Find Station
 

ERNEST Reveals Why He's Taking Time Off: '...It’s Taken Its Toll On Me'

Photo: Getty Images

ERNEST will take time off “to reset” and focus on his family, the singer-songwriter announced on Tuesday (July 9).

The NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE artist posted two black-and-white snapshots on Instagram as he made his announcement. ERNEST acknowledged that it’s been “a dream” to play shows for fans around the world; however, “running non-stop, I’m not gonna lie (has) taken its toll on me. After getting back from London, it’s really hit me.” Now, ERNEST will spend the next month focusing on his family, including his son, Ryman Saint, who appears on his latest album. He’s now 3 years old.

“I’m going to be taking about a month off to reset and spend some time at home with my family. My son, Ryman is now at the age where every time I get home, he asks me if Im leaving… and I just can’t stand hearing him ask for daddy thru a phone call any more… I wanna spend quality time at home and pour into that reserve,” ERNEST wrote in his post on Instagram on Tuesday. “I’m lucky to have a lot of incredible things coming up, and because of that I want to show up as my best self for my family and for you guys. We will be back on the road soon, and I can’t thank you all enough for the support - y’all be good.”

Some Instagram users offered supportive comments, including fellow artists. Randy Houser, for example, acknowledged that taking time away from family is “the hardest part of what we do brother.”

ERNEST featured Ryman on his 26-track album that released this spring. Ryman appears on a live-recorded rendition of “Twinkle Twinkle.” The country artist — whose album included artwork captured by his wife, Delaney Royer — also featured collaborations with Jelly RollLukas NelsonMorgan WallenLainey WilsonHARDY. ERNEST is slated to kick off “The Legalize Country Music Road Show” in early September. See the dates below.

Sept. 4 – Vancouver, BC – Commodore Ballroom

Sept. 5 – Kelowna, BC – Community Theater

Sept. 6 – Redmond, Ore. – General Duffy's

Sept. 12 – Los Angeles, Calif. – El Rey Theater

Sept. 13 – Anaheim Calif. – House of Blues

Sept. 14 – Modesto, Calif. – The Fruityard

Sept. 26 – Fort Worth, Texas – Billy Bob's

Sept. 27 – Stephenville, Texas – Twisted J's Live

Sept. 28 – Nacogdoches, Texas – Banita Creek Hall

Oct. 5 – Grand Junction, Colo. – Warehouse 2565

Oct. 10 – Des Moines, Iowa – Wooly's

Oct. 11 – Milwaukee, Wis. – The Rave

Oct. 12 – Madison, Wis. – The Sylvee

Oct. 17 – Knoxville, Tenn. – The Mill and Mine