Country music is alive and kicking on Long Island
Line dancers enjoy the country music during Humpday Hoedown at Dublin Deck. Credit: Newsday/Steve Pfost
When it comes to seeking out live country music, people typically flock to Nashville; Austin, Texas; Atlanta; and Charleston, South Carolina. However, in recent years, Long Island has become a new tour stop for country artists to play.
“I think Long Island has a huge country fan base,” Phathead, morning DJ and program director of WJVC My Country 96.1 FM in Ronkonkoma, says. “You will never see more passion in any format bigger than country. It’s all families from kids to grandparents and everybody treating each other with kindness and respect. They are there for the fun and the music.”
Line dancers enjoy the country music during Humpday Hoedown at Dublin Deck in Patchogue. Credit: Newsday/Steve Pfost
Here are five places on Long Island where you can scoot your boots.
Daisy Nashville Lounge
22 W. Main St., Suite 11, Patchogue; 275 Rte. 25A, Suite 33, Miller Place
South Bound's lead vocalist enjoys a good guitar riff at Daisy's Nashville Lounge in Patchogue. Credit: Howard Simmons
Long Island’s only live music venue that solely focuses on country music is Daisy’s Nashville Lounge, which has two locations.
“When I went to school down South, I learned a lot about country music and I wanted to bring that vibe to Long Island,” co-owner Tim McCarthy says. “The party in Nashville is something we were missing.”
Bands range from local country acts like Doc Holliday and Locmore (July 26 in Patchogue) to national acts such as Kyle Elliot (July 31 in Patchogue), Chris Nelson and Gillian Smith plus Atlanta’s Smokey Jones and The 3 Dollar Pistols (July 26 in Miller Place) and Arizona’s Ashley Wineland (July 31 in Miller Place). Dinner is served at both locales featuring a menu of fried pickles ($11.44), meatball parm sliders ($15.60), Nashville hot chicken sandwiches ($17.68) and pecan pie ($11.44).
“Each place has an upbeat honky-tonk type of atmosphere,” McCarthy says. “We have good momentum so I want to keep it going.”
COST No cover
INFO Patchogue: 631-438-0296; Miller Place: 631-403-2900; daisysli.com
Mulcahy's Pub & Concert Hall
3232 Railroad Ave., Wantagh
While Mulcahy’s has a long reputation for delivering high-energy rock shows, the venue is also a home base for live country music.
“The country crowd is very polite. There are no bros looking to fight,” production manager Rick Cappiello says. “Everyone is focused on having a good time, and it’s a big wide demographic that ranges from 21 to 60.”
The venue hosts monthly shows that have featured national acts like Luke Combs, Tyler Hubbard, Eric Paslay, Hunter Hayes, Mitchell Tenpenny, Lainey Wilson, HARDY, Kip Moore, Walker Hayes, Easton Corbin, Eli Young Band, Russell Dickerson, Jordan Davis, Rodney Atkins and Jimmie Allen.
Coming up: 49 Winchester plays July 26 while Chase Rice headlines Aug. 16.
“Long Island is a hotbed for country music,” director of operations Tim Murray says. “The country audience lives out here. They typically don’t like going into the city.”
COST $32.97-$46.61
INFO 516-783-7500, mulcahyslongisland.com
Catholic Health Amphitheater at Bald Hill
1 Ski Run Lane, Farmingville
Look beyond the Jones Beach roster and head farther east to the Catholic Health Amphitheater where country is the house specialty.
“I think Suffolk County is as country as it gets,” says John Caracciolo, president and CEO of Long Island Events and JVC Broadcasting. “The amphitheater has become known in Nashville as the place to play on Long Island.”
This summer, come see Tyler Hubbard from Florida Georgia Line with special guests Parmalee and Brandon Wisham on Aug. 16, Brantley Gilbert on Aug. 22 or the triple bill of Chris Janson, Priscilla Block and Bryan Martin at the annual “Salute to Heroes” show on Aug. 28.
“People come early, tailgate in the parking lot and make a day out of it,” Caracciolo says. “They never want to leave.”
COST $28-$120.20
INFO 631-542-5423, champbaldhill.com
Dublin Deck
327 River Ave., Patchogue
Paula Rose, left, of Locmore takes the mic during Humpday Hoedown at Dublin Deck in Patchogue. Credit: Newsday/Steve Pfost
Join the “Humpday Hoedown” Wednesdays at Dublin Deck, where the live country music starts at 6 p.m. and Southern treats like beef tidbits ($18) and fried chicken ($17) plus $5 dollar beers are served. Additionally, free line dance lessons are included.
“We have a big dance floor, which is open to all ages,” co-owner Mark “Country Mills” Miller says. “It’s like getting dinner and a show because you’re watching 50 people do orchestrated line dancing as the band plays or you can join in. It’s a wholesome night.”
Live bands like the Rustlers (July 30) perform while folks enjoy cocktails such as frozen espresso martinis ($15) and rocket fuel piña coladas topped with Bacardi 151 rum and Amaretto ($16).
“Long Islanders are 'work hard, play hard' kind of people,” Miller says. “They work all day and then they want to come here, drink a cold beer or cocktail, have some fun, get a good night’s sleep and then do it all over again.”
COST No cover
INFO 631-207-0370, dublindeck.com
Line dancers enjoy the country music of Locmore during Humpday Hoedown at Dublin Deck in Patchogue. Credit: Newsday/Steve Pfost
Tiki Joe's Beach Club — Smith Point
1 William Floyd Pkwy., Shirley
Head outside for “Country Night,” which occurs every Thursday through Sept. 11 and see live bands perform two 75-minute sets from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
“We draw a very friendly spirited crowd who come to dance and sing,” booking agent Bob Blickwede says. “They really get into the line dancing. It’s really wild to see 100 people dancing in sync with each other.”
Catch the Ladies of Country (Aug. 21), Southbound (July 31 and Aug. 14), Stagecoach (Aug. 7) and Luke Bryan tribute band, Crash My Party (Aug. 28).
“People dress up in jeans, flannel shirts, cowboy boots and cowboy hats,” Blickwede says. “They look the part and this is who they are.”
COST No cover
INFO 631-399-2024, tikijoes.com
David J. Criblez is a reporter for Newsday's exploreLI, covering entertainment-related events from local music to stand-up comedy to festivals.
