NYC Radio: Sam Hunt Headlines Country 94.7 Stars and Stripes

Country Entertainer Sam Hunt

Entercom held its annual country music concert “Stars and Strings,” a RADIO.COM event, for the first time in New York on December 4. The show was hosted by New York’s Country 94.7 (WNSH-FM), New York’s first full time country station since 2002, and featured performances by Sam Hunt, Dustin Lynch, Chris Janson, Blanco Brown, Runaway June, Gone West and Matt Stell at Barclays Center.

“It was amazing to have this level of star power on stage tonight and we are thankful to the artists for an unforgettable evening,” said Michael Martin, Senior Vice President of Programming and Music Initiatives, Entercom. “There is no better way to get in the holiday spirit than with great music and by supporting American Cancer Society’s mission of helping those affected by cancer.”

“Stars and Strings” was one of two Entercom New York holiday shows which benefitted the American Cancer Society (ACS). 

Along with ALT 92.3’s (WNYL-FM) “Not So Silent Night” taking place at Barclays Center on December 5, the event raised a total of $30,000 for the organization. In addition to the concerts, each station is hosting a Facebook fundraiser to benefit ACS. American Cancer Society has provided over 480,000 rides to treatments and over 475,000 nights of lodging to cancer patients and their caregivers during treatment, wigs for chemotherapy patients and the ACS helpline, providing 24/7 free information, support and access to resources in addition to extensive and lifesaving research.

Highlights of the premiere “Stars and Strings” New York show:

• Blanco Brown’s on-stage tribute to Brooklyn-bred artist Jay-Z, who is celebrating his 50th birthday. Brown closed his set with his viral hit “The Git Up.” 
• Chris Janson delighted the crowd with his rendition of “Piano Man” by Billy Joel. The crowd joined him in song as he played the piano and harmonica and toasted New York City – “the greatest city on the planet.”
• Dustin Lynch dedicated his song “Cowboys and Angels” to his grandparents who are celebrating 63 years of marriage. An emotional Lynch treated the crowd to an extra verse in honor of his grandfather who had surgery earlier in the day. Gone West brought fans back to where it all started with their first single “What Could’ve Been.” The group expressed their heartfelt appreciation for New York’s Country 94.7, thanking the station for its contribution to their careers. 
• Runaway June hit pause on their world tour to perform crowd favorite “Wild West” at “Stars and Strings.” 
• Sam Hunt closed the show with several of his hits including “House Party,” which he sang surrounded by fans, and “Break Up In A Small Town.” 

The concert kicked off with the presentation of colors featuring the color guard and the New York Police Department alongside New York’s Country 94.7 hosts Kelly Ford, Katie Neal, and Jesse Addy. Matt Stell opened the show performing his song “Reason Why” and raised his cup of whiskey as he went into “I Bet Whiskey Would.”