Earlier than ERNEST takes the stage Tuesday evening for what’s anticipated to be an energizing efficiency on ABC’s Dick Clark’s New 12 months’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 considered one of nation music’s high songwriters, however in 2024 the Nashville native solidified himself as considered one of nation music’s fastest-rising singers.
ERNEST was primarily famend for his writing expertise, penning hits for stars equivalent to 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 world viewers. Naturally this career-defining second deserves a number of further moments to replicate on simply how a lot a whirlwind 2024 really 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 slightly second simply to absorb the whole thing of the yr. It’s been unimaginable, and I’m so grateful for all of the alternatives which have come my means.”
For ERNEST, your complete yr stuffed with exceptional firsts. As a singer, his first music lastly the airwaves. “Would If I Might,” a duet with Lainey Wilson, is now quickly climbing the nation charts and is changing 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 Music.
“Once we wrote “I Had Some Assist,” we knew we had one thing particular however couldn’t have predicted how large it will turn out 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 12 months’s Eve efficiency? With all of the constructive accolades boosting his fame inside nation music as an all-around artist, tonight’s Rockin’ Eve efficiency—which is able to air stay 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 may maintain it going this time. I’m already an enormous 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 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 have been teenage pitching prospects. He mentioned it’s nonetheless arduous to fathom typically how the 2 have come full circle—now performing collectively on a fair greater stage than the baseball diamond.
“Morgan and I really performed towards one another in highschool, which is loopy to consider now,” he reminisces with amusing. “Again then, we have been competing with goals 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 rapidly shifted his focus to music—and he’s by no means seemed again. Nonetheless, athletics nonetheless stays an enormous a part of ERNEST’s routine—and in case you’ve seen his Instagram, you may see he’s stuffed with athletic power, whether or not he’s capturing hoops or sporting a wardrobe brimming with considered 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 evening received’t be any completely different.
“Performing onstage one hundred pc requires athleticism,” ERNEST asserts. “Operating round, having enjoyable onstage, and singing all demand endurance. You need to have the ability to vocally give all it’s a must to every stage every evening.”
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 strategy to the yr.
“I’ve been lucky to tour with superb artists like Morgan Wallen and Jelly Roll whereas additionally headlining my exhibits. We’ve got 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, stay on ABC starting at 8:00 p.m. EST and stream subsequent day on Hulu. The present may even air stay 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.