When it comes to his latest record, NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE, ERNEST’S mock run for Mayor has proved bountiful for the country singer/songwriter.
For those who are unfamiliar with ERNEST and his artistry, his signature brand of country has earned him an impressive 1B+ collective global digital streams across platforms. In addition, he has collaborated with many of today’s biggest country stars, including fellow Big Loud labelmate, Morgan Wallen. As a songwriter, he’s penned eleven No 1 hits and has secured cuts with household names such as Chris Lane, Jake Owen and Thomas Rhett. As a performer, he’s shared the stage with country legends Brooks & Dunn and David Lee Murphy, to name a few.
On April 12th, the decorated singer/songwriter released his latest album, NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE. As he shares in a press release,
“I was born and raised in Nashville,” shares ERNEST. “I love this city, it’s the country music capital of the world, and this album is a positive affirmation in the name of country music. That country at its core, the songwriting and storytelling, is popular again” (ERNEST, PR team).
The marketing campaign for the album is just as clever, positioning ERNEST as a potential mayoral candidate for Music City– set to unite a divided country music fanbase.
Within the record, ERNEST draws upon several influences, from classic honkytonk tunes to more contemporary sounds– ultimately putting together a collection of 26 songs that would strike a chord with an audience with a diverse musical palette. Various themes are also addressed throughout the project, including love & relationships, heartbreak, the country lifestyle and more.
Adding to the list of notable mentions is the star-studded lineup of guest collaborators from fellow Big Loud hitmaker, HARDY, to the CMA award-winning “Need A Favor” singer, Jelly Roll, and GRAMMY-award-winning country powerhouse, Lainey Wilson, amongst others. Not to mention the long list of well-accomplished songwriters that contributed to the tracks on this record, including Jessie Jo Dillion, Ashley Gorley, Dean Dillion and more.
Lyrically, storytelling takes centre stage–with some fun, upbeat tunes such as “Redneck Sh*ttt” and “Did It For The Story” that are contrasted by slower, sentimental tracks such as “Ain’t Right Ain’t Wrong”. As for the record’s production, ERNEST teamed up once again with multiple-award-winning producer, Joey Moi– creating consistency despite the wide sonic map this record covers.
THE VERDICT
Despite being a rather mixed bag of songs, ERNEST exhibits his strength as a songwriter and versatility as a vocalist/artist with this record. When he sets out to put a record together, he truly puts everything into it. There’s a certain calibre country fans have to come to expect from the artist, and this record lives up to it.
As far as standout picks go, mine would be “Bars On My Heart,” “Would If I Could, “If You Don’t Know By Now,” “Dollars To Cash,” “Honkytonk Fairytale,” “Why Dallas” and “Kiss Of Death”.
Overall, the record’s worth giving a listen, especially for country fans with elcectic music tastes.
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE OFFICIAL TRACKLIST:
- “I Went To College / I Went To Jail (feat. Jelly Roll)” (Ernest Keith Smith, Chandler Paul Walters, Rivers Rutherford, Luke Bryan)
- “Ain’t As Easy” (Ernest Keith Smith, Dean Dillon, Jessie Jo Dillon, Chandler Paul Walters)
- “Why Dallas (feat. Lukas Nelson)” (Ernest Keith Smith, Chandler Paul Walters, Grady Block, Jordan Merrigan, Lukas Nelson)
- “One More Heartache” (Ernest Keith Smith, Chandler Paul Walters, Jessie Jo Dillon, Dean Dillon)
- “Hangin’ On (feat. Morgan Wallen)” (Ernest Keith Smith, Grady Block, Rhys Rutherford, Jacob Durrett, Rafe Tenpenny)
- “Did It For The Story” (Ernest Keith Smith, John Byron, Ryan Vojtesak, Blake Pendergrass)
- “How’d We Get Here” (Ernest Keith Smith)
- “Never Said I Love You” (Ernest Keith Smith, Chandler Paul Walters)
- “Would If I Could (feat. Lainey Wilson)” (Dean Dillon, Skip Ewing)
- “Honkytonk Fairytale” (Ernest Keith Smith, Rafe Tenpenny, Dallas Wilson, Brad Clawson)
- “Smokin’ Gun” (Ernest Keith Smith, Rhys Rutherford, Grady Block, Ryan Vojtesak, Blake Pendergrass)
- “Twinkle Twinkle (Live At Fenway Park) [feat. Ryman Saint]” (Jane Taylor)
- “Life Goes On” (Ernest Keith Smith, Ashley Gorley, Ryan Vojtesak)
- “If You Don’t Know By Now” (Clint Daniels, Dale Dodson)
- “You Don’t Have To Die” (Clint Ingersoll, Chris Stapleton)
- “Redneck Sh*ttt” (Ernest Keith Smith, Mark Holman, Nicolle Galyon)
- “Small Town Goes” (Ernest Keith Smith, Grady Block, Cody Lohden, Ryan Vojtesak, Chandler Paul Walters)
- “Kiss Of Death” (Ernest Keith Smith, Andy Albert, Ryan Vojtesak)
- “Slow Dancing In A Burning Room” (John Clayton Mayer)
- “Ain’t Too Late” (Ernest Keith Smith, Grady Block, Chandler Paul Walters, Jordan Merrigan, Cody Lohden)
- “Sayin’ You Love Me” (Ernest Keith Smith, Mark Holman, James McNair)
- “Summertime Flies” (Ernest Keith Smith, Rafe Tenpenny, Grady Block, Jacob Durrett, Ross Portaro)
- “Ain’t Right Ain’t Wrong” (Ernest Keith Smith, Rhys Rutherford, Ryan Vojtesak)
- “Creep (feat. HARDY)” (Colin Greenwood, Jonathan Greenwood, Albert Hammond, Michael Hazlewood, Edward O’Brien, Philip Selway, Thomas Yorke)
- “Bars On My Heart” (Ernest Keith Smith, Mark Holman, Nicolle Galyon)
- “Dollar To Cash” (Ernest Keith Smith, Grady Block, Rafe Tenpenny, Brett Tyler)
Listen to NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE Now:
Stay up to Date with ERNEST:
ERNEST. “NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE.” Spotify, Big Loud Records. Apr 12 2024.<https://open.spotify.com/album/0fbS7loVI8hh7T06iymFU8?si=mWG5CK5hSVmcbgMocGAK4g>.
PR team.“ERNEST RELEASES NASHVILLE, TENESSEE”. Apr 12 2024. Press Release.
Royer, Delaney. “Featured: Official cover art for ERNEST’s latest album, NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE. Courtesy of Big Loud Records.” Apr 12 2024. Courtesy of Big Loud Records.
Royer, Delaney. “Featured: Nashville’s resident country singer/songwriter, ERNEST. PC: Delaney Royer.” Apr 12 2024. Courtesy of PR team.
Royer, Delaney. “Featured: Nashville’s resident country singer/songwriter, ERNEST. PC: Delaney Royer.” Apr 12 2024. Courtesy of PR team.
