Country music’s unstoppable force, Koe Wetzel, kicks off 2025 with a major milestone as his hit single ‘High Road,' featuring Jessie Murph, remains atop the Billboard Country Airplay chart for an impressive fifth consecutive week. This achievement is a rarity in the chart’s history, with ‘High Road' being only the sixth debut single since 1990 to hold the No. 1 spot for this duration. Remarkably, it’s also the first collaboration by two debuting acts to accomplish this feat.
“The way ‘High Road’ has connected has been unreal,” Wetzel shared. “To wrap my head around the fact that it’s stayed at No. 1 for over a month now is honestly hard to do. It’s a hell of a way to start 2025.”
The track’s success underscores its status as a true hit. “Getting to No. 1 is difficult; staying there for five weeks is very difficult and only happens if the song is a bona fide smash hit record,” said RECORDS Nashville EVP Josh Easler, who was named Billboard’s Executive of the Week in recognition of this milestone.
‘High Road' serves as the lead single from Wetzel’s critically acclaimed fifth studio album, 9 Lives (Columbia), which also marks his fourth Billboard Top 10 album. The project has solidified Wetzel’s place as a trailblazer in modern country music, earning year-end accolades from Rolling Stone, Billboard, the Tennessean as well as featuring in our own end of year ‘Best Album' list at number seven. The Los Angeles Times ranked ‘High Road' as the No. 8 best song of 2024 across all genres, a testament to its broad appeal.
Co-written by Wetzel, Murph, Amy Allen, Carrie Karpinen, Laura Veltz, Josh Serrato, and producer Gabe Simon, ‘High Road' has racked up over 330 million global streams, becoming Wetzel’s fastest single to earn an RIAA Platinum certification. Its infectious energy and heartfelt lyrics have resonated deeply with listeners, making it a standout anthem of the year.
As Wetzel dominates the airwaves, his live performances promise to be just as electrifying. The Texas-born star is gearing up for a packed tour schedule, including headline shows at the San Antonio Rodeo, Windy City Smokeout, and Tailgates N’ Tallboys. Fans can also catch him at major festivals like Stagecoach and CMC Rocks in Australia, with more tour announcements expected soon.
Stay updated on Koe Wetzel’s music and tour news at KoeWetzelMusic.com and follow him on social media: Instagram and Facebook (@KoeWetzelMusic), TikTok (@Koe_Wetzel), and Twitter/X (@KoeWetzel).
