Russell Dickerson Reflects on a Life-Changing, Record-Breaking Year [Exclusive]
“…it’s been an emotional, wild, huge year for us.”
Russell Dickerson; Photo by Thomas Heney
It’s been a wild, life-changing year for Russell Dickerson, filled with milestones and achievements that still feel surreal to him. As he looks back on everything 2025 has brought, the country star gets overwhelmed by pride and awe of the fact that he saw so many of his dreams unfold right in front of his eyes, along with new goals that weren’t on his bucket list.
“It’s just been such an amazing year. I was weary, I’m not going to lie. I will be real with y’all. My first single came out 2017 and it’s just hustle and grind and hustle and grind,” Dickerson told Country Now backstage at the 59th Annual CMA Awards.
Those years of hard work paid off in a sudden and big way this year with the release of his fan-favorite track, “Happen To Me.” The song and its accompanying dance took over the internet this year, turning into an international multi-week No. 1 song that Dickerson got to showcase across major stages, including on The Kelly Clarkson Show on NBC and during his first appearance at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
“‘Happen to Me’ happened and I don’t know, it’s like a dance thing that I just never really expected. I’m a dad, bro. I’m a dad. I don’t have time for all the tickety tockeies,” he added, joking about the countless number of times he has done the viral dance on his own, with fans, fellow artists and so many others along the way.
He also recently released a brand-new rendition of the song featuring the pop sibling trio, the Jonas Brothers. The Tennessee native explained this collaboration came about after he appeared as a special guest at one of the band’s 2025 tour stops and took a chance by asking the brothers if they would be open to adding their vocals to the track.
“So I got called to be one of their special guests. They’re doing a special guest every night. Got to do that. Phenomenal…long story short, a girl on our team grew up with them. So I was like, ‘you’re coming with us and our goal is get them on ‘Happen to Me.’’ It was already at pop radio. And who wouldn’t want to just hop on a song that’s rocketing?”
Dickerson continued, “I was like, ‘you guys should hop on it.’ And they’re like, ‘actually we’re going into the studio next week. We can put vocals on it.’ And Shazam, ‘Happen to Me.’ Russell Dickerson, Jonas Brothers, it’s yours. It’s happening.”
On top of gaining tremendous momentum with “Happen To Me,” Russell Dickerson also set records with his 2025 RUSSELLMANIA TOUR. The sold-out run featured more than 40 stops across the U.S. and Canada and ended up being one of his most successful yet.
“I want the biggest show. And I’ve told my wife, it made me emotional, I was like I’m finally looking out into the crowd, and it matches what my dreams look like,” he said with sincerity. “So it’s just such wind in my sail, our sails, everybody, my whole team. It’s just like, I don’t know, it’s been an emotional, wild, huge year for us.”
His electric, high-energy live performances will continue into 2026 when he extends the RUSSELLMANIA TOUR with even more bucket headline shows at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, The Greek Theatre, and Gallagher Square at Petco Park. Dasha and Niko Moon will join on select dates.
The country star is also set to appear at festivals across the globe including C2C’s Three-Day Festival, where he will take the stage in Glasgow, London and Belfast, Tortuga Music Festival and San Antonio Rodeo, to name a few.
2026 ROUND 1 RUSSELLMANIA TOUR Dates
4/23/2026 – Raleigh, NC – Red Hat Amphitheater *
4/24/2026 – St Augustine, FL – The Saint Augustine Amphitheatre *
4/25/2026 – Orlando, FL – Addition Financial Arena *
5/13/2026 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre ^
5/20/2026 – Los Angeles, CA – The Greek Theatre ^
5/21/2026 – San Diego, CA – Gallagher Square At Petco Park ^
5/28/2026 – Cincinnati, OH – ICON Outdoors ^
5/29/2026 – Cleveland, OH – Jacobs Pavilion ^
5/30/2026 – Grand Rapids, MI – Acrisure Amphitheater ^
*Dasha
^Niko Moon
Madeleine O’Connell graduated from North Central College with a bachelors degree in Journalism and Broadcast Communications before deciding to pursue her studies further at DePaul University. There, she earned her masters degree in Digital Communication & Media Arts. O’Connell served as a freelance writer for over two years while also interning with the Academy of Country Music, SiriusXM and Circle Media and assisting with Amazon Music’s Country Heat Weekly podcast. In addition to Country Now, she has been published in American Songwriter, Music Mayhem, and Holler.Country. Madeleine O’Connell is a member of the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music.
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