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shania-twain-new-song-giddy-up

Shania Twain Shares Brand New Song “Giddy Up!” Out Now

Shania Twain’s brand new song, “Giddy Up!” is out now, January 6th, on all streaming platforms. Listen to the brand new track below.

Queen of Country Pop music, Shania Twain is a true staple in the music landscape. While she rose to fame in the 90s, Twain has not released a new project since 2017. All that is about to change, as her upcoming album Queen of Me is slated for release on February 3rd. Twain shared another song off the project last week, giving fans a taste of her new sound with, “Giddy Up!.”

The new song is an upbeat anthem. Twain’s contagious energy is unmatched on the track. According to an interview with People, Twain shared, “I want people to feel good when they hear the new album. I want to set a celebratory tone and ‘Giddy Up!’ is a way to call to the audience and say, ‘Let’s get ready for some fun!'”

“I left my heart at a waterin’ hole // Somewhere in smalltown, Ohio // Headed out west to Arizona // ‘Cause the east coast weather’s too cold, cold, cold // Easy come, easy go // I got a fast car with the ’90s on // Not a soul on the road, but the road is home // Smiles for miles // All upon my face (my face) // Wear it, share it // ‘Cause we ain’t got time to waste // Up, in your giddy up! // Giddy, giddy up!”

It is exciting to see a new generation of country music fans bow down to Twain’s one-of-a-kind talent. She is a true superstar in every shape of the world. Her upcoming album is sure to be a highlight of 2023.

shania-twain-new-song

Shania Twain’s new song “Giddy Up!” is out now on all streaming platforms.

Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about future Shania Twain releases.

To keep up with Shania Twain, follow her on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter.

“Giddy Up!” 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.

Spotify Premieres Brand New Podcast Series, ‘Spotify: Discover This’

Spotify premiered a brand new podcast series called ‘Spotify: Discover This’ featuring fresh insights on music and much more.

Kicking off the series, Spotify dives into none other than the evolution of country music. The new podcast starts the conversation around the changes in country music, the new sounds, and the incredible dynamics in country music today. On this episode, rising artist BRELAND sits down with three engaging female country artists in the industry: Lauren Alaina, Lily Rose, and Shania Twain.

Throughout the episode, the guests discuss the evolution of women in country music, the nostalgia behind certain 90s tunes, and much more. All three women voiced the idea that women need to be treated equally and fairly in the industry, a concept that BRELAND agreed with. A notable moment in the episode, newcomer and rising star, Lily Rose, shared how the strive for equality in music has led to more diversity in country music, including diversity in race and sexual orientation.

The Spotify: Discover This podcast can be listened to for free exclusively on Spotify! Check out the episode below.

Follow us on Instagram and TikTok for more.

Kelsea Ballerini Duets with Shania Twain on “Hole In The Bottle”

Kelsea Ballerini’s new version of her fun song “hole in the bottle” with Shania Twain is available everywhere now, November 13th. The track perfectly combines the two female’s artistry styles. Think of your perfect girls night with just a splash of nostalgia. After a week of teasers on socials, we finally get to hear what they’ve been up to.

This version marks technically the third release of the song, the first being its original release as a single off of the singer’s third studio album, kelsea, and the second being the re-imagined version on her fourth album ballerini, her previous albums second half.

To no surprise at all, the Ballerini-Twain collab is everything we had hoped for and more! Their voices layered together show off the very best of each of their styles that we love so much. You can imagine how much fun they must have had singing together, especially if a bottle was in fact involved, by the friendly back and forth convo that was placed in the middle of the song. Of course, some classic Shania one-liners were thrown in there too. 

“Let’s go / Alright / Look, it’s our prerogative / to have a little fun? / Right? / Right! / Ooh, just look at that hole in the bottle / I’m gonna go get us another one / You go, girl”

The two superstars had been throwing teasers of a collab all week on their socials, but the rumors all clicked during Ballerini’s CMA performance of “Hole in the Bottle” Wednesday night.

The first hint came a week ago when Ballerini posted a photo wearing cow print boots with the caption “whose bed have your boots been underrrr”, where Twain commented, “I just came here to unwind and have one drink”. A few days later, she posted another picture with the caption “the prerogative to have a little fun”, where Twain commented, “Let’s go girl”. Finally, a day before the CMA awards, both women posted a TikTok of each of them sitting on their couches, both in big boots, to the intro of “Man! I feel like a woman”.

The rumors all made sense once Ballerini performed at the 54th Annual CMA Awards. Her black tie-themed jumpsuit and black top hat gave off a very “Man! I Feel Like a Woman” vibe. Although, this wouldn’t have necessarily given it away considering this matched one of the looks she wore in the music video for the song. However, the singer-songwriter has said that the particular look highlighted in the video was in fact an ode to her hero,  Shania. If the upcoming collab wasn’t obvious solely from the look, it certainly was once she threw the iconic “let’s go girls” into the mic at the end of the song.

Just a few minutes after Ballerini’s CMA performance, she posted on Instagram and Twitter the photo cover for the single with the caption “time to spill the wine…hole in the bottle with @ShaniaTwain…”, officially announcing what the two had been hinting at all week long. As did Shania, saying “we’re leakin’ all this wine…”.

Back in 2016 during a Teen Vogue interview, Ballerini called Twain her biggest influence. She certainly follows in her footsteps as a country-pop female artist that crosses genre lines. Ballerini also considers Britney Spears and Taylor Swift to be strong influences of hers, perfectly blending her up-beat pop sounds with her country story-telling writing.

The bonafide star definitely picked the right song to be her first drinking song, as it continues to be successful through several versions and is now the reason she can say she shares a song with her idol.

Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about future Kelsea Ballerini releases.

To keep up with Kelsea Ballerini, follow her on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

To keep up with Shania Twain, follow her on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

“hole in the bottle” 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!

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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Shania Twain: The Woman in Me: Diamond Edition Album Review

Shania Twain’s The Woman In Me: Diamond Edition is available now, October 2nd. Check out our full review below as we dig a little deeper into the new version of the iconic album.

Shania Twain's The Woman In Me: Diamond Edition

Shania Twain’s The Woman In Me: Diamond Edition

The legendary Man! I Feel Like A Woman! international icon, Shania Twain, has released a diamond edition of her 1995 ground-breaking album The Woman in Me, featuring hit songs “Any Man Of Mine”, “(If You’re Not In It For Love) I’m Outta Here!”, “You Win My Love” and “No One Needs To Know”. With unreleased tracks, live recordings, and remastered versions of the original productions, this new project from Twain celebrates a breakthrough career in country music.

The Woman In Me: Diamond Edition is a reminder of Twain’s artistry as a world-renowned singer-songwriter, performer, and female icon. The original 1995 album, which marked her second release after her 1993 self-titled debut, received a Grammy for Best Country Album and spent five months climbing to the top of the Billboard country charts until victory struck in July when The Woman in Me carefully and tenaciously reached the #1 slot. At that point, the project had already reached gold for the artist who became the sixth best-selling female artist in the country.

Now, 25 years later, Twain has included 16 new tracks with five live performances from her December 2019 residency at Zappos Theater in Planet Hollywood, Las Vegas, as well as 11 early renditions of the songs from nearly a year before the album release. Two tracks, recorded in September 1998 at Dallas Reunion Area for the DirectTV Shania: Live DVD, are also featured. In addition, nine remixes are included that indirectly showcase Twain’s sound adaptation across multiple genres with former producer, Robert John “Mutt” Lange.

Through live versions of some of her biggest hits, Twain delivers private concerts to all listeners at home through the Diamond Edition during a time when that energy cannot be physically felt. Though, the “That Don’t Impress Me Much” singer executes emotional and sentimental energy through her own notable voice and fiery lyrics that are predominantly concerned with empowering women.

And, with dance mixes to “Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under” and “(If You’re Not In It For Love) I’m Outta Here!” as well as Mutt Lange mixes and versions of songs that lack certain instruments such as the steel guitar or banjo, The Woman In Me: Diamond Edition truly holds some nostalgia through the diverse takes on these timeless classics from Twain.

The collection is offered through two and three CD configurations, one of which including Twain’s earlier vocal mix to the album. The remastered tracks are also available through a traditional LP as well as a limited edition crystal clear LP. For more information, visit the official store.

Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about future Shania Twain releases.

To keep up with Shania Twain, follow her on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter.

The Woman In Me: Diamond Edition 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!

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 InstagramTwitter & Facebook:

Bastian Baker Showcases His Undeniable Talent During NYC Show

Bastian Baker

We first introduced you to the talented Bastian Baker back in November, in our NYCS Swag Spotlight feature. Hailing all the way from Switzerland, the singer-songwriter brought his unique vocals and his acoustic guitar to the stage at New York City’s Le Poisson Rouge on Thursday night (1/24).

Filled with New York fans and supporters from across the globe, Baker performed a 16 song set, filled with tracks from all four of his albums, including his most recent self-titled project. Beginning his set with a high energy song, “Everything We Do,” off his 2016 album, Facing Canyons, Baker had the crowd mesmerized by his smooth vocals and stage presence from the first note.

Immediately following, the singer introduced the audience to his endearing personality, filled with sarcasm, authenticity, and comedic value. “It’s good to be here. I’m going to play a couple of songs. We started on high energy since you all seem to be in a really good mood, I’m going to play a very sad and depressing song, it’s called “Six”.” The contemporary song showcased Baker’s vocals, as the lyrics, beautifully and delicately told the story of love and loss.

Baker’s set was full of highlights from start to finish. One of the most memorable moments was when the musician shared about his experience being hand-selected to open for superstar Shania Twain on her ‘The Shania Twain Now Tour’. Just before playing an incredible rendition of Twain’s hit “You’re Still the One”, Baker jokingly shared his relationship with the songstress with the crowd, stating, “She was gonna open for me, but last minute, you know- Traffic. I figured I’d do a little something though. Baker would later cover another song, this time by Bruce Springsteen entitled “The River,” which was equally as impressive.

Baker’s performance of his song “All Around Us” deserves to be spotlighted as well. He shared his inspiration for the lyrics with the crowd, just before beginning to play, which made the performance even more meaningful. “The next song is a very positive song- I think we’ve got tired of all the negativity around us the last couple of years. […] It kinda makes you wonder where the good people are. I feel like we only have good people tonight. […] 99.9% of the people you meet are cool and awesome and generous and stuff. And we wrote the song to ya know, put a spotlight on the people that are actually awesome.”

Another crowd favorite of Baker’s included his performance of his song “Blame It On Me.” One of the more country and folk-infused tracks on his most recent album, Baker showed off how effortlessly his vocals worked with his simple acoustic guitar instrumentals. The audience quickly learned the chorus to the song as the singer played, as well as, the chorus of the next song in the set, called “Tattoo on My Brain,” which the crowd also sang along to.

Bastian Baker

Finally, Baker gave us arguably the best moment of the night towards the end of his set, when he performed his rendition of Leonard Cohen’s iconic “Hallelujah.” The talented singer and guitar player jumped off the stage, asking the crowd to circle around him, as he played his acoustic version of the heart-warming song. You could hear a pin drop in the room, and it was truly a special, one of a kind moment for concertgoers.

Ending the set playing his song, “You Should Call Home” for the first time live, crowd-favorite, “I’d Sing for You,” and his classic, “Leaving Tomorrow,” Baker delivered a set that any music lover would enjoy. He is a professional at infusing different genres into his songs and getting the crowd on his side from the minute he starts to sing. Overall, anyone who gets a chance to see Baker live should go. Head to bastianbaker.com for tour information and make sure to follow him on social media.

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Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC!

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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Shania Twain Chats ‘Real Country’ on LIVE with Kelly and Ryan

Five-time Grammy winner and top-selling female country artist of all time Shania Twain joined Live with Kelly & Ryan this morning to talk about her tour, stage fright, and being a judge on “Real Country.”

Ryan Seacrest a showed a picture of Twain performing high in the air soaring over her fans with her guitar, and asked: “Do you ever get nervous or stage fright before you go out and do a show?” Twain is currently on a world tour and admits that she gets nervous before each show and does, in fact, have stage fright. The best way she manages it is by spending the day preparing for it and is methodical throughout her day, even down to what she eats and drinks. However, when she hears fans cheering from backstage the anxiety morphs into adrenaline and excitement and she channels it into her performance.

Kelly Ripa asked Twain, Do you ever forget the words to your songs? Ironically enough, Twain does admit to forgetting words to her songs and says it happens often. Laughing along with the audience Twain said, “When I am watching other people sing along with me if I make eye contact with somebody and they mess up where they are in the song- that’s it I am off. “

Secreast asked Twain about her new role as a judge on ‘Real Country’, “When you are searching for a superstar how are you trying to find them?” she stated she is simply finding talent through good old fashion scouting, even from watching people perform in her hotel lobby. She tells Kelly & Ryan, “I think a lot of people are intimidated by entering into the country music genre because there is a stereotype that I think a lot of people believe country music is.” She believes everyone belongs in country music no matter where you are from.

Twain wants everyone to feel welcomed into the genre, and it doesn’t matter if you drive a pickup truck or not, it is much deeper than that. In fact, she believes what matters most is being able to write music on appreciating the simplicity of everyday living and putting it into a song, and there is a special art to that.

“Real Country” with host Shania Twain airs Tuesday nights on USA Network.

 

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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 InstagramTwitter & Facebook:

NYCS Swag Spotlight Featuring Bastian Baker

Bastian Baker

Photo Credit: Ronny Grauer

 

This week’s Swag Spotlight did not grow up riding tractors or bailing hay, in fact, he did not even grow up in the United States at all. Bastian Baker is native of Switzerland, near Geneva he tells us in a recent phone interview. The singer-songwriter was chatting with our Managing Editor from a cab in Paris on his way to the airport to continue as the opening act for Shania Twain’s “Now Tour”.

His childhood was filled with music, he says his parents listened to REM, Led Zeppelin, and Queen and he knew from an early age that he loved performing. “I’ve had this thing for music since I was a baby, I have pictures of me singing with a plastic Michael Jackson guitar on Christmas Eve and I’ve always been into creating music. I created bands when I was in school, played bars and weddings when I was 13-14 years old. I was part of the choir, it kind of always was an obsession.”

Music wasn’t the only dream that Baker was chasing, he loved playing ice hockey and even made the Swiss National team and played in world champions but when he was 18 years old he realized that he wanted to pursue music as a serious career choice and started sending demo tapes out and playing newcomer festivals.  He explains he was discovered while playing songs at 2 in the morning at a birthday party, leading him the opportunity to record his very first song, “Lucky”, which made it onto the radio in Switzerland. Pretty quickly after that, he made his debut at the prestigious Montreux Jazz Festival and started selling out headlining shows and topping the charts.

He explains to us his fascination and love for New York City. “I have always had a lot of great NY experiences, it is my favorite city in the world.”  He has spent time recording and writing songs here as well as in Nashville, getting ready for the release of his official American debut album.  Baker tells us that he is proud that his music can be described in many different ways, not boxing him into any one genre. “My first album was kind of pop, the second was rock, the third was folk, and now this one is a genre-defying album, there are a lot of different styles, there are definitely are country influences.” He specifically names “Blame It On Me”, a track that is simple, Baker’s vocals resting easily on an acoustic guitar.  For his fans that aren’t into the country genre, he also has music influenced by R&B, for instance, he tells us that The Weeknd is an artist that inspires him. “I kind of want to do the Shania Twain thing, how she became a crossover artist and she did it in a brilliant way,” he explains” That is part of the reason why she wanted me on her tour,  [my music] is not a specific genre, I’m just having fun playing music.”

He comments that of course, the concept of an album and releasing a full project of songs is so important but now with streaming as prevalent as it is, he is proud that his songs aren’t necessarily defined into one genre. “Nowadays, songs are being added to playlists and I find it pretty cool that my songs can be added to a country music playlist while they are also added to singer-songwriter playlists or pop playlists,” Baker says. “That is the beauty of music, it brings people together.”

Chatting about Shania Twain’s World Tour, he tells us how much he has enjoyed getting to play for these huge arenas of fans in the states. “It’s so much fun, I love to just be me and my guitar, a lot of people think I am crazy but I find it hilarious, there is no pedal loops or anything, I have a half an hour to show my songs and my personality.”  Praising Twain as an entertainer and a person, he is lucky to have had the opportunity to open this tour and to come back during her set to sing a duet with her. “I love that I have 100% of the trust of Shania, she was the one who said I should do it alone, she told me a few times I am the only guy she knows who can get on stage alone and get the attention of the audience.”  He loves the passion that he feels from the crowds in America and is happy to meet every single fan who show up at his merchandise table after his set.

His own personal brand of storytelling is unique, bringing a new perspective on life.  Since setting out on this musical journey, Baker has performed in 40 different countries and has garnered fans all over the world.  The Shania Twain Now Tour continues through the end of the year.  Looking to the future, he tells us that he can’t wait to continue promoting the new album and putting together a global tour, hopefully making his way back to the states next summer.  Be sure to follow Bastian Baker on his socials, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook and take a listen to his newest, self-titled album below.

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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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NYCS Swag Spotlight Featuring Renee Blair

Growing up in St. Louis, Missouri, Renee Blair wasn’t always a country fan, she tells New York Country Swag in our most recent interview. Yes, the Dixie Chicks, Shania Twain, and Tanya Tucker, of course, played a big part in her childhood, but ultimately The Spice Girls and even the rise of Nelly really cultivated her love for performing.  After taking voice lessons and dance classes her entire childhood, Blair knew that there was no plan B for her career, she was going to be an artist. “I had to be perfecting my voice and my performance and I was really addicted to music. I’ve never even thought about the fact that my life was meant to do something else. As much as I loved the popstars and that music, I definitely think I picked the right genre, the way that country music tells stories, I think I finally have a story to tell,” she explains.

Her story includes moving to Nashville when she was right out of high school, two tragic accidents within the same year, and a regrowth period that now involves mega producer and songwriter Shane McAnally.  After moving to town, she, like so many people, thought that with her abilities, she would have an overnight success story, but looking back now realizes that her trials and tribulations with life and pursuing the career doesn’t always go as planned.  A car accident and then a boating accident which left her arm paralyzed for 6 months, changed her perspective and left her wondering where her place was in the music industry. “I kind of went through a few years of questioning life and myself and my purpose, moving to Nashville for this dream and now I was just known as the accident girl and music was what really kept me going and as corny as it sounds, it made me want to wake up in the morning and try to get better,” she tells us.

The little girl from St. Louis who rocked a piece of tape on her cheek in homage to Nelly while in Catholic school laughs as she explains how Nelly’s rise to stardom influences her music today. “I think it is a huge testament to where music is right now, it’s becoming very cross-genre. I think it’s awesome,” she says of his recent collaboration with Florida Georgia Line.  “The fans are the best judgment, they just like good music and they don’t care what you call it and I think it is a great way to just bring everyone together.”

Her debut single, released earlier this year, “Gotta Quit Drinkin'”  is as real life as it gets and definitely has that R&B vibe while telling a story.  Blair explains that mistakes she has made over the past couple of years with ex-boyfriends only happen after she’s had that second or third drink. “All day long I never text this dude, but as soon as I have my second drink my thumbs go wild and I’m all ‘Where are you’ and ‘I miss you’,” she laughs. After it became a running joke with her friends, she took the experience that is completely relatable into the writing room one day and “Gotta Quit Drinkin” was written.  “We definitely told the truth and in songwriting it is all you can ask for, every word of that I did and I lived it, there are other songs that I’ve written that might have better radio success but this is a great representation of where I’ve been at, its authentic to my story,” Blair says.

Blair is working on her debut EP which is being produced by Shane McAnally and released by SMACK Songs. McAnally who has worked closely with country megastars such as Sam Hunt, Old Dominion, Kacey Musgraves and has written hits for tons of other artists is helping to shape the music Blair is releasing. One interesting anecdote that she explains is how he caters his talents to each artist individually, helping to keep each sound unique.  “He helps to bring a light to the artist and pull out the best parts of them, he has really helped me tap into myself and asked me questions that I haven’t even thought about,” she says of her working relationship with the producer.  “He is a great person, with all of the success that someone has had, he is still kind to people and works really hard, he is so kind and I think the world of him.”

She already has an album’s worth of songs that she has written and is working to record new music and hopefully release a few tracks later this fall.  She is opening for Billy Currington in October on three of his Texas dates.  “I am so excited to do those dates, I’ve been in the writing mode for 2-3 years so I am so excited to get the music out to the fans and start playing it all,” Blair says of finally getting on the road.

Follow her journey on her social media platforms including Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

 

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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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NYCountry Swag Partners with Swerve for a Country-Music-Themed Fitness Class…

NYCountry Swag x Swerve Fitness

This past Saturday, New York Country Swag teamed up with Swerve Fitness in Midtown Manhattan to host a country-music-themed spin class.  Swerve classes are unlike other cycle classes in that each bike is positioned in a team setting, blue, green or red and lights above the bikes go off during the class defining your teammates.  Combining teamwork and technology, Swerve allows riders to become a part of a team and work towards a specific goal that is displayed on the boards in the front of the room. You feel accountable and motivated to spin to the best of your ability and that aspect makes the classes unique and fun.

During our country ride, riders spun along to Florida Georgia Line’s “Cruise” feat. Nelly, Shania Twain’s “Man, I Feel Like A Woman” and Luke Bryan’s “Country Girl (Shake It For Me)”. Our followers enjoyed the fitness class with their favorite music.  Thanks to our friends at Swerve for working with us to create such a fun class and a great way to kick off our morning! Stay tuned for more fun events from New York Country Swag.

 

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Click Here to learn more about NYCountry Swag
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– Team NYCountry Swag

 

 

Ashla Taylor

Swag Spotlight: Ashla Taylor

Ashla Taylor

McCalla, Alabama native, Ashla Taylor has always dreamt of having a career like Shania Twain.  Growing up in a very strict Pentecostal Evangelist family, with rules and religious regulations, sneaking secular music such as Britney Spears and Destiny’s Child became a way of life for the young dreamer. Taking after her two grandmothers, who she calls feisty, she fell in love with music and performing.  “My Nana Ellen was a honky tonk singer in the 70’s in a group called ‘The Blue Velvets’. My other Nana, Becky was a writer. She taught me how to write and she also took me to see my first concert when I was eight,” she tells us.  That first concert just happened to be Shania Twain, and after seeing her perform everything changed for her.

From that moment on she tried her best to emulate stars like Twain, Dolly Parton, Pat Benatar, Stevie Nicks and Etta James all while living a secret life and listening to these incredible females in private, so her family wouldn’t know.  Sneaking around playing original songs at local music venues, she gained her confidence and started meeting people in the industry who told her she should definitely head to Nashville. After winning a local showdown, she made the decision to change her life, quit her boring job and move to Nashville to pursue her dreams.  She explained how hard this was for her, all but destroying her relationship with her parents. “They thought that I moved and totally turned against everything that they raised me to believe, but in reality when I left home and came to Nashville and got away from that religious stronghold, I think that’s when I really found my faith,” she tells us.

Five years later, she has spent her time writing and released her debut EP last September, Truth Is…, five tracks that she is so proud of. “Nothing About Love” is set to hit radio stations all over the country this week.  While she was working on her EP her agent called to tell her that there are open auditions for a Shania Twain docu-drama and urged her to send in an audition tape. “I was shocked, nothing in the world has ever made me feel so happy, just to get the chance to audition, I really didn’t think I would get it,” she tells us. Getting the call just days later that she had gotten the part, she told us that she was all alone when she found out, she couldn’t stop running around and shaking, she was so excited. “I have a lot of parallels with Shania, growing up I relate to her personal life story so not only was she a musical influence to me she was also a personal influence.  Experiencing some of the family trials, I’ve gone through a lot of those things, I’ve had to work really hard and struggle to get where I am at and it’s never been easy,” Taylor explains.

The irony is not lost on Taylor who credits Twain for giving her the chance to follow her path, pursue a music career and make it through the difficult times. Fans can check out www.reelz.com to check out which channel they can catch The Price of Fame, which shows past the glitz and glamour of making it and delves into the deeper more serious stories each artist has.

After chatting about her favorite Shania Twain song (she has too many to pick just one) she tells us what music means to her, in a sentiment, we can all relate to…”That’s the power of music and what is so beautiful about it, it connects people all over the world it doesn’t matter what language or ethnicity, music is universal,” she thoughtfully explains.  “It teaches you, it brings people together, it’s like a time machine, you can go right back to where you were when you first heard it.”
Follow Ashla Taylor on her socials including Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

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Click Here to learn more about NYCountry Swag
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– Team NYCountry Swag