Levi Hummon Carves His Own Path To Success

Levi Hummon is currently making waves as one of country music’s rising new artists. But, he’s no stranger to the genre. Born into the industry, he’s the son of Grammy-winning songwriter Marcus Hummon, who has penned such hits as Rascal Flatts’ “Bless the Broken Road” and Dixie Chicks’ “Cowboy Take Me Away.”

The elder Hummon may have recently joined the Nashville Songwriter’s Hall of Fame alongside fellow heavyweights like Larry Gatlin, Dwight Yoakam, Kostas, Rivers Rutherford, and Sharon Vaughn, but, he’s not the only role model in his son’s life. Levi’s mother, Becca Stevens, is an ordained priest, author, and former CNN “Hero of the Year,” who founded Thistle Farms, an organization that helps victims of abuse and human trafficking.

Having been raised by such influential and accomplished parents, it’s no question that Hummon had the right kind of guidance growing up. But, that didn’t guarantee him his career path or success. Nor has it stopped him from making his very own mark in the format. Over the past few years, Hummon has been honing his craft and growing his fan base through hard work and dedication.

He recalls how he became drawn to music and songwriting years ago after dabbling with the creative process.

“I always considered songwriting and country music to be my dad’s thing. So I just kind of started writing as a hobby. Then I couldn’t avoid it. It was in my blood,” Hummon tells Country Now of how he realized he too could write songs “I’d pick up a guitar, and all of a sudden, it would be like a commercial country song. It would be the verse, chorus and bridge, like the standard thing. I think it’s because subconsciously I’m always with my dad on the piano…it was just natural and unavoidable.”

Despite his upbringing, Hummon didn’t get swept away by his passion for creating music immediately. The 28-year-old briefly studied at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, FL, with a plan to major in visual arts before he returned to Nashville to explore his artistry full-time. In 2016, he scored a publishing deal with Desmond Child (Bon Jovi’s “You Give Love a Bad Name,” Aerosmith’s “Crazy”), and also landed a recording contract with Big Machine, but both opportunities were short-lived, as he opted out of them to forge his path as an independent artist. In Oct. 2018, Hummon independently released a six-song EP titled Patient. He then followed that up with a single called, “Night Lights,” which was featured on Spotify’s Hot Country Playlist.

Hummon’s latest work is a tune called “Drop of Us,” which he co-wrote alongside Eric Arjes and Jimmy Robbins. The energetic track is all about soaking up every moment with that special someone. Hummon says he drew inspiration for “Drop of Us” after spending time on the Grand Ole Opry stage with Hunter Hayes before joining him on his Closer to You Tour.

“I had great songs, but I wanted more,” Hummon explains. “I’m constantly writing, and whenever I’m on the road, I’m writing. And, during a show at the Grand Ole Opry, I went onstage with Hunter [Hayes]. I didn’t know that he was a ball of energy! He was jumping up and down during every song. “I Want Crazy” for instance, that song is incredible. I took “I Want Crazy” and “We Were Us” into a co-write because they were my inspiration songs. I said, ‘I want some of this for my live-set.’ I wanted something up-tempo and fun. That’s where “Drop of Us,” came from, but the lyric behind it is, ‘I don’t want to waste a drop,’ and ‘I don’t want to waste a moment.’”

Hummon, who has opened up for the likes of Tim McGraw, Keith Urban, and Lady Antebellum, recently hit the road for his first-ever headlining Drop of Us Tour. Already, he’s taken even more new songs with him, performing them in front of huge crowds that are doubling in size. He says he’s proud to see just how far he’s come as an entertainer and how loyal his fan-base truly is, as many of them know all the words to his songs.

“It’s so amazing that we’ve grown so much from where we were two years ago. I think we should have a little dot, a little asterisk next to every big moment of your life, because, when something big happens, you’re like, what’s next?” Hummon shared, adding, “No one knows my parents outside of Nashville. And, if I go out to Ohio, they don’t know anything about my story. But, as you make a fan or gain a fan, then later they get to learn that deeper side of you and that legacy. I think it’s a special moment and a cool conversation point.”

Levi Hummon’s 16-date Drop of Us tour, which launched Oct. 2, in Oxford, Ohio, will wrap on Nov. 30 with a show in Charleston, South Carolina. Fans can find more information on upcoming tour dates by visiting Hummon’s official website.