When it comes to strong friendships in country music, it’s hard to look past ERNEST, Morgan Wallen, and HARDY. The trio of artists aren’t just good buddies; they also have had a hand in each other’s success, whether it be penning tunes for one another, collaborating on each other’s albums, speaking highly of each other, and even appearing on each other’s tours.
The latter of those four is about to take place very soon as ERNEST and HARDY will act as supporting guests on Wallen’s massive 2023 One Night At A Time World Tour, which begins in March. Parker McCollum and Bailey Zimmerman will also appear on the trek, with ERNEST and Zimmerman appearing on all the tour dates.
ERNEST, who just recently dropped Flower Shops (The Album): Two Dozen Roses, the deluxe version of his second studio album, Flower Shops (The Album), shared his excitement about taking the road with his good buddies.
“I’m super stoked to get out with the fellas and go play stadiums. I’ve always wanted to play baseball stadiums, and now I will be singing in them,” the former JUCO baseball player turned country hitmaker and chart-topping songwriter told Music Mayhem. “Playing in Wrigley Field was a dream, and I’m gonna get to do that. So, just getting to sing for that many fans is unreal.”
“Morgan’s always been good to me and shares his fans,” he added. “I’ve been able to make fans through that. So to do it on that scale is nuts. As far as surprises go, I don’t know, maybe.”
ERNEST, who began his career in Nashville as a songwriter, penning hits like Chris Lane’s “Big, Big Plans” and Wallen’s “More Than My Hometown,” is now on a steady rise with his own star following his Wallen-featured hit, “Flower Shops.”
While on his own musical journey, he has remained friends with Wallen and has seen the superstar go from a local artist and songwriter to one with breakthrough success. 2022 was a huge year for Wallen, fans streamed his music and were so excited to see him live that they sold-out all of his concerts.
At the end of 2022, Wallen closed out his sold-out Dangerous Tour on a high note. He made history at his first-ever stadium concert at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, as the venue’s fastest sellout, with nearly all the tickets being sold during the pre-sale. He also broke the establishment’s attendance record, with 43,598 fans filling seats inside the venue. ERNEST was also a featured guest on that successful tour.
This year, for Wallen is no different. The East Tennessee native hasn’t released his upcoming 36-track One Thing At A Time album, but he is appearing in the Top 10 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart with several songs from the not-yet-released project. Those songs include “Don’t Think Jesus,” “Thought You Should Know,” “You Proof,” “One Thing At A Time,” “Tennessee Fan,” “Days That End In Why,” and “Last Night.”
“It’s crazy. It’s got to be crazy for anybody to see somebody go that way. To be so close to it, you know, we’re just a couple of dudes who happen to be really good friends,” ERNEST, who notes he would like to go from having his already 8 No. 1’s to 10 in 2023, said of the 2022 CMA Entertainer of the Year nominee’s whirlwind rise to fame. “It’s wild to be going from that and throwing a baseball backstage to forty-five minutes later, he’s jogging through 40 security guards with flashlights and about to go rip in front of 50,000 people. But he’s just such a hard worker. He’s been an inspiration to me to work my a** off and get where I want to go.”
Outside of country music, ERNEST and Wallen are proud fathers to their respective toddler boys. ERNEST is father to Ryman Saint Smith, whom he shares with his wife, Delaney Royer, while Wallen shares son Indigo (Indie) Wilder with his ex-girlfriend, KT Smith. With the two of them spending time on the road, one can’t help but wonder if their children will bond and spark a friendship just like their daddies did.
When asked if he will bring Ryman Saint out on the road with him, ERNEST says, “I think he’ll come out some for sure. He ain’t gonna be there all the time, but for some of the shows he will.”
As for whether or not Ryman Saint and Indie will cross paths, ERNEST says, “They might be out at the same time, I guess if the stars align. They hang out here in Nashville. We have little play dates. So, I’m sure Morgan and I will try to line up some of the weekends.”
Wallen’s 2023 One Night At A Time World Tour kicks off on Wednesday (March 15) at the Spark Arena in Auckland, NZ. On April 14, the 60-date tour begins its U.S. leg with back-to-back nights at the American Family Field in Milwaukee, WI. The North American portion of the trek includes 30 stops at stadiums, plus various arenas, amphitheaters, and festivals.
