What an amazing last few years Ernest has had. A prominent figure in the contemporary country music scene, he has swiftly risen to fame with his distinctive blend of traditional country storytelling and modern flair. Hailing proudly from Nashville, Tennessee, Ernest initially gained recognition as a prolific songwriter, penning hits for notable artists like Morgan Wallen, Chris Lane, and Florida Georgia Line. His knack for crafting relatable and poignant lyrics quickly established him as a sought-after songwriter in the industry.
Transitioning from behind-the-scenes to centre stage, Ernest has also made a significant impact as a performer. His debut album, ‘Locals Only,' showcased his ability to seamlessly blend humour, heartache, and nostalgia, drawing listeners in with his authentic voice and charismatic persona. Subsequent releases ‘Flower Shops' and this year's, ‘Nashville, Tennessee' have seen him cement his status as a double threat writer and performer and it was with much anticipation that he made his UK debut yesterday in Hyde Park as part of Morgan Wallen's BST show.
Making an appearance on stage at the biggest ever Country music in the UK certainly didn’t seem to phase Ernest at all, infact the double whammy opener of ‘Why Dallas’ and ‘Kiss of Death’ seemed to only add more retro, authentic Country music into the mix of the day. The former also had a great fiddle solo which was the first of a number of moments where Ernest stepped back away from the spotlight and let the players in his band have their moments in the sun, a mark of a good artists and thoroughly decent guy.
‘You came here to party, I can see that,’ Ernest said to the crowd before launching into one of his most commercial songs, ‘Did it For the Story.’ This was a nice segue into a lighter vibe with the songs’ chugging guitars and driving drums. Ernest’s two guitarists duelled with each other during this song and kept the energy high and the crowd engaged.
A Toby Keith cover of ‘Who’s Your Daddy,’ played nicely to the traditionalists and older Country fans in the crowd before we came to the slower middle section of the set. Introducing ‘Ain’t As Easy’ as ‘a good, slow Country song’ we got to hear the plaintive tones of pedal steel echoing around London town, who’d have thought it, eh? That mood was only augmented and enhanced by ‘Tennessee Queen’ in which, somehow, Ernest managed to make the cavernous surroundings of Hyde Park and the 50,000 or so people in it feel like they were at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. Heartfelt, engaging and intimate, this performance was less about showmanship and stage antics and more about showing the London crowd Ernest’s Country chops, and boy, does he have a big set of them!
‘Ain’t Too Late,’ saw the band and its erstwhile leader transitioning into more of a Bob Seeger mood. The elongated jam session and Laurel Canyon overtones are another string to this talented musician’s bow, showing that Ernest not only has a solid grasp of retro Country, Countrypolitan and modern Country but he can channel 70’s L.A. vibes too, shoud he so desire.
Coming down the walkway to the front of the crowd, Ernest managed to get a group of imperialists and empire builders to sing happy birthday to America on this 4th of July, which is no mean feat before he told us all about how Dean Dillon had written ‘Would If I Could’ 28 years ago and it had sat languishing in song writing hell ever since! More pedal steel and some fine fiddle ensued on a song that was a definite crowd-pleaser if the masses of people around me singing along were anything to go by.
The three song run of ‘How’d We Get Here,’ ‘I Went to College / I Went to Jail’ and ‘Flower Shops’ was a masterstroke of sequencing that really brought home just what a talented writer and performer Ernest is. ‘How’d We Get Here’ found Hyde Park awash in pedal steel again whilst the crowd ably filled in for Jelly Roll on .’…..I went to Jail.’ Ending with ‘Flower Shops’ prompted a sea of phones and voices to break out as people moved to capture the moment and sing along at the top of their lungs too! Ernest ended the show by throwing out roses into the crowd but, to be honest, the best gift he could give them would be the announcement of some shows of his own on these shores. The groundwork has been laid and the demand is there.
Setlist: 1. Why Dallas 2. Kiss of Death 3. Did it For the Story 4. Who’s Your Daddy 5. Ain’t As Easy 6. Tennessee Queen 7. Ain’t Too Late 8. Would If I Could 9. How’d We Get Here 10. I Went to College / I Went to Jail 11. Flower Shops Date: 4th July Venue: Hyde Park, London
