Since Russell Dickerson burst onto the music charts in 2017 with his massive hits "Yours," "Blue Tacoma," and "Every Little Thing," he has become a staple in the country music industry. And while it can be challenging to follow up on such a remarkable debut album, Dickerson has done it by sticking to his heart-on-sleeve power ballads like "Love You Like I Used To," "She Likes It," and one of my all-time favorites, "God Gave Me A Girl."
Dickerson can currently claim more than three billion streams. Additionally, on August 20th, he hosted the 2025 ACM Honors Award show alongside Carly Pearce.
Now, the Union City, Tennessee native has released his 4th studio album, Famous Back Home, further cementing his place on the country music landscape.
The 12-track collection features 10 songs co-written by Dickerson, along with the first two outside cuts of his career. The album, co-produced by Dickerson and longtime collaborator Josh Kerr, plus Casey Brown and Chris LaCorte on select tracks, showcases Dickerson's genre-defying creativity and emotional depth.
As an accomplished guitarist, Dickerson stated, "This is the first time since the debut album that I have gone back and gotten my hands on everything." When you hear a guitar riff on any song on the album, there is a good chance it's Dickerson playing.
One thing you rarely find on any Russell Dickerson album is a break-up song. He is a proud family man who has been married for more than 12 years. He writes and sings about what he knows. One of the first songs he released from the album back in 2024 is "Bones" as in I'll love ya 'til I'm six feet down in the ground/ And the gold on my finger's wrapped around/Nothin' but bones.
The opening track on Famous Back Home states, "she's on my mind like 'Dust' on a bottle," which is a hat-tip to the David Lee Murphy tune. "Love That I Love You" is a song that any girl wishes was written about them. The song "Sunrise In My Silverado" is about accidentally finding that first love. And the outside cut, "Never Leave," is a stripped-down plea for redemption and features Vince Gill's renowned vocals.
And if you think "For A Truck" was one of those typical country truck songs, you'd be wrong. The single girls let out a collective sigh when he states, Yeah, I had it all planned out/ Til I saw her and now/ I guess that 4x4 is going to have to wait until next spring/She'd look good in that shotgun/ But she'd look better with a ring.
His second outside cut, "Sippin' On Top Of The World," has big guitar riffs but still shows his sentimental side as it talks about ending your day with your sweetheart on the porch sipping on top of the world. "I don't want even to try to beat this song," he explained, so he included it on the record.
As one of the most energetic performers I have ever witnessed in concert, Dickerson still likes his "bangers," as he calls them. He likes the songs that bring his fans dancing on their feet. Though quite personal, "Worth Your Wild" is one of those energetic bangers as he tries to prove that he can keep up with his unfettered date. His wife stars in the spirited video.
"Happen To Me" is the accidental smash hit off the record. It started as an innocuous Instagram clip, and now dance moves have been added, and it has since exploded on TikTok. The song was released this spring and has already had well over 100 million streams.
Probably my favorite track on the Famous Back Home record is "Heard It In A Country Song." With its numerous references to multiple country hits, we are reminded of how vital country music is and why we love it so much.
The songs that I consider the bookends of the record are "16 Me" and the title track, "Famous Back Home." How many of us wish we could go back and tell our 16-year-old self that it really is going to be OK?
The title track contrasts Dickerson's dreams of making it in the spotlight with the deeper fulfillment of being with his wife and kids. It's an intimate, rootsy anthem showing that some of the most outstanding achievements can't be found on a stage, but rather in the moments that make you "Famous Back Home."
The songs on this record reinvigorate the love and joy of everyday life." I hope people put this record in and their heart rate gets kicked up," Dickerson shared.
His newest album reflects who Dickerson is at his core: a hitmaker, husband, father, and proud hometown hero. With this album, he proves he's not just famous on stage—but Famous Back Home, too.
Dickerson is currently on his RusselMania Tour promoting his new record.
You can follow him on his website, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and all streaming platforms.
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Bethany Bowman is a freelance entertainment writer. You can follow her blog, Instagram, and X.
Famous Back Home
- Dust (Dickerson, Josh Kerr, John Byron)
- Sippin' On Top of the World (Travis Wood, Casey Brown, Hunter Phelps)
- Happen To Me (Dickerson, Chris LaCorte, Jessie Jo Dillon, Chase McGill, Robert Hazard)
- Worth Your Wild (Russell Dickerson, Parker Welling, Casey Brown)
- Heard It In A Country Song (Russell Dickerson, Chase McGill, Chris LaCorte, Parker Welling)
- Sunrise in my Silverado (Russell Dickerson, Chase McGill, Hunter Phelps, Casey Brown)
- For A Truck (Russell Dickerson, Blake Pendergrass, Casey Brown)
- Love That I Love You (Russell Dickerson, Casey Brown, Ashley Gorley, Chris LaCorte)
- Never Leave feat. Vince Gill (Josh Miller, Greylan James, Matt Roy)
- Bones (Russell Dickerson, Parker Welling, Chris LaCorte, Chris McGill)
- 16 Me (Russell Dickerson, Andy Albert, Chris LaCorte, Cole Taylor)
- Famous Back Home (Russell Dickerson, Casey Brown, Parker Welling)
