Grand Ole Opry® And Southwest Airlines® Take Nashville's New Music To New York City For Second Annual Bryant Park Concert Series

DALLAS, Sept. 25, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- In celebration of the Grand Ole Opry's Birthday and Country Music Month, the Opry and Southwest Airlines^® (NYSE: LUV) are returning to the heart of New York City for a second annual series of free acoustic performances at the Southwest Porch at Bryant Park. Nashville's New Music in New York is set to feature some of country music's top new acts including The Swon Brothers (Sept. 29), Dustin Lynch (Oct. 1), and Kristian Bush of Sugarland (Oct. 2). As part of the Nashville-to-New York experience, the artists will travel to New York's LaGuardia Airport on Southwest with the Opry's signature microphone stand in tow, and a replica of the famed circle of wood from center stage at the Opry House, to perform in the heart of Manhattan at Bryant Park.

Air personalities from New York's NASH FM 94.7 will host each concert at the Southwest Porch. Each performance is open to the public, and seating will be based on a first-come first-served basis. Full schedule details can be found at opry.com/nyc. While there, fans can also enter for a chance to win a Nashville/New York prize package including roundtrip airfare on Southwest Airlines, tickets to the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville and a Broadway show in New York, an exclusive series print, and merchandise from NASH-FM 94.7

"All of these artists have been with us at the Opry recently to showcase their new music, so we know our friends in New York are in for some great performances," said Pete Fisher, Opry vice president and general manager. "It'll be great to extend our birthday party and Country Music Month beyond Music City to New York City."

"Southwest Airlines and our partners from Bryant Park Corporation are thrilled to bring the sounds of Nashville to the Big Apple," said Kevin Krone, Southwest Airlines Chief Marketing Officer.  "Partnerships like these give us the opportunity to showcase our top destinations to our New York Customers."

The Opry will officially celebrate with its 89^th Birthday Bash in Nashville Oct. 10-11.  To check out Southwest Airlines' new look, visit www.southwest.com/heart.

About the artists:
Arista Nashville recording duo The Swon Brothers (Zach and Colton) are hot on the charts with their first single, "Later On," which is currently in the Top 15 on country radio, and launched with the most opening-week radio ads of any debut single in the history of music publication Country Aircheck.  The journey marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter in the history of the Swons, who have been performing professionally since childhood.  Honored with the Rising Star award by the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame, the Muskogee, OK, natives first hit the national radar charming fans with their incredible sibling harmonies and fun-loving personalities as finalists on "Team Blake" in Season 4 of NBC's The Voice.  Co-produced by the brothers and Mark Bright (Carrie Underwood, Sara Evans), the Swons' self-titled major-label debut album will be released on October 14th.  The duo is nominated for "Vocal Duo of the Year" for The 48th Annual CMA Awards, which will broadcast on November 5th on ABC Television. Find them online at www.swonbrothers.com, Twitter @TheSwonBrothers, and on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/theswonbrothers.

Broken Bow Records' Dustin Lynch occupies a unique place in today's country music. Thanks to his classic sensibilities, he's been heralded as the heir to George Strait's throne. Yet with one listen to his newest Top 5 hit, "Where It's At," it's obvious the young Tennessee native knows how to combine his traditional influences with an edgy intensity that places him at the vanguard of today's contemporary country scene.  Since the release of his Platinum-selling debut single, "Cowboys and Angels," Lynch has surpassed 16.5 million views on YouTube/ VEVO and soared to #1 on the MTV Music Meter. He's earned a Top 5 spot on the Billboard Heatseekers Songs Chart, a #2 Country radio single, two American Country Award nominations and a CMT Music Award nomination.  "Cowboys and Angels" was one of Billboard's Top 5 Country Songs of 2012.  Lynch was lauded in Rolling Stone's 2013 Best of Rock Issue, ELLE named him a "Best New Country Music Artist of 2013" while People Country and Us Weekly both proclaimed Lynch one of its "2014 Sexiest Men of Country." Rolling Stone Country recently named Lynch one of "The Best Things We Saw at CMA Music Fest 2014."  Lynch's new album WHERE IT'S AT hit stores Sept. 9. For more information visit http://www.dustinlynchmusic.com

Kristian Bush has been leaving his mark on music for more than two decades and is now taking the lead as a solo artist with the buzzed-about single "Trailer Hitch." Named USA Today's "Song of the Week," the infectious tune brings Bush's voice front-and-center and is the first offering from his forthcoming debut solo album executive produced by Byron Gallimore (Streamsound Records). The singer, songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist started his career with folk rock duo Billy Pilgrim in the early '90s, releasing a much-lauded pair of albums for Atlantic Records (self-titled debut and BLOOM). In 2004, he exploded onto the country music scene with Sugarland, surpassing sales of over 22 million albums worldwide, achieving five No. 1 singles and winning numerous awards, including GRAMMYs, AMAs, ACMs, CMT Music Awards and CMAs. To date, Bush has garnered six BMI Awards for his songwriting, and in 2011 founded the music publishing company and songwriting collective Songs of the Architect. Recent producing/songwriting collaborations include Mike Elizondo, Rita Wilson, Dia Frampton, Ellis Paul, Matt Nathanson, the dB's, Martin Johnson of Boys Like Girls, Pretty Little Liars star Lucy Hale, and up-and-comers including Larkin Poe, Natalie Stovall, Canaan Smith, Jaida Dreyer, Alana Springsteen, and The Voice contestant Savannah Berry. www.KristianBush.com

About the Grand Ole Opry
The Grand Ole Opry® is presented by Humana®.  Opry performances are held every Friday and Saturday of the year, and the Tuesday Night Opry continues through December 9.  To plan an Opry visit, call (800) SEE-OPRY or visit opry.com. The Opry presents the best in country music live every week from Nashville, Tenn.  Celebrating nearly nine decades of entertainment, the Opry can be heard at opry.com and wsmonline.com, Opry and WSM mobile apps, SiriusXM Satellite Radio, and its flagship home, 650 AM-WSM. The Grand Ole Opry is owned by Ryman Hospitality Properties.  For more information, visit opry.com.

ABOUT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.
In its 44th year of service, Dallas-based Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) continues to differentiate itself from other air carriers with exemplary Customer Service delivered by nearly 46,000 Employees to more than 100 million Customers annually.  Southwest and wholly owned subsidiary AirTran Airways operate nearly 3,600 flights a day, serving 93 destinations across the United States and five additional countries.  Service to San Jose, Costa Rica, begins in March 2015, subject to government approvals.

Based on the U.S. Department of Transportation's most recent data, Southwest Airlines is the nation's largest carrier in terms of originating domestic passengers boarded. The Company operates the largest fleet of Boeing aircraft in the world, a majority of which are equipped with satellite-based WiFi connectivity while over the United States that enables video-on-demand and a free, live TV offering of 13 channels compliments of DISH.  Bags Fly Free® at Southwest Airlines (first and second checked pieces of luggage, size and weight limits apply), and there are never change fees, although fare differences might apply. In September 2014, the airline proudly unveiled Heart, a new aircraft livery, airport experience, and logo, showcasing the dedication of Southwest Employees to connect Customers with what's important in their lives.

From its first flights on June 18, 1971, Southwest Airlines launched an era of unprecedented affordability in air travel described by the U.S. Department of Transportation as "The Southwest Effect," a lowering of fares and increase in passenger traffic wherever the carrier serves. With 41 consecutive years of profitability, Southwest is one of the most honored airlines in the world, known for a triple bottom line approach that contributes to the carrier's performance and productivity, the importance of its People and the communities they serve, and an overall commitment to efficiency and the planet. The 2013 Southwest Airlines One Report™ can be found at southwest.com/citizenship.

Book Southwest Airlines' low fares online at southwest.com or by phone at 800-I-FLY-SWA.

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SOURCE Southwest Airlines