ERNEST Brings Southern Swagger to a Sold-Out Joe’s Live on the Live From The South Tour

On a lively night in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, fans packed into Joe’s Live in Rosemont for a sold-out stop of the Live From The South Tour, headlined by rising country star and hit songwriter ERNEST. The night was filled with Southern storytelling, sing-along anthems, unexpected covers, and a few unforgettable moments that made the show feel more like a celebration than just another stop on a tour.

All Photos By: Aaron R. Shriver Photography

Joe’s Live in Rosemont, Illinois, is a modern live music venue located in the heart of the Parkway Bank Park entertainment district. The venue holds approximately 1,500 fans, offering a spacious general admission floor along with balcony viewing areas that give concertgoers excellent sightlines and an intimate concert experience despite its larger size. Known for hosting a wide range of touring country, rock, and pop artists, Joe’s Live has quickly become one of the Chicago area’s most popular destinations for live music. On this particular evening, the venue was buzzing long before the first note was played. Fans filled the floor shoulder to shoulder, drinks in hand, eagerly waiting for a night of Southern-fueled country music.

Kicking off the night was singer-songwriter Cody Lohden, a rising artist who is beginning to make serious waves in the country music scene. Lohden is bursting onto the country landscape as a lyrical force to be reckoned with, bringing an authenticity that feels rooted in real life and lived experience. His love for music began early, picking up a guitar at the age of 12. That passion grew even stronger as he began performing live shows alongside his father, who encouraged and nurtured his interest in songwriting and performing. Before committing to music full-time, Lohden followed a path that is not often associated with the music industry. He worked as a firefighter and paramedic while living in Kentucky, dedicating his time to serving others before ultimately deciding to take a leap of faith and pursue music. As Lohden explained during his set, the calling to try music professionally became too strong to ignore. That decision has clearly paid off, as he commanded the Joe’s Live stage with confidence and charisma.

Lohden wasted no time warming up the Rosemont crowd. His set showcased a blend of heartfelt storytelling, traditional country influence, and a fresh perspective that resonated well with the audience. One of the early highlights came when he performed a cover of Shenandoah’s classic “Two Dozen Roses.” The nostalgic song had many in the crowd singing along. He followed that with his spirited take on Hank Williams Jr.’s “Dinosaur,” delivering the song with a playful edge that drew cheers from the crowd. Original material made up the heart of his set. Lohden introduced “Go Round,” a brand-new song that had been released just that week, giving the Chicago audience an early look at his newest work. He also dipped into songs from The Cadillac Sessions, including “TV On & Tail Light” and “Porch Light, Miller Lite.” Both tracks showcased Lohden’s knack for storytelling and his ability to connect everyday moments with memorable melodies.

Click The Image Above For The Full Cody Lohden Photo Gallery

One particularly intriguing moment came when Lohden performed an unreleased track titled “Camels In The Console.” The playful title caught the crowd’s attention immediately, and the song’s storytelling charm left many wondering when it might officially be released. By the time Lohden wrapped up his set, he had accomplished exactly what an opening act should do: he energized the crowd and set the tone for the night ahead.

As the house lights dimmed and anticipation filled the air, the sound of the “Star-Spangled Banner” echoed through the venue, serving as the intro music for ERNEST’s entrance. The patriotic opening set the stage for an unforgettable night, and as the band walked onstage, the sold-out crowd erupted into cheers. Before achieving success as a recording artist, ERNEST established himself as one of Nashville’s most respected songwriters. His ability to craft catchy hooks and clever lyrics helped shape hits for some of country music’s biggest stars. Drawing influence from artists as diverse as Eminem and George Jones, ERNEST developed a style that blends modern swagger with classic country storytelling.

The Rosemont crowd was in for a treat from the very beginning. ERNEST launched straight into the title track of the tour, “Live From The South,” immediately setting the tone with his signature blend of country charm and laid-back confidence. The energy in the room surged as fans sang along. Without slowing down, he transitioned into “Tennessee Queen,” a song that echoed through Joe’s Live as the audience clapped and swayed along. ERNEST paused briefly to greet the crowd and share how much he always looks forward to returning to Chicago, a city that has consistently shown him strong support.

Looking to fire up the crowd even more, ERNEST surprised fans with a pair of quick covers paying tribute to the late Toby Keith. He performed “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (Angry American)” followed by “Who’s Your Daddy.” The moment felt especially meaningful considering that Joe’s Live was once Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar, making the performance a true full-circle moment for the venue. As ERNEST sang, the crowd began chanting “USA! USA!” louder and louder until the entire room joined in. The energy was so powerful that ERNEST paused and asked his fiddle player to perform a rendition of the “Star-Spangled Banner.” Fans placed their hands over their hearts as the fiddle rang out across the venue, creating a spontaneous and emotional moment that will likely be remembered long after the tour ends.

Returning to his own catalog, ERNEST rolled into “Gettin’ Gone,” a song famously recorded as a duet with Snoop Dogg following what ERNEST jokingly described as a very “green” green room session. The crowd laughed at the story and happily sang along. Next up was “Boat Named After You.” Before beginning the song, ERNEST joked about Chicago’s legalized cannabis culture. As if on cue, a fan tossed a vape pen onto the stage. ERNEST laughed, took a quick hit, and continued on with the song, drawing cheers from the audience. The hits kept coming after that with “Sugar” and “Lorelei,” both of which had the crowd singing nearly every word. The connection between ERNEST and his fans was clear; this wasn’t just a performance, it felt like a room full of friends sharing songs together. ERNEST then tipped his hat to another country legend with a cover of Willie Nelson’s “On the Road Again.” The classic tune had fans swaying and singing, turning Joe’s Live into a full-blown honky-tonk sing-along. The set continued to roll along with “Blessed” and “Cowgirl Stay,” keeping the momentum strong as ERNEST and his band effortlessly blended heartfelt ballads with upbeat country grooves.

Things took an unexpected turn during “Take Me To Montgomery.” Midway through the song, a few audience members began distracting ERNEST, causing him to briefly stop the performance. After addressing the situation, he restarted the song from the top, delivering it with renewed focus and emotion. Once the song concluded, ERNEST lightened the mood by launching into “Take Me Out To The Ballgame.” Given Chicago’s deep love for baseball, the crowd enthusiastically joined in, turning the venue into a stadium-style sing-along. At this point in the show, ERNEST gave his band a well-deserved break and transitioned into an acoustic segment. Stripped down to just his guitar and voice, he showed off the songwriting talent that first made him a star in Nashville. He began with “Wasted On You,” a song he co-wrote that was later recorded by Morgan Wallen. Hearing the song in its acoustic form highlighted the emotional depth of the lyrics. Next came “Comfortable When I’m Crazy,” from his 2022 album Flower Shops. The song’s introspective tone created one of the most intimate moments of the evening.

The crowd was then treated to a surprise when ERNEST welcomed special guest Rhett Akins to the stage. He performed his smash hit “That Ain’t My Truck,” drawing loud cheers from longtime country fans who instantly recognized the classic. With the band returning to the stage, ERNEST continued the evening with a heartfelt cover of Kris Kristofferson’s “Help Me Make It Through The Night.” The performance showcased ERNEST’s respect for the songwriting legends who came before him. He then delivered a his version of “Cowgirls,” another collaboration with Morgan Wallen. The response from the crowd was deafening as fans sang along louder than they had all night.

Continuing the tribute to country classics, ERNEST led the crowd through Hank Williams Jr.’s “Family Tradition,” turning the venue into a rowdy sing-along. The show surged toward its finale with high-energy performances of “Turn Me Up” and “Why Dallas.” Each song kept the crowd fully engaged and dancing. As the night reached its climax, ERNEST brought the house down with “I Had Some Help” and the beloved “Flower Shops.” Both songs had the audience singing at full volume, their voices echoing through the venue. Finally, ERNEST closed the evening with “Feet Wanna Run.” The song served as a fitting conclusion to a night that celebrated country music’s storytelling roots while embracing its modern evolution.

Click The Image Above For The Full ERNEST Photo Gallery

As the lights came up and fans slowly made their way toward the exits, smiles were everywhere. Many people looked around as if they were trying to process what they had just witnessed. ERNEST didn’t just perform in Rosemont; he created a night that felt special, spontaneous, and deeply connected to the fans in the room. By the end of the evening, one thing was clear: ERNEST left his mark on the Chicagoland area in a big way, and if the reaction from the Joe’s Live crowd was any indication, he’ll be welcomed back with open arms the next time he rolls through town.

For More On ERNEST Click Here!

ERNEST Setlist:

Live From The South

Tennessee Queen

Who’s Your Daddy? (Toby Keith Cover)

Courtesy Of The Red, White, and Blue (The Angry American) {Toby Keith Cover}

Star Spangled Banner (Fiddle Only)

Getting’ Gone

Boat Named After You

Sugar

Lorelei

On The Road Again (Willie Nelson Cover)

Blessed

Cowgirl Stay

Take Me To Montgomery

Wasted On You (Morgan Wallen Cover)

Comfortable When I’m Crazy

That Aint My Truck (Special Guest Rhett Atkins)

Shadows Of Her Mind (Kris Kristofferson Cover)

Cowgirls (Morgan Wallen Cover)

Family Tradition (Hank Williams Jr. Cover)

Turn Me Up

Why Dallas

I Had Some Help (Post Malone Cover)

Flower Shops

Feet Wanna Run