I got to chat with Dan + Shay today! Our chat is below and I'd love it if you checked it out! But first, can I tell you how much I adore and admire them?
One of the "perks" of my job is that you get to meet some pretty cool people. I remember the first time I met Dan + Shay. They were on their radio tour, which is an incredibly grueling time for new artists where they're shuffled around in a rental car from station to station to meet as many radio people as they can. It's GOT to be intimidating for a new artist too! I mean, you know the saying "you only have one chance to make a first impression," right? Imagine if your first impression can make or break your career! These new artists come in to the station, chat for a few, typically sing three or four songs, and then they're on to the next station... and I'm sure while they're on the road to the next city and the next radio station, they're analyzing everything that happened at that last station- every note they sang, every word they said, every word said to them. It must be the most stressful and intimidating time in any new artist's career!
I like radio tours. I truly enjoy having new artists come in and sing for us and getting to know them on a one on one basis. But here's the sad part... the vast majority of artists that we as radio people meet on their radio tour don't make it. It's a shame. Most that come to see us are CRAZY talented! But maybe timing didn't work in their favor, or maybe their debut single goes to radio and it just doesn't resonate, or maybe the record label shelves them and decides to go in a different direction, or maybe insert-any-reason-as-to-why-a-talented-artist-doesn't-make-it here. As sad as it is, the odds are against them. To be signed to a record label is a feat in itself- but to be signed to a record label, to break through, and to become a star? That's rare. And when it happens to someone as amazing as Dan + Shay, it's also gratifying.
I remember Dan + Shay coming by on their radio tour and there was just something about them. They had that "it" factor. Their talent was undeniable, they meshed so well together and complimented each other, but there was something more there... something that said "we are about to make a mark!" They were incredible then... but to see what they have grown to in the last six years since that day we first met has been so fun to watch! They went from two unknown guys walking into the station and singing for us, to a couple of guys playing a small club to a small audience, to two guys opening concerts, to two guys who are direct support on a major tour, to headliners with their own major tour! They've stocked up on many awards and accolades along the way, they've sold millions of records, and they've touched a lot of lives.
My mom recently saw them on a TV talk show and asked me if they are as nice as they seem. The answer is YES! They're probably even nicer!! Not only do they have great talent, but they have that knack for putting off good vibes and they're guys that you like to be around, regardless of who they are. And the best part? They are just as kind today as they were on their radio tour. Success hasn't changed them one bit. They are genuinely good guys.
Their new album came out last Friday called Good Things. And what a fitting title, because when you have guys like Dan + Shay who are not only extraordinarily talented but are equally great human beings, you root for them. You want Good Things for them. And as crazy as it is- as highly as I think of them at this moment- I truly think the best for Dan + Shay is yet to come. So be on the lookout for even more "good things!"
Here's is our chat. And don't forget to tune in tomorrow night at 7 for the iHeartRadio Album Listening Party of Good Things, which you can also watch here.
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Photo: Warner Bros Nashville
GOOD THINGS TRACK LISTING
1. Good Things(Dan Smyers, Ross Copperman, Jason Evigan, Ashley Gorley)^
2. Steal My Love(Dan Smyers, Andy Albert, Ashley Gorley, Jordan Reynolds)
3. You(Dan Smyers, Dave Barnes, Jordan Reynolds)*
4. Body Language(Dan Smyers, Shay Mooney, Scott Harris, Shawn Mendes, Jordan Reynolds)*
5. Give In To You(Dan Smyers, Julia Michaels, Jordan Reynolds)+
6. Irresponsible(Dan Smyers, Shay Mooney, Julia Michaels, Jordan Reynolds)*
7. Lying(Dan Smyers, Shay Mooney, Andy Albert, Jordan Reynolds, Bill Withers)
8. One Direction(Dan Smyers, Shay Mooney, Andy Albert, Jordan Reynolds)
9. Let Me Get Over Her(Dan Smyers, Shay Mooney, Andy Albert, Kyle Fishman, Jordan Schmidt, Brad Tursi)*
10. Glad You Exist(Dan Smyers, Shay Mooney, Ryan Lewis, Tayla Parx, Jordan Reynolds)
11. 10,000 Hours (with Justin Bieber)(Dan Smyers, Shay Mooney, Jessie Jo Dillon, Jordan Reynolds, Justin Bieber, Jason “Poo Bear” Boyd)
12. I Should Probably Go To Bed(Dan Smyers, Shay Mooney, Sean Douglas, Jason Evigan)
All tracks produced by Dan Smyers
*Co-produced with Scott Hendricks
^Co-produced with Jason Evigan
+Co-produced with Jordan Reynolds