Country Up-and-Comer Greylan James Talks Viral Hit ‘Water at a Wedding,’ His New Album, And the Kenny Chesney Advice That Sparked His Career
Greylan James, who just scored his first Billboard Hot 100 hit, is Billboard’s Country Up-and-Comer Artist of the Month for November.
Growing up in East Tennessee, Greylan James was surrounded by country music, often watching Kenny Chesney, another native from the region, amass numerous hit songs and headline events such as Knoxville's Neyland Stadium. At the age of 11, James had the opportunity to meet Chesney briefly while performing in a bluegrass band. The encounter sparked an idea in James' mind: how to achieve the same success as Chesney.
Chesney advised James to stay in school and learn how to write songs, a piece of wisdom that James has carried with him ever since. This advice led to James' career breakthrough, as he penned the viral hit "Water at a Wedding" alongside Matt Dragstrem and Chase McGill. The song, narrating a real-life scenario of a man attending his ex's wedding and noticing his ex's preference for water over wine, has gained significant traction, securing a spot on the Billboard Hot 100 and Country Airplay charts.
James' accomplishments seem to multiply regularly, including his debut on the Grand Ole Opry and the upcoming release of his self-titled debut album. He is also preparing for a headlining tour, named "Wedding Season: The Tour," slated to commence on November 6. James expresses his gratitude for the rapid succession of milestones in his career, feeling as though his long-held dreams are unfolding simultaneously.
He regards his debut on the Opry as a monumental achievement, fulfilling a childhood dream. In addition to his own success, James has been recognized as a solid songwriter in Nashville's community, contributing co-writes to numerous hit songs by artists such as Jordan Davis, Chesney, Morgan Wallen, and BRELAND. Now, with his debut album featuring his own compositions and a tribute song to Chesney, James aims to further establish his unique voice within the genre.
The November spotlight bestowed upon James by Billboard, along with accolades from artists like Colton Dawson, Mack Geiger, and Kaitlin Butts, further solidifies his status as a rising star in the country music scene.
Written by urgent.news from Billboard's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
