Bailey Zimmerman Reveals Advice Morgan Wallen Offered Him That Will Stick With Him Forever

“I’m proud of him and looking forward to seeing what he does,” Wallen said of Zimmerman.

By

Melinda Lorge

Melinda Lorge is a Nashville-based freelance writer who specializes in covering country music. Along with Music Mayhem, her work has appeared in publications, including Rare Country, Rolling Stone Country, Nashville Lifestyles Magazine, Wide Open Country and more. After joining Rare Country in early 2016, Lorge was presented with the opportunity to lead coverage on late-night television programs, including “The Voice” and “American Idol,” which helped her to sharpen her writing skills even more. Lorge earned her degree at Middle Tennessee State University, following the completion of five internships within the country music industry. She has an undeniable love for music and entertainment. When she isn’t living and breathing country music, she can be found enjoying time outdoors with family and friends.

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Posted on March 8, 2023

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Bailey Zimmerman, Morgan Wallen; Photo Courtesy of CMA Awards

Bailey Zimmerman has been gathering useful information from some of the biggest country artists as he continues his steady rise to country music stardom. And one of those artists is Morgan Wallen

The two singer/songwriters have developed a unique friendship after co-writing a song called “Trainwreck” together with Gavin Lucas and Sergio Sanchez. Wallen admittedly has said he sees similarities between himself and Zimmerman especially, when reflecting on his earlier years in the music business. 

Wallen Offered Zimmerman Advice

While previously co-hosting Country Countdown USA, Wallen opened up about his kinship with Zimmerman, saying he is more than happy to offer the Illinois-native advice whenever necessary.    

“This is a kid, I think, that just with the way he’s rising and the way he’s blowing up that he’s someone who will probably need that,” Wallen told host Lon Helton in the fall of 2022. “I told him I’d be that for him if he wants it. It’s cool just to see a little small-town kid, you know, kind of, like myself, come and start making some noise in the town and all around the country. I’m proud of him and looking forward to seeing what he does.” 

Now Zimmerman, who just earned nominations for 2023 CMT Breakthrough Male Video of the Year and Male Video of the Year, is sharing one piece of advice that Wallen has given him that continues to stick with him today. 

“One day, Morg told me, ‘I’ve only ever canceled one show. I’ve played shows no matter what. This is the reason you do this. You’ve got to work really hard,’” Zimmerman, who has charted singles “Fall In Love” and “Rock and a Hard Place” from his Leave the Light On EP, shared Wallen’s guidance in a recent feature with Holler Country. “I’ve been trying to focus on that. Even if you’re sick, you’ve got to put on a performance because these people have paid to come and watch a good show. That’s one of the biggest things I’ve taken from him so far, but I’m sure there will be more lessons learned.”

Bailey Zimmerman Says He Cried When Morgan Wallen Invited Him To Go On Tour

Indeed, there will be more lesson learned as Zimmerman gears up to join Wallen on his upcoming massive world tour. 

Zimmerman, who currently boasts 2.2 million TikTok followers, recently revealed his reaction to finding out about his slot on the forthcoming highly anticipated run, telling Good Morning America (GMA), “I played my first arena show with Brooks & Dunn, and afterward I got in the car to go to Chicago, and my managers called me, and they’re like ‘hey, we got some crazy stuff. We had to turn down this one tour,’ and it was like one of my favorite artists, and I was like ‘Why? Why’d we turn it down?’ He said ‘because Morgan Wallen is gonna take you on tour next year.’”

“I just started crying… My whole band, we started crying because it’s like man, this is why we work so hard, and we work day and night writing these songs and doing all this stuff,” the “Fix’n To Break” crooner continued. “It’s gonna be a crazy year. I’m really excited.”

Zimmerman Will Soon Hit The Road With Wallen

Wallen’s trek, dubbed the One Night At A Time World Tour, kicks off on Wednesday, (March 15) in Auckland, NZ, at the Spark Arena. The U.S. leg of the tour begins on Friday (April 14) with back-to-back nights at Milwaukee’s American Family Field. 

The One Night At A Time World Tour, named after Wallen’s current third studio album, One Thing At A Time, marks the East Tennessee native’s first-ever stadium tour and one of the largest tours of 2023 so far. The 63-date trek is scheduled to make stops at 30 stadiums, plus arenas, amphitheaters, and festivals, for fans across four countries and two continents.

Bailey Zimmerman, Photo Courtesy of ABC; Morgan Wallen, Photo by John Shearer via Morgan Wallen Instagram
Bailey Zimmerman, Photo Courtesy of ABC; Morgan Wallen, Photo by John Shearer via Morgan Wallen Instagram

In addition to Zimmerman, The One Night At A Time World Tour will feature support from ERNEST on all dates. HARDY and Parker McCollum will also appear on select dates of the tour. The North American leg of the trek, produced by Live Nation, will wrap up on October 7 at Tacoma Dome in Washington.

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Written by

Melinda Lorge is a Nashville-based freelance writer who specializes in covering country music. Along with Music Mayhem, her work has appeared in publications, including Rare Country, Rolling Stone Country, Nashville Lifestyles Magazine, Wide Open Country and more. After joining Rare Country in early 2016, Lorge was presented with the opportunity to lead coverage on late-night television programs, including “The Voice” and “American Idol,” which helped her to sharpen her writing skills even more. Lorge earned her degree at Middle Tennessee State University, following the completion of five internships within the country music industry. She has an undeniable love for music and entertainment. When she isn’t living and breathing country music, she can be found enjoying time outdoors with family and friends.

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