Nashville-Based Singer-Songwriter & Genre-Blending Hitmaker; Four-Time CMA Triple Play Award Winner; Co-Writer of "I Had Some Help"

Nashville, TN, USA
Live Event: $100,000 - $200,000 Virtual Event: Please Contact More Fee Info

ERNEST Biography

Ernest Keith Smith is a Nashville-based singer-songwriter known for blending traditional country music with modern hip-hop influences. Smith has established a reputation in the country music industry for his unique songwriting style, which incorporates elements from artists such as Eminem and George Jones. He is a four-time CMA Triple Play Award winner, two-time Variety Hitmakers honoree, and has received nominations for the Grammy, ACM, and CMA Awards. Smith has achieved 13 No. 1 hits as a songwriter.

Smith's journey to Nashville was unconventional. At age 19, he experienced a heart attack due to a viral infection, which prompted him to leave college baseball and pursue a career in music. Drawing on his background as a rapper, Smith brought a freestyle approach to country songwriting, setting his work apart in the music industry. His distinctive style led to co-writing the title track of Florida Georgia Line's album "Dig Your Roots." He has also contributed to Chris Lane's "Big, Big Plans," Morgan Wallen's "More Than My Hometown," and Sam Hunt's "Breaking Up Was Easy in the 90s."

After writing songs for Chris Lane and Jake Owen, Smith signed a recording contract and management agreement with Big Loud. He has released three studio albums: "Locals Only," "Flower Shops (The Album)," and "Nashville, Tennessee." The album "Nashville, Tennessee" features 26 songs and collaborations with Lainey Wilson, Lukas Nelson, Jelly Roll, and HARDY. The Tennessean described the record as one that honors the spirit of Music City while showcasing Smith's dynamic songwriting abilities. His work has earned him a No. 1 at country radio as a solo artist, in addition to his run of No. 1 hits as a songwriter, including the all-genre chart-topper "I Had Some Help" by Post Malone.

Smith co-wrote the Hot 100 record-breaking single "I Had Some Help" by Post Malone featuring Morgan Wallen, which earned him a Grammy nomination. He has sold out shows and performed two nights at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. Smith has supported major tours, including Morgan Wallen's Stadium Tour and arena shows for Jelly Roll, and has served as direct support for Lainey Wilson and Old Dominion. He also hosts the podcast "Just Being Ernest," where he discusses the music industry with fellow musicians. Smith continues to be recognized as a significant voice in contemporary country music, contributing to the genre's evolution through his songwriting, performances, and collaborations.

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Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 05/06/2026.

ERNEST Videos

ERNEST - Feet Wanna Run (Official Music Video)

ERNEST - Feet Wanna Run (Official Music Video)

ERNEST - Flower Shops (feat. Morgan Wallen)

ERNEST - Flower Shops (feat. Morgan Wallen)

ERNEST - American Rust (Official Music Video)

ERNEST - American Rust (Official Music Video)

  • How do I book ERNEST to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like ERNEST for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for ERNEST, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for ERNEST or any other speaker of your choice.
  • What are the speaker fees for ERNEST

    Speaking fees for ERNEST, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book ERNEST are $100,000 - $200,000 for live events and available upon request for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire ERNEST, click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
  • What topics does ERNEST speak about?

    ERNEST is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Celebrity, Entertainment, Music
  • Where does ERNEST travel from?

    ERNEST generally travels from Nashville, TN, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.
  • Who is ERNEST’s agent?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like ERNEST for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book ERNEST for your next private or corporate function.
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    AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host ERNEST or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.
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    If you’re looking for the best, unbiased speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.

ERNEST is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics. The estimated speaking fee range to book ERNEST for your event is $100,000 - $200,000. ERNEST generally travels from Nashville, TN, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Sara Evans, Smash Mouth, Neon Trees, Rodney Atkins and LANCO. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling ERNEST for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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