He has also written songs recorded by Morgan Wallen, Jake Owen, Florida Georgia Line, Thomas Rhett, Chris Lane, and Jelly Roll.

He took an interest in hip hop music at an early age, citing the Space Jam soundtrack that he listened to in sixth grade as well as Eminem, John Mayer, and George Strait as his main influences.

This association led to him co-writing the title track of Florida Georgia Line's 2016 album Dig Your Roots.

The following year, recording under the mononym Ernest, he released country rap singles: "Dopeman" and "Bad Boy".

[6] Ernest was a co-writer on labelmate Dallas Smith's single "Hide from a Broken Heart", released in November 2021.