Earlier than ERNEST takes the stage Tuesday evening for what’s anticipated to be an energizing efficiency on ABC’s Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2025, the nation artist is anticipating so as to add an prolonged layer of year-end introspection to his pre-show routine. For years, the musician already established himself as one among nation music’s high songwriters, however in 2024 the Nashville native solidified himself as one among nation music’s fastest-rising singers.
ERNEST was primarily famend for his writing expertise, penning hits for stars resembling Morgan Wallen—together with the just lately Grammy-nominated “I Had Some Assist” and “Cowgirls.” He’s now closing the yr showcasing his singing expertise—this time in entrance of a worldwide viewers. Naturally this career-defining second deserves just a few additional moments to mirror on simply how a lot a whirlwind 2024 truly was.
“Usually, there are some pictures, some prayers, after which we head out to the stage,” he shares. “However earlier than New 12 months’s Eve, I feel we’re going so as to add a bit of second simply to absorb the whole lot of the yr. It’s been unimaginable, and I’m so grateful for all of the alternatives which have come my manner.”
For ERNEST, the whole yr crammed with outstanding firsts. As a singer, his first track lastly the airwaves. “Would If I Might,” a duet with Lainey Wilson, is now quickly climbing the nation charts and is turning into a crossover hit. And as a songwriter, “I Had Some Assist,” carried out by Wallen and Put up Malone, helped earn ERNEST his first Grammy Award nomination for Finest Nation Tune.
“Once we wrote “I Had Some Assist,” we knew we had one thing particular however couldn’t have predicted how massive it could grow to be,” he says. “I needed to be reminded the opposite day simply because being a Grammy nominee doesn’t really feel actual but.”
How will the joy translate to his New 12 months’s Eve efficiency? With all of the optimistic accolades boosting his status inside nation music as an all-around artist, tonight’s Rockin’ Eve efficiency—which is able to air dwell on ABC starting at 8 PM ET and stream on Hulu on New 12 months’s Day—ERNEST is amped to carry out his newest hit, “Why Dallas” from his newest album Nashville, Tennessee in entrance a wider viewers.
“Acting on New 12 months’s Eve this yr is an trustworthy dream,” ERNEST says. “I feel it’s the adrenaline that can maintain it going this time. I’m already a giant evening owl from getting used to touring and spending late nights within the studio, however this yr, we’re simply actually pumped to be a part of it and carry out.”
From Pitching to Performing
Along with his success on the country music circuit, adrenaline isn’t solely derived from the joy of performing—ERNEST’s athleticism has performed a job in his onstage performances.
Earlier than diving into the music scene, ERNEST was a star highschool pitcher in Nashville. Surprisingly sufficient, he as soon as pitched towards Wallen when the 2 have been teenage pitching prospects. He stated it’s nonetheless arduous to fathom generally how the 2 have come full circle—now performing collectively on a good greater stage than the baseball diamond.
“Morgan and I truly performed towards one another in highschool, which is loopy to consider now,” he reminisces with fun. “Again then, we have been competing with desires of taking part in in school. To now be sharing the stage, it’s surreal.”
Nation Music over Curveballs for ERNEST
For a brief interval, baseball was ERNEST’s precedence, however a well being scare at 19 shortly shifted his focus to music—and he’s by no means regarded again. Nevertheless, athletics nonetheless stays a giant a part of ERNEST’s routine—and when you’ve seen his Instagram, you possibly can see he’s filled with athletic vitality, whether or not he’s taking pictures hoops or sporting a wardrobe brimming with one among his closet filled with customized jerseys, together with sports activities legends like Peyton Manning and DeAndre Hopkins, (“I’ve too many jerseys to depend,” he says).
He says he nonetheless channels his internal athlete every time he hits the stage, and Tuesday evening received’t be any totally different.
“Performing onstage one hundred pc requires athleticism,” ERNEST asserts. “Working round, having enjoyable onstage, and singing all demand endurance. You need to have the ability to vocally give all it’s important to every stage every evening.”
As soon as the curtain comes down on 2025, ERNEST has his sights and health objectives set for 2025. Extra touring and extra initiatives means the necessity for a extra fit-focused strategy to the yr.
“I’ve been lucky to tour with wonderful artists like Morgan Wallen and Jelly Roll whereas additionally headlining my reveals. We’ve some thrilling excursions to announce subsequent yr, so the coaching is in full swing.”
“Dick Clark’s New 12 months’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2025,” will air Tuesday, Dec. 31, dwell on ABC starting at 8:00 p.m. EST and stream subsequent day on Hulu. The present may even air dwell throughout 150 iHeartRadio stations nationwide together with Z100 New York, KIIS-FM Los Angeles, KISS FM Chicago, Q102 Philly, THE NEW MIX 102.9 Dallas.