When the Good Guys Win Archives

Last night, Granger Smith fans came out in droves to support the singer at Irving Plaza. Plaid-wearing country fans packed out both floors of the famed NYC venue to catch Granger Smith, his alter-ego Earl Dibbles, Jr., and opening act, Smithfield on the first night of the “Don’t Tread On Me” Tour.

Rising country duo, Smithfield, took the stage to warm up the eager crowd. Singing songs from their 2015 self-titled EP including the first song that Sirius XM The Highway played “Nothing But the Night”. Mid-set, they hyped up the crowd with their medley of cover songs including Justin Timberlake’s “Cry Me A River”, Shania Twain’s “That Don’t Impress Me Much”, and even the classic Goo Goo Dolls song, “Iris”. Closing out the 45 minute set with their latest single (slated to head to country radio this week) “Hey Whiskey”, Smithfield’s harmonies and incredible on-stage chemistry was the perfect way to kick off the night. Check out an exclusive acoustic performance of the song during our New York Country Swag Session.

With this being both the first show of the tour and of 2018, Granger Smith was primed for an energetic night. Opening his set with “Gimme Something”, it was instantly apparent how equally happy he was to be on that stage and his fans were to hear him sing. He spent the entire night fist bumping and high fiving the lucky fans who waited online in the bitter cold to be front row. Throughout the set, he alternated between songs from his latest album When the Good Guys Win and from his earlier albums such as Remington.

Taking a moment to slow things down, he grabbed a stool and sat on the edge of the stage to chat with his audience. “This is my first full band show in New York City and it’s an honor that we get to play here and that you guys come out to see us,” he says. “We get to see a lot of cool places but it comes at a price, we miss birthdays, weddings, funerals, being a dad and a husband it’s hard and sometimes I have to ask myself if it’s worth it? Then I come out here on a Thursday night in New York City and I see your faces and see you reacting emotionally to these songs and that tells me it is definitely worth it.” He then sang one of the most powerful songs on his newest LP, “Everybody Lives”.

The night wouldn’t be complete without Smith transforming into his alter ego, Earl Dibbles, Jr. “NYC is officially Yee Yee nation tonight,” Smith yelled as he appeared on stage dressed in his signature overalls, boots, tank top and trucker cap. He rolled a cooler out on to the stage and cranked the end of the party up a notch. Singing “Don’t Tread On Me” and “If The Boot Fits” to close out the night, Smith proved he is a mega entertainer. Fans that will catch this tour in the future are in for a fun, high-energy filled set. Click here for the rest of the tour dates and ticket information.

Days before the show, New York Country Swag hosted a special Meet & Greet contest for our followers. We gave one lucky winner a pair of Meet & Greets for Granger Smith before the show. Congrats to our winner & thank you for supporting New York Country Swag! Make sure you’re following us on instagram for contests, ticket giveaway & more!

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Thanks for supporting Country Music in NYC!

Click Here to learn more about NYCountry Swag
+ Follow our Country Music Adventures on Instagram, @NYCOUNTRYSWAG!

– Team NYCountry Swag

Granger Smith’s latest album, When the Good Guys Win is available everywhere today. While his last record Remington featured only songs Smith wrote, this album leans away from that a bit, letting the best song win and features a mix of songs from many different writers. He decided to be the voice of some great songs written by Frank Rogers, Ben Hayslip, Tommy Cecil and Seth Ennis. Smith, however, did co-write eight of the fourteen tracks making this project well rounded and unapologetically honest.

The first single off of the project, “Happens Like That” was written by Smith along with Jordan M. Schmidt, Andrew Albert, Justin Wilson and Florida Georgia Line’s Tyler Hubbard. It is currently sitting in the top 40 on the country charts and is only the first of probably many from the project that will take to country radio.

His giant fan base, known as “Yee Yee Nation” has organically grown over his career and this record will allow his audience to dig deep into the next phase of his career. All of the songs have a strong tie to love, faith and being grateful for what life has given you. While “Everybody Lives”, “Reppin’ My Roots” and “Home Cooked Meal” are raw, meaningful and poignant, the record also has plenty of fun moments for the live show. “Still Holds Up” and “When the Good Guys Win” are feel-good songs that help to round out the project.

One of the highlights is “Raise Up Your Glass”, encouraging listeners to relish in the little victories in life.

“Raise up your glass and make a toast / to all the times that mean the most / Go on and let your worries roll right off your back / We still got some memories left to make / a whole lot of shots left to take / so let’s hold ’em high and live tonight like it’s our last / raise up your glass.”

You can almost see concert-goers lifting up their beers in the air, singing along to the anthemic track.

For fans of Smith’s alter ego, Earl Dibble’s Jr., don’t worry he makes an appearance in the 13th song, “Don’t Tread on Me”. “Each of these 14 tracks fills an important space and it is my hope that they take you on a ride through peaks and valleys, from light-hearted to painfully honest and then back out again,” Smith says in a recent press release. Wrapping up his opening spot on Luke Bryan’s Huntin’ Fishin’ Lovin’ Tour and kicking off his own headlining “Don’t Tread On Me” tour, Smith is busy as ever promoting his brand new album. Check out the full tour dates below and grab When the Good Guys Win on iTunes.

“Don’t Tread On Me” Headlining Tour (11/3 – 12/29)

11/3/17 7 Flags Event Center Clive, IA

11/4/17 Surf Ballroom Clear Lake, IA

11/5/17 The Blue Note Columbia, MO

11/10/17 Grand Casino Mille Lacs – Event Center Onamia, MN

11/11/17 Limelight Eventplex Peoria, IL

11/16/17 The Stage on Bay Savannah, GA

11/17/17 Double Dee’s Ranch West Palm Beach, FL

11/18/17 The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon Fort Myers, FL

11/22/17 Stampede Houston Houston, TX

12/14/17 The City Center Champaign, IL

12/15/17 8 Seconds Saloon Indianapolis, IN

12/16/17 The Intersection Grand Rapids, MI

12/17/17 The Machine Shop Flint, MI

12/29/17 Brewster Street Ice House Corpus Christi, TX

Granger Smith in New York City with New York Country Swag Managing Editor, Christina Bosch (Left) and New York Country Swag Founder, Stephanie Wagner (Right)

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Thanks for supporting Country Music in NYC!

Click Here to learn more about NYCountry Swag
+ Follow our Country Music Adventures on Instagram, @NYCOUNTRYSWAG!

– Team NYCountry Swag

Posts

Granger Smith and Smithfield Entertain Fans at Irving Plaza

NYCS First Impression: Granger Smith ‘When the Good Guys Win’