If you’ve been keeping up with Russell Dickerson lately, you already know that “busy” doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface. The multi-Platinum powerhouse has been living in a literal whirlwind over the last few weeks, trading red carpets for sold-out amphitheaters, and ultimately turning country music on its head in the absolute best way possible.
Here at Celeb Secrets and Celeb Secrets Country, we’ve been tracking RD’s epic rise from day one. But what he’s pulled off between late May and early June of 2026 is nothing short of legendary. From an all-genre nod at the American Music Awards to an unforgettable, boundary-smashing surprise at CMA Fest, Russell is proving that he isn’t just playing the game — he’s rewriting the rules.
View this post on Instagram
The madness officially kicked into high gear on May 25, 2026, when Russell hit the red carpet at the 2026 AMAs in Las Vegas. Looking effortlessly sharp and beaming with his signature high-wattage energy, he wasn’t just there to watch the show— he was walking in as an AMA-nominated artist.
“It feel good. It feel good,” Russell told Celeb Secrets Country host Juliet Schroder exclusively on the red carpet, reflecting on the milestone. While he’s no stranger to country award nominations, this one hit a little differently. “I’ve had some nominations, you know, but with all-genre, this is a cool feeling. It really is. It’s just, again, honored to be in the room with all these amazing people.”
Never one to filter his excitement, Russell also revealed to us exactly who he had his eyes on for his next dream collaboration.
“Ludacris,” he answered without missing a beat. “He’s, like, three seats away from me. We’re gonna lock it in tonight. RD featuring Ludacris coming at you soon! I’ve been a Luda fan since eighth grade.”
View this post on Instagram
If a Ludacris collab sounds unexpected for a country boy from Tennessee, you clearly haven’t heard his explosive new single, “BOOTS.” Released on May 8, the track features 2x Grammy-nominated rap icon Fetty Wap, blending country swagger with late-night club rhythms into a certified “country-trap anthem.”
The collaboration came together organically after a video of Russell singing like Fetty Wap went wildly viral online.
“I mean, it’s just a line dancing, two-step club banger. Featuring Fetty Wap, so you know it’s popping,” Russell told us on the AMAs carpet, grinning. “We had the song for a while and tried to land it with other artists… but when the Fetty Wap video went, like, crazy viral, me singing like Fetty Wap, I think that’s what sealed the deal.”
When Fetty finally sent back his verse, Russell’s reaction was pure, unfiltered joy. “There’s a true reaction video on my Instagram right now of hearing him on it for the first time,” he shared. “It’s still surreal.”
For Russell, working with one of his biggest musical influences is a testament to where his artistry is heading. He wants his fans to know that this chapter of his career is all about fearless sonic exploration.
“RD has no boundaries,” he declared. “AKA Fetty Wap. You know, I ain’t scared. You can say country’s country, what isn’t, what is it, whatever. I put out a song with Fetty Wap. I don’t care. I don’t know boundaries. If that brings people into country music, so be it.”
While his streaming numbers are currently skyrocketing past 4 billion, Russell’s true superpower has always been his live show. His massive RUSSELLMANIA Tour has been extended through 2026, selling out iconic venues like Red Rocks and The Greek Theatre.
Just a few weeks ago, he celebrated his birthday with a massive hometown “Nash-Birthday Bash” at Nashville’s Ascend Amphitheater. The lineup was already stacked with Tyler Hubbard, Adrien Nunez, and Kevin Powers, but Russell had an ace up his sleeve: country superstar Thomas Rhett.
“Thomas Rhett came out and opened up, played one song,” Russell laughed, giving us the hilarious backstory. “He lost a bet to me, you know! So I was like, ‘You gotta open for me at Ascend in Nashville.’ So he did, he did. He held to his word.”
After 15 years of grinding in the music industry, seeing thousands of fans scream his lyrics back to him at legendary venues isn’t something he takes for granted.
“It feels great to finally see… they’re screaming for me. It’s really happening now. The crowd’s going crazy,” he admitted. “We just sold out Red Rocks, and so it’s like, yeah. It’s just a wild year from ‘Happen To Me’ and now ‘BOOTS’ and Fetty Wap… it keeps going up and up.”
All of that momentum culminated in a massive, career-defining weekend at CMA Fest 2026 in Nashville (June 4–7). Russell bookended the entire festival, officially kicking things off on Thursday on the Chevy Riverfront Stage and serving as the coveted CMA Artist of the Day.
His packed schedule included a special Artist-on-Artist conversation hosted by Keith Urban at Fan Fair X, a “Blue Tacomies” Fan Club Party, performances at SiriusXM’s Music Row Happy Hour at Chief’s on Broadway, and a late-night set at Spotify House at Ole Red.
But it was his Sunday night Nissan Stadium debut that truly shattered the weekend. After tearing through massive hits like “Blue Tacoma,” “Yours,” and his current single “Worth Your While,” Russell delivered on the secret surprise he teased to us back at the AMAs.
He brought out Fetty Wap for the live debut of “BOOTS.”
The stadium erupted into absolute madness as the duo followed it up with a performance of Fetty’s global smash “Trap Queen.” Flanked by the Tennessee Titans Cheerleaders, it instantly became the most talked-about crossover moment of the summer.
With his fourth studio album FAMOUS BACK HOME delivering the ultimate blend of country-soul, ’80s rock, and modern pop, Russell Dickerson is officially operating at the peak of his powers.
When we asked him what the rest of his summer looks like, his answer was simple: “Big festivals all over all summer… It’s just shows. Show, show, show, show, shows. Taking it day by day.”
For more on Russell Dickerson and his exciting new chapter, make sure to watch our full interview from the 2026 AMAs red carpet below — and don’t forget to let us know if you’re loving “BOOTS” by either leaving a reaction at the bottom of the post or by sliding into our DMs on Instagram at @celebsecretscountry.
For more coverage from the 2026 American Music Awards, click here.
