’30 to 40′ Record Labels Wanted to Sign Tucker Wetmore After His Songs Went Viral
“I got hit up by damn near every label there is,” he revealed.
Photo Courtesy Tucker Wetmore
Tucker Wetmore has quickly become one of country music’s most buzzed-about new artists. In late 2023, he started teasing a few of his songs on TikTok, and what began as casual previews quickly blew up, racking up millions of views and putting Wetmore on the industry’s radar.
During a recent appearance on Boyfriend Material with Harry Jowsey, Wetmore opened up about this time in his career when record labels began reaching out in droves, eager to sign the rising star to their respective rosters.
“Okay, so like December of 2023 I teased ‘Wine Into Whiskey,’ and then right after that, like the next week, I teased ‘Wind Up Missin’ You’ and they were both blowing up on TikTok, like millions and millions of views. Every single video. I was like, ‘Oh gosh, I don’t even know what’s going on now. ‘ And so, pretty much since I teased those, I got hit up by damn near every label there is,” he revealed.
Rather than rushing into a deal, Wetmore took the time to carefully consider his options, ensuring that whoever he signed with would be aligned with his vision and his approach to his career.
“I knew I wanted to hold off and so I was like, hold off, let us just get some music out. Let me get my first tour under my belt,” he explained.
Wetmore went on to reveal that he had “30 to 40 offers” on the table.
“There was like two months there where I was flying from LA to New York, to LA to Nashville, to LA to New York just to meet with these label people,” he explained. “‘Cause you know, I didn’t want to just be like, ‘Oh, this is the best offer.’ I’m not just gonna put my name on a piece of paper and let’s roll. That’s not really how I’ve been trying to build my brand.”
Instead, the Washington native focused on building a “personal connection” with label executives before making his decision.
After about “two or three months,” Wetmore secured his deal and has been on an upward trajectory ever since, earning his first No. 1 single with “Wind Up Missin’ You,” opening for Luke Bryan and Kameron Marlowe, and releasing his debut album, What Not To.
Now, his latest single, “3,2,1,” is climbing the charts and could soon become his second chart-topper.
Currently touring with Thomas Rhett, Wetmore says he’s soaking up valuable lessons from the superstar, whom he admires as both an artist and a friend.
“It’s cool to see how he does it. And he’s got such a tight-knit family and his crew is great. They’re all like family and they treat my guys and me like family. And you know, just being able to learn and sit down and like, talk to him after the show is on the bus, whatever it is, and kind of just see how he does it. It’s really inspiring. ‘cause he keeps his faith in line. He keeps his family in line. His creative life. Yeah. And his touring. You know, um, he does it all so well. So it, I kind of, I look up to Thomas a lot, especially within like the last couple months really getting to see it firsthand.”
According to his Instagram stories, Tucker Wetmore is also back in the studio, possibly signaling that new music is on the horizon.
Lauren Jo Black is a longtime country music journalist, editor, host, and media personality whose work has helped shape the conversation around country music for nearly two decades. As the current Editor-in-Chief of Country Now, she has become one of the genre’s most respected voices, interviewing hundreds of country music’s biggest stars, including Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, Shania Twain, Randy Travis, Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, and countless others. Over the course of her career, Black’s written work and interviews have reached billions of country music fans worldwide. A 2009 graduate of the University of Central Florida, Black began her career by founding Country Music Is Love, one of country music’s earliest independent digital publications, which she later sold to a major record label in 2015 before it was rebranded as Sounds Like Nashville. She then served as the publication’s Editor-in-Chief for more than two years. Her work has also appeared in Forbes, and she previously served as the Country Music Expert for Answers.com. Widely recognized for her expertise, Black has appeared as a featured guest on The Bobby Bones Show, BobbyCast, and Scripps News Morning Rush, providing insight on country music’s biggest moments. She has also hosted Country Now Live, a concert series featuring performances from artists including Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Riley Green, Jordan Davis, Dustin Lynch, Gabby Barrett, Brett Young, Jon Pardi, Kip Moore, Chris Young, and more. The series has welcomed thousands of fans in person while reaching millions more online. In addition, she hosted Connect With Country Now, a weekly interview series featuring conversations with rising country stars. Throughout her career, Black has earned a reputation for discovering and championing artists long before they become household names. She has covered Luke Bryan since the early days of his career, beginning when he was writing songs for other artists, including Billy Currington’s No. 1 hit “Good Directions,” before stepping into the spotlight with his debut single, “All My Friends Say” and eventually becoming one of biggest names in music. She also gave Megan Moroney her first opportunity to walk a major red carpet as Country Now’s official guest correspondent at the 2022 CMA Awards. An interview she conducted in 2018 for Forbes.com with Luke Combs that inspired his multi-week No. 1 hit, “Doin’ This.” She has also hosted stages at CMA Fest, moderated an industry panel at Country Radio Seminar, and helped lead important conversations about the evolving landscape of country music media. Beyond journalism, Black has also used her platform to support charitable causes and highlight organizations making an impact. Through Country Now Live, she has helped raise awareness and support for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, while also advocating for animal rescue through Country Now’s Pupdate series, spotlighting organizations including MuttNation Foundation, Wags & Walks, and Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue. Black has been recognized as one of Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. She is a longtime member of both the Country Music Association (CMA) and the Academy of Country Music (ACM). After nearly 20 years covering country music, Lauren Jo Black has spent her career telling the stories behind the artists, songs, and moments that have shaped the genre. Her first-ever book, Country Music Forever: An A-to-Z Celebration of Icons, Songs and Stories, brings that same passion and firsthand knowledge to the page, celebrating not only the legendary artists and timeless songs that have become the soundtrack to generations of fans, but also the places, traditions, and cultural moments that have made country music one of the most beloved genres around the world.
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