Dan + Shay Win Their Third Grammy Award For “10,000 Hours”

Dan + Shay released “10,000 Hours”, a love song that they collaborated on with pop star Justin Bieber on October 4, 2019. The song became a smash for the duo and Justin (I will write more about the records it broke and more in a separate post) and in 2021, the duo received their third Grammy Award in the Country Duo/Group category from the Recording Academy. Once again, the trio of Dan + Shay and Justin had some pretty stiff competition, including songs from duo Brothers Osborne and groups Lady A, Little Big Town, and Old Dominion.

This award show looked a little bit different on March 14, 2021 with COVID-10 protocols still in place, as Dan + Shay gave their acceptance speech from Dan’s home. After it was announced that “10,000 Hours” won the Grammy, both of the guys went in for a big hug to congratulate one another and they were. “Oh my goodness, as you can tell we are very excited,” Dan said. He went on to say, “Thank you so much to our fans, to Justin’s fans, to country radio, to radio, man, for playing this song, the academy, everyone who voted for us, that it truly means the world. You have changed our lives in more ways than you know.”

 Shay was up next, full of emotion. “My hands are shaking right now, this is absolutely crazy”, he said. “I want to thank my wife, my two little boys at home, Asher and Ames. Hannah, thank you so much for supporting us Hannah and Abby for being our inspiration every day. I can hardly talk, I am shaking right now.”

Dan, Shay, and Justin were writers on “10,000 Hours” and Dan ended the speech by thanking their co-writers Poo Bear, Jesse Jo Dillion, and Jordan Reynolds.

https://youtu.be/3-Gk1Pmuglk?si=VvJFC1dPRVo5XY5L

Dan + Shay Win Their Second Grammy Award For Number One Wedding Song “Speechless”

Dan + Shay entered the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards on January 26, 2020 with their second nomination in the Best Country Duo/Group category for their wedding song “Speechless” from their 2018 self-titled album. The duo were up against stiff competition from a Morris and Brandi Carlile collaboration, a Brooks & Dunn and Luke Combs collaboration, vocal duo Brothers Osborne, and vocal group Little Big Town. 

When one of  Dan + Shay’s musical hero's Shania Twain announced that they won, the camera panned to the duo in the crowd. They were both happy and stunned at the same time. Shay’s wife Hannah was not in attendance as she was pregnant with their second son Ames, but Dan’s wife Abby was in the audience and she gave him a hug. Dan then gave Shay a hug before they headed up to the stage to accept their award.  The emotion on their faces as they embraced truly showed the immense appreciation they have for one another as musicians, human beings, and the recording academy who voted for them to win the award. That emotion continued when they made it up to the stage to give their acceptance speeches.

“Dan, I’m gonna let you start ‘cause I can’t breathe right now”, Shay told the audience. “I’m gonna like put my heart up to this microphone, you can literally hear it beating out of my chest right now”, Dan said. He went on to say “This is one of the coolest moments ever. Thank you to my wife Abby who’s in the crowd down there for inspiring this song, for inspiring every song that we write, for inspiring every thing that we do in our lives.” Shay went on to thank his wife Hannah, friends, and Alicia Keys who hosted the award show to end the speech.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IS0d4HLugqM

Dan + Shay wrote “Speechless” with their co-writers Jordan Reynolds, Spencer Saylor, and Laura Veltz. The song was written about the first time both guys saw their respective wives in their dresses for the first time on their wedding days. I will write a separate post about this song and music video down the line.

Dan + Shay Win Their First Grammy Award For “Tequila”

 Dan + Shay have come a long way since they first met on December 7, 2012. With a combination of their talent, hard work ethic, and their genuine personalities, two of their biggest dreams came true at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards on February 10, 2019. 

First, they officially became Grammy-Award winners when they accepted the coveted Gramophone trophy for their number one hit “Tequila” in the Best Country Duo/Group Performance category. The guys hugged their respective wives before they walked up to the stage to accept their award. “My heart is beating out of my chest, we had no expectations to win this”, Dan Smyers said. He went on to thank a lot of people, including the other artists in the category. “ It’s the beautiful thing about Nashville and country music, we are all family, we all work for each other. I love you guys, you are amazing.” Shay also thanked a group of people and said “To the Recording Academy, I cannot believe that this just happened. I am a little bit blown away and I might be about to pass out.” 

Dan + Shay’s Grammy Award Acceptance Speech For “Tequila”:

 https://youtu.be/FPjzgrJa7js?si=ULYoA533xjgRi5gK

 After this milestone win for Dan + Shay, the duo gave a stunning performance of their No. 1 hit “Tequila” on the Grammy stage with Dan on an acoustic guitar singing harmonies and Shay on piano singing lead vocals. Toward the end of the performance, a curtain rose showing a string section that accompanied the duo. Shay surprised the crowd by holding the last note of the song, fully showing his vocal range. The duo received a standing ovation from the large audience at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. It still gives me chills to hear Shay hit that high note and hold it at the end of this performance.

Dan + Shay’s Grammy Award Performance Of “Tequila”:

 https://youtu.be/1ZPmxz046Oc?si=EPnIwwSv70O2UpBA

“Tequila” is Dan + Shay’s biggest hit to date. They end each of their concerts with this song that really catapulted their careers. I will talk more about this song and its success for the duo in upcoming posts.

In my next post, I will profile Dan + Shay’s second Grammy Award win.

Dan + Shay Shine In Their Acoustic Videos

From the day that they released their debut album “Where It All Began” in April of 2014 to present day, Dan + Shay have posted the most beautiful acoustic videos of them performing their songs on guitar, piano or a combination of the two instruments. While their voices sound strong together on their albums and better at one of their live concerts, I think they sound even better in their acoustic videos. You can hear Shay’s vocals with the simplicity of the guitar and piano backing him up and Dan’s background vocals and harmonies even better in these videos. When I stream their music on Spotify, I can always hear Shay’s voice as he is the lead vocalist. I can hear Dan’s background vocals and harmonies on certain songs, but it is pretty hard to hear him. However, on the stripped-down acoustic videos and when I have been close to the stage at their concerts in the past, I can hear his voice very clearly. They both have beautiful voices that sound incredible on their own as well as blended together. Below are a few examples of their acoustic videos you can enjoy from over the years!

https://youtu.be/mzNdzELaQbQ?si=nOwnNwsOdYKP7PTK - “Show You Off” (Warehouse Sessions)

This is one of the first acoustic videos Dan + Shay posted. They recorded it in an empty warehouse in Nashville. Shay’s voice has truly matured and evolved over the last ten years in the best way possible. “Show You Off” was a top 20 song for the duo. It is about how a boyfriend treats his girlfriend right on date. The song features great vocals from both of the guys, fun lyrics, and Dan’s excellent whistling skills.

https://youtu.be/WPcPXnNb74c?si=cWNxhlkJA-zdKZWB - “You” (Acoustic)

“You” made it to number two for Dan + Shay at country radio. Many of their fans have used this love song as a first dance song at their weddings over the last few years. If you listen closely, you can hear Dan’s harmonies and vocals as well as Shay’s crisp lead vocals in this video. 

https://youtu.be/b5CQJ3fyKZc?si=hO_rUjgD0Mcrabru - From The Ground Up” Acoustic | Elvis Duran Show

“From The Ground Up” was Dan + Shay’s second number one song at country radio. They wrote this song about their grandparents who were both married for 65 years. The duo looked back on some of the memories they shared with their respective grandparents over the years and used that inspiration when building their own relationships and lives with their respective wives. If you listen closely, you can hear Dan’s harmonies and vocals as well as Shay’s wide range of vocals in this video.

Stacy - A Big Country Music Fan: The Introduction

My love for country music started in middle school. The artists who caught my attention early on were Kenny Chesney and Rascal Flatts. Later on, I became a huge fan of Carrie Underwood the moment she auditioned for American Idol. The things that impressed me most about them is their unique voices  and their ability to tell a good story with their songs. Whether I can relate to their songs or not, I really appreciate hearing good songs with strong lyrics and good production that moves the story along.

One of the first Kenny Chesney songs I remember hearing was “I Go Back” when I was in seventh or eighth grade. The main character hears a song that takes him back to his high school and college years, with lines like “An’ I go back to the smell of an old gym floor The taste of salt on the Carolina shore After graduation and drinkin’ goodbye to friends” and “So I go back to a pew, preacher, and a choir, Singin’ ‘bout God, brimstone, and fire And the smell of Sunday chicken after church.” I am able to relate to the line about saying goodbye to friends after graduation as well as going to church with my family and then having a nice dinner together later in the afternoon. 

https://youtu.be/MdeSLxz5TTE?si=JY1yljfFytDGW5EE

I also remember “Bless The Broken Road” was one of the first Rascal Flatts songs I heard. With lyrics like  “I set out on a narrow way many years ago Hoping I would find true love along the broken road But I got lost a time or two Wiped my brown and kept pushing through I couldn’t see how every sign pointed straight to you” and the chorus “That every long lost dream led me to where you are Others who broke my heart, they were like Northern stars Pointing me on my way into your loving arms This much I know is true That God blessed the broken road that led me straight to you (Yes, he did)”, I could picture the story being told in my head.

https://youtu.be/8-vZlrBYLSU?si=v6n7WC-FQbd0Rfr4

The moment that Carrie Underwood auditioned for American Idol with “I Can’t Make You Love Me”, I knew that she was going to win the show and become a big star. I voted multiple times for her every week until she eventually became the winner of the reality singing competition in 2005. I am still a big fan of her to this day; however in high school and college, I was head over heels for Carrie. I loved every song on each of her albums and would play them on repeat. One of the songs I put on repeat was “Cowboy Casanova”. I could not get enough of that song  from the moment it was released. With lyrics like “You better take it from me That boy is like a disease You’re runnin’ and tryin’ and tryin’ to hide And you’re wondering why you can’t get free” to the chorus “He’s a good time cowboy Casanova Leaning up against the record machine He looks like a cool drink of water But he’s candy-coated misery”, this song really paints a vivid picture of the warning given to the female that she should leave the romantic relationship. 

https://youtu.be/oM7NQQ0Lfu4?si=bfus0uaaq6XmShjD

Kenny, Rascal Flatts, and Carrie Underwood were my top three artists when I was first introduced to the country music genre. I will dive more into their careers as well as profile more of my top favorite artists as  my journey into the genre continued.

Dan + Shay’s Special Connection With Their Fans

When I started following Dan + Shay on social media in March of 2014, I immediately knew that they cared about their fans based on the history of interactions i saw on their various accounts at the time.

To this day, Dan and sometimes Shay continue to control all of the duo’s social media accounts, not a social media coordinator. Over the years, Dan has said that it is important for them to use their own voices and be real with their fans when they post videos, pictures, and write captions on their social media accounts. I continue to be incredibly grateful for every interaction with them on Facebook, Instagram, and X. The fact that they take time out of their busy schedules to interact with their fans, including me means a lot.

While interactions with their fans on social media is important, Dan + Shay also prioritize this when they are on the road, making time to say hello and take pictures with their fans before and after their concerts. During their shows as well as on social media afterward, they continuosly show gratitude toward their fans. I have been fortunate to have seen them in concert six times so far (I will do a separate post about their live shows later.) and I have received the opportunity to meet them twice. After my first concert in October of 2014, I bought a t-shirt from their merchandise table, which was my ticket to stand in their meet and greet line. I was nervous about meeting them in person for the first time, but once I got to the front of the line and saw them, I was calmer. I told them my name and Dan said that he remembered me from social media. I had only been following them since the end of March, so it meant a lot to me that he knew who I was. I found out that they are as genuine, humble, nice, kind, and sweet as they are on social media. Someone on their team took my picture with them and they also signed my “Where It All Began” album. The second time I saw Dan + Shay live in October of 2015, I bought a VIP package. That included another meet and greet picture with the guys. Again, Dan knew who I was and I still remember him thanking me for requesting their single “Nothin’ Like You” on social media, which would become their first number one at country radio two months later! Because I had the VIP package, I was granted early access into the venue and got to experience their set from the front row (I will talk more about that in a separate post, as it was a pretty cool, once-in-a-lifetime experience getting to watch their show from the front row). 

Last but certainly not least, Dan + Shay have surprised a group of their fans with a gift twice over the last 10 years. On Valentine’s Day of 2015, they posted on Twitter (at the time) that if you shared their post, you would have a chance to win a bouquet of flowers from them. I did not share the post, so I was very surprised when a local floral delivery man came to the door with a beautiful bouquet of flowers. I looked at the note and it had a personal Happy Valentine’s Day message from the guys. I will cherish that day and memory forever! Fast forward to Valentine’s Day 2021, I woke up to my dad standing next to my bed. He showed me two pictures on his phone of a Krispy Kreme doughnuts. I thanked him for the doughnuts, thinking he bought them for me as a Valentine’s Day treat. He then asked me to go downstairs. I looked at the receipt and there was a personalized note from Dan + Shay on it. They completely surprised me again, this time with a delicious box of doughnuts.

I have never come across an artist s who spends so much time interacting with and doing special things for their fans than Dan + Shay do. I will never take for granted any of the many interactions with my favorite country music duo that I shared above. I am so grateful for all that they have done and continue to do for me and all of their loyal fans! 

Dan + Shay: Their Multiple Talents

I have a lot of respect for Dan + Shay as artists because they both write the majority of their own songs along with their collaborators. I will do a separate post later about the handful of songs they did not write. Another thing that truly blows me away is that Dan produces all of their songs alongside Nashville producer Scott Hendricks. In my opinion, Dan along with Scott are two of the most refreshing producers in country music. I also think that Shay has the best vocals/vocal range. Dan provides the most beautiful background vocals and harmonies to match Shay’s outstanding, unique voice. 

When Dan + Shay get together with their fellow songwriters like Jessie Jo Dillon, Jordan Reynolds, Nicolle Galyon, and Jordan Minton to write songs, I can tell that they spend a lot of time pulling from their own experiences and making sure the songs are honest and real. 

They are best known for their positive songs, including those in the love and wedding categories like “Speechless” about seeing their respective wives on their wedding day for the first time and “From The Ground Up” about the love that their grandparents shared for 65 years and imagining what life would be like when they start their own families and beyond. 

While they write a lot of happy, positive songs, Dan + Shay have also have written songs about past heartbreak like “Tequila” and “I Should Probably Go To Bed”. When the main character in “Tequila” consumes the alcoholic beverage, it makes him think about all of the good times he had in his past relationship, but it also makes him want to get back together with her. The main character in “I Should Probably Go To Bed” is convinced by his friends to leave the house so he can get over his breakup. Then he finds out his ex is back in town and does not want to face her, so he decides to go to bed and turn off his phone. While Dan + Shay are happily married, they wanted to expand their songwriting to topics like heartbreak.

Now when it comes to producing, Dan along with Scott Hendricks (on most of their records) have produced all of their music since day one. Sometimes I listen to the songs and only focus on the producing. In my opinion, Dan and Scott are two of the most refreshing producers in country music. Their production skills have really evolved and gotten more intricate (in the best way) from their debut “Where It All Began” album to their latest “Bigger Houses album. Each of Dan + Shay’s songs has its own sound and the production does not sound like anybody else in the genre. Sometimes when I am listening to their music, I only focus on the production and it sincerely blows me away every time. While I love the production on all of their songs, the top three that come to mind are “Tequila”, “I Should Probably Go To Bed”, and “Save Me The Trouble” from their latest album. I can really tell that Dan and Scott put a lot of thought into every sound and instrument that goes onto a record and it all matches Shay’s vocals and Dan’s background vocals and harmonies perfectly. I am always in awe and so proud of all of the hard work Dan and Scott put into each and every one of their songs! 

Finally, I think that Shay has the strongest vocals as well as the most beautiful/unique voice in country music. He hits every note that he sings. Dan’s background vocals and harmonies are beautiful and unique too. He really complements Shay well in the duo. Dan + Shay sound amazing on their albums and on the radio and they sound exactly the same (in my opinion even better) live in concert. 

This award-winning country music duo has put out a lot of incredible music over the last 10 years and I know there is more to come in the next 10 years and beyond. More fantastic songwriting, vocals, producing, and beyond. They continue to show immense growth from one chapter to the next and I am so proud of how far Dan + Shay have come!