ERNEST announced his highly-anticipated sophomore album with a comical video that parodies a mayoral campaign. On Thursday afternoon (Mar. 14), the fast-rising country star and chart-topping songwriter shared a clip to his social media platforms, titled “MAYORAL PRESS CONFERENCE (Urgent/Important),” to unveil details of his forthcoming new album in a creative way.
ERNEST Announces New Album
In the clip, ERNEST dons a suit and is seen standing behind a podium reminiscent of those used in political campaigns, with the American flag and the Tennessee state flag as the backdrop.
Addressing viewers in a State of the Union style discussion, ERNEST announced his new album as well as shared that the project will keep the legacy of country music icons such as Willie Nelson, Loretta Lynn and George Jones alive as they are the leaders who paved the way for artists like him.
“My fellow Nashvillians. I’m addressing our community, not because I want to, but because I have to,” he began in the clip. “Over the years, there have been many changes to my hometown in Nashville, Tennessee. It’s important to ask ourselves, how’d we get here? We’ve had movements such as Western Swing, Outlaw, Red Dirt [and] even the likes of bro Country… heroes such as Willie Nelson, Loretta Lynn, George Strait, George Jones paved the way for artists like myself. We owe it to them to continue what they started.”
He continued, “As our community continues to grow, we shall always remember our founding fathers and welcome our new brothers and sisters into our circle. Whether you went to college or jail, you’re just looking for a honky-tonk fairytale, or barely hanging on… all country music fans are welcome in order to keep growing the genre that made me, we must legalize country music, but we need someone with the authority to do so. That’s why I’m standing here today proudly announcing that I am running for mayor of Nashville, Tennessee. As I begin my campaign, my first actions will be releasing my new album on April 12th, and it’s called Nashville, Tennessee.”
He concluded his message by saying, “My name’s Ernest Keith Smith, and I approve this message,” before walking away from the podium.
Released Five New Song From His New Album
On Friday, March 15, just one day after his new album announcement, ERNEST released five brand-new songs from the project, including “I Went To College / I Went To Jail” with Jelly Roll, “Why Dallas” featuring Willie Nelson’s son Lukas Nelson, as well as “Ain’t As Easy,” “How’d We Get Here” and “Ain’t Too Late.”
All five of these new songs will appear on his forthcoming new album, Nashville, Tennessee, in addition to already released tracks “Kiss Of Death” and “Slow Dancing In A Burning Room.”
New Album, Nashville, Tennessee
Arriving on April 12 via Big Loud Records, the extensive 26-track album brings to life the musical vision of one of the modern era’s most influential country hitmakers and pays tribute, both in title and sound, to ERNEST’s hometown of Nashville, Tennessee.
Produced by Joey Moi, Nashville, Tennessee will also feature collaborations with Lainey Wilson (“Would If I Could”), Morgan Wallen (“Hangin’ On”), HARDY (“Creep”) and his two-year-old son, Ryman Saint (“Twinkle Twinkle [Live at Fenway Park]”).
ERNEST had a hand in co-writing 20 of the 26 tracks. Among them is a song titled “How’d We Get Here,” that ERNEST wrote himself. The project enlisted a star-studded list of some of the most sought after songwriters, including Luke Bryan, Chris Stapleton, Dean Dillon, Ashley Gorley, Dallas Wilson, Nicolle Galyon, and more.
The album not only holds special significance as a tribute to his hometown, but he also incorporated his family into the project. His two-year-old son, Ryman Saint, appears on “Twinkle Twinkle,” a live recording from ERNEST’s performance at Fenway Park that took place on August 16, 2023, as part of Morgan Wallen’s One Night At A Time World Tour. ERNEST’s wife, Delaney Royer, is also part of the project, not on a song, but she captured the album art and his promotional photos surrounding the project.
Nashville, Tennessee Track List
- “I Went To College / I Went To Jail (feat. Jelly Roll)” (Ernest Keith Smith, Chandler Paul Walters, Rivers Rutherford, Luke Bryan)
- “Ain’t As Easy” (Ernest Keith Smith, Dean Dillon, Jessie Jo Dillon, Chandler Paul Walters)
- “Why Dallas (feat. Lukas Nelson)” (Ernest Keith Smith, Chandler Paul Walters, Grady Block, Jordan Merrigan, Lukas Nelson)
- “One More Heartache” (Ernest Keith Smith, Chandler Paul Walters, Jessie Jo Dillon, Dean Dillon)
- “Hangin’ On (feat. Morgan Wallen)” (Ernest Keith Smith, Grady Block, Rhys Rutherford, Jacob Durrett, Rafe Tenpenny)
- “Did It For The Story” (Ernest Keith Smith, John Byron, Ryan Vojtesak, Blake Pendergrass)
- “How’d We Get Here” (Ernest Keith Smith)
- “Never Said I Love You” (Ernest Keith Smith, Chandler Paul Walters)
- “Would If I Could (feat. Lainey Wilson)” (Dean Dillon, Donald Ewing II)
- “Honkytonk Fairytale” (Ernest Keith Smith, Rafe Tenpenny, Dallas Wilson, Brad Clawson)
- “Smokin’ Gun” (Ernest Keith Smith, Rhys Rutherford, Grady Block, Ryan Vojtesak, Blake Pendergrass)
- “Twinkle Twinkle (Live At Fenway Park) [feat. Ryman Saint]” (Jane Taylor)
- “Life Goes On” (Ernest Keith Smith, Ashley Gorley, Ryan Vojtesak)
- “If You Don’t Know By Now” (Clint Daniels, Dale Dodson)
- “You Don’t Have To Die” (Clint Ingersoll, Chris Stapleton)
- “Redneck Sh*ttt” (Ernest Keith Smith, Mark Holman, Nicolle Galyon)
- “Small Town Goes” (Ernest Keith Smith, Grady Block, Cody Lohden, Ryan Vojtesak, Chandler Paul Walters)
- “Kiss Of Death” (Ernest Keith Smith, Andy Albert, Ryan Vojtesak)
- “Slow Dancing In A Burning Room” (John Clayton Mayer)
- “Ain’t Too Late” (Ernest Keith Smith, Grady Block, Chandler Paul Walters, Jordan Merrigan, Cody Lohden)
- “Sayin’ You Love Me” (Ernest Keith Smith, Mark Holman, James McNair)
- “Summertime Flies” (Ernest Keith Smith, Rafe Tenpenny, Grady Block, Jacob Durrett, Ross Portaro)
- “Ain’t Right Ain’t Wrong” (Ernest Keith Smith, Rhys Rutherford, Ryan Vojtesak)
- “Creep (feat. HARDY)” (Colin Greenwood, Jonathan Greenwood, Albert Hammond, Michael Hazlewood, Edward O’Brien, Philip Selway, Thomas Yorke)
- “Bars On My Heart” (Ernest Keith Smith, Mark Holman, Nicolle Galyon)
- “Dollar To Cash” (Ernest Keith Smith, Grady Block, Rafe Tenpenny, Brett Tyler)
All songs produced by Joey Moi
The album is available now for pre-order.