy the list of exciting artists that are nominated for the New Artist of the Year category including some of our favorites, Jimmie Allen and Morgan Wallen. Female songstresses, Ingrid Andress, Gabby Barrett, and Carly Pearce also received a nod.

Following Good Morning America, Gabby Barrett and Ingrid Andress joined Ashley Eicher for a livestream on CMA’s Facebook and YouTube to announce the remaining nominees. The award show will air on November 11th on ABC at 8PM ET. Check out the full list of nominations below + click the image below to visit us on Instagram and let us know your vote for this year’s Entertainer of the Year.

Entertainer Of The Year
Eric Church
Luke Combs
Miranda Lambert
Carrie Underwood
Keith Urban

Single Of The Year
“10,000 Hours” – Dan + Shay (with Justin Bieber)
Producer: Dan Smyers
Mix Engineer: Jeff Juliano

“Beer Never Broke My Heart” – Luke Combs
Producer: Scott Moffatt
Mix Engineer: Jim Cooley

“Bluebird” – Miranda Lambert
Producer: Jay Joyce
Mix Engineers: Jason Hall, Jay Joyce

“The Bones” – Maren Morris
Producer: Greg Kurstin
Mix Engineer: Greg Kurstin

“I Hope” – Gabby Barrett
Producers: Ross Copperman, Zach Kale
Mix Engineer: Buckley Miller

Album Of The Year
Heartache Medication – Jon Pardi
Producers: Bart Butler, Ryan Gore, Jon Pardi

Never Will – Ashley McBryde
Producers: Jay Joyce, John Peets

Old Dominion – Old Dominion
Producers: Shane McAnally, Old Dominion

What You See Is What You Get – Luke Combs
Producer: Scott Moffatt

Wildcard – Miranda Lambert
Producer: Jay Joyce

Song Of The Year
“Bluebird” – Written by Luke Dick, Natalie Hemby, Miranda Lambert, recorded by Miranda Lambert

“The Bones” – Written by Maren Morris, Jimmy Robbins, Laura Veltz, recorded by Maren Morris

“Even Though I’m Leaving” – Written by Luke Combs, Wyatt B. Durrette III, Ray Fulcher, recorded by Luke Combs

“I Hope You’re Happy Now” – Written by Luke Combs, Randy Montana, Carly Pearce, Jonathan Singleton, recorded by Carly Pearce and Lee Brice

“More Hearts Than Mine” – Written by Ingrid Andress, Sam Ellis, Derrick Southerland, recorded by Ingrid Andress

Female Vocalist Of The Year
Miranda Lambert
Ashley McBryde
Maren Morris
Kacey Musgraves
Carrie Underwood

Male Vocalist Of The Year
Eric Church
Luke Combs
Thomas Rhett
Chris Stapleton
Keith Urban

Vocal Group Of The Year
Lady A
Little Big Town
Midland
Old Dominion
Rascal Flatts

Vocal Duo Of The Year
Brooks & Dunn
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay
Florida Georgia Line
Maddie & Tae

Musical Event Of The Year
“10,000 Hours” – Dan + Shay (with Justin Bieber)
Producer: Dan Smyers

“Be A Light” – Thomas Rhett featuring Reba McEntire, Hillary Scott, Chris Tomlin, Keith Urban
Producer: Dann Huff

“The Bones” – Maren Morris with Hozier
Producer: Greg Kurstin

“Fooled Around And Fell In Love” – Miranda Lambert (feat. Maren Morris, Elle King, Ashley
McBryde, Tenille Townes & Caylee Hammack)
Producer: Jay Joyce

“I Hope You’re Happy Now” – Carly Pearce and Lee Brice
Producer: busbee

Musician Of The Year
Jenee Fleenor, Fiddle
Paul Franklin, Steel Guitar
Rob McNelley, Guitar
Ilya Toshinskiy, Guitar
Derek Wells, Guitar

Music Video Of The Year
“10,000 Hours” – Dan + Shay (with Justin Bieber)
Director: Patrick Tracy

“Bluebird” – Miranda Lambert
Director: Trey Fanjoy

“Homemade” – Jake Owen
Director: Justin Clough

“I Hope You’re Happy Now” – Carly Pearce and Lee Brice
Director: Sam Siske

“Second One To Know” – Chris Stapleton
Director: David Coleman

New Artist Of The Year
Jimmie Allen
Ingrid Andress
Gabby Barrett
Carly Pearce
Morgan Wallen

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Finalists For Broadcast Personality Of The Year (by market size):

National
“American Country Countdown” (Kix Brooks) – Westwood One
“The Blair Garner Show” (Blair Garner and “Off Eric” Garner) – Westwood One
“CMT After Midnite” (Cody Alan) – Premiere Networks
“Country Countdown USA” (Lon Helton) – Westwood One
“The Mayor of Music Row” (Charlie Monk) – Sirius XM Satellite Radio

Major Market
“Angie Ward” – WUBL, Atlanta, Ga.
“Chris Carr & Company” (Chris Carr, Kia Becht, and McKaila Granning) – KEEY, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn.
“Double-L” (Lois Lewis) – KNIX, Phoenix, Ariz.
“Fitz in the Morning” (Cory Fitzner) – KNUC, Seattle-Tacoma, Wash.
“Paul Schadt & Sarah Lee in the Morning with Producer Geof” (Paul Schadt, Sarah Lee and Geof Knight) – WKKT, Charlotte-Gastonia-Rock Hill, N.C.-S.C.

Large Market
“The Big Dave Show (“Big Dave” Chandler, Chelsie Shinkle, Jason Statt and Ashley Hempfling) – WUBE, Cincinnati, Ohio
“Jim, Deb & Kevin” (Jim Denny, Deborah Honeycutt and Kevin Freeman) – WFMS, Indianapolis, Ind.
“Lexi & Banks” (“Lexi” Elena Abatgis and “Banks” Jared Danielson) – KUBL, Salt Lake City-Ogden- Provo, Utah
“Obie & Ashley” (“Obie” Obed Diaz and Ashley Morrison) – WWKA, Orlando, Fla.
“Ridder, Scott and Shannen” (“Ridder” Shaun Ridderbush, Scott Dolphin, and Shannen Oesterreich) – WMIL, Milwaukee-Racine, Wis.

Medium Market
“Brent Michaels” – KUZZ, Bakersfield, Calif.
“Clay & Company” (Clay Moden, Rob Banks, and Val Townsend) – WYRK, Buffalo-Niagara Falls, N.Y.
“Kenn McCloud” – KUZZ, Bakersfield, Calif.
“Scott and Sarah in the Morning” (Scott Wynn and Sarah Kay) – WQMX, Akron, Ohio
“Steve & Gina In The Morning” (Steve Lundy and Gina Melton) – KXKT, Omaha-Council Bluffs, Neb.-Iowa

Small Market
“Big Rick In The Morning” (“Big Rick” Daniels) – WGGC, Bowling Green, Ky.
“Bobby & Steve (and Mandi!)” (Bobby Cook, Steve Schwetman and Mandi Turner) – WKYQ, Paducah, Ky.
“Brent and Candy – The Cat Pak Morning Show” (Brent Lane and Candy Cullerton) – WYCT, Pensacola, Fla.
“Officer Don & DeAnn” (“Officer Don” Evans and DeAnn Stephens) – WBUL, Lexington-Fayette, Ky.
“Steve And Jessica Mornings” (Steve Waters and Jessica Cash) – WFLS, Fredericksburg, Va.

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Finalists For Radio Station Of The Year (by market size):

Major Market
KNUC – Seattle-Tacoma, Wash.
KSCS – Dallas-Ft. Worth, Texas
KYGO – Denver-Boulder, Colo.
WXTU – Philadelphia, Pa.
WYCD – Detroit, Mich.

Large Market
KNCI – Sacramento, Calif.
KUBL – Salt Lake City-Ogden-Provo, Utah
WMIL – Milwaukee-Racine, Wis.
WUBE – Cincinnati, Ohio
WWKA – Orlando, Fla.

Medium Market
KATM – Modesto, Calif.
WHKO – Dayton, Ohio
WQMX – Akron, Ohio
WUSY – Chattanooga, Tenn.
WXCY – Wilmington, Del.

Small Market
KKNU – Eugene-Springfield, Ore.
WBYT – South Bend, Ind.
WKXC – Augusta, Ga.
WXBQ – Johnson City-Kingsport-Bristol, Tenn.-Va.
WXFL – Florence-Muscle Shoals, Ala.

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Tune in to the show to see who will take home the awards on November 11th on ABC. + Follow us on Twitter while we live-tweet the show, @NYCOUNTRYSWAG.

Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music.

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Keith Urban’s “Polaroid” Captures The Fragile Passing of Time

April 27, 2020/in Blog /by Erin Crosby

Keith Urban, the 2019 ACM Entertainer of the Year has dropped a song that captures the lovely fragile passing of time. “Polaroid” narrates a relationship from the night in a basement that turned strangers into acquaintances to where they are today. It truly encompasses the importance of the choices we make, no matter how big or small, that carry us to where we are now.

“We’ve come a long way since we were strangers in the basement / At a party we hated, tryin’ to make conversation / The night it was taken, I didn’t have a clue / That someday I’d be somethin’ more / Than just a boy in a Polaroid with you”

Geoff Warburton, Griffen Palmer, Mark Trussell, Sam Fischer, and Steph Jones wrote this song which became Urban’s second release from his upcoming untitled album set to release this autumn. Co-produced by Joey Moi and the artist himself, the track encapsulates a real, tangible feel of a moment set infinite by a flash and click of a polaroid. In the instrumental, a clapping sound is present throughout which may be better described as the clip of the lense of a camera.

Urban’s 2010 hit “Put You in A Song” that peaked on the Billboard charts for 22 weeks seems closely related. The timeless jam involves the lyric “Yeah a picture paints a thousand words it’s true / But it’s still not enough for how I feel about you / I wanna put you in a melody, I gotta set you to a groove”. It can be said that “Polaroid” adds weight to the picture with a melody to portray the love for a certain someone.

The video for “Polaroid” is available here!

To follow along with Keith Urban, follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

“Polaroid” is now available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out 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.

—————

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!

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Keith Urban Releases New Love Song “God Whispered Your Name”

March 3, 2020/in Blog /by Erin Crosby

Keith Urban is known for many things: his hair, his unbelievable guitar skills, his Australian background and obviously his huge country hits. Though, what comes first and foremost is his undisguised love and devotion to his wife, Nicole Kidman which he clearly displays in his new song.

Despite not partaking in the songwriting process for his new single “God Whispered Your Name”, this electric, overjoyed country music trustee still has a way of putting out music that seems solely meant for the ears of his mate of 13 years. This new track was written by Chris August, James Slater, Micah Carter, and Shy Carter.

“And then God whispered your name / And that’s when everything changed / And love came out of the rain / And talk about being saved”

There’s a bit of a bluesy serenade feel here. Urban’s “Blue Ain’t Your Color” has similar production to it whereas the intricate instrumental pieces seem to audibly blur in order for a light to shine through onto the vocals paired with powerful lyrics: an approach common in his discography.

“Suddenly I wanna live / More than I ever did / I’m never gonna be the same / When God whispered your name”

Urban will be hosting the 55th ACM awards on April 5 for the first time. Performances for this event have not yet been announced, though we can prematurely hope this charmer will also take the stage as a musician to promote this new single.

To follow along with Keith Urban, follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

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

—————

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!

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Keith Urban and Eric Church Put A New Spin on “We Were”

October 23, 2019/in Blog /by Lucie Bernheim

After achieving 40 top 10 hits- the fortieth being his current single, “We Were”, Keith Urban surprised fans with a new version of the ballad. Fellow CMA-nominee for coveted Entertainer of the Year title (November 13th, 2019), Eric Church joined Urban on the new duet. The track was written by Church along with Jeff Hyde and Ryan Tyndell.

Urban teased the duet on October 19th, sharing videos and photos of the two artists in his home studio. “I love his voice!” Urban can be heard on camera excitedly, watching Church cut the vocals from the booth. He sits by the mixing board, appearing to be helping with the production of the new collab.

The song starts out the same way it does when you hear it on the radio. Urban always picks songs that don’t fit the cookie-cutter radio formula, always choosing songs that speak directly to him. The song is a reflective, mid-tempo song about the past and what life was like then and what was like now. “I am who I am, I just miss who I was when we were,” he sings on the chorus.

The lyrics are the same in both versions of the song. In the new version, it isn’t until the second verse does Chuch’s voice kick in. The song is mixed so well that for a moment, it’s hard to tell it’s Church singing. Once he finishes the first line of the verse, it’s easy- and wonderful to hear his traditional outlaw country voice shine on the track. He makes it more rock, and it’s an infusion of both artists’ sounds.

On the second chorus, Church takes the lead with Urban singing background vocals over him. There’s some harmony, but it’s more of stacks of combined, mixed vocals taking over the track. Both Urban and Church have very distinctive verses, so it is easy to decipher who is singing which part.

Sometimes a post-success single remix isn’t necessary, but the new version of “We Were” actually brings something new to the song. Church and Urban should try singing together more often because their voices blend perfectly together. Their last collaboration, “Raise ‘Em Up” hit the top of the country radio charts, back in 2015, proving fans love the duo together.

To keep up with Keith Urban, find him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

To keep up with Eric Church, find him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

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

—————

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 Instagram, Twitter & Facebook:

Country Songs for a Rainy Day

August 7, 2019/in Blog /by Nicole Piering

You know the feeling: It’s the middle of summer and you’re ready for sunrise, sunset, sunburn, repeat. However, sometimes the weather has other ideas and the skies are gray. While you’d like to believe that “rain is a good thing,” it’s not always the easiest mindset when your pool parties and barbecues are getting rained out. Thankfully, country music has a song for everything, including those rainy days.

Here are some of our favorite songs about rain…

1. Gary Allan: “Songs About Rain”

On Gary Allan’s 2013 single, he drowns his sorrows over a lost love in a sad playlist featuring none other than songs about rain. “Today I heard you got a new last name,” He sings mournfully. “Sure didn’t know it was gonna hit me this way/ And the radio just keeps on playing all these songs about rain.” Allan is in a bad mood here and the radio is just matching his disposition as he reflects on losing the woman he loves. He names a few specific songs in the lyrics, including “Rainy Night in Georgia” and “Kentucky Rain” as he deals with his sadness. “I hope it’s sunny wherever you are/ But that sure ain’t the picture tonight in my car.” Ouch.

2. Luke Bryan: “Rain Is a Good Thing”

While for some of us, rain is a bad thing, Luke Bryan somehow manages to take positive position on condensation. On the 2009 track from Doin’ My Thing, Bryan is ready to look at rain from a scientific standpoint, singing about how rain is simply a necessary part of life. According to Bryan’s “country science,” without rain, we wouldn’t have corn or whiskey or women who feel just a bit frisky. In what has become one of Bryan’s most iconic lyrics, he sings. “Rain makes corn/ Corn makes whiskey / Whiskey makes my baby / Feel a little frisky.”

3. Jo Dee Messina: “Bring On the Rain”

With one of the most powerfully underrated voices and catalogs in all of country music, Jo Dee Messina really gets us in the feels with her 2000 single, “Bring On the Rain.” Featuring Tim McGraw on background vocals, the song is about looking forward to tomorrow. Today may have been terrible, but there’s always another day to turn things around. “Another day has almost come and gone/ Can’t imagine what else could go wrong/ Sometimes I’d like to hideaway/ Somewhere and lock the door/ A single battle lost but not the war/ ‘Cause tomorrow’s another day/ And I’m thirsty anyway/ So bring on the rain.” On the ballad, Messina is ready for what life throws at her, and the message is one we could all stand to hear from time. “I’m not gonna let it get me down/ I’m not gonna cry/ And I’m not gonna lose any sleep tonight/ ‘Cause tomorrow’s another day/ And I am not afraid/ So bring on the rain.”

4. David Nail: “Let It Rain”

Speaking of underrated artists, it would be impossible not to mention David Nail. With his powerful voice and clever turn of phrase, he brings the story of a regretful cheater to life on “Let It Rain.” Inspired by the Zach Braff movie, The Last Kiss, “Let It Rain,” tells the story of a man who cheats on his girlfriend, who then throws him out in a storm. The song boasts the powerful lyric that truly encapsulates the story of the song, “No seven years of good/ can’t hide the one night I forgot to wear that ring.”

As for the rain, it’s abundant here as Nail proclaims, “So let it rain, let it pour, if she don’t love me anymore/ Just let it come down on me, let it come down on me, Every word, let it hurt, even more than I deserve/ Let it come down on me, let it come down on me, let it rain”

5. Keith Urban: “Raining on Sunday”

For Keith Urban, a rainy Sunday is the perfect excuse to do nothing but stay in bed with someone special. In “Raining on Sunday,” Urban prays for a chance to take a day off from real lift to just hide out and enjoy a day indoors. “Love could use a day of rest/ Before we both start falling apart,” He sings here, and we’re picking up what he’s putting down. This relationship needs a timeout and rainy day is just the thing to allow it to happen. “Let the water wash our bodies clean/ And love wash our souls.”

6. Tim McGraw: “She’s My Kind of Rain”

On “She’s My Kind of Rain,” Tim McGraw celebrates all that can be beautiful about rain, comparing the woman he loves to it. It’s a simple yet beautiful message, and with McGraw comparing someone to rain, what’s there to hate? Frankly, he could be singing “She’s My Kind of Mold,” and it would be oddly endearing. Here, however, it’s a little more refreshing and a little more poetic, as he sings, “She’s my kind of rain/ Like love from a drunken sky / Confetti falling down all night / She’s my kind of rain.”

Bonus – Luke Combs: “When It Rains It Pours”

In most cases, the old adage of “when it rains it pours” applies to negative situations. However, Luke Combs puts a clever and humorous take on the saying here, revealing all of the good things that happened to him once he was dumped. While the song may not technically be about rain, we couldn’t leave it off, because it’s a great song with rain in the title.

“Then I won a hundred bucks on a scratch off ticket,” Combs reveals before announcing, “I was caller number five on a radio station, won a four-day, three-night, beach vacation/ Deep sea, senorita, fishing down in Panama/ And I ain’t gotta see my ex future mother-in-law anymore/ Oh lord, when it rains it pours.” Combs also goes on to win a round of golf and get a number from the Hooter’s waitress, all which he credits to his ex walking out. Now, this is the kind of “rain” we can get behind.

[Cover photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Pandora]

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[Watch] Keith Urban and Kassi Ashton’s Video for “Drop Top”

June 27, 2019/in Blog /by Shanna Vitaliano

The reigning 2018 CMA Entertainer of the Year and 2019 ACM Entertainer of the Year, superstar Keith Urban released the music video for his latest single “Drop Top” featuring rising artist and one of our 2019 Artist to Watch, Kassi Ashton. Viewers get a first-hand look into the energy Urban brings to the stage as the video showcases his performance at one of his shows of the Grafitti U Tour.

Written by Urban, Josh Osborne, Jimmy Robbins, and Maureen McDonald, “Drop Top” is the ultimate road-trip song about a girl with new found freedom on her way to Coachella with feathers in her hair and girlfriends by her side. The video begins with a roaring crowd and Urban making his way from his tour bus to the stage. Urban effortlessly plays guitar and sings to thousands of screaming fans.

Ashton appears on the large screens behind Urban as her powerful voice sings over a thumping bass and heavy guitar. Flashing white lights create a club-like atmosphere as she sings the pulsing chorus, “Saturday night, feeling alright / Show him what he lost in my jeans skin tight / Stars coming out, the music up loud / Saturday night, feeling alright.” Clips from when Ashton joined Urban live at his show in Nashville are intertwined in the dynamic music video that magnifies the undeniably exciting and unique collaboration.

This is the third song that Urban has released so far in 2019. “Drop Top” is a follow up to the cover of Foy Vance’s “Burden” and his most recent sentimental hit song “We Were” co-written by Eric Church. Urban will continue his #1 Graffiti U Tour throughout the rest of the summer at various festivals along with a stop in Atlantic City, NJ at The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on Saturday, August 17th.

To keep up with Keith Urban follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

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Keith Urban Strips It Down On Heart-Tugging New Single “We Were”

May 14, 2019/in Blog /by Jeremy Chua

Keith Urban returns with new music, and a familiar sound that’s a warm welcome after the recent years of uptempo, heavily-produced singles. “We Were” does what country music does best: tells a story.

Written by Eric Church, Jeff Hyde, and Ryan Tyndell, the track is a mid-tempo ballad that reminisces an old relationship that though over, lingers on in the person’s head with what-if’s and memories of their younger, wilder days. Fans may draw parallels to Urban’s 2013 duet with Miranda Lambert (“We Were Us”), but this song for one, is more wistful and drips with an aching sense of keep-it-all-together heartbreak.

“We were just a couple years short of the age by my name on my fake ID / And still ’bout a hundred away from the day your daddy said you could run with me / We were a couple of line-steppers that just couldn’t wait to step over the line / Never thinking we wouldn’t last / I was your first and you were mine”

A song packed with lyrical imageries, “We Were” was also co-produced by Urban and Dan Huff, the same pair in part responsible for both Ripcord and Graffiti U. It is worth noting, too, that the banjo in this song is placed so seamlessly and fittingly, that it isn’t a forced approach to “country-fy” the tune.

Perhaps the hook of the chorus best encapsulates the entire story well: “I am who I am, I just miss who I was when we were.” One can definitely fully move on (or at least attempt to), but there’s only so much there can be done to live unperturbed by the old memories that were all, made with love.

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

“We Were” 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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Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC & Beyond!

Subscribe to our Weekly Round-Up here
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Keith Urban Performs at NHL Stadium Series Hockey Game

February 25, 2019/in Blog /by Dylan Bestler

Photo Via @KeithUrban on Twitter

Keith Urban performed during the first intermission at the NHL Stadium Series hockey game at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia Saturday night. The game was between the Flyers and their cross-state rivals, the Pittsburgh Penguins; a game in which the Flyers won in overtime, 4-3.

After one period with the score tied at one, Urban took the stage, which was a replica of the Philadelphia Art Museum steps, as made famous from the Rocky movie franchise. The first song he performed was “Blue Ain’t Your Color”, a ballad from his 2016 album Ripcord. This song has won numerous awards, including Video of the Year at the 2017 CMT awards and Favorite Country Song at the American Music Awards of the same year.

The cold rain and 40-degree weather did not seem to bother Urban as he took off his jacket and performed the rest of the show in his signature tight, short sleeve v-neck shirt. The lights went down as the next song began playing, his latest single “Never Comin Down” from his most recent studio album, Graffiti U. When the chorus came in, fire shot out from behind him and fireworks went off perfectly to the beat of the music. For fans watching the game on television, this was the song that was broadcasted in full. Urban used “Never Comin Down” as the opening song for nearly all of his shows on the Graffiti U World Tour. His last song of the night was another hit from Ripcord, “Wasted Time”. Thirteen weeks after its release, the song hit number one on the Billboard Country Airplay chart, making it Urban’s twentieth number one single.

Urban is a huge hockey fan as he has attended and performed at many Nashville Predators games in the past. He was very excited to play this year’s Stadium Series and spoke with Tony Luftman from NHL Network about the atmosphere of this game. “That’s the thing I love about seeing the game outside; this is where the game started — on a frozen lake so it’s so awesome. You didn’t start in an arena, so this feels like the most organic way to see this game.”

The Flyers scored two goals within the last three minutes to tie the game at three and to send it to overtime; the second coming with 19 seconds remaining. After many missed opportunities by Pittsburgh in overtime, Flyers’ captain Claude Giroux took it up the ice and scored to give Philadelphia the win. This game was important for both teams as the two rivals currently stand out of the playoff race and look to make a late push in the final month and a half of the season.

Check out this awesome video recap of the game and his performance, posted on Keith Urban’s Twitter account.

Urban told former Flyer and NBCSN analyst, Jeremy Roenick that his wife sparked his love for hockey. He loves how fast and intense the games are, and hopes the Predators, who are currently second in the Central Division, can make another Stanley Cup run this year. As for now, the four-time Grammy award winner will continue the European leg of his Graffiti U World Tour. He will be in the New York area headlining the Hunter Mountain Taste of Country Music Festival Friday show on June 7th while also doing a show in Atlantic City, NJ on August 17th. For tickets, visit his website https://www.keithurban.net.

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Ten of Our Favorite Recent Country Music Duets

December 31, 2018/in Blog /by Erica Zisman

Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for NARAS

Just this last year, so many country musicians have combined their talents into epic anthems, heartfelt songs, and straight-up jams. After the release of Brantley Gilbert and Lindsay Ell’s vocal collaboration in Gilbert’s new song, “What Happens in a Small Town,” we were inspired to compile a list of some of our favorite country duets over the last few years.

1. “We Were Us”- Keith Urban & Miranda Lambert (2013)

1. “Drowns the Whiskey”- Jason Aldean & Miranda Lambert (2018)

“Somethin’ Bad”- Miranda Lambert & Carrie Underwood (2014)

“Everything’s Gonna Be Alright”- David Lee Murphy & Kenny Chesney (2018)

“Take Back Home Girl”- Chris Lane & Tori Kelly (2017)

“What Ifs”- Kane Brown & Lauren Alaina (2017)

“Goodbye Summer”- Danielle Bradbery & Thomas Rhett (2018)

“The Fighter”- Keith Urban & Carrie Underwood (2017)

“Dear Hate”- Maren Morris & Vince Gill (2017)

“Craving You”- Thomas Rhett & Maren Morris (2017)

Although technically not a duet, we couldn’t leave Dierks Bentley and Brothers Osborne’s 2018 hit, “Burning Man” off our list, so consider it a bonus!

We look forward to the great country duets to come in 2019 and wonder who will collaborate next. To listen to the songs listed above, make sure to follow NYCountry Swag on our Spotify playlist.

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NYCountry Swag Recaps the 52nd Annual CMA Awards

November 15, 2018/in Blog /by Danielle Tornatore

Photos courtesy of Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

Country music’s biggest night has rolled around yet again, bringing country music fans an incredible night filled with live music, laughs and career altering award wins. The 52nd Annual Country Music Association Awards aired live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee last night on ABC.

Six-time CMA Entertainer of the Year award-winning icon, Garth Brooks opened the show with a special tribute to the twelve victims of the horrific Thousand Oaks mass shooting that took place last week in California. Brooks began the evening by lovingly dedicating the award ceremony to each of the victims followed by leading a moment of silence while each of their names appeared on the screen.

Photos courtesy of Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

Kicking off the many musical performances of the night, superstar Luke Bryan filled the room with positive energy as he was joined by New Artist of the Year winner Luke Combs, Cole Swindell, Jon Pardi, Lindsay Ell, Ashley McBryde and Chris Janson for an infectious performance of his latest single and every country music lover’s anthem, “What Makes You Country.”

Welcoming the audience, eleventh-time hosts Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley took the stage to deliver a hilarious musical monologue loosely based off of the film A Star Is Born, calling out a few fellow country stars. Paisley even jokingly surprised Underwood with yodeling sensation Mason Ramsey, portraying her firstborn son. Speaking of sons, the queen of country music amusingly revealed the gender of the baby she is carrying. When Underwood was pregnant with her first son, Paisley accidentally revealed his gender live on the air during the 2014 CMAs. This time, Paisley pressed Underwood until she finally admitted she will be having another baby boy. Later in the evening, the co-hosts took a moment to share their support and thanks to the firefighters battling the Woolsey wildfires in California.

Photos courtesy of Larry McCormack/Tennessean.com

There was a total of twenty-one outstanding performances throughout the night, but we’ve narrowed those down to some of our favorites. Music Video of the Year winner, Thomas Rhett, gave an extremely entertaining performance of his number one single “Life Changes,” which started out in a reimagined version of his college dorm room and progressed into the singer-songwriter performing all throughout the crowd with a full marching band. Rhett’s gorgeous wife, Lauren, planted a kiss on Rhett as he passed her on his way to the main stage.

Photos courtesy of Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

Dan + Shay absolutely stunned with their vocals during their performance of “Tequila.” Fake snow was falling, to go along with the theme of the single’s official music video, as the duo gave fans goosebumps with their exceptional vocal range. Paying tribute to the late, great Dottie West, Lauren Alaina honored the recent Country Music Hall of Fame inductee by performing a rendition of the classic hit, “A Lesson In Leavin.’” Alaina’s vocals undoubtedly did the hit justice. Fellow recent Country Music Hall of Fame member, Ricky Skaggs, gave a once in a lifetime performance of a mashup of a few of his hits, featuring an all-star guest list to celebrate his induction. Skaggs was joined by his band Kentucky Thunder to perform “Black Eyed Suzie,” along with John Osborne of Vocal Duo of the Year Brothers Osborne and Entertainer of the Year Keith Urban to perform “Highway 40 Blues” and closed out the performance with “Country Boy,” joined by Marty Stuart and co-host Paisley. Entertainer of the Year, Urban gave an epic performance of his current single “Never Comin Down” on top of the jumbo screens, featuring alluring visuals. The multi-platinum seller received a standing ovation, unquestionably proving why he was deserving of the biggest award of the night.

Photos courtesy of Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

Brooks returned to the stage to debut a brand new song entitled “Stronger Than Me,” that he wrote for his wife, two-time CMA Female Vocalist of the Year winner, Trisha Yearwood. The singer-songwriter performed solo with nothing but an acoustic guitar and his chilling vocals. The emotional lyrics brought Yearwood to tears as she watched her husband, front and center.
Maren Morris, Morgane Stapleton, Marty Stuart, Mavis Staples, and Chris Stapleton teamed up for an unbelievable mashup performance of Stapleton’s “Friendship” and Staples’ “I’ll Take You There.” The collaboration had everyone up on their feet, singing along. Album of the Year winner, Kacey Musgraves showcased her angelic, silky smooth vocals while strumming along to her own acoustic guitar for a stunning performance of “Slow Burn” off of Golden Hour.

Photos courtesy of Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

The most powerful performance of the night was delivered by co-host Underwood. She absolutely dazzled in a beautiful royal blue gown, blowing everyone away with her striking vocal range on her anthem, “Love Wins.” The Female Vocalist of the Year was joined by a full choir which helped to close the performance of the powerful song in the shape of a heart, surrounding Underwood. You could feel the palpable energy through your television screen.

Stapleton lead last night’s wins with Song of the Year, Single of the Year and Male Vocalist of the Year. The singer-songwriter gave an emotional speech thanking his wife and children for allowing him to invest so much time into his career.

Musgraves was the only female artist in the Album of the Year category and deservingly won for her fourth studio album, Golden Hour, explaining during her acceptance speech that earlier in the day she had realized it had been 10 years to the day that she made her move to Nashville.

Photo courtesy of John Shearer/Getty Images

Luke Combs received the award for New Artist of the Year. He will kick off his first ever arena headlining tour this Winter.

Brothers Osborne took home Vocal Duo of the Year for the third consecutive year in a row, giving a hilarious yet thankful speech. Underwood reigns as the Country Music Association’s Female Vocalist of the Year for the fifth time. She “cried pretty” as she delivered a tearful speech, thanking God, country music and all of the many “families” in her life.

Closing out the memorable evening, Urban was not expecting his win for Entertainer of the Year. His fellow competitor Bryan, shot up right out of his seat in excitement as his friend’s name was announced. Urban tearfully accepted the award, thanking his wife, actress Nicole Kidman and their children, as well as his “phenomenal” fans. He also gave mention to his late father, “wishing he was alive to see this.” Watch his moving acceptance speech below.

The 2018 CMA Awards was another one for the books. Below is a full list of winners from the epic night.

Entertainer of the Year: Keith Urban
Female Vocalist of the Year: Carrie Underwood
Male Vocalist of the Year: Chris Stapleton
New Artist of the Year: Luke Combs
Vocal Group of the Year: Old Dominion
Vocal Duo of the Year: Brothers Osborne
Album of the Year: Golden Hour – Kacey Musgraves
Song of the Year: “Broken Halos” – Chris Stapleton
Single of the Year: “Broken Halos” – Chris Stapleton
Music Video of the Year: “Marry Me” – Thomas Rhett
Musical Event of the Year: “Everything’s Gonna Be Alright” – David Lee Murphy & Kenny Chesney
Musician of the Year: Mac McAnally – Guitar

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