Nikki Briar is this week’s NY Entertainer of the Week. Nikki has an exciting 2019 ahead of her. Starting March 12th she will be in Nashville for a special 6 night performance, she will be releasing her 7th single “Forever Young” in the Spring, and she will be opening for Craig Morgan this summer!
upfrontNY: You released your 6th single! Can you tell us about it?
Nikki Briar: THANK YOU was a fun song to record with my Nashville team. It has a laid back vibe which was my vision and Kenny Chesney inspired, discussing good times with friends after a week of working hard. I’m super proud the response this song has gotten with radio play and streams/downloads with over 40,000 streams and currently the top 20 most requested song on SHE WOLF RADIO going on 3 months! I’m glad everyone enjoys this song!
upfrontNY: What does this song mean to you?
Nikki Briar: Well the song is about giving thanks to God for the time we get to spend with each other. Every day life is a blessing and a struggle so coming together with friends to escape and have a good time, laugh, drink and sing along to our favorite songs, is a way we get to say THANKS for the freedom to do so and cherish special times with each other. Being in good company is comforting and God provides that to us with friends and family.
upfrontNY: The song is called Thank You – What are you most thankful for?
Nikki Briar: My blessings and gratitude are endless! I’m so thankful for my beautiful, growing family. My husband of 10 years, our 2 happy and healthy boys, our furbabies, our home and the opportunity to share music with the world.
upfrontNY: Can you describe to us that feeling when you release a new single?
Nikki Briar: It is a huge self accomplishment seeing a project wrap up and completed. The process of writing and producing is fun and extremely busy, very time-consuming, so the end result is very self-fulfilling. After a release it is nice to sit back and watch fans respond to it and take it all in. This is my 8th year as a touring and recording artist, 8 years since my very first single and EP A SOLDIERS PRINCESS released so at times i need to remind myself of what I have accomplished and not be too hard on myself.
upfrontNY: Where do you find your inspiration?
Nikki Briar: Within myself and other people, stories I hear or events. I have numerous songs I have written and never released and they range from songs about losing a loved one who has passed away to following your dreams and passions in life. I write poetry too so basically lyrics without a melody. Writing has been a huge part of my life ever since middle school and I encourage children and former students to keep journals and just write!
upfrontNY: What is your favorite part of touring?
Nikki Briar: I love being on the road, sightseeing and performing in different states. I love our country and the diversity it has to offer so it’s awesome one week to be in WV and another week in Ohio or Massachusetts experiencing a new environment and expanding my fan base.
upfrontNY: You have toured and played so many venues. What has been your favorite?
Nikki Briar: It’s been a blessing to perform in front of thousands and share the stage with incredible acts from Tim McGraw and Lorrie Morgan to Lindsey Ell and Chris Janson! But being an army wife and patriot, nothing warms my heart like singing the national anthem. From military events to arenas of thousands of people, singing the anthem has been and will always be my favorite song to sing.
upfrontNY: What one have you not played yet but hope to one day play?
Nikki Briar: I am working my way to perform in Texas! There are many incredible music venues there and a huge music scene so I look forward to making our way there and to the west coast!
upfrontNY: You have two young boys. What is it like balancing work and motherhood?
Nikki Briar: It is a blessing to do both, be a stay at home mother and musician but of course a challenging balancing act. I schedule my writing sessions and work around their nap times and when they are awake we play, learn, explore and go on outings. I LOVE the toys too I get as excited as they do for new toys! The boys love music and go with us whenever possible so it’s great to bring my entourage along!
upfrontNY: What is next for you?
Nikki Briar: My 7th single releases this spring FOREVER YOUNG I’m crazy excited about that along with another year of 150 shows from state to state! My new merchandise line with WHISKEY RIVER DRY GOODS COMPANY has been booming and we have a few more collaborations lined up this year with clothing lines and companies I am excited to release in the next few weeks and months. We are back in Nashville in March with a special 6 night performance and radio appearance that I am excited about and a few organizations we are working with this year for charity concerts. If it involves music and entertaining fans then that’s exactly where I will be!
NYC FAVORTIES
Favorite thing about NYC: The energy in NYC is always amazing and the diversity. I always get excited when I smell the roasted nuts by the train station because it is a sweet, familiar smell that no other city has. Living 25 minutes outside the city is nice too so I can come and go as I please.
Favorite NYC memory: Performing for 9 months at the gorgeous OPRY CITY STAGE in times square was special and forever memorable. I got to perform for their opening night and meet some amazing producers and investors from Nashville. It was an honor to represent country music in the east coast but so unfortunate that the venue closed.
Favorite NYC Concert Venue: Madison Square Garden holds many memories for me and in seeing some incredible shows. I am a huge Michael Bublé fan and have seen him there a few times.
Favorite Season in NYC: Christmas! Our ongoing family tradition is spending time in NYC during Christmas to see the tree, visit friends, see a show and try a new restaurant. It’s been amazing creating new memories with the babies and bringing them the last 2 years!
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