HITS THE ROAD WITH ERNEST FOR THE LIVE FROM THE SOUTH TOUR THIS SPRING
NASHVILLE, TENN. – Today DeVille Records’ singer-songwriter Rhys Rutherford delivers a brand-new song, “Long Way.” The new tune about “living too fast and loving too slow” proves he’s only scratching the surface of his potential. He’ll take his growing catalog on the road this spring opening for close friend and mentor ERNEST on his Live From The South Tour.
“Been in the studio working on so many great songs this year and this is one of my favorites,” Rutherford shares. “I hope y’all love ‘Long Way’ as much as I do. Plenty more to come.”
Written by Chris Lane, Daniel Ross and Ernest Keith Smith, “Long Way” reflects the highs of young love:
What happens after midnight
Stays between us and the moonlight
Low on time, but that’s okay
Cause we can make a little bit go a long way
The new song follows previously released debut “Southern Belle” written by Rutherford alongside Clara Park and John Pierce. The Nashville native, 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. 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.
Stay up to date with Rhys Rutherford here.
Supporting ERNEST on the Live From The South Tour
March 11 – The Intersection – Grand Rapids, MI
March 13 – The Fillmore – Detroit, MI
March 14 – Roxian Theatre – Mckees Rocks, PA
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
ABOUT RHYS RUTHERFORD
With the killer instincts of a Music City hitmaker, 25-year-old 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. Blending those songwriting chops with his rumbling, soul-piercing vocal and a knack for authentic, relatable hooks, Rutherford was one of the first artists signed to DeVille Records. He made his first appearance on the label-launching Cadillac Sessions mixtape, sharing the dusky dive-bar anthem of missed chances “Get Her Name.” With his debut single “Southern Belle” and recently released “Long Way,” Rutherford is just scratching the surface of his potential. “I think this is just the start of something … something really big,” he says. Beginning in March through April, Rutherford will support ERNEST on his Live From The South Tour.
CONNECT WITH RHYS RUTHERFORD
WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | X | YOUTUBE
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Media Contacts
Corey Brewer + Rachel Heatherly | Big Loud
corey@bigloud.com, rachel@bigloud.com
