Blake Whiten On Viral Stardom, Touring With Morgan Wallen And Debut Album Something To Say

From Construction Sites to Nashville Studios

Before achieving chart success with his debut 12-track album Something to Say released via Enchntmnt/Warner Records, Whiten spent years working in construction in South Carolina. According to Billboard, the 22-year-old artist began working construction at age 16 before his stripped-down acoustic cover of Morgan Wallen’s “I’m The Problem” gained immediate traction online in June 2024. Within 48 hours of the video’s viral spread, Whiten packed his bags, boarded his first-ever flight, and relocated to Nashville.

The South Carolina native co-wrote every track on his debut album, working alongside producer Austin Shawn, who is recognized for his production work with Bailey Zimmerman. Whiten’s behind-the-scenes writing credits also extend to Zimmerman’s track “Holding On,” which reached the top 40 on the Hot Country Songs chart. Whiten has amassed more than 150 million global streams, anchored by his breakout solo-written hit “Rollin’ Stone” and his debut EP Six Mile, named after his hometown.

Stadium Tours and Mentorship on the Road

Whiten’s rapid ascent translated directly to major live stages during the summer concert season. According to Billboard and The Tennessean, Whiten opened shows for country superstar Morgan Wallen on the Still The Problem stadium tour, performing in front of massive crowds at venues like Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor alongside fellow tour opener Hudson Westbrook. During these stadium dates, Whiten joined Wallen on stage to sing the 2017 hit “Up Down.”

Reflecting on the milestone, Whiten told Billboard that sharing the stage with Wallen was an emotional turning point. “That was the first time I’ve ever gotten a little bit emotional at a show,” Whiten stated. In addition to sharing bills with Wallen, Whiten spent the touring season opening for Bailey Zimmerman on the Different Night Same Rodeo Tour. When asking Hudson Westbrook for touring advice before taking the stage, Whiten received a straightforward warning: “Just don’t get burned by the pyro and you’ll be fine.”

Hometown Roots and Community Giveback in South Carolina

Despite playing to stadium crowds numbering up to 90,000 people, Whiten maintained a connection to his roots. According to The Tennessean, Whiten celebrated the release of Something to Say by returning to his hometown of Six Mile, South Carolina—a municipality with a U.S. Census-recorded population of just 759 residents. Rather than hosting a traditional venue party, Whiten and his team pulled three truck beds into the parking lot of a local convenience mart, playing an open-air concert for a crowd exceeding 1,000 attendees.

Demonstrating local gratitude, Whiten personally paid for gas and food for community members prior to the performance. “We literally pulled three truck beds up and then played in the parking lot of the gas station, which technically that gas station is like Walmart for my hometown,” Whiten told The Tennessean. “It felt like the best place to do it.”

Navigating the Business of Breakthrough Country Music

Furthermore, scaling up operations for regional and national headlining tours—such as Whiten’s own headlining Something To Say Tour, which launched on August 20—requires sophisticated financial planning.

With “Bet on That” pushing forward on country radio and entering the Billboard Hot 100 at No. 98, Whiten is already looking toward the future. Named SiriusXM’s “Highway Find” and having made his official debut at the Grand Ole Opry in early 2026, the young singer remains focused on the writing process. “I feel like I have a dream, but I feel like I have a pretty good shot at this dream,” Whiten told Billboard. “And just working on all these songs over the last two and a half years, getting them written was a crazy experience… and I cannot wait till we get to the next album.”