Tucker Wetmore’s rise to success has been in the works ever since he moved to Nashville on a whim in 2020. Following his move to Nashville, Wetmore scored a publishing deal, a No. 1 single at country radio, and two back-to-back RIAA-certified platinum singles thanks to the songs “Wind Up Missin’ You” and “Wine Into Whiskey.”
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Though now, five arduous years later, the 25-year-old Wetmore is finally ready to release his 19-track debut album, What Not To. Hailing from Kalama, Washington, Wetmore left the salmon-filled rivers for Nashville, knowing nobody and having not much other than a dream that has now become a reality.
From Washington to Nashville—Behind Tucker Wetmore’s Cross-Country Move
Even though Tucker Wetmore isn’t from the south, he is still as country as anyone. As he says in his own words, “Country is country wide. There is country, no matter where you look.” Even though Wetmore admitted that his geographical background gave him a bit of trouble coming up, he stated that he “wouldn’t change it for the world.”
It’s evident that Wetmore has a special affinity for his hometown, however, he had to see this dream through. Concerning his bold move from Washington, Wetmore recalled, “I was so broke before I signed my publishing deal. I was living in a house with five other dudes, was wondering how I was going to pay rent most of the time, or food to eat, but didn’t stop.” “This is what I want, this is what is going to happen. I chose God. Let’s roll,” added Wetmore.
Despite the apparent hardship this move entailed, Wetmore divulged that “Those were some of the best times of [his] life.” Tucker Wetmore is still the same Tucker Wetmore, although his days of worrying about rent money are seemingly over, and it’s thanks to his impending new album, What Not To, and the tenacity that transpired behind the scenes.
The Ambitious Nature of Wetmore’s Debut Album, ‘What Not To’
Most musicians who release a debut album seemingly only feature around 10 songs. Though Wetmore didn’t settle for around 10, rather, he ambitiously featured 19 songs on his debut album. Regarding his reasoning for the long track list, Wetmore divulged, “I’ve got a lot to say, and I couldn’t do that in anything less than 19.”
“I feel like everything happened so fast last year that I didn’t really have time to let people know who I am,” continued Wetmore. Wetmore seemingly doesn’t have to worry about that any longer, as he left it all out on the table in his debut album.
“That’s the beauty about what we did with this album, is that it’s got all of the emotions. I’ve always had these thoughts of what I want to do, what I want to say, and I think we nailed all of them,” concluded Tucker Wetmore.
Wetmore’s debut album will surely make a statement. A statement articulating who he is as an artist and person, and a statement articulating that he is here to stay. For Wetmore, this journey has been years in the making, though, as he revealed, “It ain’t going to stick unless the noodle is ready.” That being so, Wetmore has been patient, but now, his time has finally come.
Tucker Wetmore’s debut album, What Not To, is out Friday, April 25, 2025.
Photo by Tibrina Hobson/Getty Images
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