The new Nashville resident told Billboard “’If You Met Me First’ is the first song I’ve released that I truly feel has deeply connected with listeners in a meaningful way around the world. That’s an incredible feeling that I appreciate so much as an artist. I hope the video connects with fans even more. It was a really fun process to make.” Adding that director Ryan Hamblin and his team “did an incredible job of bringing my vision for this video to life.”
Ethridge is living out his wildest dreams. With an undoubtedly unique path, this past year has seen him pivot from a profession as a doctor to full-time country artist. Still practicing when he released his first self-titled EP, he says the ability to express himself creatively is what always gave him the most joy. “To me, a successful life is doing something you love while changing people’s lives for the better in the process.”
Canadian-raised, his EP hit Number One on his country’s overall iTunes chart and was streamed over 3 million times in the first six weeks, with no promotion. Subsequently, the lead track earned a coveted spot on SiriusXM’s tastemaker program “On the Horizon” for 24 consecutive weeks before signing with ole’s red dot label group last October.
Performing in a cover band while attending chiropractic school went along with his four jobs to help pay for his degree. His passion and focus shifted to music thanks to a string of well-received festival appearances, performing to crowds of 40,000. As his music and fanbase grew, thanks also in part to wildly popular YouTube covers, Ethridge landed a performance slot between Thomas Rhett and Florida Georgia Line at the major Canadian country festival, Boots and Hearts when he realized he needed to follow his heart and pursue music full time. He recently quit his practice and moved to Nashville full time focus on his path in country music.
For more information, please visit EricEthridge.com, and follow Eric on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.