PRE-ORDER / PRE-ADD / PRE-SAVE HERE
TITLE TRACK “DEEP BLUE” + “END OF THE NIGHT” OUT TODAY
PRE-ORDER DEEP BLUE VINYL HERE
NASHVILLE, TENN. – Today, GRAMMY®-nominated tastemaker and triple threat ERNEST announces his third full-length studio album, Deep Blue, arriving May 1 via Big Loud Records – pre-order / pre-save / pre-add here.
Deep Blue harkens back thematically to ERNEST’s first-ever project, Locals Only (2019 via Big Loud Records), but showcases seven years’ worth of growth against the backdrop of a tropical escape.
Heavily influenced and inspired by the sounds and spirit of the U.S. Virgin Islands, a place that’s made ERNEST who he is both personally and creatively, Deep Blue takes the listener out to sea on a nostalgic, sentimental trip. ERNEST’s artistic growth and maturity is clear, with the same razor-sharp pen and unique turns-of-phrase that have earned him four CMA Triple Play awards and two Variety Hitmakers honors at the center.
Treating fans today, ERNEST unlocks two more early releases – album title track, “Deep Blue,” and an official studio version of Apple Music Lost & Found Session submission “End Of The Night.”
The 13-track album features previously released singles “Lorelei” which Billboard named “a worthy inclusion to country music’s history of balmy, tropical-infused tracks,” and “Boat Named After You,” as well as four outside cuts, a first for ERNEST from any previous project. Pulling from the archives, the award-winning writer unearthed a set of backlog cuts from Music Row legends like Toby Keith, Nathan Chapman, David Lee Murphy, Tony Lane, Scotty Emerick, just-announced 2026 Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Paul Overstreet, and more, that perfectly round out the upcoming oceanside set. ERNEST also co-produced the album alongside longtime collaborator Jacob Durrett, another first within the tastemaker’s awarded catalog.
“I want to say thank you to the fans that have been here since the Local Only days.” ERNEST shares. “If you are new here, thank you for joining the ride. Most importantly, I want to thank the ocean and the islands. I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for them. I found myself in that Caribbean water and will always call it home away from home.”
Deep Blue will be released on exclusive deep blue–colored vinyl — pre-order here. A limited run of signed copies will also be available.
ERNEST on the road now headlining his nationwide Live From The South Tour. Tonight, the tour hits New York’s iconic Irving Plaza, before traveling to Houston, Fort Worth, Knoxville, and more, wrapping this April. Joining him on tour are breakout artist-writers Rhys Rutherford, Chandler Walters, and Cody Lohden, all three signed to ERNEST’s record label, DeVille Records, and his publishing company, Cadillac Music Publishing.
Deep Blue Tracklist
All songs produced by ERNEST & Jacob Durrett
ERNEST’s Upcoming Live From The South Tour Dates
3/27 – New York, N.Y.– Irving Plaza*
3/28 – Bensalem, Pa. – Parx Casino*
4/2 – Houston, Texas – White Oak Music Hall*
4/3 – New Braunfels, Texas – Gruene Hall*
4/4 – Ft. Worth, Texas – Billy Bob’s*
4/16 – St. Louis, Mo. – Hawthorn #
4/18 – Minneapolis, Minn. – First Avenue #
4/23 – Knoxville, Tn – The Mill & Mine #
4/25 – Asheville, N.C. – The Orange Peel #
4/26 – Chattanooga, Tn – The Signal #
* Support By Chandler Walters
> Support By Cody Lohden
# Support By Rhys Rutherford
For more information or tickets, please visit ernestofficial.com.
ABOUT ERNEST
Nashville’s most unpredictable hitmaker ERNEST is “The Charmer” (MusicRow): a triple threat talent who “creates a sound all his own” (Pollstar) and one of Music City’s defining artist-writers who continues to push and challenge the artistic status quo. A 4X CMA Triple Play Award winner, 2X Variety Hitmakers honoree, and GRAMMY / ACM / CMA Award nominee, ERNEST fuses influences ranging from Eminem to George Jones. Crafting a twist-heavy verse style that’s become his signature, his songcraft carves out country’s sonic landscape, proving its mettle and earning him 13 #1 hits as a songwriter, including all-genre #1 “I Had Some Help” (Post Malone), as well as a #1 at country radio himself.
An eccentric, free spirit, ERNEST released Cadillac Sessions last year alongside DeVille Records / Cadillac Music Publishing mentees Rhys Rutherford, Chandler Walters, and Cody Lohden. Featuring 16 tastemaking tracks and collaborations with Snoop Dogg and Miranda Lambert, the compilation album encapsulates the collaborative spirit of Nashville’s songwriting community, and the creative culture ERNEST is fostering within his own imprints.
ERNEST is currently headlining his Live From The South Tour, playing originals from his just-released EP of the same name. Nashville’s most dynamic talent will release his third full-length studio album, Deep Blue,on May 1, previewed by “Lorelei” and “Boat Named After You.”
CONNECT WITH ERNEST
WEBSITE | TIKTOK | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | YOUTUBE
# # #
Media Contacts
Jess Pettigrove + Izzy Siddons | The Lede Company
jess.pettigrove@ledecompany.
Corey Brewer + Rachel Heatherly | Big Loud
corey@bigloud.com, rachel@bigloud.com
