ERNEST proved he is carrying the torch for traditional country music with two headlining concerts at Nashville’s iconic Ryman Auditorium on November 4 and 5.
Backed by his 10-piece band, The Fellas, featuring fiddle, pedal steel, saxophone, and background singers who previously performed with Toby Keith and George Jones, ERNEST delivered a nearly two hour set that honored country’s past while showcasing his own growing catalog for a hometown crowd.
“I told y’all I’m gonna bring some country music to The Ryman,” ERNEST said from the famed Music City stage with a smile. “As a Nashville kid, these shows are always extra special to me. Obviously, I named my son Ryman. The Ryman Auditorium has always meant a lot to me. I saw some of my first shows here, Christmas shows, and came on tours when I was growing up.”
He continued, “No matter where I go or get to play, and I’ve gotten to play some cool places. I’ve gotten to play a lot of cool shows. I mean, there’s simply no better place to play Country music, especially being a kid from Nashville, and on a night like this I know for a fact there’s some of y’all that saw little Keith Smith running around with his banjo and freestyle rapping at the lunch table. It’s so good to be home at the Ryman Auditorium.”
ERNEST performed over 20 songs each night across two packed shows, delivering a set list that spanned his fan-favorite EP Locals Only, debut album Flower Shops (The Album), sophomore project NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE, and previewed songs from his upcoming 7-track EP, Live From the South, arriving November 21 via Big Loud. He not only included the hits, but he even threw in some fan-favorite cuts, such as “Sugar,” “Classic” and “Locals Only.”
He also treated fans to covers of country classics from Hank Williams Jr. (“Family Tradition”), Kris Kristofferson (“Help Me Make It Through The Night”), Toby Keith (“Whose Your Daddy?” and “Courtesy of The Red, White And Blue [The Angry American]”), and Glen Campbell (“Southern Nights”), and even paid tribute to Willie Nelson with a performance of the unreleased new song, titled “Willie’s Songs.”
“Every night I get a microphone that I can use, and I take advantage of that in the sense that I like to keep the spirit of those that came before us alive and well, and I think that’s the whole point of Country music and when they talk about the circle not being unbroken it’s about keeping that flame alive,” ERNEST said. “Every single one of us that gets to be a country singer gets to carry a torch that was handed down before us, and I believe that it’s very important that we keep the torch lit, and we pass it down to those that didn’t know it before.”
Over the two nights, the 33-year-old Nashville native brought out a lineup of ‘90s country legends as surprise guests, including Dean Dillon, Billy Dean, Rhett Akins, and David Lee Murphy for surprise collaborations. Dillon performed songs he co-wrote, such as “Tennessee Whiskey” and “The Chair,” while Dean sang “Only Here For A Little While” and “He Walks With Me.” Akins and Murphy both prompted massive sing-alongs with “That Ain’t My Truck” and “Dust On The Bottle,” respectively.
Dierks Bentley also popped up with ERNEST to perform “What Was I Thinkin’.” HARDY surprised the crowd as well, joining ERNEST for two songs: “More Than My Hometown,” which they co-wrote for longtime friend and collaborator Morgan Wallen, and “Signed, Sober You.” Jamey Johnson teamed up with ERNEST for a cover of Glen Campbell’s “Southern Nights.”
“One of the cool things that I get to do in this cool life and blessed life I get to live, one of my favorite things I get to, is find new talented people, people that cross my pallet that I think is awesome that I get to share with people,” the father of one said before introducing fans to the DeVille Records roster. ERNEST shared his spotlight with his DeVille Records artists: Chandler Walters, Rhys Rutherford, and Cody Lohden. Walters wowed with an impressive cover of “When I Call Your Name” by Vince Gill, while Rutherford and Lohden allowed their songwriting chops to shine with original songs.
In addition to showcasing the DeVille Records roster, ERNEST welcomed The Voice season 24 finalist Ruby Leigh, who delivered a jaw-dropping cover of Patsy Cline’s “Blue” beneath the stained-glass glow of the Mother Church of Country Music.
ERNEST showed off more than just his singer-songwriter talents, he also had the crowd laughing too, cracking jokes and even poking fun at Morgan Wallen’s signature moves with a playful imitation.
“If you’re just now getting on the ERN Train, let’s just keep going, baby!” he said as he exited the stage to a standing ovation after his performance of “Flower Shops.”
With his blend of heartfelt storytelling, strong stage presence, and respect for country music’s roots, ERNEST is carving his place as a modern-day Hank Williams Jr. or Kenny Rogers, keeping the spirit of classic country alive while making it undeniably his own. During his two-night Ryman homecoming, ERNEST didn’t just honor the legends who came before him, he proved he’s the one carrying their flame into the future of country music.
ERNEST is gearing up to release Live From The South, a six-track EP produced by the 3x CMA Triple Play Award winner and Jacob Durrett. The project, arriving on November 21, will feature the previously released “Blessed” and “Live From The South” as well as “Cowgirl Stay,” “Hate A Small Town,” “Take Me To Montgomery,” “Two Black Crows” and “I’ll Be Around.”
The chart-topping hitmaker will take his new EP on the road on just recently announced Live From The South Tour, which will kick off on January 21 at Mission Ballroom in Denver, Colorado and continue through April 26, where the headlining trek will wrap up in Chattanooga, Tennessee at The Signal. Chandler Walters, Cody Lohden and Rhys Rutherford will serve as support on select dates.
“The Live From The South Tour is gonna be a night full of sounds from the south. Born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee and a lover of the south land… even further south where I find so much inspiration in the Virgin Islands,” ERNEST shared in a statement. “This tour is gonna be so much fun, playing some new music mixed with some of the favorites.”
For more information or tickets to an upcoming show, please visit ernestofficial.com.
