Scrolling through Facebook last week, I stumbled on a video of an artist I’d never heard of before, Elijah Wise, covering Keith Whitley’s iconic ballad, “I’m Over You.” As soon as the Tennessee native started singing, I was in. I immediately took to my streaming service of choice to see if he had any originals available, and luckily, he’d released an EP, Honky Tonkin’ At Home, last year, and I hit play.
As soon as the Telecaster lick on the EP’s opening tune, “Right Here Where You Left Me,” kicked off, soon accompanied by a rollicking fiddle, it was pedal to the metal all the way through the closing drumbeat of the title track that rounds out Wise’s debut effort. What was evident then (and on countless listens since), is that Wise turned in one of the great releases of last year, and has firmly cemented himself as an artist to watch as he prepares to release more new music in 2025.
I chatted with Wise all about the EP, as well as his traditional country influences, moving away from home to pursue music, working with heavy-hitters in Nashville and more.
Pro Country: Your website lists traditional country artists like Keith Whitely, George Strait and Tracy Lawrence as musical influences early in your life. What was it about the traditional stylings of country music that struck a chord with you at a young age?
Elijah Wise: What initially grabbed my attention was the storytelling aspect of the lyrics. But beyond that, the melodies, the charisma of the artists and the incredible instrumentation all resonated with me deeply.
PC: You began singing in church early in your life. What was it about singing in front of people that connected with you so early in your life, and how quickly did you become comfortable doing so?
EW: I’ve always loved singing, but each time I performed in front of people, it felt like the first time. I was really shy at first, but my parents encouraged me to sing. What truly drew me in was seeing the impact music had on others, and I think that’s what made me want to pursue it. By the time I was in my twenties, I realized this was the path I was meant to follow.
PC: You picked up the guitar at 20 years-old. What drew you to pick up the instrument during your college years, and how quickly did you take to it?
EW: I worked at a moonshine store where a lot of bluegrass bands played, and hearing that fast picking made me want to learn to play. I decided the best way to focus on it was to distance myself from distractions, so I went to East Tennessee State University, where they have a bluegrass program. I had the chance to learn from Wyatt Rice, Tony Rice’s brother, and the other talented students were incredibly supportive. Despite not even being able to spell guitar, I practiced constantly, even though I ended up flunking all of my other classes. Eventually, I dropped out and began pursuing music full-time.
PC: You moved from east Tennessee to Nashville in pursuit of your musical dreams. What emotions came with moving hundreds of miles away from home to give your all to pursuing music?
EW: I knew this was what I wanted to do, especially being around songwriters. What I didn’t expect was how difficult it would be to get into writing rooms here in Nashville. Most people were closed off, and opportunities were hard to come by. However, when I met Carson Chamberlain, who had worked with Keith Whitley, it was a game-changer. He helped me grow as a songwriter and gave me insight into the music business. And that’s just something you can’t learn in school.
PC: You released your debut single, “She Never Liked Country,” in April of 2024. What was it like releasing music into the world for the first time, and why did you feel “She Never Liked Country” was the right song to debut yourself with?
EW: It was a mix of nerves and excitement. There were definitely thoughts of “what ifs,” especially after investing so much into the record and being an independent artist, but it was thrilling to see people connect with it and ask to hear it at shows. I chose “She Never Liked Country” because it had a fun vibe, with a throwback late ’80s and early ’90s sound with a new voice that I thought would resonate with country music fans.
PC: “She Never Liked Country” has gone on to earn over 25,000 streams on Spotify, with thousands of streams and views across platforms as well. How encouraging was it to see the positive response the song had out of the gate, especially as it served as your debut release?
EW: It was really exciting to see people connect with that old-school sound and feel like my music was being validated. It gave me confidence in the direction I’m headed as an artist.
PC: Just a few weeks later, you released your debut EP, Honky Tonkin’ At Home, which features songs written by heavy-hitters like Carson Chamberlain, Keith Stegall and Zach Top, among many others. What did it mean to you to have songs available to you from some of the biggest songwriters in the genre?
EW: It meant a lot that these respected songwriters trusted me with their material and allowed me to put my own spin on their songs. At the time, I had never co-written, and I was nervous about putting my own songs out there. Now, I’m more confident in my writing and excited to record some of my own work. Ultimately, I don’t want to be biased and record a song just because I’ve written it. I’m a firm believer in the best song gets cut.
PC: As lovers of sad country songs, “Breakin’ Her Heart” is one of our favorite songs onHonky Tonkin’ At Home. Can you give us a few of your favorite sad country songs?
EW: When it comes to sad country songs, I think a man can’t not mention “He Stopped Loving Her Today” by George Jones, “Don’t Laugh at Me” by Mark Wills and “Old Violin” by Johnny Paycheck.
PC: What do you hope listeners take away from Honky Tonkin’ At Home after listening all the way through?
EW: I hope listeners get a sense of the fun side of my music, but also feel something from the ballads. I want to show the full range of my artistry.
PC: You had the opportunity to perform at the Bluebird Café. As someone who is so steeped in country music history, what did it mean to you to take the stage at the Bluebird and sing your songs?
EW: Playing at the Bluebird was a huge honor. It made me nervous, but it also filled me with confidence to know that I was following in the footsteps of so many incredible artists who had performed there before me.
PC: You’re quite active on TikTok and have earned hundreds of thousands of views across videos on the platform. How much have you enjoyed reaching new fans on the platform and reaching an audience of traditional country music fans that way?
EW: It’s been a great experience, especially since I got a late start with TikTok and social media. It’s been fun sharing my music with new people, and I’m grateful for the platform because it’s allowed me to reach a much broader audience.
PC: What do you have planned for 2025?
EW: I wrote a lot of music in 2024, so I’m excited to release a new record and spend more time on the road this year. I’m also looking forward to continuing to expand my fanbase.
PC: Is there anything you’d like to add?
EW: I just love country music and am excited to see it make a strong comeback.
Pro Country 
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