ERNEST is stepping off the road for the next couple of weeks. The country singer told fans through his Instagram story on Friday, August 28 that the demands of touring had caught up with him and that he needs to put his mental and physical health first.
"The road has been dragging me down in a bad way," he wrote, adding that he was going away for a couple of weeks to get himself and his priorities back in order.
He was out as a supporting act on Ella Langley's The Dandelion Tour, booked with her through September 12. He thanked Langley for having him out and wished her well for that night's show in Auburn, Alabama, and the rest of the run.
He also said he owed the break to himself and to those affected by his actions, and that he expects to come back better and stronger. Country Now reports it is not clear when he returns, or who fills his slot on Langley's remaining dates.
Beyond Langley, his calendar had fairs and festivals on it, plus select dates on Thomas Rhett's The Soundtrack To Life Tour running October 1 to October 17.
The news landed days after he opened for Ian Munsick at Red Rocks, on a night that began hours after Dolly Parton's death was announced. He posted a tribute calling her a songwriter, artist, philanthropist and icon, and thanked the crowd that turned out anyway. ERNEST also turns up elsewhere in country this season, as a collaborator on Pat McAfee's debut album.
The facts
- ERNEST is pausing touring for a couple of weeks
- He cited both mental and physical health
- He was opening for Ella Langley through September 12
- Dates on Thomas Rhett's tour ran October 1 to 17
- He announced the break on Instagram on August 28
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