The charismatic singer, this year's Country Power Players Rising Star, is a committed entertainer, known for his rambunctious onstage antics — and increasing number of undeniable radio hits.
By Jessica Nicholson
There comes a moment in most Tucker Wetmore shows — between performing lively hits like “Proving Me Right” and “3,2,1” — when the Washington state-born country artist sits down at a piano and leads the crowd through a medley of classics, from Beethoven to Jerry Lee Lewis’ “Great Balls of Fire.”
“I’m an old cat. I’m an old soul,” the 26-year-old says. “I like ’60s, ’70s, ’80s music, early-’90s stuff.” Wetmore grew up listening to the Eagles, Hall & Oates, Queen, Van Morrison, Elton John, Billy Joel and Atlanta Rhythm Section, and at 11 taught himself how to play piano. His path to a life in music didn’t quite start then and there — a college football career intervened, until an injury cut it short — but watching Wetmore on the keys today, his destiny, and, now, chief mission as an artist is clear: to connect and entertain.
“I like the thought of people getting together for one sole reason: for the same love of the music,” he says. “And I personally take responsibility for that. It’s my job to make sure they have a night that they’re going to talk about two, five, 10 years down the road. That’s what I tell my guys before every show … Every night I get onstage, I’m going to give them the best time I possibly can give them.”
