Kelly Ford Archives

End of an Era: New York’s Country 94.7 Goes Off The Air

October 22, 2021/in Blog, News /by Team Country Swag

Today, October 22nd, it brings us great sadness to share the news that New York City’s only country radio station, New York’s Country 94.7 FM will officially go off air.

The news comes as a shock to everyone as our favorite radio personalities gathered today to share the news during Kelly Ford in the Morning.

The station first came to life at 9:47AM on January 21st, 2013 with the song “How Country Feels” from Randy Houser after 17 years without a country radio station in New York City. Kelly Ford was the very first voice heard on the station and quickly became a part of many New Yorkers daily lives.

Today, Kelly Ford along with her morning show co-hosts Jonah “The New Guy”, Sabrina “Sabrina from Queens”, the station’s midday personality, Katie Neal and afternoons, Jesse Addy came together to make the announcement on air.

*UPDATE – As the crew officially signed off just around 12PM ET, the 94.7FM station switched over promptly at 1PM ET to “The Block”, New York’s new No. 1 for throwbacks. The station will feature a wide collection of classic hip-hop hits and throwbacks, including favorites from Jay-Z, Fugees, Rihanna, Snoop Dogg, Beyoncé, LL Cool J, The Notorious B.I.G., Mary J. Blige and more.

It is unclear what’s next for the New York’s Country 94.7 hosts. Fans can still listen to their fix of country music on the Audacy app at “New York’s Country 94.7 HD-2.

Follow @countryswag on Instagram for more + sign-up for our e-newsletter here.

New York’s Country 94.7 Kelly Ford Wins Gracie Award

October 12, 2021/in Blog, News, Tour Announcements /by Erica Zisman

New York’s Country 94.7’s, Kelly Ford wins Gracie Award for Best Morning Drive Major Market Host. Learn more about her win below.

Kelly Ford of New York’s Country 94.7

Congratulations are in order for our friend, Kelly Ford on an incredible accomplishment! The seasoned radio host was officially recognized for her talent yet again, winning her newest Gracie Award for Best Morning Drive Major Market Host.

Currently, Ford hosts her popular Kelly Ford in The Morning Show, Monday through Friday from 6-10AM EST. The show airs on Audacy “New York’s Country 94.7” WNSH New York.

Ford humbly shared her excitement on her socials earlier this week. “I won a #Gracie for Best Morning Drive Major Market Host! I’m so honored to even be recognized alongside these AMAZING women at tonight’s @allwomeminmedia’s 46th Annual Gracie Awards.”

All Gracie Awards winners were announced virtually Tuesday, October 5th via Facebook. Congrats to Ford and the other deserving winners!

Most recently Country Swag partnered with Kelly Ford and the New York’s Country 94.7’s team to honor the much-deserving teachers. Purchase a ‘FANCY LIKE Back-to-School’ tee and get exclusive access to Kelly Ford’s Teachers Lounge Virtual Show with Walker Hayes hosted by Country Swag happening on Thursday, October 21st at 6PM ET.

New York’s Country 94.7’s Kelly Ford Launches ‘Valentine’s For The Troops’

January 11, 2021/in Blog, News /by Team Country Swag

Kelly Ford in the Morning of New York’s Country 94.7 needs your help to send ‘Valentine’s For The Troops’!

One of our favorite radio DJs and people, Kelly Ford of New York’s Country 94.7’s “Kelly Ford In The Morning” is asking for listeners help to make Valentine’s Day a little better for our military. You can show your love for our servicemen and women by sending a Valentine’s Day card to show them how much you appreciate their sacrifice.

Purchase or create a Valentine’s Day card of your own and mail it to:

Support Our Troops®
c/o NY Country 947 Valentines For the Troops
13791 N. Nebraska Ave
Tampa, FL 33613

The deadline to get the letters to the troops by Valentine’s Day is Saturday, February 5th, 2021. Support Our Troops needs to receive all the letters by then if they want to be sent out BEFORE Valentine’s Day.

*If you’re a little late don’t worry, they’ll get the letters to the troops during the next shipment!

Letter writing guidelines:

Keep the letters uplifting and happy
Encourage the troops
No photos
No glitter
No loose items will be accepted
No foreign objects
No foul language

Find out more details here.

Country music fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about upcoming announcements and releases in New York City and beyond.

Check out the latest tunes in country 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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SHOP THE STORE

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1.23.20 – Valentine’s Day Card-Making Party For Our Troops

January 20, 2020/in Blog, Past Events /by Team Country Swag

We’re teaming up with Kelly Ford of New York’s Country 94.7 and her campaign to make Valentine’s Day a little better for our military with “Valentine’s For The Troops”. Ford is asking listeners to send some love to our servicemen and women by sending a Valentine’s Day card to show them how much you appreciate their sacrifice.

In New York City? Join us Thursday, January 23rd, 5PM-7PM at Mondrian Terrace for a special card-making happy hour party! Say hello to Kelly Ford, the NYCountry Swag team, grab a drink, a light bite, and make your special card for our troops. All art supplies and card materials will be provided.

For any questions, please e-mail: [email protected]

Check out how Jason Aldean helped kick things off by creating his own Valentine in the video below:

Can’t make our card party?
Purchase or create a Valentine’s Day card of your own and mail it to:

Support Our Troops®
c/o NY Country 947 Valentines For the Troops
13791 N. Nebraska Ave
Tampa, FL 33613

The deadline to get the letters to the troops by Valentine’s Day is Saturday, February 1st, 2020. Support Our Troops needs to receive all the letters by then if they want to be sent out BEFORE Valentine’s Day.

Find out more details here and be sure to sign up for our weekly e-newsletter so you don’t miss any upcoming news or opportunities to get involved! Sign Up 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!

+ Follow our country music adventures on Instagram, Twitter & Facebook:

NY’s Country 94.7 Collecting Valentine’s Day Letters For Our Troops

January 16, 2020/in Blog /by Christina Bosch

One of our favorite radio DJs and people, Kelly Ford on Kelly Ford In The Morning on New York’s Country 94.7 is asking for listeners help to make Valentine’s Day a little better for our military. You can show your love for our servicemen and women by sending a Valentine’s Day card to show them how much you appreciate their sacrifice.

Jason Aldean stopped by the studio to help kick things off by creating his own Valentine. Check it out below:

Purchase or create a Valentine’s Day card of your own and mail it to:

Support Our Troops®
c/o NY Country 947 Valentines For the Troops
13791 N. Nebraska Ave
Tampa, FL 33613

The deadline to get the letters to the troops by Valentine’s Day is Saturday, February 1st, 2020. Support Our Troops needs to receive all the letters by then if they want to be sent out BEFORE Valentine’s Day.

Find out more details here and be sure to sign up for our weekly e-newsletter so you don’t miss any upcoming news or opportunities to get involved! Sign Up 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!

+ Follow our country music adventures on Instagram, Twitter & Facebook:

NYCountry Swag’s 2nd Annual ‘Babes, Booze & Brunch’ Recap

March 15, 2019/in Blog /by Christina Bosch

Sunday (Mar 10.), New York Country Swag hosted its 2nd annual ‘Babes, Booze & Brunch’ event at Refinery Rooftop. This event which celebrates all women in honor of International Women’s Day is a great way to acknowledge our family, friends, industry partners and followers who inspire us every single day.

Photo Credit Jillian Tuttle for NYCountry Swag

The day kicked off with VIP guests arriving at 11 AM, grabbing their custom made champagne glasses and heading to our mimosa and bloody mary bar to create their own one of a kind cocktails.

Photo Credit Jillian Tuttle for NYCountry Swag

Once again, Nomi Beauty was on site to beautify our guests by adding braids and curls to their hair and Nails by Mandy added glitz and glam to their nails. To welcome guests, DJ Artie from DJ’s @ Work was spinning some of the best songs performed by females in all different genres.

Photo Credit Jillian Tuttle for NYCountry Swag

Our general admission guests arrived at noon and our sold-out brunch had officially begun. Local New York/New Jersey country artist Lauren Davidson was back again this year to kick off the live music portion and performed not only a few of her original songs including “To The Moon and Back” and “Pouring Rain,” but also sang an incredible version of Maren Morris’ “GIRL” which was perfectly fitting for our day of celebrating all of the ladies in the room. Her mash-up of Spice Girls “Wannabe” and Britney Spears’ “Hit Me Baby One More Time” had the entire room of guests singing along, loving every moment.

NYCountry Swag Founder, Stephanie Wagner and Managing Editor, Christina Bosch

After a brief introduction and thanks to our partners, In Good Company Hospitality, Refinery Rooftop, Refinery Hotel, Nomi Beauty, Nash FM 94.7 and all of the Swag Bag contributors; BBR Music Group, UMG, Warner Music Nashville, Sony Music Nashville, and Dennis Entertainment, Christina and Stephanie welcomed to the stage someone who we are so excited to have back in New York City, NASH FM DJ and personality, Kelly Ford.

Photo Credit Jillian Tuttle for NYCountry Swag

Ford took the stage to thank the country music fans in the room for being so loyal and passionate and for listening to NASH FM 94.7. She introduced our headliner, Stephanie Quayle saying: “This will be one of those moments that the passionate New York and New Jersey fans will remember. We know how you support artists and you’ll want to support this one. I’m good on the bandwagon thing, I get on early and this one is going to be a huge star.”

Photo Credit Marko Albrecht for NYCountry Swag

Quayle took the stage to entertain our guests by performing true country music, singing “Seflish”, and her latest single “If I Was A Cowboy”. She had the crowd singing along during her cover of Jon Pardi’s “Dirt On My Boots”. She played a few songs that she had never played before during her set, giving our guests and followers a sneak peek at brand new music. “Growing up in Montana, and to know that New York has this country music swag, it’s just growing and it’s so special to see so many fans of country music that want more,” she exclaimed.

Photo Credit Jillian Tuttle for NYCountry Swag

After the live music, guests continued the party by heading to our photobooth and taking pictures and dancing to the great girl power anthems.

Photo Credit Jillian Tuttle for NYCountry Swag

As the ladies left, they grabbed their Swag Bags which were filled with merch from five different major music labels and all of their artists. We want to thank all of our partners, and everyone who supports New York Country Swag and allows us to host incredible events like ‘Babes, Booze & Brunch’.

Make sure to check out the recap video above and check out more photos from the incredible day on our Facebook here:

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Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC!

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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Florida Georgia Line Celebrate Album Release in NYC

February 18, 2019/in Blog, Concert Reviews /by Danielle Tornatore

This past Friday (Feb. 15), multi-platinum-selling country duo Florida Georgia Line spent the day promoting their highly anticipated fourth studio album, Can’t Say I Ain’t Country, throughout New York City.
We first caught the guys during their exclusive in-studio Nash FM 94.7 interview with host Kelly Ford in the early afternoon, which aired on Nash FM over the weekend. The superstar duo discussed the process of making the record, along with backstories behind a few of the songs, which Ford hand-picked. “Talk You Out Of It,” “Swerve” and “Speed Of Love” were among Ford’s favorites. The radio host continued to compliment Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley on their entrepreneurship with all three of their businesses; their Nashville bar, FGL House, their whiskey brand, Old Camp Whiskey and BK’s clothing brand, Tribe Kelley. Ending the interview, Hubbard and Kelley gave everyone in the audience a physical copy of the new album as a thank you for supporting them over the years.

Later that evening, the duo teamed up with iHeartRadio for an official intimate album release party held at the iHeartRadio theater. The two superstars performed an hour-long set, along with a special question and answer portion, hosted by Brooke Taylor.

Kelley and Hubbard opened up about the album’s title, their choice of featured artists on the record and who Brother Jervel is. When asked about why they named the album ‘Can’t Say I Ain’t Country’, Hubbard took the lead and revealed it started with the album’s title track, telling fans it became Kelley’s idea to title the album the same name. The duo continued to explain how they came to choose each collaboration for the record, “Everybody that’s on our album in the collaborations, it just fit perfect. It was really organic. We wrote a song called “Women” with Jason Derulo out in L.A. a couple years ago and there was no chance his voice wasn’t going to be on that one. We left it, already sounded amazing, and we already had a vision of what it was going to sound like. And Jason Aldean, he answered back real quick and said, ‘Hey. I’ll hop on with y’all. That’s sounds amazing. Love the song.’ And HARDY is somebody, one of those young guns. We love him and couldn’t be more proud of him. He’s a rock star. He’s a hell of a songwriter and also a heck of an artist, too. So we kind of go by the song and imagine who we hear and who fits naturally and just kind of put out feelers.”

Hubbard revealed the man behind the character Brother Jervel who is featured in the four skits on the album. Brother Jervel is one of their longtime friends, whose real name is Chris. Chris would leave the guys funny voicemails and it sparked the idea of creating skits to set up some songs on the record.

The superstar duo performed five songs from Can’t Say I Ain’t Country, four of them being for the very first time, including “Colorado,” “People Are Different,” “Swerve” and “Y’all Boys.” They also performed the album’s lead single “Simple,” along with their record-breaking hit collaboration with Bebe Rexha, “Meant to Be” and tailgating tune with Morgan Wallen, “Up Down.”

Hubbard and Kelley couldn’t end the night without a few shots of their very own whiskey (of course) and performing their crowd-favorite hits, “H.O.L.Y.,” “Anything Goes,” “Round Here,” “This Is How We Roll” and the song that got it all started for them, “Cruise.”

Florida Georgia Line will hit the road this summer for their ‘Can’t Say I Ain’t Country Tour’ with Dan + Shay, Morgan Wallen, HARDY and Canaan Smith. New Yorkers can catch the show at Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater on Saturday, July 20th. Visit http://www.floridageorgialine.com for all ticketing information.

Can’t Say I Ain’t Country is now available everywhere you stream or buy music.

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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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Kelly Ford Returns To NASHFM 94.7 & Russell Dickerson Performs

January 28, 2019/in Blog /by Kelly Cunningham

Photo Via NASHFM 94.7 Facebook

Not only did Russell Dickerson take Stage 17 at NASH FM 94.7 for a live set, but it also included a surprise announcement for all country music fans in New York/New Jersey area.

NASH FM welcomed backed Kelly Ford to the studio after a long road on her morning show in Nashville, “Ty, Chuck & Kelly.” NASH FM 94.7 had a warm welcoming message back saying, “This is more than just a radio station, we’re in this together… NASH Nation, this is for you. You called, texted, emailed and commented a lot; we heard you loud and clear,” announcing Ford’s new local morning show debuting Feb. 4 after three years of living in Nashville. The crowd gave her a rousing round of applause and Ford gave the most heartwarming speech including an exciting shout out to NYCountry Swag, talking about the very first time Dickerson had played an event in New York City, our country brunch back in January of 2016 which Ford MCed.

Photo Via NASHFM 94.7 Facebook

Dickerson then took the stage and performed his second No. 1 song “Blue Tacoma” and his current single “Every Little Thing.” Ford then asked Dickerson questions about new music, explaining how he penned songs with Lady Antebellum while he was out on tour with them last summer. Ford asked Dickerson to talk about the passionate New York/New Jersey country music fans and what makes us different, he replied “New York chooses it, it’s not on every station. They fight for it, they’re passionate about it and that’s why we keep coming back.” Dickerson also revealed who his favorite physical aspirations are in terms of performers, he replied, “Obviously Garth Brooks, he’s everywhere on stage. When I see him do that, he’s so engaging. Sometimes performers just focus on themselves meanwhile the fans are the reason why we’re performing, that’s my main focus.” Dickerson then played his first No. 1 single “Yours” to end the exciting show. Check out the full live stream below.

It was an emotional rollercoaster yet inspiring day welcoming Ford back to NASH FM 94.7 and having Dickerson there to celebrate and perform made it even more special. Dickerson is currently on The Way Back Tour with Carly Pearce and will make an appearance again here in New York at MSG with Thomas Rhett on Sep. 20.

When Ford returns to the New York airwaves next week, she will be joining the midday host Katie Neal and Jesse Addy who airs in the afternoon to form a popular and powerful Nash team. Be sure to tune in to Nash FM 94.7 on Feb. 4 from 6-10 A.M. to hear ‘Kelly Ford in the Mornings’.

Photo Via NASHFM 94.7 Facebook

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Ty, Kelly & Chuck’s “Rally Around Radley” Diaper Drive

July 25, 2018/in Blog /by Christina Bosch

Ty, Kelly & Chuck’s, Ty Bentli with son, Radley

Our friends at the Ty, Kelly & Chuck morning show based out of Nashville and syndicated throughout the country are rallying around Ty Bentli’s son, Radley who is going to be a big brother very soon. Rad wants to help kids who don not have diapers… and decided on a pretty big number, wanting to collect 58,430 diapers. The diaper drive will run through Monday, August 13, 2018.

How can you help? Head to TyKellyandChuck.com or to donate online, visit their Amazon Wish List to purchase diapers and diapering supplies here.

To donate diapers that are new and in the package, or extras from an open package, send them to the studio at:

Ty, Kelly & Chuck’s Rally Around Radley Diaper Drive
506 2nd Avenue South
Nashville, TN 37210

Thank You in advance for your help!

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Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC!

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and all things country music in the New York metro area and beyond!

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NYCS Woman of the Month: Kelly Ford

May 15, 2018/in Blog, Woman of the Month /by Christina Bosch

Photo by: Tyler Andrews for Cumulus Media

“I always knew I wanted to do something fun”, our May Woman of the Month Kelly Ford tells New York Country Swag in a recent phone conversation. Ford has worked in the radio broadcasting industry since she was in college, working hard at internships and proving she can follow her dreams and make it in this business. After making an impression during her final internship in college, she was bitten by the radio bug and knew this would be the career she would pursue. Growing up in Louisville, Ford was not a country fan, “I didn’t like it at all, when you grow up in the south you either love country or hate country and particularly back then and rock was so much better back then, U2 and Springsteen and it was just a great time for rock music.”

For twenty-two years, Ford honed her craft on the morning show in Denver on 98.5 KYGO, a highly regarded heritage country radio station. The year she started in the country music genre was also the year Garth Brooks started, making it a great time to be broadcasting country music. “I believe he changed country music and made it the kind of country I liked to listen to,” she explained. When the unique opportunity arose to be a part of launching New York City’s very first country radio station in 17 years, Ford took the chance, moving across the country to the Big Apple. “It was the most magical career moment of my life, even after winning three CMAs, an ACM and a Marconi, nothing replaced just that gratitude to be part of launching that,” she humbly tells us.

(l-r) New York Country Swag Founder Stephanie Wagner, Kelly Ford, Russell Dickerson, Nash FM 94.7’s Jesse Addy at New York Country Swag’s Country Night on the Water, June 2016

Ford’s voice was the first to be played across the tri-state area when 94.7 NASH FM station launched back in 2013. The station now serves as the flagship station for NASH brands all over the country, reaching over 85 million country music fans. “I can’t explain it, it was pretty magical and to be able to reinvent myself after being in a market for so long, as a broadcaster then, going to the number one market is even cooler. There are lots of elements to it, but the most exciting is being a part of history and launching something that nobody will ever be able to take away from the group of us that did it,” she recalls.

She continues to explain how the New York City country music fan base is unlike any other fans in the country. Because New Yorkers didn’t necessarily grow up with the music on the radio it didn’t become the soundtrack to their lives the way it was for anyone growing up in the south or the west, they are actively choosing to seek out the genre and now defending it. “They are New Yorkers, so the passion level is off the charts and artists notice it, we notice it,” Ford says. “I miss the fans on a daily basis, because it is a level of passion that you don’t see everywhere.”

When the syndicated morning show which was based out of Nashville needed a leading lady, Ford decided to make the move, leaving her station in New York, but still having hte ability to be broadcast there. “I get the benefits of New York without the taxes, and I am still on the air in New York which is really important to me. The thing about the syndicated show, I am such a big believer in local radio, but we are bringing Nashville to country fans. For this one case, the show needed to be syndicated out of Nashville. We are part of the community here, we have deep seeded relationships with the artists and the town.”

(l-r) Nash FM’s Ty Bentli, Kelly Ford & Chuck Wicks with New York Country Swag’s Stephanie Wagner & Christina Bosch

Ty, Kelly, and Chuck is a morning show syndicated across all of the NASH stations and is live on the air weekdays 5:00 AM-9:00 AM CST. It always brings you the biggest country songs, as well as featuring up and coming country acts, big country stars and fantastic banter between Ty Bentli, Chuck Wicks, and Kelly Ford.

“I missed New York greatly, I still miss it on a daily basis, but I get the best of both worlds doing this show and I hope we get up there more. Our New York audience is one of the major priorities and to be able to bring country music to the listeners there is awesome,” she tells us.

Her favorite part of her job is not what you might think, interacting with huge stars every day, but rather to interact with all of the listeners. She admits that Dolly Parton is the only artist that she gets nervous around, but that when it comes to the other artists, she appreciates them as people, not for what they’ve accomplished. “I look at them as people, a few people I get excited about coming in, because they are fun and interesting and are good humans, Garth Brooks, Chris Janson and Jennifer Nettles.” she tells us “I have a personal connection to them and I enjoy them as humans. I’m never impressed by what someone does, I am impressed by who they are, about having a good conversation and just liking somebody.”

Her advice to women pursuing a career in broadcasting and in the music business, in general, is to forge ahead and do you, pick your battles and stand up for yourself. “The cool thing about women is they’ve been quietly ruling the world anyway and we are now saying, we actually also want some recognition for doing it,” she conveys. “Good women on a like-minded mission are unstoppable, honestly. We have to make a statement by showing up every day and doing the best job we can do and that’s in everything, relationships, in motherhood, at work and everything. Your best one day may not be your best the next day, but keep your head up, keep your word.”

Keep up with Kelly on her Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

* EDIT: Kelly Ford has since returned to New York City on the rebranded New York’s Country 94.7. Check out the announcement here.

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Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC!

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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