Rhys Rutherford

**Rhys Rutherford** is a Nashville-born country singer-songwriter with serious musical pedigree. The son of Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member Rivers Rutherford, he grew up steeped in classic country—Tim McGraw, John Prine, Kris Kristofferson—plus 60s and 70s rock, grunge, and hip hop. After a couple semesters at Ole Miss, Rutherford returned home to pursue music full-time. A viral cover of ERNEST's "Feet Wanna Run" caught his mentor's attention, leading to a publishing deal with ERNEST's Cadillac Music in March 2023. Since then, he's landed cuts for major artists like Bailey Zimmerman ("Is This Really Over?") and ERNEST ("Hangin' On" feat. Morgan Wallen).

At 25, Rutherford is one of the first artists signed to DeVille Records, blending his dad's '90s country influences—Brooks & Dunn, Toby Keith—with today's artists like Morgan Wallen and Luke Combs. His commanding baritone and knack for relatable hooks shine on his debut single "Southern Belle" and recent track "Long Way," both showcasing his gift for authentic storytelling. With a solo project in the works and a tour opening for ERNEST this spring, Rutherford is poised as a major voice in the next generation of country music.