Win Tickets to See Nashville Singer-Songwriter ERNEST in Owensboro this Summer

How Country Music Calms My Nerves as a Horse Show Mom

My daughter and I have kind of an odd tradition. She loves horse showing, which means I’m the designated trailer driver. I had to learn how to haul in my 40s, long past the age of being young, wild, and blissfully unaware of everything that could go wrong. So now, I’m just a big ball of anxiety behind the wheel. The only thing that keeps me grounded? Good old country music. Growing up, my parents loved the classics. I thought they were awful. I wanted nothing to do with George Jones or Waylon Jennings. But now that I’m older, I can appreciate classic country (in moderation, of course).

From George Jones to Lainey Wilson: A Playlist That Spans Generations

Our first song is always David Allen Coe’s “You Never Even Called Me by My Name.” Then we let the music muses take over. Somehow, we always end up with Lainey Wilson and Sam Hunt, which is fine, but I need some real old country, and even a little '90s, before I can relax and enjoy the ride.

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The Retro Revival in Country Music You Need to Hear

Now, don’t get me wrong, Lainey and Sam are great, but there’s a new wave of country catching fans’ attention. It’s retro, it’s twangy, and it feels more classic than anything we’ve heard in a while. I’ve recently added Zach Bryan to my playlist, but one up-and-coming artist is really turning heads and getting back to our roots: ERNEST. He’s an old soul in a modern scene, and he’s worth a listen.

Meet ERNEST: Nashville’s Old Soul with a New Sound

According to his Wikipedia page, ERNEST grew up just a hop, skip, and a jump away in Nashville, TN. He draws on tough life experiences, like suffering a heart attack at 19 due to a viral infection and battling drug addiction in college, to write music that deeply connects with fans.

ERNEST's Collaborations Include Morgan Wallen, Lainey Wilson, Jelly Roll & More

After moving back to Nashville, ERNEST broke into the music scene, co-writing hits for artists like Florida Georgia Line, Chris Lane, Jake Owen, Sam Hunt, and Morgan Wallen.

ERNEST, nicknamed “The Charmer” by MusicRow, has landed two hits on the country charts, thanks in part to his friend Morgan Wallen. His first single peaked at #18 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart.

Then in 2024, he joined Morgan on the hit song “Cowgirls,” earning his first #1.

ERNEST Releases Nashville, Tennessee and Launches DeVille Records

In 2024, ERNEST dropped his sophomore album Nashville, Tennessee, featuring collaborations with Lainey Wilson, HARDY, and Jelly Roll. Listen to it here. 

New Music Alert: Cadillac Sessions Brings Classic Country Back

In 2025, the multi-platinum singer-songwriter launched DeVille Records in partnership with Big Loud Records, focusing on artist development, songwriting, and collaboration. Big Loud CEO Seth England told MusicRow the goal is to “help break the next wave of prolific artists.”

DeVille’s first release, Cadillac Sessions, dropped May 9. The mixtape-style album includes two new originals and a cover from ERNEST, with contributions from Walters, Rutherford, Lohden, and surprise superstar guests. The sound blends honky tonk, Western swing, and ’90s country with vivid imagery and modern hooks. Listen to it here. 

And here’s the best part: ERNEST is hitting the road to promote the project, and his tour is rolling into Owensboro this August!

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ERNEST Tickets for Owensboro Sportscenter

ERNEST will take the stage at the Owensboro Sportscenter on Tuesday, August 12th. Doors will open at 6pm and live music gets underway at 6:45pm. Opening for ERNEST will be Madisonville, Kentucky's Sarah Beth Brewer!

How to Get Tickets for ERNEST at the Owensboro Sportscenter

Tickets are available at OwensboroTickets.com and at the Owensboro Convention Center. The box office hours are 9 am to 5 pm.