10 Questions with ... Dustin Lynch

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Since his debut platinum-certified single, “Cowboys and Angels,” in 2012, Dustin Lynch has garnered seven #1 hits, four consecutive Top 5 albums, and tours with some of the genre’s biggest names in Country music, including Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line and Brad Paisley. Lynch’s fourth album, “Tullahoma,” was released in January, and features the chart-topping, gold-certified singles “Ridin’ Roads” and “Good Girl,” and current single “Momma’s House.” The Tullahoma, TN native and Grand Ole Opry member has more than 1.7 billion total career streams and has earned industry recognition through various awards and appearances including the iHeartRadio Music Awards, ACM Awards, CMA Awards, CMA Fest and more. Lynch is currently on the road with his headlining "Stay Country Tour," and will support Old Dominion’s "We Are Old Dominion Tour” starting in May.

1. Your new album "Tullahoma" is now out - congrats! What inspired you to name the album after your hometown? Was there any extra pressure you felt to represent your hometown well?

The naming of the album came last. For one, naming an album is tough because you're kind of stuck with it the rest of your life. We slave over what to name an album [and] what it means. Whenever it came time to really kind of hone in on which group of songs were going to make the final cut, I stepped back and looked at everything and realized that what I had been writing about [and] wanting to record about was a little bit of an insight as to who I am today. I started thinking about why I'm who I am today as the songwriter and singer I am, and entertainer. I noticed that a lot of my inspiration and a lot of the things I believe in and enjoy doing in life [are] because of my hometown. I feel like all of us kind of carry a bit of our hometown that we were raised [in] with us the rest of our lives. Naming [the album] "Tullahoma" was a way to tip my hat to that place and those people that have gotten me here today.

2. The new album has a lot of quality tracks and is already the home to TWO #1s. Did you feel pressure when selecting the current single, "Momma's House," and why did you ultimately decide on it as the single?

Yeah, there's always pressure on trying to decide which step to take next in life with anything. Picking a single is a big deal because that affects not only our lives, our live show, our trajectory, but also the songwriters that have written the song. You're hopefully positively affecting their lives by picking a single. There wasn't a whole lot of pressure, honestly, because I was confident in all of our choices we had that I was comfortable with any of them. We wanted to do "Momma's House" because it just felt like the timing was right to do a big, rocking breakup ballad. We haven't done that yet. We haven't given that flavor to the world, so that's kind of why we went with it.

3. One of the most buzzed about songs off the album is "Thinking 'Bout You," featuring Lauren Alaina. How did Lauren come to be a part of this track, and what was it like working with her?

Lauren and I toured together at the end of 2018. It was Lauren, and myself and Cole Swindell. I asked Lauren to come out each night and sing one of my songs called "Love Me Or Leave Me Alone" with me, and it was there that I realized we had great chemistry together. Our voices really meshed well together and it felt organic and natural when we were on stage singing, so I kind of had [in the] back of my mind that she would be a great ask if I ever came across the right song to do a true duet with. I wrote "Thinking 'Bout You" with the inspiration of maybe making a duet moment out of it, and whenever we started writing the second verse, I kind of locked in on, “Oh yeah, this is going to be one of those moments. Lauren could be the perfect fit for this.” I was just praying that she liked it, that's what I was hoping for. We finished it, I demoed it up and sent it to her and she called me immediately after listening to it and said she would love to sing on it with me. Thankfully, she did. We actually had to fly to L.A. to record her vocals because she was taping "Dancing With The Stars."

4. How has your relationship with Country radio evolved in the years since you were a fresh-faced act to now, when you're a proven hit-maker, and how instrumental do you feel radio has been in your string of successes?

It's the absolute biggest catalyst to our career and forever will be kind of our foundation of how our music started and spread to the masses and become a part of people's lives, and the reason they want to come party with us. It's changed all of our lives, and our family's lives as well. The ride that we've already been on has been an amazing thing, and I feel like in a crazy way, honestly, we're just getting started. You know, we've been at it and been on the radio for eight years now. It feels like we're just kind of locking in and finding our lane. So that's exciting to me.

5. We love that you brought your parents along for your recent interview on "The Bobby Bones Show." Was that their first radio appearance? What kind of role have they played in your career? Have they always been supportive?

They've always been supportive. Dad and mom got started early whenever I was touring around playing honkytonks and frat parties, really anybody that would book me. [Dad] was driving my truck and helping me set up my speakers, so he's been around. He's my biggest champion and cheerleader. Mom as well, a little bit more behind the scenes.

To have them on "The Bobby Bones Show" was a lot of fun because I've never seen my parents that nervous. Whenever you get really nervous, you tend to lock up and freeze, and your responses get a little bit short. But here's why they were so nervous: They listen to the Bones show every single day. It's not like it was just some radio show. I mean, that's a lot of pressure as it is, but they're legit fans of that show. That's the radio show that they wake up and listen to every morning, so they know all of the characters on it and were just starstruck. They had a blast. That's one thing that we could definitely take with us the rest of our lives. We have that memory together and that's so special, and I can't thank Bobby enough for doing that for us.

6. With seven #1 songs, we can imagine it's hard to have a favorite, but which song do you enjoy performing live most, and why?

It's gotta be "Cowboys And Angels" still, the first one. The reason being, I think I've written more favorite songs, but as far as performing goes, that song was inspired by my grandparents' love story, so I get to share their story on stage each night and then play a song that ended up changing our lives and getting this crazy ride started for us. The connection I have with everyone in the room, whether we're in an arena or outside entity, or stadium, whatever it may be, is one that's palpable. You can feel it. Guys and girls really connecting and watching them sing and dance to my grandparents' song is an amazing feeling, and I don't think that'll ever change.

7. Your music has a little bit of everything, from more traditional-sounding songs like "Cowboys and Angels" and "Daddy's Boots" to more modern-sounding songs like "Seein’ Red" and "Ridin' Roads." Have you ever felt pressure to pick a certain style and stick to it, or do you feel pretty open to explore your sound without fear of how well it will be accepted?

We've been blessed to have success far left and far right in this genre, which is so much fun. I think I can see some of my other artist buddies doing the same. It's kind of like, “Let's just have fun and make the music that stands out.” What we're inspired by, whatever moment of life we're in, can determine where the music goes.

8. We recently wrapped up another Country Radio Seminar. I'm sure you've been to quite a lot of those, any funny stories or memories from your time there in years past?

My favorite memory of CRS is from a couple of years ago. We had just finished up a showcase and caught wind that Hot Country Knights were playing at Dierks [Bentley's] bar [Whiskey Row,] so we went and tried to get in there and caught their last song. As we were walking out, me and a couple band members, there was a line outside of Layla's bluegrass bar. I looked in the window and freakin' Garth Brooks is on the stage! I said, “Shoot, I'm going to work my magic and get in here, he's my hero!” I ran around to the back alley and the guys [bouncers] wouldn't let me in, so I ran back to the front and kind of just settled for watching through the window. Then, a security guard recognized me. He's actually from my hometown of Tullahoma. He goes, “Hey dude, get in here. I know you're from Tullahoma. I have to take care of my hometown guy.” So he let me and a couple buds in and we rocked out, front row, with Garth Brooks at Layla's and had the time of our lives. That's got to be my top moment.

9. You've been fortunate enough to tour with some of Country's biggest names over the last several years, Brad Paisley, Florida Georgia Line, Luke Bryan and Thomas Rhett to name a few. Is there anyone who has had a lasting impact on the way you do things as you've embarked on your own headlining tours, like your current “Stay Country Tour?”

Every tour we've been a part of has taught me different things. That goes for onstage entertainment as well as how to run it behind the scenes, backstage, behind the curtain. There's villages of people packed behind the scenes that make tours happen. There's a lot of learning to do outside of just performing and entertaining at that level. The notebook is full of notes, things to do, and things that maybe aren’t the best ideas [laughs]. You just gotta take a mix of all that, go out there and try your best at being in that headlining spot and providing a great atmosphere for opening acts as well.

10. It's hard to top the start you've had to 2020 with “Ridin' Roads” going #1, a plaque commemorating seven #1 singles, and performing on “Good Morning America.” What else is in store for this year?

The momentum's already rocking and I'd kind of love to just ride the wave. I've never got to start the year with a big #1 right out of the gate, followed by an album release, followed behind the following week [with] a kick off to my headlining tour. So for us, it's just, “Let's ride the wave.” I'll tell you, we're charged up. We had the longest break from touring we've ever had in our career, and honestly, it's been much needed. But at the same time, I [got] tired of it [and] ready to get back out and do what we were born to do, and that's being on stage and playing live. We've got a lot to tackle. I'm excited to jump into some headlining roles in the festival world, festivals that we've played in years past as opening, direct support, that have asked us back [to headline]. That's a bit of a scary slot to be in, but I think we've got the hits and the show now. I know for a fact we can hold our own at that level.

It's no secret you are a big fan of Reba McEntire. What is your favorite memory or moment you've shared with her?

The most amazing moment has to be her surprising me at the Opry for [my] induction. I told my team I didn't want to know who was going to come out and make it official and do the induction, and I honestly never would've dreamed Reba McEntire would've been up for taking [the] time. I mean, she's the sweetest and it makes sense, but for me, are you kidding me? Um, you're Reba! It was unreal, and very emotional. There's video proof of that ... She made me cry a lot and asked me to perform another song and I was all crying and snotty. Then she ran off stage, grabbed tissues and brought them back to me. The tissues are framed and forever preserved!