Greylan James’ Childhood Dream Comes True As He Joins Kenny Chesney’s 2027 Stadium Tour [Exclusive]
“They say ‘don’t meet your heroes’… WELL IM GOIN ON TOUR WITH MINE.”
Kenny Chesney, Greylan James; Photo Courtesy Greylan James
Since he was a young boy growing up in East Tennessee, just miles away from Kenny Chesney’s hometown, Greylan James has idolized the country superstar. From watching Chesney headline Neyland Stadium to being inspired to write songs, become an entertainer and ultimately move to Nashville to chase his dreams, it’s safe to say Chesney and his music have had a lasting impact on James.
Now, that childhood dream is coming full circle. James has been announced as a special guest on Chesney’s Original Vibe Room Tour 2027, and the singer-songwriter admits the news is still sinking in.
On a hot, sunny day in Nashville, we caught up with James to chat about this major moment in his career, and he was beaming from the moment he walked into the room.
“It’s just been the hardest thing to grasp,” he admitted. “I grew up in Knoxville, Tennessee, about five minutes from where he grew up. His mom cut my hair back home. I just always wanted to be Kenny Chesney. I always told people when I was in school that I’m going to grow up to be Kenny Chesney. And now I’ve gotten to write songs for him, which is really cool. But now to think about sharing the stage and being in those stadiums, not just as a fan to be on the stage, it’s going to be insane.”
James got the phone call from his manager and admits the news was so overwhelming that it brought him to his knees.
“I dropped everything I was doing and I just kind of dropped my knees and prayed to God and thanked him because it’s been the coolest thing that I’ve ever got to process.”
We asked James to think back to that day when he saw Chesney headline Neyland Stadium, home of the Tennessee Volunteers, and reflect on the full-circle moment he is now experiencing.
“I saw him open at where he played headlined at Neyland Stadium when I was seven years old and that’s where I got my first concert t-shirt and I cut the sleeves off of it, wore puka shells and just pretended I was Kenny for the next few months. So to go from that to now, I mean the little me inside is just freaking out and I don’t think it’s going to stop until the end of next summer.”
James is on the lineup alongside two of his other favorite artists: Sheryl Crow, who he admits is a “staple” in his van when traveling the country with his band, and Eric Church, who James considers “the pinnacle” as a songwriter.
Speaking of songwriter, James is already thinking about what it will be like to link up with Chesney and write songs together while they’re on the road.
“I’ve written songs for Kenny, so getting to go out there and write songs.. He’s been texting me about maybe writing songs before we get out and play. The whole thing is just such a pinch myself thing that I’m just going to get to hang out with Kenny Chesney over the summer. I mean, I’m not just going to listen to him on my boat. So that’s going to be insane.”
In an Instagram post shared early Tuesday, Greylan James summed up his excitement, writing, “They say ‘don’t meet your heroes’… WELL IM GOIN ON TOUR WITH MINE.”
The Original Vibe Room Tour 2027 kicks off April 24 at Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium and will wrap up August 28 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
Fans can register now at KennyChesney.com for early ticket access through Seated. Registered fans will receive a presale code ahead of the Vibe Room Presale, which begins Thursday, September 17 at 10 a.m. local time. Registration is free but does not guarantee tickets.
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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