Sue Bonzell: Today’s guest is Levi Hummon, and he’s paying for it. I’m Sue Bonzell, the host of Up N Country, where we’re bringing you new up and coming country artists. It’s all powered by vLiveCast. Let’s find out why Levi Hummon is paying for it.
He has gone viral on TikTok, and he is the only country musician to use the word “wazoo” in a song. I am so excited. Hello, Levi Hummon. Hey, how’s it going, Levi?
Levi Hummon: Hello. How are you doing?
Sue Bonzell: Doing great. I’m loving the new song, Paying for It. You did that song with Walker Hayes. Tell me how that all came about.
Levi Hummon: Yeah. So my girlfriend at the time, I say at the time-
Sue Bonzell: Oh, oo.
Levi Hummon: … had broken her veneer tooth. And I was on the way to the co-write, and she called me on the way there and said, “Levi, you got to write a song today that’s going to pay for this tooth.” And so, I thought on the way to the write, I was like “Paying for it. Oh, paying for it, that kind of sounds like a cool title. Like I bought all your drinks, and we never split one bill, but I’m still paying for it after we broke up.”
So I brought that idea into the write, and Walker Hayes was there. And honestly, we wrote the song in like an hour-and-30 minutes. It was super fast, and Walker put his whole spin on it, and made it super quirky. It was just, it was honestly one of the funnest writes I’ve been a part of because Walker is just so quirky, so different, and just loves to put his own little special thing on everything.
Sue Bonzell: Yeah. I mean, I’m loving the song. First time I heard it, I was like, I perked right up. I didn’t even know who was singing it. I heard it, and I went way, “Wait, wait, what? Okay, I got to listen to this.” And then, of course, Walker Hayes having huge success with his fancy TikTok dance and the whole deal, he’s gone to number one. Super exciting. I’m hoping the same for you as well.
Levi Hummon: Me too.
Sue Bonzell: Yeah. So now, you grew up in Nashville, correct?
Levi Hummon: Yes.
Sue Bonzell: Okay. So I’m going to assume that you are a Tennessee Titans fan?
Levi Hummon: I am. And actually, on TikTok, I just recently did the dance with the Titans’ cheerleaders. And let it be known, I know I can’t dance. I am not afraid to say it. I don’t care. But my dancing skills got me at least to the point where I got to dance with the cheerleaders for the Tennessee Titans.
Sue Bonzell: I did see that, and that’s why I asked you. So there is a dance, so now that dance, I’ve seen you do it. I’ve seen the cheerleaders do it. I’ve seen lots of people on TikTok doing this dance, Walker Hayes as well, and his daughter. Is his daughter the one who came up with the moves?
Levi Hummon: I believe so. I mean, I haven’t really investigated much into the actual choreography behind it. But I do remember that Lela and Walker originally sent me the dance, were like, “Hey, do you approve this?” And I was like, “Oh, absolutely.” I don’t want to take too much away from Walker, but I do think his daughter is actually the source of all the fame.
Sue Bonzell: Well, she’s fantastic. I love their videos too. And I did see a video of you doing the dance. It looked like you were making your brothers do the dance?
Levi Hummon: Yes. And I had to pay them a couple cases of beer and 20 bucks each.
Sue Bonzell: You’re still paying for it, right?
Levi Hummon: Literally paying for it.
Sue Bonzell: [inaudible]. Okay, so I’ve got a couple of fun questions for you that I want to ask. But first, I do want to let everybody know, you’ve toured with Tim McGraw, Keith Urban, and Lady Antebellum.
Levi Hummon: Yes.
Sue Bonzell: That’s pretty impressive. Who was your favorite?
Levi Hummon: So I’m a Keith Urban fan, like an actual stan fan. But when I toured with Tim McGraw, it was one of the most amazing experiences in my life because I walked off stage, and the day I walked off stage, he pulled me aside and said that he had just cut one of my songs, he recorded one of my songs. And it’s a song called Not from California, and it’s on the Here on Earth album. And so, getting to walk off stage after opening up for Tim McGraw and have him tell you that he recorded one of your songs is just unforgettable.
Sue Bonzell: Wow. What a cool, cool experience. So how old were you when you started in music and playing and singing?
Levi Hummon: So my dad is a songwriter, and he wrote songs like Bless the Broken Road, Cowboy Take Me Away, Born to Fly, all these amazing songs. And so, I just grew up on music row, getting to watch my dad be incredibly successful as a songwriter. And truthfully, because of that, I always thought songwriting is my dad’s thing. I have no reason to do it ever. It’s always going to live in his shadow, whatever.
But at 22, when I was in college, the bug finally hit me and I couldn’t reject it anymore, and it took over. So I would say for about eight years, I’ve been doing it professionally and just living and breathing it.
Sue Bonzell: Nice. I love it. I’m loving everything that you’re doing. Do you ever get nervous when you’re about ready to go out on stage, and what do you do about it?
Levi Hummon: Drink beer. No, I-
Sue Bonzell: Drink beer. Hey, that’s an honest answer.
Levi Hummon: It does help. One or two, and then, you can’t do that because then you’ll start forgetting lyrics. But, no, I think I’ve done it enough now, I don’t really get nervous. I just get, I get the butterflies, excitement butterflies instead of the nervous butterflies. However, I have got to play the Opry, I think, 19 times.
Sue Bonzell: Oh my goodness. Wow.
Levi Hummon: I literally get, my palms are sweaty, the whole Eminem 8 Mile verse.
Sue Bonzell: Right?
Levi Hummon: I definitely get nervous going on the Opry stage every time.
Sue Bonzell: Well, it is a pretty incredible place. I’ve been there, and it’s that emotion about everything. That’s so incredible that you’ve been there 19 times.
Levi Hummon: Nineteen. The next one’s 20, so I’m very excited about that one.
Sue Bonzell: So that’s going to be a party. That’s going to be a party.
Levi Hummon: Yes.
Sue Bonzell: Send me a note. Let me know when, so I can be there.
Levi Hummon: [inaudible], anytime. We’ll make it happen just for you.
Sue Bonzell: Okay, perfect. Great. Okay, so I have a couple of other fun questions for you. So you kind of alluded to the fact that you might be single. Are you single currently?
Levi Hummon: Yes.
Sue Bonzell: Yes, okay. All right, ladies, listen up. We got a hottie here. He’s available.
Levi Hummon: Yes, I am. Hit me up, please.
Sue Bonzell: Have you ever dated a fan?
Levi Hummon: I have never dated a fan.
Sue Bonzell: Oh, okay.
Levi Hummon: But, I mean, I feel like I start writing songs about the girls that I date, and they become fans, so [inaudible].
Sue Bonzell: Well, it depends on what you’re writing about them, right?
Levi Hummon: Right.
Sue Bonzell: If it’s a love song. Okay.
Levi Hummon: It’s currently recent, so right now I’ve been writing heartbreak songs. [inaudible].
Sue Bonzell: Well, those, they do sell well. People like them. They’re good. What is the perfect date, perfect first date?
Levi Hummon: Perfect first date for me would be eating barbecue.
Sue Bonzell: Oh, like that.
Levi Hummon: Drinking Busch Light, and then doing whatever the girl wants.
Sue Bonzell: Oh, man, you smart guy. Ladies, my goodness, we got a catch right here.
Levi Hummon: Actually, barbecue’s probably not what a girl wants to hear as a first date. So take them [inaudible] view of Nashville and show them the whole world.
Sue Bonzell: Oh, yes, there you go. Well, barbecue’s okay as long as it’s not ribs because then that’s a whole intimate experience eating ribs on a date. Okay, so can you cook, and what is your favorite thing to cook?
Levi Hummon: I can cook. I haven’t had time to cook recently. But actually, one of my favorite recipes I make is ramen noodles.
Sue Bonzell: Oh, like not, are they the ones out of the package or like real-
Levi Hummon: These are fancy ones. So I can make these really cool Japanese ramen noodle thing. And if anybody out there is a fan of ramen noodles, I’m the man with a plan. I got the best recipe locked down.
Sue Bonzell: Okay, all right. We might have to do a little cooking showdown or something like that, a little challenge.
Levi Hummon: That’s the least country thing I think I’ve ever said was ramen noodles.
Sue Bonzell: Ramen, I love ramen.
Levi Hummon: Well, in college, I fell in love with ramen just because I was eating it all the time, super broke. And I was like, “How do I spice this up? How can I make this better? How can I get this more interesting.” So adding teriyaki chicken and bok choy and just different seasonings and stuff like that just to spice it up. And it’s kind of like one of my favorite things to do.
Sue Bonzell: Well, that sounds delicious. I’d be happy for you to cook that for me anytime. What’s your favorite place to eat?
Levi Hummon: Here in Nashville or just in the world?
Sue Bonzell: Yeah, well, you know what? How about Nashville and then in the world?
Levi Hummon: Okay, deal. So here in Nashville, I have this restaurant that I go to called Urban Grub, and it’s all in-house steaks and they have their own wine selection. It’s incredible. And my favorite thing there is actually their brunch, and they have a steak and eggs that’s the best thing ever.
Sue Bonzell: Okay, awesome.
Levi Hummon: But in the world, I’m a barbecue fanatic, love barbecue. And so, I just went to this restaurant called Legacy in Columbus, Ohio. And I didn’t think Columbus would be that great of barbecue. It was the most amazing barbecue I ever had.
Sue Bonzell: Really?
Levi Hummon: I’m thinking about it right now, my mouth is literally watering. It’s insane, so highly recommend that.
Sue Bonzell: So what kind of meat is the barbecue? Is it any barbecue, or do you like brisket or the ribs or what do you like?
Levi Hummon: I love brisket, but they… So when I go there, my best friend’s wife’s dad owns it. And he just brought us out, the entire band, we all got this giant platter of every single thing. So it was, the pork was amazing. They had this mac and cheese that was incredible, this Mexican street corn. It was just insane.
Sue Bonzell: Okay, I’m hungry. I’m hungry now.
Levi Hummon: I’m a foodie, so it’s hard. You get me started on food, I’ll just go all day.
Sue Bonzell: I know, right? Okay, so you mentioned the wine list, so do you drink wine at all?
Levi Hummon: Actually, I don’t drink wine, but I appreciate people that do drink wine. And I also have played a show in Santa Rosa and Santa Clara and Redding, California.
Sue Bonzell: Redding, okay. So we’re in Santa Rosa.
Levi Hummon: Awesome.
Sue Bonzell: When are you coming back?
Levi Hummon: So I played two shows with Kip Moore. I think that was in Santa Clara and Redding. But then, I think my show with Martina McBride was in Santa Rosa.
Sue Bonzell: Awesome. Okay, all right, so you know the wine country a little bit, right?
Levi Hummon: That was actually really… I mean, I don’t drink wine, and I drank that wine and loved it. But I’m also pretty sure, so on our rider, which is what they give the artist at the show, they were like, “Here’s a free bottle of this really, really expensive wine.” And of course, I’m just like, instead of like, “Ah, this is so fine.” No, I just completely drank it.
Sue Bonzell: Okay, so you’re backstage, what’s your go-to thing you got to have backstage? What’s your thing?
Levi Hummon: Food-wise, probably I have peanut M&Ms, so that’s kind of like my peace snack, my comfort food. But then also, we’re on tour right now, me and a guy named Roman Alexander. He has a song called Between You and Me. It’s incredible.
Sue Bonzell: Yes.
Levi Hummon: So we’re on a co-headlining tour right now throughout the Midwest. Unfortunately, we’re not on the West Coast. But yeah, so we just hang out backstage, and honestly, just jam out to songs and just keep it very, very chill. So chill is what I need backstage, if anything.
Sue Bonzell: Chill, okay. Chill and peanut M&Ms, okay.
Levi Hummon: Yeah.
Sue Bonzell: I got it. And you said a Busch? Busch is the beer you like? I was going to say you got the shirt.
Levi Hummon: That’s right.
Sue Bonzell: All right, good. I love it. I love it. All right, favorite cocktail or beverage?
Levi Hummon: See, I don’t drink fancy drinks that much. I’m such a normal just like I got to have a light beer, or I like a really good tequila and not to just shoot, shoot, but I actually like the taste of tequila.
Sue Bonzell: Like sipping?
Levi Hummon: Yeah.
Sue Bonzell: You’re sipping on it. Yeah.
Levi Hummon: Dos Amigos is really good. And I just had the Codigo and a bunch of the other kind of country artist ones. But no, tequila and beer.
Sue Bonzell: Tequila and beer, okay. I love it. That sounds like a song. Okay, what is the-
Levi Hummon: I’m a living [inaudible] of just a normal country song.
Sue Bonzell: You’re living a country song literally, yeah. What is the craziest thing that you’ve ever done in your entire life?
Levi Hummon: Me and my family just got back from a safari in Africa this summer.
Sue Bonzell: Wow.
Levi Hummon: And so, long story short, my dad’s dad was in the State Department. And so, my dad and his family spent a lot of times overseas. And so, whenever we get to do a major trip, we usually go overseas and try to do like half mission work and then half kind of enjoy/pleasure.
But the craziest thing we did is that we took this small mini plane out of a city called [Maun], Maun, whatever, and flew it over the entire Chobe game reserve, which is the biggest game reserve for elephants and rhinos and giraffes and everything. We literally flew this little crop duster plane over all these amazing animals. It was straight out of Indiana Jones. And it was really scary, honestly. I never need to be in a small plane ever again.
Sue Bonzell: Yeah.
Levi Hummon: But it was really incredible. What a really cool experience. Like you said, yeah, once is good, right?
Yes. No more
Sue Bonzell: Once is good. I like that. So as far as your music, who are your musical influences?
Levi Hummon: I would say, obviously, Tim McGraw, like I said, and Keith Urban. A lot of the people I’ve gotten to open up for and been blessed to open up for have been hugely impactful. But kind of a little side note of an artist that really inspired me was Jeff Buckley and his record, the Grace album, really inspired a lot of the melodic stuff I love to do. I don’t really showcase it as much in country music, but I have a strong love for falsetto and just really, really melodic songs. And he’s kind of like the embodiment of that to me.
Sue Bonzell: Okay, very cool. So now, if you had two words to describe you and your music, what would they be?
Levi Hummon: Real and fun, honestly, because I keep, especially my live set, I like to keep it uptempo. I do have some heartbreak songs, some ballads, some songs like Wedding Dress, which is another song of mine that’s done pretty well. But I like to keep it just as real as possible. And especially on stage, I like one or two songs that are a little slow, and then for the rest of it, we’re just going to party the whole time.
Sue Bonzell: You’re jamming. You’re jamming with the Busch. Woo! [inaudible].
Levi Hummon: Yeah, pretty much.
Sue Bonzell: So, okay, is the song Paying for It, is it on an album right now? Is there a plan for an album? What’s happening there?
Levi Hummon: So we put the song out, honestly, kind of wrote it, it just turned out so cool. Walker had the momentum. We just put it out because it felt right. And now, the song is doing so well for itself. Kind of the next plan is I’m working on another cool feature for the top of the year and letting this Paying for It song ride out and just kind of getting ready for whatever’s coming the new year.
But I have two of the better songs I’ve ever written in my entire life coming out. And I’m just so excited to announce these features and these amazing artists that are coming to feature on them.
Sue Bonzell: That is fantastic. So more teaming up with some people that we might know?
Levi Hummon: Yes, some people you might know and also just some really talented new people that I’m really excited about.
Sue Bonzell: Perfect. I love the new people, see?
Levi Hummon: Me too.
Sue Bonzell: I love them.
Levi Hummon: Find them first, and then they become very, very famous and then they help you.
Sue Bonzell: Exactly, exactly. It’s a team effort, right? It’s a team effort. Well, I want to thank you so much for taking time to chat with us today. Very excited about all of your success with Paying for It. I have not learned the dance yet. I got one move. I got one move.
Levi Hummon: What is it, this one?
Sue Bonzell: It’s this one.
Levi Hummon: There’s the Macarena in it too. So if you just lose all of it, just here you go.
Sue Bonzell: Yeah, the Macarena is in there too, that’s right. Awesome. Okay, I’m going to work on the dance, and then I’ll have to get back to you, okay?
Levi Hummon: Awesome. Well, if you’re here for the 20th show at the Opry, we’ll do the dance.
Sue Bonzell: Okay. Ah, there you go. All right, good. Well, thank you so much for your time. And we’ll look forward to more of your success and find you on TikTok as well.
Levi Hummon: Thank you so much, Sue. I appreciate it.
Sue Bonzell: You bet.
Thanks for tuning in to Up N Country where we have new episodes every Tuesday. And be sure to visit upncountry.com for all of the episodes and information about our VIP club, where you’re going to get exclusive backstage access. And if you’re on Instagram or TikTok, make sure to follow me, Sue Bonzell. I’ll see you next week.
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