Yet another country artist is stepping away from the grind of touring and all that comes with it in 2026.
Ernest, the artist known for his song “Flower Shops” and for penning songs for Morgan Wallen like “You Proof” and “Wasted on You,” has made the tough but necessary call to take himself off the road. He’s been out on tour a lot this year, and has stayed plenty busy when he’s not touring. The artist kicked off 2026 with his own Live from the South Tour, and once he wrapped that up, he focused on the release of his album, Deep Blue.
He even found some time to help sports personality, Pat McAfee, put together his very own album of his own (that has mixed reviews, to say the least). And as of late, he’s been one of the supporting acts for Ella Langley’s The Dandelion Tour. All that to say… Ernest has had an incredibly busy 2026, and it sounds like it’s finally caught up to him.
The uberly talented artist and songwriter took to his Instagram story to announce that he’s stepping away for a while to prioritize himself and his health – and thus is missing out on some future dates with Ella. He thanked her for having him join The Dandelion Tour and wished her the best:
“Hey y’all. The road has been dragging me down in a bad way. From mental to physical health. I am going away for a couple of weeks to get myself and my priorities back in order. I want to thank Ella for having me out on tour and wishing her the BEST in Auburn tonight and the rest of the tour. I look forward to coming back better and stronger. I owe it to myself and those affected by my actions. That starts now. Love y’all.”
Interestingly enough, it was just a couple of months ago that Ella Langley shared that Ernest had been a confidant for her very own mental health struggles. So I’m sure she’ll be very understanding of his decision.
It’s admittedly a bummer to see Ernest walk away (especially for those who were planning on seeing him at some point down the road)… but at the end of the day, he’s prioritizing himself and his health. It’s no secret that tour life can take a toll on you in more ways than one. Whether it’s your physical health, your mental health, or you’re just having a little too much fun, trying to power through it can lead to an even worse situation in the end. Good for Ernest for recognizing that and putting himself first.
The country artist and respected Nashville songwriter joins a number of other artists who have taken time out of 2026 to focus on bettering themselves. Chase Rice, Randall King, Colter Wall and Jake Worthington have all made announcements to their fans this year that they needed to step away (Rice, King and Worthington have since come back). Though worrisome, it’s good to see that all of them are prioritizing their health and well-being.
Take all the time you need Ernest.
