After penning multiple songs for other artists, including the Post Malone-Morgan Wallen smash hit “I Had Some Help,” Ernest released his first single to country radio last fall. “I think it feels like the time is now for me to go sing my songs,” the Nashville native, 33, told American Songwriter in late 2024. Now, the “Would If I Could” singer (born Ernest Keith Smith) will get the chance to show off his own work during this year’s Busch Light Summer Music Series. The ACM’s 2024 New Male Artist of the Year, Nate Smith, will also take the stage.
Videos by American Songwriter
Summer Music Series Heads to Texas in May
Last month, NASCAR and Anheuser-Busch announced plans to launch an annual Busch Light summer music series, uniting two time-honored passions for race fans: beer and country music. The summer series includes five pre-race performances throughout the NASCAR season.
According to an announcement on social media Wednesday (March 12), Ernest will kick off the Summer Music Series with a May 4 performance at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth.
Additionally, multi-platinum country star Nate Smith will take the stage on June 8 at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn. Both Smith and Ernest received nods from the Academy of Country Music in this year’s New Male Artist of the Year race, with Smith, 39, ultimately taking home the trophy.
Releasing his self-titled debut album in 2023, Smith has released multiple gold and platinum-certified singles, including “Wreckage,” “Bulletproof,” “Whiskey On You,” and “World on Fire.”
Meanwhile, Ernest has scored 13 No. 1 hits as a songwriter and several No. 1 hits on country radio, including the 2021 Morgan Wallen collab “Flower Shops.”
Ernest Is Teaming Up With This Hip-Hop Legend
Lately, West Coast rap icon Snoop Dogg is exploring country music. The “Gin and Juice” star recently partnered with Jelly Roll on “Last Dance With Mary Jane,” off the former’s latest album Missionary.
Now, he has apparently linked up with Ernest, who teased a collab between the two called “Gettin’ Gone” earlier this year. And just this week, the pair were spotted filming a music video on Nashville’s Broadway Strip.
During a recent appearance on the podcast Bussin’ With The Boys, Ernest recalled “weaseling my way” backstage to meet Snoop when the “Drop It Like It’s Hot” star came to Nashville for a pop-up show with Jelly Roll. After Snoop rolled a blunt, the “Cowgirls” collaborator asked if he would listen to a song Ernest had written that week.
“He’s like, ‘I need your number, Ern, send me that shit… I need that record,’” Ernest recalled.
Featured image by Taylor Hill/WireImage
Leave a Reply
Only members can comment. Become a member. Already a member? Log in.