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Ernest: Nashville Cool on the Big River Stage. Two Step Inn

By on April 24, 2025

At 3:00 p.m. on April 5, 2025, Ernest brought his Nashville cool to the Big River stage, his modern country swagger energizing Two Step Inn’s Saturday crowd. His 2024 rainout redemption, as In Jeans Magazine noted, was a crowd-pleaser, his Keith Whitley tribute roots shining through.

File Photo: Ernest and his band performs in Georgetown, Texas at the Two Step Inn Festival on April 5, 2025. (Photo Credit and Copyright; Larry Philpot/SoundstagePhotography.com)

Background and Bio: Born Ernest Keith Smith on January 11, 1992, in Nashville, Ernest blends traditional and pop country. His 2019 debut Locals Only and 2022’s Flower Shops feature hits like “Flower Shops” and “Some Other Bar.” His 2024 album Nashville, Tennessee includes “I Went to College / I Went to Jail.” He’s co-written for Morgan Wallen and Sam Hunt. Ernest appeared on The Kelly Clarkson Show and Jimmy Kimmel Live!. No awards are noted, but his Two Step Inn slot reflects his chart success and Whitley-inspired sound. Last year at this festival, he performed with Jesse Keith Whitley in a tribute show.

File Photo: Ernest and his band performs in Georgetown, Texas at the Two Step Inn Festival on April 5, 2025. (Photo Credit and Copyright; Larry Philpot/SoundstagePhotography.com)

Performance Review: Ernest hit the stage, his trucker hat and shades exuding cool, and opened with “Flower Shops,” its Whitley-esque croon sparking sing-alongs. His 2024 rainout nod—“Georgetown, we’re back and better!”—drew cheers. “Some Other Bar” was a radio-friendly hit, its upbeat tempo perfect for the Pony Up stage. “I Went to College / I Went to Jail” was a storytelling peak, its humor resonating with fans, as Holler noted his Whitley tribute. A cover of Whitley’s “When You Say Nothing at All” honored his roots, hushing the crowd. Ernest’s band, with banjo and guitar, kept the vibe lively. The crowd, young and rowdy, vibed with his modern-traditional mix, making his set a Day One highlight.

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