While Gill has been an official part of the Opry family since 1991, ERNEST was named a member of the Opry NextStage Class of 2023 where he’ll be highlighted through live performances and digital broadcasts.
In honor of October being National Country Music Month, American Songwriter hosted a conversation between Gill and ERNEST at our Nashville office. In the nearly hour-long chat (available to watch here), the pair discuss their musical journeys and the long road to their respective Opry debuts. They also share humorous tales of writing with Nashville Songwriters Hall of Famer Dean Dillon, hearing their songs reinterpreted through AI, Merle Haggard’s lasting impact, and much more.
