Artist Spotlight: Dan + Shay

We always try to introduce you to new music on 99.5 WKDQ, but we can’t put everybody on air. So, I decided to start spotlighting some of my favorite artists just for you! New artists, old artists, in between artists, I’ve got them all!

Dan + Shay has a hit single that we’ve been playing for quite a few weeks now, and I don’t know about you, but I LOVE it! Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney met in December of 2012, which was just a year ago! Their musical styles were so similar, they quickly hit it off writing, and then grew into performing. You might know their song as “19 You + Me" which, I  might add has been on repeat on my phone for probably the last hour! ;) Dan and Shay have an original sound, mixing country rock and pop. This sound very well could have come from their musical influences of artists ranging from Rascal Flatts and Kenny Chesney, all the way to Usher and Ryan Adams.

Shay(pictured below), who was born and raised in Natural Dam, Arkansas, has been singing since he was a child. Writing is something that came naturally to him, and at 16 he began to learn the guitar. He officially moved to Nashville last year but grew up frequently visiting and recording in Music City like the many artists before him..

Dan(pictured below), on the other hand, was born and raised in suburban Wexford, Pennsylvania and has been writing and playing music since the age of 12. Dan has been on the local songwriting scene for several years, having moved to Nashville in 2010.

When I talked to the guys, I found out some PRETTY random facts, like the fact that they met in a TENT at Dan's house in Nashville (WHAT?!) and that Shay loves movies. I also learned that they lived less than a mile from each other at one point in Pittsburgh and never once met until last year in Nashville. That's crazy! Well, it's obviously working out for the two because they were able to combine their amazing talents to write and produce their entire first album themselves. I can honestly say I will be one of the first to own it ;)

You can like them on Facebook and find their single “19 You + Me” on iTunes right now. They also have an amazing version of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” for you to download just in time for the holidays! LOVE IT! To hear their song again, you can check out their video below and then leave a comment, let us know what ya think!