One of my first introductions to country music was Dylan Schneider. Throughout middle and high school, his songs “Two Black X’s” and “Grew up Slower” felt more relatable compared to songs by older country artists of that time. Now, as I navigate college, songs like “College Town” and “21 And Over” grow with me. Schneider’s appeal to Gen Z audiences, like myself, led to the release of five EPs that became the launchpad for a headlining nationwide tour, with a stop in Nashville at Exit/In.
To kick off the night, CMT’s 2023 “Next Woman of Country,” MaRynn Taylor, took the stage with a charming aura.
“I remember looking at Exit/In and thinking, ‘Dang. I want to play at the venue someday,’” Taylor said. “Now I do, and that’s really cool.”
Taylor’s song “Get to Know Me” takes listeners through the experiences that brought Taylor to Music Row. That night, the audience formed part of her next journey — to becoming a household country name.
“You don’t know I finally bought that plane ticket to Austin / I’m booking on shows, I’m out on the road singing songs that you don’t know,” Taylor sings in the song.
Despite being sick, Taylor’s vocal performance left me in awe, and her enthusiasm kept the crowd “‘Small Town Spinnin.’” Her desire to be on stage was nearly palpable. Taylor’s youthfulness was expressed not only in her singing but also in her pop culture references, such as the song “Season 2 of Friends.”
With a bang, “Shakin’ In My Boots” transformed Exit/In into a pop-country dance party, setting the stage for the highly anticipated Dylan Schneider.
Best known for his mid-to-late 2010s hits like “Wannabe” and “How Does It Sound,” Schneider began singing at the early age of 14 and made his official entry into country music at 17. In many ways, he is country music’s Justin Bieber, founding his career on song covers posted to Facebook and YouTube.
“I lived four hours north up in Indiana,” Schneider said. “I’m a midwest boy.”
Unlike country singers born in the South or raised by country music stars, Schneider comes from unconventional roots, which presented its own set of challenges for the young artist.
“There were fall festivals. There were summer festivals — anything that I could do to get up on stage and have a guitar in my hand and sing songs,” Schneider said. “ I was just trying to get my name relevant.”
Taking us back to Indiana, Schneider dedicated a segment of the setlist to songs he covered at music festivals, starting with George Strait’s 90s cult classic “Check Yes or No,” followed by Midwest native Brett Eldredge’s “Beat of the Music” and closing with Florida Georgia Line’s bro-country anthem “This is How We Roll.” In homage to his humble beginnings, it was a visibly sweet moment for Schneider and many in the audience, transporting them back to their younger days.
Throughout the show, Schneider proved he wasn’t just an artist of the past but a defining voice in country music today. Tracks from current EPs, like “Right Girl” and “How to Country,” had the crowd singing and dancing along. The singer-songwriter also spoke about when “Momma’s House” reached #5 on country radio. It was a notable moment for Schneider, as he is the original writer of the Dustin Lynch song. Reclaiming the track with a twist, he took a moment to explain his love for songwriting and then sang the original version of the bridge.
Of all the “Rockstar” melodies, my favorite song performed was “Daddy Drinks Whisky,” which evoked a strong reaction from both the audience and Schneider alike. Schneider’s vulnerable testimonial – reflecting on his loved ones and his own struggle with addiction – added a deeply moving layer to the performance.
“I know a lot of people have dealt with that. I knew I was dealing with that right after the pandemic hit, and it wasn’t an ideal time,” Schneider said. “I was back home with my family a lot, and I’m glad that I was there to navigate those waters together.”
Schneider wrote the song three years ago with two of his best friends and performed it last November at the Grand Ole Opry — a place deserving of such a heart-wrenching ballad.
“I remember the first time I played it for my little brother,” Schneider said. “He started crying, and it was a special moment.”
Before playing the song, he had one message to share with the audience.
“Never be afraid to open up,” Schneider said. “Never be afraid to share your own personal story.”
Hearing this song live, my first experience with it, made it even more impactful as I watched Schneider’s approach to the subject matter evolve from sadness to frustration. His expressions and vocal grit shifted to match the mood, culminating in a powerful finale punctuated by a loud, dramatic drumbeat.
“PUZZLED” is Dylan Schneider’s first full-length album, and it’s especially sweet to have this Music Row artist have his headlining tour here in Nashville. This is what makes this city so special: it allowed a kid from Indiana to pursue his music dreams, and it allows me – a girl who once listened to his songs on Spotify – see him play my favorites live.
