Lauren Davidson Archives

Exclusive Premiere: Lauren Davidson’s Cozy Christmas Song “We’re Just Warming Up”

December 6, 2018/in Blog, Exclusive Premiere /by Christina Bosch

Premiering exclusively on New York Country Swag today and available everywhere tomorrow, our Swag Spotlight Lauren Davidson is releasing a toasty, original Christmas song. Referencing the classics like “Baby It’s Cold Outside” and “Jingle Bells” and Santa checking his list twice, the creative tune helps the listener to see the perfect image of a couple cozying up to keep warm during the cold, wintery, holiday season.

“Break out the mistletoe, we ain’t got no place to go, cause baby it’s cold outside / stay in our pajamas, I’ll pour some wine and then we’ll play Sinatra’s Christmas 45 / If Santa would slip down that chimney, I bet we could make that big boy blush / but you and me, we ain’t in no rush, we’re just warming up”

Davidson wrote the track with another one of the local New York City artists and fellow Swag Spotlights, Tommy Cole. We caught the two perform the classic holiday duet “Baby It’s Cold Outside” last year in New Jersey at The Country Christmas Showdown. Davidson shares “Tommy and I had such a blast last Christmas covering “Baby Its Cold Outside” and his love for the holiday was so contagious I just knew we had to write a Christmas song together. I love writing with Tommy and we had written a few songs together already when I approached him about wanting to write a holiday tune. He threw this idea out, the title- “We’re Just Warming Up” and we started brainstorming ideas and next thing I knew the song was finished. I love that this song is the first release of the songs we’ve written together over this past year- it feels full circle for me.”

To hear more from Davidson check out her latest EP Ballads, and listen to the holiday track below and stream/buy it everywhere music is available tomorrow.

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NYCS First Impression: Lauren Davidson ‘Ballads’

November 5, 2018/in Blog, First Impression /by Molly Holmberg

CMA artist Lauren Davidson is a New York City/New Jersey-based singer-songwriter that is getting the attention of everyone around her. She tells us in a recent interview is inspired daily by artists from all genres of music including Contemporary Country, Rock, and Pop. Because of this her music has a little something for everyone in it. Last Friday Davidson released her second EP Ballads, the first time she has released new music since 2016.

Fans got a glimpse into the new EP back in June when she released “Pouring Rain”, which quickly became her most-streamed song on Spotify to-date, already raking up more than 17,000 streams. In the song, Davidson tells how she has learned life is not a bed of roses and not always fair. She has been “walking in the pouring rain trying to wash away this aching pain”. The strong chorus kicks in and is bound to be stuck in your head for the rest of the day. It is catchy, has a great rhythm, and meaningful lyrics. She also joined the New York Country Swag team for a Live Swag Session to sing the new song for our followers. Watch the full Swag Session below.

The opening track “Just A Memory” starts with Davidson’s powerful vocals as she starts to describe the feeling of being held by a loved one that is now just a memory. Experiencing a first love at 17, she prays that these little memories will always stay with her. While the song is a more upbeat ballad than normal, the meaning and lyrics are hopeful and powerful. It’s a perfect track to introduce the EP. “Hole in My Heart” shows another contrasting side to Davidson. This break-up ballad showcases her soft side while bringing deep lyrics that hit hard.

To top off the EP, Lauren Davidson delivers an upbeat, unrequited love song, “To The Moon And Back”. From the very beginning the guitar riffs that open the song immediately pull you in. The song highlights the ability to love someone completely if they would only let you. It’s a simple concept that her fans can relate to, inspiring repeat spins.

This EP shows off Davidson’s ability to create a well-rounded EP all the while keeping in the theme of ‘ballads’. “Ballads” puts her unique and powerful voice on display, take a listen to the songs below and follow Lauren Davidson on Instagram to stay caught up and be on the lookout for a new single soon.

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Swag Sessions: Featuring Lauren Davidson

June 25, 2018/in Blog, Swag Sessions /by Christina Bosch

The warm weather is back (finally!), so we filmed our next Swag Session right in the middle of Times Square with local New York City/New Jersey country artist Lauren Davidson. Davidson played “I’ll Drink To That” then premiered a brand new single which was released this Friday, June 22nd under Skyfall Sony. Watch the full Swag Session below and to learn more about Lauren Davidson in our Swag Spotlight Feature with her here.

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NYCS Swag Spotlight: Carolyn Miller

April 2, 2018/in Blog, Swag Spotlight /by Christina Bosch

Born and raised on Long Island, New York, Carolyn Miller is our next Swag Spotlight. Just like Tommy Cole and Lauren Davidson, Miller is pursuing a career in country music by growing her fanbase up north and taking frequent trips down to Nashville for meetings and songwriting sessions. She tells us in a recent phone interview that like most performers, she was performing before she even knew it. “When I was 2 in church if my parents blinked I would run up onto the altar, as I got older they just realized it was I just loved to perform and be in front of people,” she laughs.

Besides not having the typical ‘growing up on a farm’ experience, Miller also went a different route during her early years, acting for television and Broadway. Starting with local community theater when she was merely six years old, and being signed to a top children’s talent manager when she was eight, Miller has worked professionally since then, working on a national commercial with Rosie O’Donnell, voiceover work for Jenifer Lopez’s perfume, landed a role in Daredevil with Ben Affleck and guest starred in Law and Order SVU. All of this before she exited her teen years, Miller was accepted to the Boston Conservatory at Berklee College on scholarship. After graduating college she was inspired by some friends who were posting cover videos on YouTube. She gathered some friends, Mikel James and David Wong and they recorded their own version of A Great Big World’s “Say Something”. Within 48 hours the video garnered over thirty thousand views, reaching now almost a hundred thousand views.

The exposure from the YouTube cover lit a fire under her to start exploring the recording artist side of her passion, something she had never really thought about before. Although she grew up on Long Island, which did not have a country radio station for almost 20 years, she recalls seeing Carrie Underwood win American Idol and being hooked. “the reason why I connect with it so much is country music is so real, honest, authentic, it tells a story, it’s vulnerable and it has something to say and there is always a purpose,” she explains. “Coming from my acting background I love authentic stories and I love really getting up and singing I don’t want beats and autotune, country is just that real beautiful pure genre of music.”

After a chance meeting with Russ DeSalvo who has produced Celine Dion and Lionel Richie, Miller started working with him on her debut EP which will be out this summer. The EP features five songs that songwriters in Nashville, LA, and NY wrote, songs that she felt spoke to her. She looks forward to honing her songwriting craft and performing songs in her live shows and for future albums that she has written herself.

Her background in performing and acting has given her the foundation in this industry to move at a much faster pace than someone just starting out. “I learned discipline, dedication and work ethic from the time I was 8 years old. I understand how it works, I’ve been exposed to it all from a young age,” she tells us. “Everything I’ve been through just proves to me that I know I am ready for this and I know this is what I am meant to be doing and the ups and downs of the industry are expected.”

Miller considers herself pop-country crossover, very New York City meets Nashville and is excited to release her debut EP, Unbreakable later this year. While in NY she has performed at shows all around town, including the Country Christmas Showdown, was a Nash Next Finalist and is booking opening slots with bigger acts for the remainder of this year. “You have to live and eat and breathe and sleep your craft and feel it in your blood and DNA that there is no other option,” she thoughtfully exclaims. “If that this is your happiness then you just know that this is what you are meant to do.”

Follow Carolyn Miller on her social media platforms, Facebook, and Instagram, for announcements on upcoming shows and releases.

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‘Babes, Booze & Brunch’ Full Recap/Photos

March 15, 2018/in Blog /by Christina Bosch

Sunday, March 11th, New York Country Swag hosted a brunch event celebrating our female family, friends, and followers, with ‘Babes, Booze & Brunch’. In case you missed the sold out event, check out pictures below of the spectacular day.

As soon as the elevator doors opened to the Refinery Rooftop at Refinery Hotel, guests were escorted to their tables which were adorned with beautiful roses and sparkly gold crowns to wear for the duration of the afternoon.

NOMI Beauty provided a braid bar, hooking our beautiful female guests up with some rockin’ new braid hairstyles. While Art Nail NYC added pizzaz to our guest’s nails at their nail art station.

DJ Artie of DJ’s @ Work got the afternoon started by spinning hits from our Girl Power Spotify Playlist, while guests enjoyed build-your-own mimosas featuring Domaine Select’s Primaterra Prosecco, build-your-own Bloody Mary’s with 44 North Vodka, and brunched on bites from the incredible custom brunch menu Refinery Rooftop created for our special day.

Photo Credit: Danny Barrera

Our first performance on that sunny, glorious spring day was Lauren Davidson. Davidson, who was one of our Swag Spotlight Artists, sang her original songs “Don’t Stop” as well as “I’ll Drink to That” and did an incredible cover of Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5”.

After a quick shout out to our sponsors and all of the supportive women in the room by our New York Country Swag Leaders, Founder Stephanie Wagner and Managing Editor Christina Bosch, they introduced our headliner, Hannah Ellis.

Ellis, who hails from Nashville, originally from Kentucky, brought the girl power to the stage, singing her latest single “ILY So What”, a song she wrote with Russell Dickerson that is currently on his album; “Would You Love Me”, and even put her very own spin on the new Maren Morris/Zedd collab, “The Middle”.

Guests left the day pampered and feeling empowered. Each guest took home a Swag Bag which featured some incredible goodies including an autographed Jason Aldean Vinyl Record courtesy of BBR Music Group, Redbull, Phone Wallets & Bandanas courtesy of Sony Music, a Free Ride with Swerve Fitness, a free appetizer at Opry City Stage and a few additional special surprises!

Thank You to everyone who joined us for such a special day! Check out more pictures from the amazing event on our Facebook here and don’t forget to follow the page for more upcoming events plus all things country music in the New York metro area and beyond.

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Swag Spotlight: Lauren Davidson

January 29, 2018/in Blog, Swag Spotlight /by Christina Bosch

Lauren Davidson

Highlighting the first of our local New York country artists, our Swag Spotlight this week is Lauren Davidson. Growing up in Freehold, NJ (where Bruce Springsteen is from), Davidson was always surrounded by music. Her father was a singer-songwriter and frequently played piano and guitar around the house. He would sing her to sleep as a child, she recalls. Country music, however, was not an early influence that Davidson remembers. “Growing up we listened to a lot of Billy Joel, Carol King, Elton John, Fleetwood Mac (I’m a huge fan of them and Stevie Nicks) and a lot of singer-songwriter music which I think has really influenced my songwriting style as well,” she explains. That all changed after being cast in a show at Hershey Park her last year in college. Having spent her time performing on stage in theater productions all through high school and college, this country music review she was cast in would be a change for her.

“The production company was from Nashville and the first day of rehearsal instead of being all theatrical and learning your show they sat us in a circle and played a country music playlist and gave us the history of country music and ever since then I loved country music,” Davidson explains. Thinking back, she can remember the exact moment when she fell in love with the genre. “The last song that they played was Dolly Parton’s original version of ‘I Will Always Love You’ and I will never forget the entire cast sitting there in tears. We were all just so moved by the emotion of the song,” she tells us. “The original intention and arrangement made me connect to songwriters and that Nashville scene.”

After college, she moved to New York City, connected with musicians, and decided it was time to start writing her own music and performing. “It’s not necessarily the traditional southern roots and dirt roads, but my music tells my story,” she says of her lyrics. She writes from an honest place, realizing how the country music genre is changing and how all different genres are now blending, pushing boundaries, and are still being considered under the country music umbrella. “The fans are so accepting and loyal, it is such a great community to be a part of,” she tells us.

A huge decision for Davidson when choosing to pursue country music was whether to stay in New York or to move to Nashville. She has always dreamed of living in Manhattan. Being in New York allows her to live that dream and be a big fish in a small pond. “I have a lot of opportunities here that I wouldn’t necessarily have if I was in Nashville and I get to open for a lot of artists that come through town and meet a lot of people,” she says on her decision.

In the past, she has opened for artists such as LoCash, Justin Moore and Craig Campbell. Next month, Davidson has an opening slot for Tyler Farr’s New Jersey stop at Starland Ballroom. “It is like having a master class in performing or storytelling or whatever the experience is. It is really great to see some of these artists so close up and then be able to connect with their fans. It is one of my favorite things,” she says. Specifically, Davidson has opened for several artists that have played for our New York Country Swag including Russell Dickerson, Brandon Ray, and Mo Pitney.

She tries to get down to Nashville as often as she can to take meetings, play shows around town and arrange cowrites but for now New York is her home. The country scene is growing by the day in New York, Davidson explains she has seen an immense difference since Nash FM 94.7 came to the metro area.

Looking to the future and the new year, she hopes to play shows in new places and definitely get into the studio to record more of her music releasing a new single in March. Be sure to follow Lauren on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

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Country Christmas Showdown Featuring NY/NJ Local Artists

December 22, 2017/in Blog, Concert Reviews /by Christina Bosch

Some of New York and New Jersey’s greatest local country artists came together last night at Maxwell’s Tavern for Country Christmas Showdown. Radio personality Matt Burrill of Magic 98.3 hosted the event introducing each of the artists before their set.

The lineup included an acoustic, songwriter round featuring Tommy Cole, Ben O’Connor and Keith Eric with Fred Fencke. Each of the men took turns telling stories about their original songs and playing them for the packed crowd of fans.

Next up was Carolyn Miller, October Rose and Jessica Rose who each took the stage separately to spread Christmas cheer and showcase their newest original songs.

Headliners Spinn and Lauren Davidson kept the party going then Tommy Cole joined Davidson on stage for the crowd pleaser “Baby It’s Cold Outside”.

Closing out the night all of the performers came together to perform “Christmas (Baby Come Home)”. The group of performers are truly a group of friends who support each other and came together to celebrate the holidays in the best way.

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Nash Next Semi Finalists Perform at Hill Country BBQ…

September 28, 2017/in Blog /by Christina Bosch

Photo Courtesy of Nash FM 94.7 via Instagram

10 of New York’s local artists performed at Hill Country BBQ in Midtown last night to compete for the chance to become New York’s Nash Next Finalist. With NASH FM’s Jesse Addy taking over hosting duties, his counterpart Katie Neal sat at the judge’s table. Other judges included Leslie Slender and celeb guest Kevin Jonas.

Throughout the night, contestants each had an opportunity to sing a cover song and one original song to impress the crowd and the judges. The lower level of Hill Country BBQ was jam-packed with friends, family, and fans of the artists as well as NYC country music lovers hoping to get a glance into the future of country music.

Although each act brought a unique flair, overall winner Ddendyl Hoyt who first sang an exquisite rendition of Chris Stapleton’s “Tennessee Whiskey” and then sang her original “Where I Come From” (below) stunned with her strong vocals.

Ddendyl will have a chance to travel to Nashville to compete to becomes NASH Next 2017 Superstar! The ultimate finalist and winner of the nationwide competition will be announced by none other than country’s biggest act, Garth Brooks and will receive a record deal with NASH Next Records under the Big Machine Label Group.

Below is a full list of the semi-finalists who competed last night along with links to their social media platforms.

Give them a follow and check out their music to help support local artists!

Ddendyl Hoyt
Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

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October Rose
Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

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Carolyn Miller
Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

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Donna Ward
Instagram | Facebook

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Lauren Davidson
Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

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Molly Adele Brown
Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

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After the Reign
Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

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Lauren Murray

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Cole & Caldwell
Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

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Brian Kapler
Instagram | Facebook

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