ERNEST Exits Ella Langley’s Tour, Opening Up About How Life on the Road Has Been Taking Its Toll
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“I’m grateful to Ella for inviting me to join her on the road, and I’m wishing her nothing but the best tonight in Auburn and throughout the remainder of the tour,” he shared.
ERNEST is temporarily stepping away from Ella Langley’s current tour after revealing that life on the road has been negatively affecting his well-being.
The 34-year-old “Gettin’ Gone” performer announced the decision on social media Friday, Aug. 28, explaining that the demands of touring have taken a toll on both his mental and physical health.
“Hey y’all. The road has been dragging me down in a bad way. From mental to physical health,” ERNEST, whose birth name is Ernest Keith Smith, wrote in an Instagram Stories update.
The country singer clarified that he plans to be away for only a few weeks. He said the break will give him time to focus on himself and get his priorities back in order.
ERNEST also expressed his appreciation to Langley for bringing him along for the tour and offered his best wishes as she continued the run.
“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,” he wrote. He added that he hoped to return “better and stronger,” acknowledging that he owed that effort to himself as well as to people affected by his actions.
Langley is currently traveling across the country on The Dandelion Tour in support of her second studio album, Dandelion. She has not publicly addressed ERNEST’s announcement.
The Nashville songwriter and performer has spent years touring alongside some of country music’s biggest names. In 2023, he joined Morgan Wallen as an opening act, where he once found himself at the center of an unexpected onstage mishap.
During a July 2023 performance in St. Louis, ERNEST attempted to throw a red rose into the audience with considerable force. His momentum carried him over the edge of the stage, sending him crashing toward the area separating the performers from the crowd.
He struck the railing before tumbling down a step built into the barrier. Despite the fall, ERNEST quickly got back to his feet, climbed onto the step and raised both arms in celebration as the audience erupted.
Wallen jokingly praised him afterward, commenting that he had “stuck the landing.” Dierks Bentley also joined the fun, calling the dismount worthy of an Olympic gold medal.