Bailey Zimmerman on what he learned from his dad and what he’s learning about God

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At 25 years old, Bailey Zimmerman bursts into his manager’s office in Beverly Hills, exuding an energy typically associated with someone much younger. He has already achieved four No. 1 country radio hits, such as “Rock and a Hard Place” and the title track from his double-platinum debut album, “Religiously. The Album,” released in 2023. Additionally, he has toured stadiums as an opening act for his friend Morgan Wallen. His new project, “Different Night Same Rodeo,” is a forthcoming LP that Zimmerman claims takes his sound to fresh and unanticipated territories.

Additionally: After performing at the California Mid-State Fair in Paso Robles, he’s heading to Los Angeles. The next day, he plans to explore Universal Studios. “I’m really excited!” he exclaims with a smile. “A massive Harry Potter fan.

Originally from Louisville, Illinois, Zimmerman gained popularity on TikTok through videos about customized trucks. He later shifted to music when a video of him singing his first song became popular on the app. With his gravelly voice and fondness for the resurgent styles of early 2000s rock bands like Nickelback and Shinedown, he rose to fame rapidly, even by Nashville’s slow pace. Despite this fast-paced success, he hasn’t alienated the town’s old-timers. Notably, Luke Combs, a country music veteran, features on Zimmerman’s album “Different Night,” and their duet, “Backup Plan,” recently entered the top 10 of Billboard’s country singles chart. Additionally, his collaboration with Texas rapper BigXthaPlug, titled “All the Way,” has been in Billboard’s all-genre Hot 100 for 17 weeks.

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In a casual attire of a plaid shirt and denim jeans, adorned with several gold necklaces, Zimmerman took a seat for a chat about his latest album, insights gained through fame, and his spiritual journey with God. Here are some highlights from our discussion.

This new record seems to have a lot less intense “butt-rock” vibes compared to “Religiously”. Instead, I’ve found myself gravitating towards the smooth, relaxing beats of R&B music lately, which really help me relax and groove.

Who is this conversation about? That’s mainly SZA, the latest Justin Bieber album, and a band called Cannons. It has a really enjoyable atmosphere, though I can’t quite find the right words to describe it.

The Bieber record is pretty great.
Dude, it brought the word “swag” back within, like, a week.

It seems to me that SZA’s style might be evident in the way you’re experimenting with rhythm while you sing. What makes it so engaging is its groovy quality – it feels like your melody could serve as a beat on its own. The song “It’s All Good” has a country-ish vibe, but you can still bob your head to it. I believe that the more intriguing a song is, the more appealing it becomes.

How did our collaboration on an album track with The Kid Laroi come about, considering we weren’t acquainted previously, but I’ve always admired his music?

Instead of referring to him as Kid, I actually know him by the name of Jack Harlow. He revealed his real name to me, which is quite formal – Charlton Kenneth Jeffrey Howard. We had a great time together in Nashville, and it was like the “Step Brothers” movie: we were exchanging funny jokes all night long. At one point, he suggested we should make music, and I happily agreed.

Music

The twenty-year-old musician, both a vocalist and lyricist, is currently enjoying the success of her chart-topping single titled ‘Blue Stripes.’ However, she’s also been embroiled in online debate regarding her music video for ‘1965.’

What sparked your decision to collaborate on the video for your song “Comin’ In Cold”?

Well, ideas just pop into my mind, and I feel that by taking on various roles like directing videos, I can express myself more fully as an artist. While music certainly is my art, a true artist finds creativity in all aspects of life.

In the video, you’re portraying an ambitious rodeo performer. Was it your creative concept behind this story?

Indeed, I came up with the idea. Growing up in a rural area has given me a strong connection to the countryside, yet I’ve always felt somewhat detached from traditional country culture – my style and speech aren’t stereotypically country. The role of a professional bull rider seemed like an opportunity for me to explore this side of myself that I haven’t fully embraced before.

Aren’t you mistaken, friend? I’ve got a tour lined up – I can’t afford to hurt myself. If I were brave enough, believe me, I would’ve been on that bull already.

Back in 2023, during the Grammy season, we had a conversation over the phone. At that time, there was a lot of buzz surrounding your potential for a best new artist nomination, which many people were anticipating. Unfortunately, it didn’t come to fruition. I initially had high hopes for this, but then realized that success in such events isn’t always fair and requires an immense amount of effort. It felt like it was stifling my creativity and passion as an artist, making me focus too much on others’ opinions rather than the quality of my work. I couldn’t bring myself to participate in all those award shows. It wasn’t about feeling entitled or becoming upset; instead, I found myself dwelling on not being nominated despite my hard work. Here’s hoping one day they might recognize what I’ve been putting into my craft and give me the recognition I deserve.

In the interview we had earlier, you mentioned that you felt like you were tossed into the deep end in learning the music industry ropes. Now that it’s been two years, do you feel that the intensity has diminished somewhat?

Does the initial intense experience of learning the music industry feel less overwhelming now that it’s been two years?

Have there been times when you felt it was necessary to tone things down a bit, like a moment of reflection? Well, I remember talking to my dad about such a moment in my life. You see, my father is an extraordinary man; he’s experienced both success and failure throughout his life, much like the ups and downs that life often brings. In the tough times, we’d visit his house where things were difficult – sometimes going without food or having only one pair of jeans for school. Yet, despite his hardships, he was never upset. He was deep in debt, facing numerous challenges, but always managed to wear a smile and looked forward to attending a baseball game. He was always steady, my friend.

I phoned him to share my thoughts: “Everything’s going great-we’re all well-fed and bills are paid. Yet, I find myself fretting over trivial matters.” He responded, “Yesterday is gone, and each day offers new opportunities.” Hearing that helped me relax. He added that he didn’t learn this lesson until his 45th year.

I spoke to him about my situation: “Things are looking up-we’re all well-fed and bills are paid. But still, I can’t shake off unnecessary worries.” He replied, “You can’t undo the past, but every day brings fresh chances.” His words calmed me down, and he mentioned that he only learned this at 45 years old.

As a kid, I didn’t have overwhelming anxiety, but there was always this lingering concern about what we would eat the next day. This early experience might be why I’m so preoccupied with planning for the future and managing my finances wisely, avoiding any potential ignorance in that area. However, I believe it’s also fueled by a deep passion – I care so intensely that sometimes, I worry too much. It’s a form of self-induced anxiety, I suppose.

You asked Bobby Bones about the reason behind his latest album being released after a challenging period in his life. So, he was going through a phase of making mistakes during his youth, questioning himself about those actions later on. Alcohol occasionally took control over him and caused troubles. He identifies as someone who believes in God, though not strictly adhering to any specific denomination. Given the guidelines of his faith, there were certain behaviors he needed to abandon. Growing up in a small town, it was common for 16-year-olds to drink beer, and it initially seemed enjoyable. However, as he’s maturing and preparing for family life, he no longer wants to be intoxicated everywhere he goes, since he understands his future spouse might not appreciate that lifestyle.

From a film enthusiast’s perspective, it’s not about the woman I desire, but rather about the actions I take that seem to be lacking. I often find myself asking, “Why are you complaining about not attracting quality women? What are you contributing?” I’m spending my time in bars instead of taking the necessary steps to build a family. Actions become character, and a family man doesn’t squander his time in such ways, does he?

Recently, I found myself in a funk and feeling rather low. Upon reflection, I noticed that my ego was an obstacle preventing me from engaging with individuals whom I perceived as inferior. It struck me that I needed to address this issue because I truly desire interaction with others, but my ego had been deceiving me into thinking I didn’t want any part of it.

Music

The somber and moody song has been number one on Billboard’s Hot 100 for six weeks now, and Warren’s first album will be released this coming Friday.

As a movie enthusiast, I can’t help but reflect on this artist’s predicament: standing under the spotlight each night, basking in the applause and adoration from the audience – if I don’t remain mindful, that praise can swell like a balloon until my ego inflates to monstrous proportions, leaving me unrecognizable from who I once were.

Initially, your ego was instrumental in propelling you onto the stage, but now I see that it was fueled by self-reliance through drinking and a sense of grandeur. Now, I’m pondering over rebuilding my confidence not in myself, but in my faith in God, as he is meant to be the foundation, not me. This is merely my personal perspective – no research or references involved. I’m just expressing my thoughts freely.

Does your faith in God stem more from your personal experiences and beliefs rather than religious upbringing? That’s the vibe I get, especially considering you’re not someone who grew up in a traditional church setting and has a more casual approach to spirituality.

Once upon a time, there was a woman working at catering during an event, and this incident has stayed with me since then. I have a unique sweatshirt that bears the phrase “Here to give Jesus praise.” One moment, I recall exclaiming, “Oh my goodness, that chicken looks amazing!” And this lady replied, “You should be mindful of your language if you’re going to act as an advertisement.” I responded, “Are you suggesting that because I’m not flawless, I shouldn’t share the message or keep it hidden? We are all sinners, my friend.” This is the essence of what I aim to convey.

You seem more thoughtful than many might initially suppose, which can sometimes make conversations, particularly casual ones like at a bar, a bit challenging since people often prefer lighter topics.

Question: How much jewelry should one wear?
It depends on personal style and comfort. On some days, I like to show off and feel confident, but other times, I think it’s too much. I don’t wear jewelry to brag or make others feel inferior; rather, I hope to inspire by showing what can be achieved with self-belief and hard work. After all, as a skinny white kid from southern Illinois, I never expected to get here. But I’m following my path, which means I’m doing the right things. As they say about God, even bad situations can lead to something good because it’s part of a bigger plan.

In the midst of life’s trials, I find solace in believing that better days lie ahead, even when they seem hard to fathom. This year, I faced one of my toughest battles as my mother fell gravely ill. The pain was unbearable, yet I held onto hope – a hope that this ordeal was somehow part of a larger plan.

How’s your mom doing these days? She seems to be thriving after that close call. She’s given up smoking, started working out, and eats a lot healthier now. She’s really killing it!

Now, let’s get back to the jewelry topic: I don’t think there’s such a thing as too much – I love big rings, gold, and diamonds. But sometimes I like to take everything off to show that it doesn’t define me; it’s not really my style.

As a devoted film enthusiast, settling down in Nashville, I found myself with nothing to lose, and I vowed to endure living under a bridge before abandoning my passion for songwriting, which means everything to me. However, once success came knocking, fear gnawed at me, the dread of losing all that I had painstakingly built. The pursuit of a hit song became an obsession, writing not out of love but for fleeting glory. Initially slated for release last year, the record felt unworthy. So, I made a decision: “I’m not releasing this.” Instead, I poured myself into more songs over the following year.

Is there a song from the album that sparked that subsequent period for you? Well, it’s a track called “Chevy Silverado.” As I walked around my pool in the yard of my home, I felt an urge to break free: This pool, this house, these watches and cars – they no longer mattered. I decided to express myself genuinely and write songs that resonated deeply with me. It was raw, unfiltered art, born out of my soul. I began by sketching the initial melodies and guitar riffs, then invited my friends over, explaining, “I need your help, but it has to be genuine, and I won’t stop until it feels like it’s truly me.” Together, we completed the song that very night. Feeling rejuvenated, I exclaimed, “I’m back, baby – let’s get going!

Why don’t we let Bailey take the lead in cooking? This dish is going to be fantastic! I’m glad I didn’t release the recipe earlier; now it’s perfect. And I can truly say I’m proud of it. It’s like one of those dishes where even if it doesn’t get popular, I still think, “This is great, man!

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2025-08-06 13:32