SUPPORTING ERNEST ON HIS LIVE FROM THE SOUTH TOUR THIS SPRING
BILLED FOR TORTUGA MUSIC FESTIVAL AND SUMMERFEST
NASHVILLE, TENN. – Today country riser Rhys Rutherford releases slow burning “Problem For Tomorrow (feat. Lauren Watkins).” Collaborating with labelmate and songstress Lauren Watkins, the pair trade verses on the duet showcasing their complementary honeyed vocals.
“I knew as soon Clara, Ash and I finished ‘Problem For Tomorrow’ that it was a special song,” shares Rutherford. “I had been listening to Lauren’s album a lot at the time, and she was the first person I thought of to sing it with me! I’m so happy she felt the same way about the song. I am very proud of this one.”
“When I first heard ‘Problem For Tomorrow’ I immediately wanted to be a part of it,” Watkins adds. “It sounded almost cinematic to me but at the same time felt extremely relatable, which I think is such a sweet spot for a song to fall into. I’m so grateful to get to sing on it and I’m excited for people to hear it!”
The new song was written by Rutherford, Clara Park and Ash Ruder, with production by ERNEST, Jacob Durrett and Rhys’ father Rivers Rutherford:
I shouldn’t let myself pick up the phone (pick up the phone)
Now I’m letting words slip off my tongue (say what you mean)
I should probably just stay at home (oooh)
That’s a problem, for tomorrow
Born and raised in Nashville, the student of songwriting masters learned at the foot of his father – Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member Rivers Rutherford – soaking up the wisdom and sound of chart-topping contemporary country. Carving out his own path, Rhys continues his streak of songs built on witty wordplay and smooth country sonics including recent “Long Way” that All Country News calls “a sharply polished, feel-good statement,” and unforgettable debut “Southern Belle.”
Now through April Rutherford will join friend and mentor ERNEST on his Live From The South Tour with additional festival dates at Tortuga Music Festival and Summerfest. For more information or tickets, please visit rhysrutherford.com.
Upcoming Live Shows
March 11 – The Intersection – Grand Rapids, MI*
March 13 – The Fillmore – Detroit, MI*
March 14 – Roxian Theatre – Mckees Rocks, PA*
April 12 – Tortuga Music Festival – Ft. Lauderdale Beach, FL+
April 16 – The Hawthorn – St. Louis, MO*
April 17 – Quad Cities Convention Center – Bettendorf, IA*
April 18 – First Avenue – Minneapolis, MN*
April 23 – The Mill & Mine – Knoxville, TN*
April 25 – The Orange Peel – Asheville, NC*
April 26 – The Signal – Chattanooga, TN*
June 20 – Summerfest – Milwaukee, WI+
* Supporting ERNEST on Live From The South Tour
+ Festival Dates
ABOUT RHYS RUTHERFORD
With the killer instincts of a Music City hitmaker, Rhys Rutherford was raised on songs – and is now putting his education to work. Signed to ERN’s Cadillac Music /DeVille Records and with a commanding baritone vocal, the emerging country songwriter’s first batch of tunes were just beginning to land, when provocateur (and benevolent bossman) ERNEST encouraged him to pursue an artistic career. “His voice is too good to just give away songs,” ERN says. Born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee, the student of songwriting masters learned at the foot of his father – Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member Rivers Rutherford – soaking up the wisdom and sound of chart-topping contemporary country. Matching that to a penchant for classic rock, grunge and hip hop, he wrote his first song at 16 – and after coming home from a short stint at Ole Miss, began using that open-minded fusion of styles for real. Years of under-the-radar work led to a publishing deal with ERN’s Cadillac Music in 2023, and then early cuts like Bailey Zimmerman’s “Is This Really Over?,” ERNEST’s “Hangin’ On (feat. Morgan Wallen),” George Pippen’s “Rest of Our Life” and more. Rutherford is currently supporting ERNEST on his Live From The South Tour.
CONNECT WITH RHYS RUTHERFORD
WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | X | YOUTUBE
ABOUT LAUREN WATKINS
After an acclaimed album debut and a year-plus on the road with stars like Morgan Wallen, Riley Green, and Lainey Wilson – plus Billboard accolades and a monumental first appearance on the Grand Ole Opry – Big Loud Records / Songs & Daughters artist Lauren Watkins has emerged as a proudly defiant projection of pure country-music moxy. But with her second full album, In A Perfect World, Watkins learns that the highway life is only part of her path. A Nashville native inspired by crowd-pleasing outlaws like Willie Nelson, Sheryl Crow, Lee Ann Womack and Miranda Lambert, Watkins’ 17-track 2024 debut, The Heartbroken Record, introduced a mainstream maverick with a thirst for lyrical truth – and an old-school country rebel whose modern instincts never succumb to trends. Coming to know the fast lane by heart, the modern-classic singer-songwriter has racked up millions of streams and rocked full-on stadiums, while learning from the legendary songwriters like Nicolle Galyon, Luke Laird and The Warren Brothers. Yet In A Perfect World finds Watkins in a fresh phase, with her dreamy vocal awake to new charms and challenges. Featuring an earthy mix of sunset country and hazy heartland grit, she’s no longer expecting to get her heart broken, and not pushing the idea of home away. Produced by husband and CMA/ACM Award winner Will Bundy (Ella Langley and Riley Green’s “you look like you love me”), with additional co-production from hit maker Joey Moi on select tracks, Watkins builds on her of-the-moment and always-organic sound; 10 co-written songs capturing the passion and promise of a new outlook. Steel guitars and ethereal atmosphere create a sense of wide-open space, while bold twang and rootsy rhythms keep the Tennessee songbird’s vocal grounded. Steeped in a coming-of-age shift many experience, her modern country packs a timeless punch.
CONNECT WITH LAUREN WATKINS
WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | X | TIKTOK | YOUTUBE
# # #
Media Contacts
For Rhys Rutherford
Corey Brewer + Rachel Heatherly | Big Loud
corey@bigloud.com, rachel@
For Lauren Watkins
Olivia Hanceri + Lexi Leatherwood | OH Creative
olivia@theohcreative.com, lexi
Corey Brewer + Rachel Heatherly | Big Loud
corey@bigloud.com, rachel@
