Country music aficionados, prepare your tear ducts. Ernest’s solo version of “Would If I Could” is making waves on country radio, and it’s the most authentic country tune we’ve heard in decades. Originally performed as a duet with Lainey Wilson, this heartbreaker hails from Ernest’s Nashville, Tennessee album. With Lainey tied up promoting her forthcoming Whirlwind album, Ernest is taking the saddle solo this time—though we’d agree the duet was something special!
The song’s backstory adds an extra layer of intrigue. Penned in 1996 by country legends Dean Dillon and Skip Ewing as their only collaboration, this gem nearly ended up in the trash before being resurrected. Dillon believed the song was a cut above the rest, but it got shelved until Ernest gave it the spotlight it deserved. Talk about finding gold in a dustbin!
Ernest’s passion for the genre shines through every note. Raised in Nashville, he’s made it his mission to honor the storytelling and songwriting that makes country music truly unique. He believes his latest album is a declaration that country’s heart and soul are popular once again. If you’ve been yearning for those classic country vibes, “Would If I Could” is your answer!
Do yourself a favor—head over to Ernest’s Instagram post where he spills the beans, and don’t forget to call up your local radio station to request this tearjerker. For a song whose melody has endured nearly three decades, it deserves every play it can get.
Mike Sanders