Joe Hermes Beats BTS To No. 1 On UK Chart
(BMA) Rock country's hottest new independent act, Joe Hermes, has been on a hot streak, releasing fiery singles, "A Real Good Bad One,""Honky Tonk Feelin,'" and "That Country High" in addition to traveling overseas for European tours with Boyzlife this month, and Lansdowne and Silent Hill in April. "Country High" shot to #1 on the UK iTunes charts, surpassing K-pop sensations BTS, and lands #28 on Big Top 40 Charts.
Hermes' songs are built for blasting from tailgates, dive bar jukeboxes, and pickup truck speakers, and now, Hermes is bringing the heat with a heavier sound on his upcoming track "Boots On Broadway," out April 10, 2026.
Hermes imparts, "This song captures the unrelenting spirit of downtown Nashville where rocking country music comes to life. Stepping onto iconic honky tonk stages and rooftops hitching rides on pedal bar taverns; this song is all about 'rocking your boots on broadway' til the early morning hours"
A bona fide, battle-tested entertainer driven by his commitment to faith, family, and belief in the American Dream, Joe Hermes stands tall behind the values he lives by. A good-hearted, fun-loving former defensive lineman, the proud Illinois native packs a powerful punch with edgy vocal textures and hard-hitting musical storylines - both intimate and boldly straight-up - that explore the tension between angel and devil as his stand-out signature. His raucous sound and high-energy stage performances - self-described as "gunpowder country" - are rooted in his earliest influences: Metallica, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Aerosmith, Pantera, and Bon Jovi. Hermes weaves intense, soulful vocals with raw, honest lyrics and his "Heart of Illinois" roots sound to create a captivating listening experience.
With the encouragement and lending hand of renowned music producer Buddy Hyatt (TOTO, George Jones, Lee Greenwood, Mickey Gilley, Tracy Lawrence), Joe recorded the EP titled SOULS WITH STONES to make his official introduction in 2020. Unintimidated by the adversity and challenges of both the music industry and the COVID-19 shutdown, the breakthrough artist redirected his focus toward songwriting, working alongside Grammy-award-winning songwriter/producer/manager Dale Oliver. In 2023, Joe released his full-length CD, ROCKIN' A COUNTRY TOWN, co-produced with Oliver behind the board. The project spotlights original tunes penned alongside Oliver, Dan Couch (Kip Moore/Cody Johnson), and Big Vinny Hickerson (of the trio Trailer Choir), including "Stronger Than Whiskey" and "Used To Be Me", which landed at No. 46 on the MusicRow Country Breakout Chart. In 2024, he released the singles "Baptized By The South" (March 2024) and "Walk Away Whiskey" (June 2024) and rolled out his Double-shot Waterfall Series (spotlighting "Hey Son," "Outlaw's Gospel," "Devil's In The Details," "Black Label Country," "American Muscle" and "Outgun The Outlaw").
Reinforcing his conviction, dedication, and talents, Hermes garnered early welcome and support from country radio, country music fans, and his peers. In three short years, he's shared the stage with some of the biggest names in country music entertainment [including Casey Donahue, Ward Davis, Craig Campbell, Kolby Cooper, Myron Elkins, and Kinsey Rose (The Voice), among others]. Establishing a foothold in the Rock 'n Roll arena, Hermes has opened for Uncle Kracker, Black Stone Cherry, Head East, Hinder, Jackyl, and Lakeview.
Joe Hermes continues his influence in the country rock scene, both locally and internationally. His high-octane energy and spirited performances propel the momentum of this must-see artist's prolific year, setting the stage for a wave of highly anticipated releases still to come in 2026!
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