Randy Houser Reveals What He Really Thinks About TikTok: ‘I’m Boycotting That Sh–‘
Since its inception in 2018, TikTok has quickly become a marketing tool for artists as the application’s users are discovering…
Randy Houser; Photo Courtesy CMA
Since its inception in 2018, TikTok has quickly become a marketing tool for artists as the application’s users are discovering new music through the platform. While some artists have embraced TikTok, and many have launched their careers through the app, others dislike the pressure they feel to create “viral moments” with their music.
Recently, several artists, including Halsey and Trevor Daniel, have shared their frustrations over their record labels’ refusal to release new music without sparking a trend with their songs on the platform.
Now, Randy Houser says he is “boycotting” TikTok.
During a recent interview with Taste of Country Nights’ Evan Paul, Houser slammed the popular video platform, admitting it’s not for him.
“They’re always trying to slide in a TikTok on me,” Houser explained to Paul. “They’ll just have their phone out and just like try to slide in my DMs or something and I’m just like ‘Nope.’ It’s more fun to tell them no.”
“I’m boycotting that sh-t, I’m like I ain’t doing it,” Houser added.
The “Note To Self” singer went on to share that while he does “like making movies,” he feels that “there’s enough on [artists’] plates” with writing and recording music that they shouldn’t have to feel pressured into becoming a “TikTok star for any of that to count.”
“That’s a bunch of s–t you’re getting sold because your label is too lazy to make you a star or get your music done,” Houser shared in frustration. ”They’re trying to take the easy way out and press you to do something else. Sorry.”
While he recognizes that people are using TikTok to discover music, Houser said he’s just not into it.
“I understand that’s the way of the future and all that,” Houser admitted. “But that ain’t music. I like music.”
Houser has never shied away from his disdain of TikTok and has even shared several videos on the social media platform criticizing the popular video sharing service.
In one video, a cameraman rang Houser’s doorbell, to ask the country singer if he was ready to shoot some TikToks, to which he replied “never gonna happen” and shut the door.
Another video shows Houser reacting to the situation Halsey encountered with her label earlier this year, where her team reportedly wouldn’t allow her to release a song without a “viral moment” on TikTok.
“Yeah, I’m not f–king doing that,” Houser said in agreement with Halsey, who believes as an artist you shouldn’t have to have a viral video to release new music.
Despite not wanting to join in on the TikTok trend, the chart-topping hitmaker recently shared a clip promoting his new single “Workin’ Man,” which was co-written by Houser alongside Randy Montana.
In the clip, a person off-camera asked Houser, who is seen digging in his backyard, if he is ready to make some TikToks, to which he replied, “Hell no, I’m working man.”
The video was clearly a funny way for Houser to diss the platform while also promoting his new single.
Houser will release his sixth studio album, Note To Self, on November 11 via Magnolia Music Group. The project, produced by Houser and Blake Chancey, will feature 10-tracks all co-written by Houser.
In addition to his new album and a relentless touring schedule, Houser recently landed on-screen roles in Martin Scorses’s upcoming film, Killers Of The Flower Moon, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro and more. He will also appear in the inspiring, The Hill, starring Dennis Quaid.
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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