genres has entered a new era, and celebrity-news” target=”_blank”>Russell Dickerson<
Russell Dickerson told Fox News Digital he "wore out" Usher’s ‘My Way’ album as a fifth-grader.
(Spencer Combs)
“He’s a pop guy, and it’s like, why would we not write a song together and figure out if we can make magic? And we did,” Dickerson explained. “So it’s OK that there are so many different types of music. I feel like people just get so close-minded with country music only. They’re like, ‘It ain’t sounding like it used to.’ And, well yeah — it’s been 40 years.”
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“So I am a fan of where the genre is going and how it’s expanding and growing,” Dickerson added. “And I love old country music. I love traditional country music. I love pop country. I love hip-hop country. I love it all, man. And I’m just super excited for just any and every avenue – any and every artist that wants to collaborate and get into country music, I say, ‘Welcome.’ Like, Come on in.”
Even with the huge success that Dickerson has enjoyed, the singer-songwriter from Union City, Tennessee, still has a soft spot for one particular artist he says he has to collaborate with before his career is over.
Russell Dickerson’s total music streams have amassed more than 1.5 billion.
(Spencer Combs)
“Michael Jackson was one of my first. That would be one of them, but I think another would be Usher,” Dickerson revealed. “I remember in fifth grade, his ‘My Way’ (1997) album, and I absolutely wore it out. Just to be in so early on a legendary artist like that. I mean, he was like a teenager at the time or whatever it was. And just to hear that back in the day and to follow him and see him grow into the living legend that he is, man. That’s probably one of my top, top choices, for sure.”
The album included singles “Nice & Slow” and “You Make Me Wanna?” and propelled a young Usher to fame, selling more than 7 million copies.
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Dickerson has just four dates remaining on his tour, which wraps up March 25 in Nashville, Tennessee, at The Ryman Auditorium. Speaking to the type of performances he loves to play for his fans, Dickerson said he draws inspiration from Tim McGraw and the greatest showman, garth-brooks” target=”_blank”>Garth Brooks<
Dickerson seemed to find it difficult to comprehend his own music streaming popularity.
“Honestly, as you’re saying that – you know, you see the numbers every week and then [the] team kind of gives you a rundown on this song had this many million and all that stuff, and it is crazy to step back and think about 350 million human beings or however many million people have listened to it how many times. That is insane,” said Dickerson. “So thank you for that perspective. I appreciate it.”
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“As far as a catalog – that’s great, but I’ve got my sights set on a much bigger kind of catalog of songs and hits,” he continued. “I mean, Garth Brooks is one of my heroes. Tim McGraw is one of my heroes. That level of catalog, which includes decades of hits, is what I’m gunning for.”