Earlier than ERNEST takes the stage Tuesday night time for what’s anticipated to be an energizing efficiency on ABC’s Dick Clark’s New Yr’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 certainly one of nation music’s high songwriters, however in 2024 the Nashville native solidified himself as certainly one of nation music’s fastest-rising singers.
ERNEST was primarily famend for his writing expertise, penning hits for stars similar to Morgan Wallen—together with the 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 world viewers. Naturally this career-defining second deserves a couple of further moments to replicate 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 Yr’s Eve, I feel we’re going so as to add slightly second simply to absorb the whole lot of the yr. It’s been unbelievable, and I’m so grateful for all of the alternatives which have come my manner.”
For ERNEST, your complete yr crammed with outstanding firsts. As a singer, his first tune 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 Publish Malone, helped earn ERNEST his first Grammy Award nomination for Greatest Nation Track.
“Once we wrote “I Had Some Assist,” we knew we had one thing particular however couldn’t have predicted how massive it will 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 thrill translate to his New Yr’s Eve efficiency? With all of the constructive accolades boosting his repute inside nation music as an all-around artist, tonight’s Rockin’ Eve efficiency—which can air reside on ABC starting at 8 PM ET and stream on Hulu on New Yr’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 Yr’s Eve this yr is an sincere dream,” ERNEST says. “I feel it’s the adrenaline that may maintain it going this time. I’m already a giant night time 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
Together with his success on the nation music circuit, adrenaline isn’t solely derived from the thrill of performing—ERNEST’s athleticism has performed a task 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 had been teenage pitching prospects. He mentioned it’s nonetheless exhausting to fathom typically how the 2 have come full circle—now performing collectively on a fair larger 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 had been competing with goals of enjoying 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 seemed again. Nonetheless, athletics nonetheless stays a giant a part of ERNEST’s routine—and should you’ve seen his Instagram, you possibly can see he’s stuffed with athletic power, whether or not he’s taking pictures hoops or sporting a wardrobe brimming with certainly one of his closet stuffed 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 night time gained’t be any completely 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 you need to every stage every night time.”
As soon as the curtain comes down on 2025, ERNEST has his sights and health targets set for 2025. Extra touring and extra tasks means the necessity for a extra fit-focused method to the yr.
“I’ve been lucky to tour with superb artists like Morgan Wallen and Jelly Roll whereas additionally headlining my exhibits. Now we have some thrilling excursions to announce subsequent yr, so the coaching is in full swing.”
“Dick Clark’s New Yr’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2025,” will air Tuesday, Dec. 31, reside on ABC starting at 8:00 p.m. EST and stream subsequent day on Hulu. The present may even air reside 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.