Morgan Wallen is a native of East Tennessee and a big fan of the University of Tennessee Volunteers, so it only makes sense that one of his biggest professional goals revolves around the college sports team.
Hopes To Headline The Tennessee Volunteers’ Stadium
Wallen is currently out on his One Night At A Time Tour, his first playing stadiums. Co-hosting Country Countdown USA, the singer opened up about his touring goals, reflecting on what more he could accomplish after a sold-out stadium tour.
“I know it’s hard to imagine where you go from there,” he said. “It’s obviously really cool. I’m always trying to make new goals. As far as touring goes, my #1 goal in selling out Neyland Stadium in Knoxville.”
Morgan Wallen has attended numerous games at Neyland Stadium including a historic win by the Vols last season when they beat the Alabama Crimson Tide, marking their first victory against the team since 2006. After the show, Wallen gave an impromptu performance at Peyton Manning’s Saloon 16 inside The Graduate Knoxville.
Wallen sang three songs including “Sand In My Boots,” his version of Jason Isbell’s “Cover Me Up” and early hit “The Way I Talk,” which references the Volunteers.
“Tennessee Fan”
The 30-year-old has also paid homage to the Tennessee Volunteers in multiple other songs including “Tennessee Fan” from his latest album, One Thing at a Time, which inspired the name of his tour.
Wallen’s current trek began earlier this year and has taken the “Last Night” singer to Australia and throughout the United States.
“You get nervous beforehand, we’re like what if this flops?” he noted of his tour’s massive success. “‘What if we put these stadiums on sale and there’s nobody there?’ But it obviously didn’t go that way. My tickets didn’t go on public sale. They were all gone on the presale. It’s just unbelievable. I wish I can play a thousand shows, but I had to cut it odd at some point.”
Praised Tour Opener Bailey Zimmerman
He’ll soon head to Canada for a stretch and has had HARDY, Parker McCollum, ERNEST and Bailey Zimmerman on the road with him on select dates.
Praising his openers, Wallen noted, “Bailey’s a good kid. I’ve spent a lot of time with him. He’s got an insane amount of energy and passion. He’s really blowing up right now. I’m excited to have him out on tour with me this year. He’s a small town kid like me, kinda like myself, I’m proud of him.”
On Wallen’s docket is a set of three shows in Boston’s Fenway Park with McCollum on the bill.
“I’m obviously a big baseball fan, so anytime we get to play a legendary place like that, I’m excited,” Wallen said, adding that he’s a “huge fan” of McCollum. “I think it’ll be a good experience for everybody,” he said.
“Last Night”
Wallen’s sprawling set list encompasses early hits through his latest chart-topper, “Last Night,” which appears during his encore.
“My encore is pretty crazy,” Wallen said. “It’s one of the bright spots for sure. I couldn’t figure out where to put it in my set, but it’s been going pretty well.”
“Last Night” just notched 16 weeks atop the all-genre Billboard Hot 100, becoming the longest-running non-collaboration No. 1 on the chart after passing Harry Styles’ “As It Was.” The song is now tied with “Despacito” from Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee feat. Justin Bieber and “One Sweet Day” by Mariah Carey & Boyz II Men and sits behind Lil Nas X feat. Billy Ray Cyrus’ behemoth “Old Town Road,” which topped the chart for 19 weeks in 2019.
Additionally, Morgan Wallen leads the inaugural People’s Choice Country Awards with 11 nominations.
