Before ERNEST takes the stage Tuesday night for a powerhouse performance expected to be on ABC Dick Clark’s New Year’s Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2025, The country artist expects to add an extended level of year-end introspection to his pre-show routine. For years, the musician had already established himself as one of country music’s top songwriters, but in 2024 the Nashville native solidified himself as one of country music’s fastest-rising singers.
ERNEST was primarily known for his writing skills, penning hits for stars such as Morgan Wallen—including the recent Grammy nominees “I Had Some Help” and “Cowgirls.” Now he closes out the year by showing off his singing skills—this time in front of a global audience. Of course, this career-defining moment deserves a few extra moments to reflect on just how much of a whirlwind 2024 really was.
“Normally, there’s a few shots, a few prayers, and then we go on stage,” he shares. “But before New Year’s Eve, I think we’ll add some time to get the whole year. It’s been incredible and I’m so grateful for all the opportunities that have come my way.”
For ERNEST, the whole year was filled with remarkable firsts. As a singer, his first song is finally on the airwaves. “Would If I Could,” a duet with Lainey Wilson, is now quickly climbing the country charts and becoming a crossover hit. And as a songwriter, “I Had Some Help,” performed by Wallen and Post Malone, helped earn ERNEST his first Grammy Award nomination for Best Country Song.
“When we wrote ‘I Had Some Help,’ we knew we had something special, but we couldn’t predict how big it would get,” he says. “I had to remind myself of that the other day just because being nominated for a Grammy still doesn’t feel real.”
How will the excitement translate into New Year’s Eve? With all the positive accolades bolstering his reputation in country music as an all-around artist, tonight’s Rockin’ Eve show — which will air live on ABC starting at 8 p.m. ET and streaming on Hulu in the New Year — ERNEST will perform his latest hit, “Why Dallas” from his latest album Nashville, Tennessee in front of a wider audience.
“Performing this year on New Year’s Eve is an honest dream,” says ERNEST. “I think it’s the adrenaline that will keep it going this time. I’m already a big night owl from being used to touring and late nights in the studio, but this year, we’re really excited to be a part of it and play.”
From Pitching to Performing
With his success on the country music circuit, the adrenaline doesn’t just come from the excitement of performing – ERNEST’s athleticism played a role in his stage performances.
Before diving into the music scene, ERNEST was a high school star in Nashville. Surprisingly, he pitched once against Wallen when the two were teenage pitching prospects. He said it’s still hard to understand sometimes how the two have come full circle — now playing together on an even bigger stage than the baseball diamond.
“Morgan and I played against each other in high school, which is crazy to think about now,” he recalls with a laugh. “Back then, we were competing with dreams of playing in college. Sharing the stage now, it’s surreal.”
Country Music over Curveballs for ERNEST
For a brief time, baseball was ERNEST’s priority, but a health scare at 19 quickly shifted his focus to music – and he’s never looked back. However, athletics still remains a big part of ERNEST’s routine—and if you’ve seen his Instagram, you can see that he’s full of athletic energy, whether he’s vaulting through hoops or wearing a wardrobe filled with one of his closets full of custom jerseys. such as sports legends like Peyton Manning and DeAndre Hopkins, (“I have too many jerseys to count,” he says).
He says he still channels his inner athlete every time he takes the stage, and Tuesday night will be no different.
“Playing on stage 100 percent requires athleticism,” asserts ERNEST. “Running, entertaining on stage and singing all require endurance. You want to be able to vocally give everything you’ve got in every scene every night.”
As the curtain falls on 2025, ERNEST has set his sights and fitness goals for 2025. More touring and more projects means the need for a more tailored approach to the year.
“I’ve been lucky enough to tour with amazing artists like Morgan Wallen and Jelly Roll, and they’ve also headlined my concerts. We have some exciting tours to announce next year, so training is in full swing.”
“Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2025” will air Tuesday, December 31 live on ABC at 8:00 PM EST and stream the following day on Hulu. The show will also be broadcast live on 150 iHeartRadio stations nationwide, including Z100 New York, KIIS-FM Los Angeles, KISS FM Chicago, Q102 Philly, THE NEW MIX 102.9 Dallas.
