kenny chesney Archives

Kenny Chesney Reflects On Past Relationships on “Knowing You”

April 10, 2020/in Blog /by Rebekah Milsted

New Music Fridays are certainly helping during these quarantine times, and this week we have Kenny Chesney to thank. “Knowing You” is a song that everyone needs to hear, a classic story so many can relate to.

Written by Adam James, Brett James, and Kat Higgins, “Knowing You” is a beautiful tribute to knowing someone who is gone, whether it means they’ve passed away or your story together has ended. Instead of dwelling on the loss, the track reflects on the memories that were shared and how the person lived their life to the fullest with no regrets. It’s not only a great reminder to live in the moment, but it lets us know that even though we may all lose someone too soon, they came into our lives for a reason and will continue to be in our hearts.

“But, God, we were so alive / I was a kid on a carnival ride / Holdin’ my breath till the moment / When you were gonna leave me too soon / But I’d do it all over / ‘Cause, damn, it was good knowin’ you.”

In a recent press release, the eight-time Entertainer of the Year, shared what his first impression of hearing the song was, “ When I heard it, “Knowing You” knocked me out. It was such a classic kind of country song you don’t hear anymore and it was so pure. And then, the idea you’re wishing the best for the other person, kind of smiling, knowing just what they’re doing and thinking, ‘Yeah, go enjoy the moment…’ is something the best people in our lives make us feel.”

Chesney’s latest album Here and Now arrives May 1^st and we can’t wait to hear the album in full!

We are keeping our fingers crossed that we will see Chesney on the Chillaxification Tour along with Florida Georgia Line, Old Dominion, and Michael Franti & Spearhead. They are scheduled to play MetLife Stadium on August 22^nd. Get your tickets here.

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

“Knowing You” 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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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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Brand New Music from Kenny Chesney, “Here And Now”

February 21, 2020/in Blog /by Rebekah Milsted

There is nothing is better than a Friday and new Kenny Chesney. His first song of 2020 is here, and we can’t get enough. Fresh off of being awarded the Country Radio Broadcasters’ Humanitarian of the Year Award at the 2020 Country Radio Seminar, the East Tennessee native continues to show his commitment to country music and the fans with “Here and Now”.

Written by Craig Wiseman, David Garcia, and David Lee Murphy during a writing retreat in Malibu, this upbeat song is about living in the moment and appreciating what you have. We’re all guilty of counting down to something, whether that be hitting our next big life milestone or simply the weekend. “Here and Now” reminds you to take a step back, enjoy the present, and don’t take for granted what you have.

In a recent press release, the singer-songwriter shared what this song means to him, “I know there will be days and moments that suck, but so many of them, we can decide how we feel and what we want to focus on. I’m hoping No Shoes Nation- and everyone else – can hear this and feel really good about the moment.”

“Here and now\ Nowhere else in this world enough\ You and me ain’t it good to be alive? \ Ain’t no better place and ain’t no better time\ Than here and now\ Everyone’s waiting but they’re waiting on what? \ Better get to living, ‘cause all we’ve got is here and now.”

On April 18^th Chesney is hitting the road starting on the Chillaxification Tour and we can already picture this single being performed in front of his loyal fans during his live show.

He is bringing along Florida Georgia Line, Old Dominion, and Michael Franti & Spearhead. You don’t want to miss one of the hottest shows of the summer. They will be playing at MetLife Stadium on August 22^nd. Get your tickets here.

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

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

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SHOP THE HERO COLLECTION

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

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Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC & Beyond!

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Kenny Chesney Surprises Fans with 2020 Tour Announcement

September 24, 2019/in Blog /by Stephanie Wagner

In most major cities, ‘Kenny Day’ has become a summer favorite as superstar Kenny Chesney’s stadium tour makes its way through the country all summer long. Despite drawing record-breaking crowds with his 2018 ‘Trip Around the Sun’ Tour, Chesney announced last year that he would be taking a break from his stadium tour to hit more intimate venues, marking summer 2019 as ‘the summer without a Kenny Day’ for New York City country fans.

As all good things come to those to wait, Chesney announced this morning via his No Shoes Radio channel on Sirius XM that fans can catch him once again at stadiums nationwide next year on the ‘CHILLAXIFICATION 2020 Tour’. Joining him will be Florida Georgia Line, Old Dominion and Michael Franti & Spearhead. New York fans can once again catch him at MetLife Stadium on August 22nd. Tickets go on sale Friday, October 4th.

For NYCountry Swag followers, be on the lookout for ticket giveaways, tailgate plans, and contests as we gear up for one of our favorite days of the year. Join our Weekly Round-Up here so you don’t miss any upcoming announcements.

Check out the full list of tour dates below and visit kennychesney.com for more information.

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

Kenny Chesney’s Chillaxification 2020 Tour:
with Florida Georgia Line, Old Dominion and Michael Franti & Spearhead
April 18                  AT&T Stadium                                       Arlington, Texas
April 25                  Miller Park                                              Milwaukee, Wis.
May 2                     U.S. Bank Stadium                                  Minneapolis, Minn.
May 9                     Raymond James Stadium                        Tampa, Fla.
May16                    Mercedes-Benz Stadium                         Atlanta, Ga.
May 22                   Minute Maid Park                                   Houston, Texas
May 23                   The Alamodome                                      San Antonio, Texas
May 30                   Heinz Field                                              Pittsburgh, Pa.
June 6                     Lincoln Financial Field                           Philadelphia, Pa.
June 13                   Busch Stadium                                        St. Louis, Mo.
June 20                   Ohio Stadium                                          Columbus, Ohio
June 27                   Nissan Stadium                                       Nashville, Tenn.
July 11                    Arrowhead Stadium                                Kansas City, Mo.
July 18                    CenturyLink Field                                   Seattle, Wash.
July 25                    Soldier Field                                            Chicago, Ill.
August 1                 SoFi Stadium                                           Los Angeles, Calif.
August 8                 Empower Field at Mile High Denver, Colo.
August 15               Ford Field                                                Detroit, Mich.
August 22               MetLife Stadium                                     East Rutherford, NJ
August 28 Gillette Stadium                                      Foxboro, Mass.
…and more dates to be announced.

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

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NYCS 2018 Artist to Watch Where Are They Now: Brandon Lay

November 15, 2018/in Blog /by Molly Holmberg

Here at New York Country Swag, we pride ourselves on being tastemakers, finding and championing new and up-and-coming artists and introducing our followers to the best of the best of the rising acts. Back in January of this year we named the 10 artists below in our “Artists to Watch in 2018” and we are proud to say, we know rising talent before they make it big. Someone to add to your watchlist is Brandon Lay.

It was just over a year ago newcomer Brandon Lay’s song “Speakers, and Bleachers, & Preachers” got added to Spotify’s New Country Playlist, which changed the whole course his career was on. Accumulating over 44 million streams and counting, Lay caught the industry’s attention. Quickly joining fellow labelmate, Kenny Chesney, on his 40 date stadium tour, Lay had quite the summer touring around the country gaining more fans than ever. Being his first tour on a bus, playing HUGE crowds, and getting to open up for Old Dominion, Thomas Rhett and Chesney himself, Lay learned the ropes of being on tour from some of the best.

Lay has released songs in pairs first being “Speakers, Bleachers, & Preachers” alongside “Let It”. Then came “Break Down On Me” and “Wilder Horses.” “Wilder Horses”, “Let It”, and “Break Down On Me” have not been released to country radio so they are not as well known to some. With that being said these three songs have racked up nearly 9 million streams combined. Fans are in love with Lay’s ability to create infectious songs with his soft vocals and insightful lyrics.

Lay just released his newest song “Yada Yada Yada” almost three years after he originally wrote it in 2015. The new song highlights his ability to find catchy melodies to add to those smooth vocals. The song explains a couple’s hope for a night in together despite their friends trying to convince them otherwise. On top of a full band song, Lay also released a stripped down acoustic version as well. Both tracks are racking up streams and airtime on the radio. With its release earlier this month, “Yada Yada Yada” was the Number 1 most-added song at country radio across the country.

There are no signs of Lay’s success stopping anytime soon. He is a newcomer that has shaken everyone with his quick and successful rise to fame. We hope to see him add more tour dates soon in the coming year as well as some new music. If the pattern continues, fans will be getting a new song very soon! Keep up with Lay on all his socials and streaming platforms to be the first to know when he drops new music!

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Shane McAnally Stars as Judge in New Competition Show ‘Songland’

October 16, 2018/in Blog /by Molly Holmberg

Nashville’s very own Shane McAnally is no stranger when it comes to working with talent in Music City. Whether it is working with top musicians like Kenny Chesney, Luke Bryan, Thomas Rhett, Kacey Musgraves or discovering talent in new artists like Walker Hayes, McAnally finds it.

NBC announced last week a new songwriter series called ‘Songland’. The competition show will give a one-of-a-kind chance for up-and-coming songwriters to gain exposure and receive feedback from three music producers who collectively have a hand in today’s biggest songs on the radio. The show first contacted McAnally three years ago about being a part of the show and he jumped on the opportunity. McAnally mentioned in his Instagram that he “…loved the concept instantly and am so proud to say that 3 years later…we are greenlit!!

In each episode, five songwriters will get the opportunity to perform their original songs in front of major music producers. Each song will then go up against a panel that will take into account the beats, melody, lyrics, and the song’s story for an overall review. The top song will then be given the opportunity to be released as a single for one of music’s largest superstars. Alongside McAnally will be OneRepublic’s Ryan Tedder and Charlie Puth working together to find the next hit songwriter.

If you are a songwriter looking for a big break the show is now looking for submissions at SonglandCasting.com. They are taking in all kind of genres so if you consider yourself Pop, Rock, Country, Blues, or Indie they are looking for you! While there is still no word on when the series is set to air if you love finding new talent be sure to check Songland out!

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Old Dominion Raises $40K+ for Charity with Star-Studded Line-Up

September 19, 2018/in Blog, Concert Reviews /by Molly Holmberg

Sam Hunt with Old Dominion’s Matthew Ramsey, Photo By Mason Allen

Last night (Sept. 18.), Old Dominion sold out and electrified the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville for their special headline show: “An Evening With Friends.” The concert raised a total of $40K for charity, with half of the proceeds benefiting the Opry Trust Fund and the other half benefitting the Ryan Seacrest Foundation.

In a recent press release, Old Dominion frontman and 2017 ASCAP Artist Writer of the Year Matthew Ramsey said, “What an unforgettable night. The Nashville community has given so much to us. Our lives have changed in ways we could never have imagined – so we felt like this show at the Ryman was a great way to start giving back. There was so much love and music and history swirling around. We are beyond proud to be able to raise money and help those who need it – along with help from our friends!”

Kenny Chesney surprised Old Dominion and Fans, Photo By Mason Allen

By “our friends”, Ramsey is referring to the superstar lineup that joined them including Kenny Chesney, Kelsea Ballerini, Sam Hunt, and Michael Ray for show-stopping renditions of fan favorites. Chesney surprised the band on stage and had them play “Save It For A Rainy Day,” which was co-written by Old D’s Matthew Ramsey and Brad Tursi and hit #1 for three consecutive weeks. Kelsea Ballerini also joined the band to duet the band’s #1 single “Written In The Sand” and her single “I Hate Love Songs,” co-written by band member Trevor Rosen. Michael Ray then followed and performed his latest energetic single “The One That Got Away,” penned by Ramsey and Rosen. Lastly, Sam Hunt performed two songs with the band that included the #1 single “Make You Miss Me,” as well as “Ex To See,” both of which were co-written with Hunt by Ramsey.

Kelsea Ballerini (left) and Michael Ray (right) with Old Dominion’s Matthew Ramsey, Photo By Mason Allen

Old Dominion kept the party going and performed 19 additional songs during their 120 minute set covering all of their #1 hit singles and fan favorites including two brand new unreleased songs “Make It Sweet” and “Smooth Sailing.”

A place like Nashville’s legendary Ryman Auditorium is hallowed ground. After selling out arenas across the U.S. and Canada on the winter leg of their “Happy Endings World Tour,” the band checked the iconic venue off their bucket list before they pick back up on the fall leg of their arena tour. The run is set to kick off on Oct. 4 in Knoxville, TN at the Knoxville Coliseum.

Check the list of dates below and get your tickets on sale now, HERE.

HAPPY ENDINGS WORLD TOUR FALL 2018 DATES:

Oct. 4 Knoxville, TN Knoxville Coliseum

Oct. 5 Glen Allen, VA Innsbrook After Hours

Oct. 6 Rochester, NY Main Street Armory

Oct. 11 Amarillo, TX Amarillo Civic Center

Oct. 12 Las Cruces, NM Pan American Center

Oct. 13 Albuquerque, NM Balloon Fiesta Park

Oct. 25 Atlantic City, NJ Hard Rock Atlantic City

Oct. 26 University Park, PA Bryce Jordan Center

Oct. 27 Roanoke, VA Berglund Center

Oct. 31 Dublin, IE Whelans

Nov. 1 Belfast, IE Empire Music Hall

Nov. 3 Liverpool, ENG O2 Academy 2

Nov. 4 London, ENG O2 Shepherds Bush Empire

Nov. 5 Bristol, ENG Trinity

Nov. 6 Manchester, ENG Academy 2

Nov. 8 Birmingham, ENG O2 Institute

Nov. 9 Glasglow, SCT Queen Maragaret Union

Nov. 10 Glasglow, SCT Queen Maragaret Union

Nov. 29 Estero, FL Germain Arena

Nov. 30 St. Augustine, FL St. Augustine Amphitheatre

Dec. 1 Winston-Salem, NC Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum

Dec. 6 Toledo, OH Huntington Center

Dec. 7 Huntington , WV Big Sandy Superstore Arena

Dec. 8 Grand Rapids, MI DeltaPlex Arena

Dec. 13 Bismarck, ND Bismarck Event Center

Dec. 14 Fargo, ND Scheels Arena

Dec. 15 Duluth, MN AMSOIL Arena

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NYCS Woman of the Month: Basak Kizilisik

August 22, 2018/in Blog, Woman of the Month /by Christina Bosch

“The music is the reason I am in this business, music changes lives, one song can alter the course of a life and I believe that wholeheartedly.”

Each month we focus on one woman working in the music industry to highlight her journey, ask for advice and to showcase the difference women are making in the music business. For August we turn our attention to Basak Kizilisik, Vice President of Marketing for Morris Higham Management, a boutique management firm in Nashville, representing Kenny Chesney, Old Dominion, Michael Ray, Ryan Griffin, Walker County, and Brandon Lay. In a recent interview with New York Country Swag, Kizilisik explains how her untraditional, round about upbringing landed her in Nashville.

Born in Turkey and spending her childhood there until she was four years old, she recalls her grandmother telling her stories about how she knew from an early age that she was going to grow up to have an intimate relationship with music. “She found me glued to the TV and the local symphony was on, I was standing three feet away from the TV swaying to the sound of the symphony and that is how she would calm me down,” she tells us. Her father was a surgeon and they traveled during her childhood, living in Saudi Arabia, Canada, and Memphis, ultimately moving to Nashville where she finished high school. She attended college in Orlando but her love for Nashville had already seeped in. “I fell in love with Nashville, as most people nowadays do, I fell in love with the town, the culture the people and the music I fell in love with all of it,” Kizilisik explains.

After graduating college she worked for Shaun Silva, a prominent director, and video music producer who asked her on her very first day to drop off tapes to Kenny Chesney’s home. She remembers how genuine Chesney treated her, even though he didn’t have to. After her internship with Silvas ended, she worked for a publishing company, a startup label, and the digital marketing world. “I made it my goal to learn about every single facet of the business, knowing that eventually I would want to take those skill sets and apply them in management with my own artists and that is what I did, I couldn’t have planned my path, I don’t think I could have planned it, it’s extremely difficult to do in this business.”

Working for clients such as Lady Antebellum, Eric Church, Dierks Bentley for Capitol Records and then eventually UMG working closely on George Strait’s 60 for 60 Campaign, she dove head first into the digital marketing strategy including working towards the Entertainer of the Year win for Strait in 2014. After that accomplishment, she got a call from Morris Higham, a boutique management firm, offering her an incredible position to oversee the digital marketing department and growing their team’s reach. “I am so grateful to be in a position where I can truly mold the marketing of this company and of our roster into whatever it needs,” Kizilisik tells us.

When listing for us her day to day responsibilities, there is almost no part of the music industry that she isn’t involved in when it comes to her roster. From managing digital strategy and social media content to collaborating with the streaming sites to album planning and marketing to touring and album launches, she has the chance to oversee every aspect of an artist’s career and work very closely with the artists and their teams. One of her biggest full circle moments came when accepting the job with Morris Higham, she had the ability to work with Kenny Chesney so many years after first meeting him on her first day on the job right out of college. “It is honestly one of the biggest honors of my life,” she says of the country megastar. “I can hand on heart say Kenny Chesney is everything that you’d hope that he is, and then some, all of it is completely authentic and genuine. There is a reason that he is where he is in his career and there is a reason that he has been able to accomplish what he has accomplished, the man leads with his heart in everything that he does and it’s just evident in all of it.”

Her advice to young women wanting to pursue a career in the music industry is: “Surround yourself with the people that fire you up, that lift you up, that fuel you and that build you up in every sense of the term.” She makes it a point to meet with young people that reach out to her to help guide them in this industry. “This business can be the wild west in a lot of ways and my advice is to work as hard as you can and lift people up whenever you can.

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Record Breaking Crowds Withstand the Storm for Kenny Chesney

August 21, 2018/in Blog, Concert Reviews /by Christina Bosch

This past weekend, fans from New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut packed up their buses, trucks, and coolers to head to MetLife Stadium. Each year, Kenny Chesney brings his star-studded line up to the home of the New York Giants and the New York Jets and year after year “Kenny Day” turns out to undoubtedly be one of the best concerts of the summer. This year was no different. New York Country Swag gathered 130 friends and followers on two buses and made it to the parking lots early. We played cornhole, drank beers and lived the brand’s lifestyle for the entire afternoon, all while listening to our favorite country songs.

When it came time to head into the stadium, fans flocked to the security lines to catch Brandon Lay, the opening act on the tour. Lay entertained by playing his latest singles “Speakers, Bleachers and Preachers” and “Yada, Yada Yada”. Just as Lay’s set was coming to a close, dark clouds rolled in and MetLife took the necessary precautions to protect all of the concertgoers by postponing the show until the severe weather had passed. The heavy rain and thunder did not dampen the spirits of the crowd who huddled together in the concourse. After about 45 minutes, the thunderstorm was over and fans headed back to their places in the crowd, patiently waiting for Old Dominion to take the stage.

For a brief moment, as the band took the stage playing their biggest hits, the clouds gave way to an incredible sunset. Kicking off their set with their second no. 1 single, “Song for Another Time”, then keeping it old school with “Wrong Turns” they relished in the fact that the entire stadium was now filled to catch their set. “Since the last time we were here, our lives have changed dramatically,” lead singer Matt Ramsey stated referring to releasing their sophomore album and adding even more number one songs to their repertoire since opening for Kenny Chesney on his 2016 Spread the Love Tour. The rain didn’t hold off long, but the band didn’t miss a beat, appropriately singing “New York at Night” which features Brad Tursi on vocals and their current single “Hotel Key”. They closed their set with one of the nights first sing-a-longs to “Snapback”.

Next to the stage was an artist who is sure to be a future Entertainer-of-the-Year, Thomas Rhett. Although the now superstar has headlined his own tour for the past few years, it has never made its way up to the NY/NJ area, making it the first time in a while that Rhett has performed a full show in the New York area. Rhett’s absolute electric personality and onstage presence was felt buzzing throughout the entire stadium as he played his smash hits from all three of his studio albums including “It Goes Like This”, “Craving You” and “Vacation”.

“Thank you for being kind people, I just look at your faces and you all seem like kind people out here tonight, thank you so much,” Rhett said during “Die a Happy Man” “I’m not going to get sappy, but this is my last show on the Kenny Chesney tour and I feel like I’ve learned more in 17 shows, than I’ve learned in my whole eight years of touring, I just want to say thank you so much to Kenny Chesney wherever he is standing right now.” His genuine gratitude towards the fans and the mega country star that brought him along for this run on the Trip Around the Sun Tour was apparent and the audience ate it up. Asking the 50,000 plus fans to sing the chorus back to him was a highlight of the night, as he closed out the song by singing “…if this the last show that I ever get to play in my whole life I swear then I could die a happy man.” Check out our exclusive video of the emotional moment here.

Over an hour later than expected due to the storm, the man of the night took the stage dressed in his signature jeans, boots and cowboy hat. In total, 58,642 fans were on their feet, breaking his own MetLife stadium record and beating out giant acts such as Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi, and Taylor Swift if you add up the concert attendances in the same number of appearances. His set was filled with the usual Chesney hits from his giant career including “Beer in Mexico”, “No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problem” and “American Kids”. Throughout the night, the entire stadium was lit up, allowing Chesney to see the at-capacity crowd singing and dancing along. Drenched in sweat, the singer ran up and down the catwalk giving all he had for the fans who had withstood rain and thunderstorms to see him perform.

“Coming back year after year I’ve learned a lot about this audience,” he stated in between songs. “Everybody here has a lot in common, we work hard, we play hard, we learn hard and we really love music.” Not only is he one of the industry’s best entertainers, but he always brings the most amazing country acts on tour with him and makes sure they get the recognition that they deserve. Old Dominion joined him on stage once again to perform “Save it For a Rainy Day” which Brad Tursi and Matthew Ramsey co-wrote, Thomas Rhett took the stage for “When the Sun Goes Down” and surprise guest David Lee Murphy showed up to sing their current single “Everything’s Gonna Be Alright” as well as “Dust on the Bottle”. Closing out the night with Brandon Lay, Chesney sang one of the very first songs he ever released “She Thinks My Tractors Sexy”.

It was certainly a night to remember for all who attended, further proving that waiting all summer long for Kenny Chesney to come to town is worth it every single year.

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5 Reasons To Never Go a Summer Without a Kenny Chesney Show

August 17, 2018/in Blog /by Team Country Swag

Take a ‘Trip Around the Sun’ with the country king of laidback living. We couldn’t be more excited for tomorrow’s show at MetLife Stadium! Here, 10 reasons you can’t miss the summer’s most epic party.

Tailgate Party of the Summer

Before any of Chesney’s openers even hit the stage, fans can be found filling up the parking lot as soon as the gates open. With their pirate flags, coolers and plenty of beer in tow, the country music will be blaring from speakers surrounding the stadium until the sun starts to set.

The Amazing Music Starts Right at 5 PM

With artists like Brandon Lay, Old Dominion and Thomas Rhett all on the bill for tomorrow’s show, make sure to wrap up your tailgate nice and early and head into the stadium for incredible music from some of country music’s hottest stars. Chesney takes pride in only bringing the best of the best out on tour with him, allowing exposure to even rising acts like Brandon Lay.

No Shoes Nation Epitomizes Summer Living
Channel the easy-breezy vibe of the No Shoes Lifestyle: Barefoot freedom, cranking some classic Chesney and cracking open an ice-cold drink in the pre-show parking lot tailgate. Chesney fans are loyal to his brand, showing up year after year to celebrate life and their love for his music.

Positive Vibes, Positive Life
We can all benefit from channeling our energy, turning the negative into the positive, and sharing kindness and compassion, much like the message of his recent song “Get Along”. Did you know that his most recent album, Song for the Saints, is benefitting the Love for Love City Foundation, with proceeds being donated to helping rebuild the islands that were devastated last year by natural disasters?

Celebrate Everyday
Chesney’s stage presence and energy are empowering and happy, sharing the idea that each day is a gift to be appreciated; what screams summer more than enjoying every moment of each day?!

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What We’re Listening To: August Picks

August 15, 2018/in Blog, Team Picks /by Team Country Swag

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

AUGUST PICKS:

Stephanie Wagner, Founder

Pick: “Drunk Me” – Mitchell Tenpenny
Songwriters: Jordan Schmidt / Justin Wilson / Mitchell Tenpenny

“Mitchell Tenpenny’s “Drunk Me” is easily one of my favorite songs out there right now. We were fortunate enough to hear the song back in early February when Tenpenny performed it live at CRS. The song puts a unique twist on a typical heartbreak song. Where most associate heartbreaks with getting drunk, Tenpenny goes the opposite route with the idea that someone would need to get sober to stop thinking about the other person, because “Drunk Me” can’t stop thinking about you.

Pairing the powerful lyrics with Tenpenny’s voice is key in highlighting the emotions on this track. It’s catchy, it’s relatable, it’s emotional, it’s everything you need in a hit song.”

Christina Bosch, Managing Editor

Pick: “Somebody’s Daughter” – Tenille Townes
Songwriters: Tenille Townes / Luke Laird / Barry Dean

“For my very first pick, there was no doubt in my mind that I was going to choose Tenille Townes. I went back and forth between two of the songs she released on her Living Room Worktapes but finally landed on “Somebody’s Daughter”. In big cities like New York and Nashville, homelessness is an absolute epidemic and every person reading this piece or listening to music, in general, has experienced what Townes’ expresses in her latest single. Waiting for the light to change, to escape the awkward stares that the man or woman on the corner gives, while holding their cardboard sign. Instead of looking away, the songwriters tell the tale of curiosity, how did this person end up here when they were probably just like us growing up. Reminiscing on a made-up past for the woman in the shaggy clothes just wanting a couple of dollars, Townes’ brings light to a dark situation that we all encounter, but does it in a way that country music sorely needs right now.

“Bet she was somebody’s best friend, laughin’ / Back when she was somebody’s sister / Countin’ change at the lemonade stand / Probably somebody’s high school first kiss / Dancin’ in a gym where the kids all talk about someday plans / Now this light’ll turn green and I’ll hand her a couple dollars / And I’ll wonder how she felt when no one caught her / She’s somebody’s daughter”

I am always a fan of the drinking songs that we can enjoy at tailgates and raise a glass to, but when a song and a songwriter come along that really tugs at my heart, I will always choose the raw, real side of country music.”

Nicole Bochinis, Contributing Writer

Pick: “Tequila” – Dan + Shay
Songwriters: Dan Smyers / Jordan Reynolds / Nicolle Gaylon

“When I first heard “Tequila” by Dan + Shay I knew it was going to be a huge hit. I have been a fan of them since their Where It All Began days and to see the success and growth they have experienced is truly amazing. Being able to watch and listen to the duo take the CMA Fest stage for the first time ever was something I will never forget. To hear every single person in the stadium sing “Tequila”, the debut single off of their third studio album, was incredible and seeing their faces was priceless. “Tequila” is one of those songs that you just want to drive around with your friends, windows down, and sing at the top of your lungs. Songs like that are the reason I fell in love with country music. There is just something so special about a song that showcases so much talent and Shay’s vocals are truly incredible. “Tequila” is not just the song of the summer, it is the song that will be listened to year after year.”

Kelly Cunningham, Contributing Writer

Pick: “Home and a Hometown” – Hannah Ellis
Songwriters: Hannah Ellis / Mark Trussell / Nicholas Wayne

“”Home And A Hometown” by Hannah Ellis describes my life in a nutshell. Ellis coming out with this track was perfect timing for me.

“One I wanna make it, One I wanna make proud / No matter which one I’m leaving still wanna turn around”

These lyrics could not be more accurate in my life as it is right now. I’m constantly going back and forth from New York to Nashville. It’s comforting knowing I’m not the only one who feels this way. The story behind her lyrics and how she sings it with such emotion is why Ellis is going to be a game-changer in country music.”

Taylor Felvey, Contributing Writer

Pick: “I Can’t Breathe” – Parker McCollum
Songwriters: Parker McCollum / Micky Braun

“Perhaps I’m biased, but the song I love in 2018 comes from Texas native, Parker McCollum. From the opening chords of the guitar to first keys of the piano there is a sound so welcoming and somewhat familiar. I couldn’t stop listening.

McCollum draws you in with his raspy voice making you believe in every word he sings. The song is his explanation of his love of being torn between two things – her and the road. But the road keeps calling. “I’m on the road missin’ home / missin’ the road while I’m home”

He sings about loving and leaving and hoping what he’s doing is enough to keep her. One of the lines sings “I can’t believe you think I’m lyin’ / what are you not buyin’” – take one listen to the soul and the pleading in McCollum’s voice and not only will you buy it, but you’ll have the song on repeat guaranteed!”

Crystal Fenton, Contributing Writer

Pick: “Get Along” – Kenny Chesney
Songwriters: Josh Osborne / Ross Copperman / Shane L McAnally

“I love, love, love Kenny Chesney–his music, his vibe, his love of the sea and island life! It’s hard to pick a favorite song; “Get Along”, off of his latest album Songs for the Saints, really resonates with me. When I heard him say the song’s message is one of taking negative energy and turning it positive, I loved it even more! This is an intention I am always trying to practice; there’s good in any situation, experience, event or person. It’s said attitude is the difference between an ordeal and an adventure, so why not make life one big, happy adventure of love and good energy?! That is what I hear in this song and in Chesney’s voice and why I love it so much!”

Molly Holmberg, Contributing Writer

Pick: “Caught Up in the Country” – Rodney Atkins
Songwriters: Connie Rae Harrington / Jordan Mark Schmidt / Mike Walker

“Rodney Atkins’ infectious “Caught Up in the Country” roped me in at first listen. It is his first single in four years and features the Fisk Jubilee Singers who add their hand clapping and foot stomping to the song for a new kind of rhythm. “Caught Up in the Country” talks about the best parts of country living: being outdoors with endless dirt roads and surrounded by countless stars in the sky. The words hit me directly as it reminded me of my time living in the country and the beauty of it all. Between the dirt roads to the house, green fields surrounding me, and the clearest nights, this song captures it, making me feel as if I was there just by listening to the song.

Atkins says “When I heard ‘Caught Up in the Country’ I just felt like the two things had to come together. It doesn’t sound like anything I’ve recorded or released before and that also excites me.” This song feels like an anthem when it comes on with my friends and family, singing it as loud as we possibly can! While I may not live in the country anymore you can always find me going back to and caught up in it all.”

Nicole Piering, Contributing Writer

Pick: “Why Can’t She” – Adam Craig
Songwriters: Adam Craig / Jon Nite / Matt Rogers

“It was nearly impossible for me to pick my favorite song of 2018 thus far, but as I scrolled through my Spotify playlist listening to some contenders, I kept going back to Adam Craig’s “Why Can’t She.” In my mind, this song is everything that a great country song should be. It tells a powerful story, it has a strong hook and music, and Craig’s vocals are among some of the best in the business. He seriously conveys all of the song’s emotions and sings the heck out of it. I was first introduced to country music by a Rascal Flatts concert in the early-2000’s, and that era of country music is definitely my favorite. This song wouldn’t sound out of place during that time period, which makes me love it all the more.”

Nicole Sellati, Contributing Writer

Pick: “Downtown’s Dead” – Sam Hunt
Songwriters: Josh Osborne / Sam Hunt / Shane L McAnally / Zach Crowell

“Downtown’s Dead” by Sam Hunt is one of my favorite songs of the year so far. It’s one of those songs you can’t help but get stuck in your head and after waiting for what felt like years Hunt finally released a new hit single in May. I’ll admit when I first heard the song I thought it was interesting, but after playing it again I really started to love the vibe “Downtown’s Dead” gave off. The song is different from what plays on country radio and I could see the song branching off to a more pop-friendly radio station. “Downtown’s Dead” has a more modern take on country music than Hunt’s older music. I love when artists take risks to change up their sound and this song makes me excited to see what comes next.”

Danielle Tornatore, Contributing Writer

Pick: “Must’ve Never Met You” – Luke Combs
Songwriters: Jonathan Singleton / Luke Combs / Robert Williford

“There have been countless great songs released in 2018 so far, but there is one in particular that has stood out to me; “Must’ve Never Met You” by Luke Combs. This song was part of his deluxe version of his previous album This One’s for You, released in 2017. There is something about this song that gets me pumped up from the second it starts, from the initial drums to the mini guitar solo. I relate to this song on a personal level, the lyrics are so well written. The clichés he uses in this song are so accurate when you meet somebody that is so special to you, you just cannot seem to get over them. This song is just incredible overall and I hope Combs will add it to his concert setlist in the near future.”

Shanna Vitaliano, Contributing Writer

Pick: “Most People Are Good” – Luke Bryan
Songwriters: David Fraiser / Ed Hill / Josh Kear

“When I listen to “Most People Are Good”, off Luke Bryan’s latest album What Makes You Country, the lyrics take me back to growing up without a care in the world. It is easy to get lost in our day to day busy life, where time can pass us by too quickly. This song creates a sense of simplicity in life, and an optimistic outlook in believing in others with every verse. It reminds us that even with all of the negative news going on around us, there are still people in this world with good intentions. I love this song because the lyrics are a breath of fresh air as it speaks to loving your mother and accepting everyone for who they are. It is the perfect reminder to put aside our differences and appreciate our time here on earth.”

Erica Zisman, Contributing Writer

Pick: “Leaving New Orleans” – Jordan Davis
Songwriters: David Fraiser / Jordan Davis / Lonnie Fowler

“I fell in love with the relatable stories and real-life feelings, at the heart of country music several years ago; however, Jordan Davis and his debut album, Home State recently reignited my passion for all things country music. One of my favorite songs off the album- and this year (so far) is “Leaving New Orleans”. It embodies the art of story-telling and incites emotions in the listener, all wrapped up in a feel-good melody with an unmatchable cool vibe. I have been lucky enough to witness Davis’ magic, as he acoustically played the song, for the first time, with less than 50 people present. These are the little moments I live for- bearing witness to country music magic from up and coming artists, who find a way to pull at your heartstrings and make you feel a part of their story. I encourage any music lover to give “Leaving New Orleans” a listen.”

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