It’s been quite a year for Dan + Shay!
The country duo made up of Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney have had quite the year including a #1 country album and an upcoming headlining tour. Their debut album, Where It All Began, hit #1 on Billboard ‘s Country Albums Chart and they are the only new duo in Soundscan recorded history to debut at the top of the chart. Oh that’s not all, Dan + Shay are also celebrating the highest Billboard charting debut album of 2014.
Dan + Shay are currently touring with Blake Shelton and will be continuing on the road this fall on their own “Where It All Began Tour” before joining Hayes on his “Tattoo (Your Name) Tour.” The duo will be headlining the historic El Rey Theatre this week and you can get tickets HERE. For more tour info, visit danandshay.com.
We had the chance to chat with Dan + Shay about their stellar year, their live shows and more.
It’s been an incredible year for you two. What has been the highlight so far?
D+S: There have been many highlights this year, but playing to a sold out Madison Square with Blake Shelton would have to be somewhere near the top. It had been a lifelong dream to play Madison Square Garden, and it was everything we could ever hope for and more!
-You’ve been busy touring. Do you have a favorite place you’ve been so far?
D+S: We were lucky enough to play in the Bahamas this summer. The weather was beautiful, we were surrounded by great friends, and to top it all off, we opened for one of our favorite bands of all time, Rascal Flatts!
-You’ve been opening for artists like Blake Shelton & Hunter Hayes, but how excited for your own upcoming headlining tour?
D+S: We are incredibly thankful to have been given the opportunity to open for our label mates, and it was the perfect way to introduce our music to the world. Now that our album has been out for a few months, it will be nice to give the fans a longer set, and be able to work in the songs that we haven’t been able to play so far. It will also be fun to bring it back down to smaller venues so that we can be up close and personal with our fans.
-How would you describe a live Dan + Shay show?
D+S: Our live show is very positive and energetic! We spend most of the show bouncing around stage, and it is even more fun when the crowd joins us!
-You’re about to play at two iconic LA venues – the El Rey and the Hollywood Bowl. How does that feel?
D+S: It feels amazing! They El Rey is a beautiful theatre. I have attended a show there, but never been lucky enough to perform until now. When someone mentions that we are playing Hollywood Bowl, we still have to pinch ourselves to make sure it’s not a dream. This is such a historic venue, and to be able to cross it off our bucket list this early in our career is quite the treat. We love LA and can’t wait for both of these shows. Lots of friends + family attending!
-What or who inspired you to get into music?
D+S: Music inspired us to get into music! We have always been and always will be huge fans of all types of music. Now, we are lucky enough to have been given the platform to create our own music and inspire future generations.
-Do you have a song that you’ve written that you’re most proud of?
D+S: Two of our favorite songs on the album are “First Time Feeling” and “I Heard Goodbye”.
-Who is someone in country and someone out of your genre that you’d love to collaborate with?
D+S: It would be amazing to collaborate with Keith Urban. He is an unbelievably talented singer, songwriter, and guitarist, and I think we could get into something crazy with him. Outside of country, it would be cool to sing with Sam Smith. He is on fire right now!
-What is something fans might be surprised to know about you?
D+S: We are not related!
-Do you have any message for your fans?
D+S: We love our fans and want to thank you for making our dream a reality. Every song, every show, you are passionate and dedicated, and it gives us purpose to do what we do. See you all on the road!
If you want to see Dan + Shay on the road, and we definitely think you should, visit danandshay.com for all their “Where It All Began” tour dates!
