NEW YORK (AP) - The Big Apple has a radio station for country music and country music stars of all sizes perform regularly and drain the city of New York: Shania Twain is headlining Madison Square Garden this week.
However, for all music festivals the city hosts, it had not been a major country music festival - until this weekend.
Country fans took over Randall's Island for Farmborough, which is being billed as the first music festival here for the genre. They went there to see headliners Brad Paisley, Luke Bryan and Dierks Bentley and other acts including newcomers Maddie and Tae.
"I think we probably could have made this festival long ago," he told reporters before Bentley made on Friday when the event started. It ends Sunday with Bryan close the three-day event, which endured the rain on Saturday.
New York has a healthy appetite for country music; a survey by Nielsen SoundScan 2011 showed New York had the largest market in the country in the United States based on album sales. But the city has not always reflected that; the only country radio station 94.7 Nash (WNSH) debuted in 2013, giving the genre its first sustained presence on the radio after 17 years.
"Until reached 94.7 NASH had to convey everything online or use discs that already had," said New York resident Karen Webb. "I hope this festival is the first of many to come."
Festival organizers, Live Nation and Founders Entertainment, planned benefit of Governors Ball, held in Randall's Island just three weeks ago, using equipment Pop festival Founders produced music.
"They waited until all the conditions were right. They wanted to make sure that just nailed it from the beginning," Bentley said.
Brian Thomas, program manager 94.7 Nash said: "I have long wanted to bring the country to New York."
"It's great to see the passion. Every time we are out of the location, we are at concerts, it's great to see the passion of the audience for us and bring country music of the city of New York," Thomas said.
Festival organizers expect more than 40,000 fans. Staten Island native Matt Williams said Farmborough environment is different from other festivals attended because it is more "laid back and relaxed and you are not on top of everyone."
Country fans took over Randall's Island for Farmborough, which is being billed as the first music festival here for the genre. They went there to see headliners Brad Paisley, Luke Bryan and Dierks Bentley and other acts including newcomers Maddie and Tae.
"I think we probably could have made this festival long ago," he told reporters before Bentley made on Friday when the event started. It ends Sunday with Bryan close the three-day event, which endured the rain on Saturday.
New York has a healthy appetite for country music; a survey by Nielsen SoundScan 2011 showed New York had the largest market in the country in the United States based on album sales. But the city has not always reflected that; the only country radio station 94.7 Nash (WNSH) debuted in 2013, giving the genre its first sustained presence on the radio after 17 years.
"Until reached 94.7 NASH had to convey everything online or use discs that already had," said New York resident Karen Webb. "I hope this festival is the first of many to come."
Festival organizers, Live Nation and Founders Entertainment, planned benefit of Governors Ball, held in Randall's Island just three weeks ago, using equipment Pop festival Founders produced music.
"They waited until all the conditions were right. They wanted to make sure that just nailed it from the beginning," Bentley said.
Brian Thomas, program manager 94.7 Nash said: "I have long wanted to bring the country to New York."
"It's great to see the passion. Every time we are out of the location, we are at concerts, it's great to see the passion of the audience for us and bring country music of the city of New York," Thomas said.
Festival organizers expect more than 40,000 fans. Staten Island native Matt Williams said Farmborough environment is different from other festivals attended because it is more "laid back and relaxed and you are not on top of everyone."
Festival line-up also included Kip Moore, Dwight Yoakam and Mickey Guyton, as well as a "Next Nashville" stage to present up-and-coming artist.
Before his performance on Friday night, Bentley said he believes Farmborough is here to stay and that New Yorkers were ready to party.
"I fully trust in the country fans in New York. They are the hardcore, they are dedicated and are appreciated you are here," he said.
At the end of the night Randall's Island was filled with thousands of resting in rounds, eat barbecue and singing along with acts like Canaan Smith and Maddie and Tae.
"There is a track in the north," Williams said. "I just usually make only great things like this in the South or the Midwest. I think it's a nice change of pace."
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