Celebrate the Heart of Country, Americana, and Roots Music!

Drop Us A Line, Y'all

Y'all interested in advertising, partnering up, contributing stories, joining our team, or just got a question? Well, don't be shy, drop us a line!

Follow Us

Get To Know Ryan Upchurch – The Artist Who Created a New Country Sound

by
  • Riley is a Senior Country Music Journalist for Country Thang Daily, known for her engaging storytelling and insightful coverage of the genre.
  • Before joining Country Thang Daily, Riley developed her expertise at Billboard and People magazine, focusing on feature stories and music reviews.
  • Riley has a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Belmont University, with a minor in Cultural Studies.

Ryan Upchurch is one of the many young American music artists today who rose to fame using social media. But unlike most country singers covering classic songs, he gained visibility and grew a following from his humorous character and creative antics on videos posted on his YouTube channel: Upchurch the Redneck. 

Indeed, this country music rapper got a different start. Get to know more about Ryan Upchurch – who described himself as “funnier than a chili dog fart in a spacesuit” and “crazier than a soup sandwich.”

1. He’s a native of Tennessee.

Ryan Upchurch was born on May 24, 1991, in Pegram, Tennessee, but he has now settled in his home in Cheatham County – which has been known for its stunning, peaceful outdoors just outside Nashville, Tennessee.

2. He rose to fame as a comedian.

In 2014, Upchurch created “Upchurch the Redneck” while hanging out with his friends. He posted a series of homemade videos where his comical character portrayed the eccentricities and stereotypes of Deep South’s young men. Eventually, he started expanding it into a string of recordings that brought comedy, rock, and rap together – little did he know it will land him to the fame he is currently enjoying.

His YouTube channel started gaining amused audiences and followers. Indeed, Ryan Upchurch brought himself into the limelight and paved his own path to success.

3. He came into the music scene in 2015.

When his comedy tricks started failing to sell out in 2015, Upchurch began exploring the music scene by releasing an extended play, Cheatham County. He followed it up with a full-length album, Heart of America, a year later – which made it to the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. It also sold more than a thousand copies just within the first week it was released.

Upchurch went on releasing a few more full-length albums and charting on Billboard Country charts. In 2018, he released his first full rap album.

4. He has a clothing line.

Upchurch has also launched his own clothing line and other merchandise through RHEC – coined from his breakthrough single, Raise Hell and Eat Cornbread.

5. He loves cars.

If you take a peek at Upchurch’s social media accounts, you will be impressed with his skills in transforming any regular cars into something special and how he’s been driving the hottest vehicles out there.

6. He’s neighbors with Kane Brown.

When Kane Brown was caught in a scary situation in his own 30-acres property – getting lost in the woods with his wife and a friend – after he went exploring in the area, he called his friend Upchurch who was living in the same neighborhood. Upchurch came to Brown’s refuge only to end up getting lost too!

Upchurch also defended Brown when people started criticizing and making fun of the “One Thing Right” singer after reports surfaced that he called the police due to the incident.

7. He’s been engaged twice.

Upchurch is engaged with his best friend Taylor Eileen Smith – whom he’s grateful for letting him be exactly who he is and not trying to make him someone he’s not. The country artist popped the question to Smith in July 2020 and turned to social media to announce the good news by sharing a photo of him holding Smith’s hand as she flashed her stunning engagement ring.

However, it is quite not sure if the two have called off their engagement. Upchurch has also recently posted on his Instagram that he’s single.

The country rapper has also been in a relationship with Brianna Vanvleet in 2015 and was reported to have been engaged. Upchurch has been very outspoken when it comes to his then-girlfriend. He has expressed his feelings in a series of tweets and how he hopes to marry and have kids with Vanvleet someday. Unfortunately, the two called it quits around 2018 for some undisclosed reasons.

8. His net worth is estimated to be around $4 million.

With more than 2.3 million YouTube subscribers, a popular clothing line, and country hit charts, Ryan Upchurch is assumed to be earning a whopping $4 million every year.

Latest Stories

Dolly Parton looks down emotionally while speaking into a rhinestone-covered microphone during a candid moment on stage.

Dolly Parton Was So Broke When She First Moved to Nashville She Ate Leftover Room Service to Survive

Some people chase dreams. Dolly Parton chased survival. Long before the wigs, the theme park, and the billion-dollar legacy, Dolly was just a teenage girl in cheap shoes with a ...

Kelly Clarkson closes her eyes while singing into a microphone during her raw performance of Cody Johnson’s “When It Comes To You.”

Kelly Clarkson’s Cody Johnson Cover Reminded Folks What Country’s Supposed to Feel Like

Kelly Clarkson’s voice could melt asphalt in the middle of a Texas summer, and when she turned her sights on Cody Johnson‘s “When It Comes To You,” it wasn’t just ...

Connie Francis smiles with hands clasped in front of a pink backdrop and orchids, remembered for her timeless hit “Pretty Little Baby.”

Connie Francis, the Original Pop Icon Behind “Pretty Little Baby,” Dies at 87

She ruled the airwaves before most of us were born, and somehow, against all odds, Connie Francis was going viral on TikTok at 87. The pop powerhouse behind hits like ...

Luke Bryan performs with high energy on stage in a plaid shirt and cap, dividing fans over whether he's saving or ruining country music.

Why Some Country Fans Can’t Stand Luke Bryan and Others Say He Saved the Genre

Country fans don’t just listen, they debate. And if there’s one name that’s kept the whiskey flowing and keyboards clacking over the last decade, it’s Luke Bryan. Depending on who ...

Luke Bryan looks emotional during a heartfelt interview as he reflects on the personal tragedies of losing his brother and sister years apart.

Luke Bryan’s Brother and Sister Died Years Apart and He’s Still Carrying That Pain Today

Country music’s known for telling stories, but Luke Bryan’s life reads more like a ballad you never want to live through. Before the chart-toppers, before the sold-out stadium tours, before ...

Chris Stapleton and Miranda Lambert perform together in cowboy hats as their new duet “A Song to Sing” sparks mixed reactions from critics and fans.

Chris Stapleton and Miranda Lambert’s New Duet Slammed by Critics but Loved by Listeners

You’d think pairing two of the biggest voices in country music would set the world on fire. Instead, some critics are out here pouring cold water on what was supposed ...

More than 50 country legends and stars join together onstage at the Grand Ole Opry’s 100th celebration for a surprise performance of “Will the Circle Be Unbroken.”

Opry 100 Crowd Thought It Was Over Then 50 Country Legends Sang “Will the Circle Be Unbroken”

Thought the show was over? Not even close. The Grand Ole Opry’s 100th anniversary celebration already had fans floating on a high of nostalgia, surprise collaborations, and once-in-a-lifetime performances. But ...

Chris Stapleton performing onstage in a cowboy hat and black suit while playing guitar, tied to his big $1 million donation to help Texas families after devastating floods.

Chris Stapleton Steps Up to Help Texas Families After Devastating Floods With Big Donation

When the waters rise, real country shows up. Texas got hit with a storm over Fourth of July weekend that nobody saw coming, a wall of rain that turned the ...

Beyoncé performing in a white rhinestone outfit and cowboy hat during her Cowboy Carter Tour, amid news her unreleased music and setlists were stolen from a car in Atlanta.

Beyoncé’s Unreleased Music Stolen From Car in Atlanta Along With Cowboy Carter Tour Plans and Setlists

Well, here we go. Beyoncé might want to saddle up that golden horse of hers because this Cowboy Carter circus just keeps getting wilder, and not in a way that’ll ...

Darius Rucker passionately singing on stage before walking off after four songs and refunding fans when he lost his voice in Atlantic City.

Darius Rucker Walks Off Stage After 4 Songs Says “I Can’t Sing Anymore” and Refunds Fans

Sometimes the road just knocks the wind right out of you, or in Darius Rucker‘s case, it takes your voice and leaves you standing there, hat in hand, with nothing ...