Country Singer Reflects on Struggles Amidst Rapid Rise to Fame

At a recent event in Nashville, held by PEOPLE and IHG Hotels & Resorts ahead of the Country Music Association (CMA) Awards, a 24-year-old country singer opened up about the challenges he has faced during his rapid ascent to fame. The artist spoke candidly about the difficulties he encountered in managing personal issues while his career continued to soar. «I didn’t plan past this point. I really didn’t,» he admitted during an interview at the Hotel Indigo Nashville — The Countrypolitan.

Discussing his personal struggles over the past year, he noted, «You can be doing so good and everything’s going great, but still you just can’t feel it.» Despite achieving significant professional milestones, including cutting his debut album «Religiously» in May 2023, he found it hard to enjoy his success. His latest single, «Holding On,» was released just last month.

As a nominee for the CMA Awards‘ best new artist, the country star shared how challenging it has been to reconcile the highs of his career with his personal lows. «It’s the weirdest thing. I’m getting number one after number one… but then at the same time, you can’t feel it. You can’t feel anything,» he said. This personal journey has led him to reflect deeply on his life and career path.

He explained that finding personal fulfillment has been a priority over the last year, involving efforts to strengthen relationships with family members, notably his parents and grandmother. However, creating new music was a turning point. «Holding On» reignited his passion for music, providing the spark needed to return to the studio. «Now I’m back, and we’re back in the studio. I’m working on the album,» he confirmed.

The singer’s rise to fame has been nothing short of extraordinary. Initially noticed through videos he posted online, including a TikTok of a song co-written with his friend Gavin Lucas, he took a bold step by quitting his job to pursue music full-time. Reflecting on his transformative journey from modest beginnings, he stated, «Man, it’s just crazy to not live in a trailer anymore. I feel like any time you can have the opportunity to make it out and support your family, retire your dad, get to do things that nobody else gets to do, it’s just emotional all the time.»

The 58th Annual CMA Awards is scheduled to air on November 20 at 8 p.m. ET, providing a platform for the industry to honor its brightest stars.