Continuing the hot streak. In case you thought that 2025 was a big year for Ernest, which included co-writing not one but four of Morgan Wallen’s multi-platinum, #1 hits off I’m The Problem and releasing two projects, Cadillac Sessions and  Live From The South, 2026 is shaping up to be even bigger for the Nashville native. If you recall, back in December, he revealed that he’s working with none other than Brooks & Dunn to help them produce their first new record in 19 years. Later in the month, he’d tell Bobby Bones that he had already completed his upcoming album, which was later revealed to be titled Deep Blue. In the same interview, the “Tennessee Queen” singer would also tell Bones that Deep Blue will be released sometime around spring break, essentially guaranteeing a March or early April release. “I’ve recorded and finished my next album, and I’m going to shoot the album art soon. And I’m going to put it out sometime like spring break. It’s going to be the perfect time for boat season.” As for what to expect from the album, Ernest would reveal that it will have some beachy/island vibes mixed with some of his patented southern flair. He’d go as far as to call it Alabama meeting Jimmy Buffett. “There’s a little island inspiration in this next album for sure. And just like a little southern, too. It’s like Alabama and Jimmy Buffett had a baby.”  During a recent interview us on the Whiskey Riff Raff podcast, the “I Had Some Help” songwriter would also reveal that the Deep Blue will feel like a grown-up, beach-inspired version of his 2019 debut album, Locals Only. “It’s kind of a grown-up version of the first project I put out called ‘Locals Only,’ which was all heavily inspired by and largely written in Saint Thomas and Saint John. It’s 10 years later since a lot of the songs got written, and I’ve done a lot of growing. My voice has gotten deeper. I’ve had a lot of smoke in my throat since then. (My voice) is weathered, and my technique… I’ve sang a million songs since then.” Last month, he got the ball rolling on Deep Blue’s upcoming release with the infectious new single, “Lorelei,” which fulfilled the promise of delivering some stellar, beachy tunes and has been in heavy rotation on my personal playlist lately. On Monday, he announced the project’s second pre-released single, “Boat Named After You,” which was released today. View this post on Instagram Following in the footsteps of “Lorelei,” “Boat Named After You” is another island-centric heartbreaker from the Nashville native. Written by Nathan Chapman, Taylor Swift’s long-time co-writer who has penned the likes of “All Too Well,” “Love Story” and “You Belong With Me” and Tony Lane, a Nashville staple who has written the likes of Cody Johnson’s “On My Way To You” and George Strait’s “Run,” the track finds Ernest adrift at sea, reeling from a heartbreak once again. Making the track even more heartbreaking, as the song’s title suggests, the boat is ultimately named after his long-lost lover, essentially being the only thing he has left of her memory. “You might be out in California Top down, Rodeo Drive Back there in your hometown Having kids and doing fine Maybe up in Colorado Keeping warm with someone new Me, I’m out here on the water On a boat named after you” Despite the boat being the only thing he has left of her, Ernest reveals that it is fading quickly. Crooning in the second verse that her name is slowly being washed away by the waves, it presents an excellent dichotomy of his lover being erased from his life while her memory continues to haunt him. “It’s all that I got left of you Your pretty name in painted blue But every day it fades a little more” Overall, “Boat Named After You” is yet another winner from Ernest. Between the rock-solid songwriting from Chapman and Lane, Ernest silky smooth vocal delivery and some breezy production, which includes a nice mix of electric guitar and piano throughout, the track is firing all cylinders. Though the “Hangin’ On” singer has yet to confirm Deep Blue’s release, it’s safe to say that we’re in for another gem when it comes out in the coming weeks. “Boat Named After You” Live From The South 2026 Dates: 2/27 – Charleston, S.C. – Charleston Music Hall > 2/28 – Norfolk, Va. – NorVa > 3/5 – Indianapolis, Ind. – The Egyptian > 3/6 – Rosemont, Ill. – Joe’s Live > 3/7 – Columbus, Ohio – The Bluestone > 3/11 – Grand Rapids, Mich. – The Intersection # 3/13 – Detroit, Mich. – Filmore # 3/14 – McKees Rocks, Pa. – Roxian Theatre # 3/19 – Durant, Okla. – Choctaw Casino 3/26 – Boston, Mass. – House of Blues* 3/27 – New York, N.Y.– Irving Plaza* 3/28 – Bensalem, Pa. – Parx Casino* 4/2 – Houston, Texas – White Oak Music Hall* 4/3 – New Braunfels, Texas – Gruene Hall* 4/4 – Ft. Worth, Texas – Billy Bob’s* 4/16 – St. Louis, Mo. – Hawthorn # 4/18 – Minneapolis, Minn. – First Avenue # * Support By Chandler Walters > Support By Cody Lohden # Support By Rhys RutherfordThe post Ernest Finds Himself Heartbroken At Sea In Stellar New Track, “Boat Named After You” first appeared on Whiskey Riff.