Connecticut-based country music musicians North County Band are excited to announce the debut of their newest song, “Bridgeport,” to honor Connecticut’s largest City.
Mayor Joe Ganim of Bridgeport approved the song during a live-streamed session and it was then performed at his swearing-in ceremony last week. “Bridgeport” will be officially introduced to North County Band fans and to the general public on June 1, during their performance at Park City Music Hall, 2926 Fairfield Ave., in the Black Rock section of Bridgeport. Mayor Ganim will be on hand to introduce the band. North Stonington-based artist Nick Bosse will appear as a special guest.
“I met the song’s co-writer, Scott Smith during a Thanksgiving dinner at the Bridgeport Rescue Mission and asked if he would write a song about our City,” said Mayor Joe Ganim. “Scott played the song for me in my office along with members of the CIty Council and we all loved it. We have so much to offer residents, businesses, and visitors here in Bridgeport,” Ganim said, “and we appreciate the band shining their spotlight on our strengths.”
Co-written by Scott Smith & Drew Ryder Smith, “Bridgeport,” is the story of a broken-hearted man who has bettered himself and is trying to persuade his former partner to return to the City where they first found love. The backdrop of the song is the City and the song references well-known landmarks like Fairfield Avenue, Park City, Seaside Park, the Hartford Healthcare Amphitheater, and its former use as the home of the Bridgeport Bluefish. The City’s recent economic development slogan “Progress Together” appears as well.
“Bridgeport” follows the release of North County’s debut EP, Connecticut, widely regarded as a grass-roots collaborative effort with songs about the Nutmeg State, isolation, challenges of the modern era, and family. The title track “Connecticut” even caught the attention of Governor Ned Lamont, who tweeted about it after it was released, calling it Connecticut’s “country sing-along.”
That initial EP propelled the band into a nine-state, 115-date tour in 2023, as well as fueled nominations for “Country Act of the Year” and “Rising Stars of Connecticut” by the New England Music Awards. The band, with more than 7,000 social media followers, has sold out Daryl’s House Club (Pawling, NY) and headlined the Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts (Westport, CT). They’ve been featured in Americana Music Magazine, on News12, and on WPKN Radio.
The band is currently in the studio with renowned music producer David Morgan of Music Shed Studios to work on their widely anticipated and fan-funded sophomore LP, “Lay it on the Line,” scheduled for release this Summer.
The North County Band is the creative culmination of Chicago-born singer-songwriter Scott Smith and Texas fiddle sensation, Cat Lines. Together they summoned some of Connecticut’s most seasoned and versatile musicians to complement their songwriting craft and musical prowess to deliver a unique signature sound.
North County Band is artist ambassador of SpreadMusicNow, a nonprofit that funds music education and creative youth development to foster talent, confidence, and success in all Children.
To purchase tickets to Park City Music Hall or another North County show, visit: https://www.parkcitymusichall.com/tickets/#/events/101334
