Chasing country music success was never in the cards for Tucker Wetmore. The Washington State native instead dreamed of becoming an all-star athlete in the NFL, until he suffered a career-altering leg injury.

He was playing football at the collegiate level out in Montana when he was forced to hang up his cleats. When the trajectory of his life suddenly changed, he headed back home to his small town, where the population is approximately 2,700. When Fandom Daily challenged Wetmore to think about that difficult time, he used one word to describe himself – "lost." 

"My main goal was to go to college and do what I could to hopefully make it in the draft," explained Wetmore. "I moved home. I was pretty lost. I didn't really know myself. I was working at a coffee shop." 

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It wasn't long until Wetmore acknowledged his mental health and sought motherly advice to lift him from his slump.  She encouraged Wetmore to return to his love of music and use his knack for songwriting as a form of therapy. While reflecting on the memory, a subtle smile appeared, affirming the notion that mothers really do know best.

"She goes, 'Why don't you just go sit in front of your piano or pick up your guitar? That used to be your therapist. Just go do that and see how you feel,'" he recalled. "I was like, 'That's a great idea, mom.' So, I wrote my first song that night, and I never looked back." 

That very year, Wetmore gathered his things and set off for Nashville, Tennessee – eager to make a music career. With the determination characteristic of an athlete and brimming with creative energy, he promptly landed a publishing deal with Back Blocks Music. Leveraging the digital stage like countless artists before him, Wetmore ventured onto social media to unveil his musical prowess. His rich baritone vocals melded with irresistible hooks, have captured the attention of fans, accumulating 684.5K followers on Instagram alone. 

What's his secret to making it big? It's simple: he's boldly following his own path, crafting music that truly resonates with him without any apologies. Wetmore is a genre-bending artist on the verge of exploding, as his chilling covers and debut single "Wine Into Whiskey" display his diverse musical range. While he boasts a unique sound, his audience is beginning to draw parallels between him and notable artists like Morgan Wallen and Chris Stapleton, highlighting his potential in the industry.

"They're two of the greatest artists ever," stressed Wetmore. "So, if I'm being compared to two of the greats, I can't be too far off from doing something great as well." 

The fast-rising artist with superstar potential recently (Feb. 23) released his first-ever single, "Wine Into Whiskey." Wetmore teased the emotional-driven anthem that serves as a wake-up call to heartbreakers in December. The short clip raked in 16 million views, and over 25,000 fans used the track for their very own video. Wetmore now sits at No.77 on Billboard's Hot 100 Chart and has garnered 5.2 million streams. He also appeared on the Hot Country Songs chart at No. 22 and No.2 on the iTunes all-genre chart, ranking alongside hitmakers like Selena Gomez, BTS, and Justin Timberlake. 

Wetmore penned "Wine Into Whiskey" with two of his best friends, Jacob Hackworth and Justin Ebach. He pulled inspiration from his four sisters and their dating experiences. The song's narrative captures a journey from light-hearted moments, symbolized by wine, to the deeper, darker introspection brought on by whiskey. Musically, the track balances traditional country elements with a modern twist, featuring compelling guitar strums and a melody that sticks with you long after the song ends. Wetmore's delivery is both earnest and raw, perfectly capturing the emotion of a man coming to terms with the consequences of his actions. 

"I grew up seeing them go through relationships and heartbreaks," he told Fandom Daily. "I kind of put myself in the guy's shoes and was like, 'If they would've known what they were doing, would they have still done it? I thought it was just a cool twist on it." 

Wetmore hopes the gut-punching lyrics of "Wine Into Whiskey" resonate with the walking red flags in life, encouraging them to reflect on their actions. 

"I would just like them to take initiative and accountability. The world we live in isn't a great one, but there's also a lot of good in it," he pointed out. I just want to turn a boy into a man. I hope anyone can take anything from anything I make—that's the whole point of music. It's a universal language. I feel like people resonate with different pieces of work differently." 

As the track continues to climb the charts, Wetmore confirmed that he's not stopping anytime soon. He recently turned to social media (March 6) to share an unreleased track titled "Wind Up Missin' You." The vocalist told Fandom Daily that he plans to start recording a full-length album.

"I'll say there's another song coming very soon," he teased without revealing the name. "I think we will start recording an album after the tour." 

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The must-watch artist is slated to open for Kameron Marlowe's Strangers Tour 2024. Wetmore says he looks forward to connecting with fans, learning, and writing with Marlowe on the road. 

"Before I moved to Nashville, I would play my guitar around a campfire or kitchen table. Kameron Marlowe was one of those dudes we would listen to and cover. Looking at it now, it's crazy to think that somebody like him would wanna call me up," he shared in disbelief. "It's my first tour, so there ain't going to be fireworks, but it's going to be big, and it's going to sound big. I love learning, especially from people like Kameron." 

The two will embark on the nationwide trek on April 4 and wrap up in Fort Myers, Florida, on May 5. Tickets are available for purchase, here. 

Photo Credit: Anna Schaeffer