Country Sensation Jordan Davis Admires Usher: A Singing Legend Worth Jamming With
Country sensation Jordan Davis teams up with Crown Royal and reveals his admiration for Usher, hailing him as one of the finest vocalists he's ever witnessed As the 2023 CMAs approach, Davis expresses his desire to collaborate with the R&B superstar
Jordan Davis and Usher Getty Images; FilmMagic
Jordan Davis, 35, reveals that he has a surprising musical idol he would love to perform with at the Country Music Association Awards. Despite expectations, his ultimate fan moment would be to jam alongside Usher. Davis exclusively shares this information during a discussion with We, where he highlights his participation in Crown Royal's ongoing collaboration with the CMA Awards and Bunker Labs. The campaign, now in its sixth year, aims to support military veterans and their families.
In addition to being nominated for several awards, Davis is scheduled to perform at the 2023 ceremony on Wednesday, November 8th, at the Bridgestone Area in Nashville. Another artist set to perform is Post Malone, who will be accompanied by HARDY and Morgan Wallen in playing a selection of country classic hits. Despite his reputation for other music genres, Malone has expressed his love for country, even getting a permanent Johnny Cash tattoo. When asked about who he would choose for a hypothetical CMA jam session, Davis immediately selected the R&B legend.
"I actually had the opportunity to attend one of Usher's residency nights in Vegas coincidentally during my last tour stop," reveals Davis.
For Davis, Usher, who is now 45 years old, achieved his initial wave of mainstream success "when I was starting to explore other genres outside of whatever my dad was listening to," says the "Next Thing You Know" singer in an interview with Us. "He was one of those guys that, I believe his music was so distinct. He was the first artist who—undeniably a vocal powerhouse—captivated me to the same extent as any other Usher fan in seventh or eighth grade. So, he holds a special place in my heart."
Usher's collaboration with Davis wouldn't be too surprising. During his time as a judge on The Voice in 2015, Usher performed covers of Blake Shelton's songs "Neon Light" and "Home" at a charity event for United Way of Dallas' 90th Anniversary celebration. The two later teamed up to perform "Home" at Shelton's Healing in the Heartland Benefit, where they raised millions of dollars for tornado victims.
Just like Shelton and Usher, Davis shares a strong dedication to assisting others. He expresses his gratitude when Crown Royal invited him to participate in this year’s event for the CMA Awards.
According to Davis, this opportunity is particularly special to him because Crown Royal has a longstanding commitment to supporting the military and aiding veterans, which holds great significance in his life. "Both my grandfathers served, and my cousin was a Marine, so the military has always been incredibly important to my family. I've always admitted that servicemen and women are doing something that I personally wasn't brave enough to do."
Davis eagerly seized the opportunity to collaborate with Crown Royal's CMAs campaign. Prior to the show, Davis and the renowned whiskey brand joined forces to organize the Purple Bag Project, where they transformed Crown Royal's distinctive purple bags into thoughtful care packages for active military personnel. At the momentous awards show on Wednesday, Crown Royal will unveil a captivating live integration showcasing Davis and Bunker Labs, a nonprofit organization committed to empowering military veterans and their spouses in their pursuit of entrepreneurship.
During the event, Davis will bestow the esteemed "That Deserves a Crown" award upon Bunker Labs CEO Blake Hogan, recognizing their commendable efforts in aiding the military community. Following this remarkable gesture, Crown Royal will persist with its Generosity Month campaign, devoted to giving back to those who selflessly serve their country.
Usher Denise Truscello/Getty Images for Dolby Live at Park MGM
Davis of Bunker Labs expresses his admiration for the selfless act of servicemen and women continuing to serve, stating that saying 'thank you' is insufficient. He feels honored and grateful to be involved in this endeavor, thanks to Crown Royal's support.
Davis' involvement with Crown Royal marks his newest charitable venture, having previously collaborated with Folds of Honor and the Ryan Seacrest Foundation. He reveals that his humanitarian drive stems from a deep sense of appreciation.
"I believe it is crucial to acknowledge how fortunate I am to be able to pursue my passion," he expresses. "It still astounds me to admit that I have the opportunity to write and perform songs for a living. It's truly remarkable."
He further explains, "There is a innate desire in everyone to aid those who are in need. I credit my mother for instilling this value within me at a young age. Even before music came into my life, I had a strong inclination towards helping others. Now, as an artist and a public figure, I feel an even stronger obligation to demonstrate the significance of assisting those who require help. Whenever there is an opportunity to improve a dire situation, we should seize it. This has always been a personal aspiration of mine, and I hope to continuously have the privilege of doing so."
Davis cited Kris Kristofferson and Willie Nelson as influential country music legends who played a significant role in shaping his mindset.
"As an emerging artist, I admire these role models, not only for their songwriting and performances but also for their off-stage actions. This exemplifies the generous mindset that characterizes the richness of the country music community."
Davis has had a busy year with the release of his sophomore album, Bluebird Days, in February, following his successful 2018 album Home State. The second single from the album, titled "Next Thing You Know," has become a favorite on country radio, even reaching No. 23 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. This song has also earned Davis a second consecutive Song of the Year nomination at the CMA Awards. In fact, he won this prestigious award in 2022 for his song "But Dirt," which he collaborated on with Luke Bryan.
While "Next Thing You Know" has the potential to win three CMA Awards - Song of the Year, Single of the Year, and Music Video of the Year - Davis is simply grateful to be a part of the ceremony. "Always honored to be nominated," he states. With the new generation of country stars revitalizing the genre's popularity, Davis believes that being a finalist for any of these awards is a great honor.
"Winning Song of the Year last year was truly the highlight of my music career," he recalls. While Davis is excited about the possibility of winning the award again, he considers the recognition of a song he wrote as a win in itself.
Will Davis celebrate his victory by attending the Super Bowl LVIII halftime show in February at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, featuring Usher, regardless of whether he wins at the CMAs or not?
"I really hope I get to witness that incredible halftime show in Vegas," says Davis. "It was such an amazing experience. I had seen him perform once before when he came to Dallas, and to have the opportunity to see him again? The show is so full of energy. I must say, he is one of the most talented singers I have ever seen, and his performance in Vegas was out of this world."
If Davis is unable to attend the game in person, he will still watch it to see one of his favorite performers showcasing their skills. "I'll be able to reminisce and say, 'Oh yeah, I remember that from the residency,'" he says, laughing. "That person is incredibly talented."
The 2023 Country Music Association Awards will be broadcasted live on ABC at 7:00 pm EST on November 8, and will also be available to stream on Hulu. For more information about Nashville, take a look at We's VIP Guide to Music City.
