WRRV Sessions with Barns Courtney was Different from the Rest

WRRV Sessions was a truly special experience with Barns Courtney, and it just goes to show that you never know what's going to happen at a live show.

WRRV Sessions is our free live show that we host with our friends at Newburgh Brewing Company. One of the coolest parts of Sessions is that not only do you get to see amazing live music, but for many groups, you get to say "I saw them when".

Barns Courtney performing for WRRV Sessions on November 29th 2023 (TSM Poughkeepsie)

WRRV Sessions Superstars

The biggest example of this is might be AJR, who we described as an "up and coming band" when they joined us at Newburgh Brewing Company for the first time in 2018. Next year, they'll be headlining Madison Square Garden. But back to Barns Courtney...

Barns Courtney at WRRV Sessions November 2023

You never know what to expect when you first meet an artist. We had heard that Barns was a friendly guy, but nothing could prepare us for what happened when he walked into Newburgh Brewing Company. After he finished soundcheck, we showed him to his backstage greenroom... and that's when something special happened.

Barns Courtney tells Jonah from WRRV about his new song "Young in America" before taking the stage at WRRV Sessions at Newburgh Brewing Company (TSM Poughkeepsie)

The greenroom is meant to give WRRV Sessions artists a quiet place to relax before a show. That wasn't something that Barns Courtney needed. After being shown around, Barns decided to forgo the privacy of backstage to meet as many WRRV listeners as he could before he took the stage instead.

Barns Courtney said his favorite part of WRRV Sessions was being able to meet everyone who came to the show (TSM Poughkeepsie)

Meeting WRRV Sessions Artists

Plenty of WRRV Sessions artists have been amazing with their fans. Andrew McMahon would greet his super-fans by name, and Misterwives had such a strong connection with their listeners that many of them showed up with custom signs and makeup as a tribute to their favorite song. Barns, however, quickly became the mayor of Newburgh Brewing Company.

Barns Courtney meet (almost) the entire Hudson Valley at WRRV Sessions (TSM Poughkeepsie)

Barns Courtney Meets the Hudson Valley

Each time we looked up, Barns was at a different table meeting as many people as he possibly could. "This is my favorite sh-- ever!", he told us. While many artists need quiet time to preserve their energy before a show, it seemed that Barns gained energy with each fan he spoke to.

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An Evening With Justin Furstenfeld at WRRV Sessions

Justin Furstenfeld returned to Newburgh Brewing Company (for the 2nd time) on Tuesday September 12th to perform for a packed house at WRRV sessions.

Thank you to Healy Brothers, Devitt's Nursery and Supply, Ballentine Communication, Dia Beacon, Walden Savings Bank, our hosts at Newburgh Brewing, and of course photographer Chuck Merrihew!

Gallery Credit: Val Turco

WRRV Sessions with Two Feet, February 23rd 2022

Two Feet helped bring back LIVE and in-person WRRV Sessions at Newburgh Brewing Company. Thanks to Healy Brothers, Devitts Nursery and Supply, and Ballentine Communications. Photography by Chuck Merrihew.