ERNEST Launches Publishing Venture, Ern's Cadillac Music, With Big Loud

Walters, ERNEST, Lohden, Rafe Tenpenny (Photo: Delaney Royer)

Singer-songwriter ERNEST (who writes as ERNEST K. SMITH) has launched his own publishing venture, ERN'S CADILLAC MUSIC, in partnership with BIG LOUD, where he is signed as both and artist and a writer. He kicks things off with three inaugural signings, including steel guitar player and songwriter CHANDLER WALTERS and KENTUCKY born artist-writer CODY LOHDEN. Additionally, ERN's CADILLAC MUSIC is partnering with both BIG LOUD MOUNTAIN MUSIC and MITCHELL TENPENNY's HIGH DIME to sign NASHVILLE-native RAFE TENPENNY.

ERNEST named the company for his 1975 CADILLAC Coupe DeVille.

“I want to be a source for young writers who haven't gotten a chance yet to play ball,” ERNEST shared with BILLBOARD, recalling how THE WARREN BROTHERS were advocates for him and MITCHELL TENPENNY early in their careers. “That changed our lives because we were in [writing] rooms we had no business being in, but we were getting in them because THE WARREN BROTHERS vouched for us, and then we had to do the rest on our own. But getting that one person that could bridge the gap, that's the hardest part in this town. I want to create an environment where more writers can get a break.”

WALTERS shared about the signing, "ERN and I met on TIKTOK. He hit me up asking where I lived and if I could join his band. Over the past year we've traveled all over the country together and I have gotten to know him as a brother. ERN picking me to be in CADILLAC MUSIC is super humbling. He is one of the most accomplished songwriters in NASHVILLE, and him seeing something in me means more than anything.”

LOHDEN added that his signing feels, “crazy. Not too long ago I was riding on a firetruck and an ambulance, and now I'm getting to write songs. ERN is the GOAT. He's a good dude. And it's cool to know that someone like him who's been in the business believes in me. It's very cool to have him on my side and I'm very grateful!"

RAFE added, "I met ERN a week before my first day of fifth grade at football practice. He came up to me and said, 'I bet I can pick you up,' then decided to show me. We have been best friends ever since. I respect him not only as a friend, but as one of the best writers in the game right now, so for him to show faith in signing me means the world. I've learned plenty from ERN, but the biggest thing is to be true to yourself. When you listen to ERN's music, or see him on social media, podcasts, TV, etc., that's what he's like in real life."

In addition to the launch of ERN's CADILLAC MUSIC, as previously reported, ERNEST will also release FLOWER SHOPS (THE ALBUM): TWO DOZEN ROSES on FEBRUARY 10th, the deluxe edition of his critically-acclaimed 2022 set, FLOWER SHOPS (THE ALBUM).

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