Warren Zeiders Wants To Build A Country Music Empire — One Show At A Time
Country music hitmaker Warren Zeiders doesn't waste a minute of his time on the road.
Zeiders approaches touring with the razor-sharp mentality of an athlete training for a championship game. He admires Tom Brady's work ethic, listens to motivational podcasts from former Navy SEAL David Goggins and name-checks Kobe Bryant as an on-the-court inspiration.
A self-starter who stumbled into country music stardom by posting unfiltered songs on TikTok that reached millions of viewers during the COVID-19 pandemic, he's now a sought-after talent in Nashville and beyond. Signed to Warner Records, he's performed at the Houston Rodeo, toured with genre megastar Jelly Roll and released one of the most-played songs on country radio in 2024 with standout single 'Pretty Little Poison.'
This year, Zeiders tours in support of Relapse, Lies, & Betrayal, a deluxe double-album edition of his 2024 LP Relapse. He's taking the album coast-to-coast with shows booked this year in arenas, amphitheaters and standing-room-only concert halls.
Off stage, he's focused on making the most of each day, like Brady and Bryant before him.
'At the end of the day, man, nobody in my world can want it more than me,' Zeiders said. 'The day that happens is the day that I don't see my career going forward. It's different for everybody but I am so hands-on because that's all I've ever known.'
For Zeiders, time on the road isn't a party. After a show, he unwinds like most of us – by scrolling through streaming services. He and his content director watch films and TV shows in hopes of catching inspiration for future music videos or tour productions. Some of his go-to watches include Dune: Part Two and hit Netflix series Ozark.
After eight hours of sleep, Zeiders kicks off a new day with a high-protein breakfast – typically four whole eggs, a cup of egg whites, blueberries, half a bagel and cold brew coffee plus a splash of cream – before meeting with his content director to workshop material from last night's show for social media or vlogging.
From soundcheck to VIP sessions and after-show handshakes with industry professionals, he's hands-on with his day-to-day because 'I was raised in a household of [working] for what you want,' Zeiders said.
He continued,'Does it require a lot from me? 100%. It allows for fans to see that everything that they're experiencing and seeing is touched by me. From the music to the production of the music … to what I want to show on social media. It's all coming from me and it's authentic.'
And his hard work has paid off – by the busload. On a headlining tour in spring 2024, Zeiders hit the road with two tour buses and two trailers of gear. This year? His tour expanded to three buses and two semi-trucks.
Zeiders' approach doesn't go unnoticed by his label, either. In an email interview, Aaron Bay-Schuck, co-chairman and CEO of Warner Records, described the singer's work ethic as 'incredibly inspiring and impressive.'
'When an artist steps fully into the spotlight, it can often become very overwhelming with never-ending demands and requests," Bay-Schuck said. 'Warren is a natural-born songwriter and storyteller, who understood very quickly what this life entailed. He is involved in every aspect of his career and he's crystal clear about his brand, is savvy about the business, is super connected with his fans and he knows the path to take to reach the greatest heights.'
Zeiders' day-to-day focus comes from years on the playing field, he said. Prior to life on the road, the 25-year-old Pennsylvania native played lacrosse at Frostburg State University. Those days included a juggling act of practice before sunrise, studying film, catching classes, studying for exams and traveling for games.
And like many who root on children at a high-stakes game, his parents stay close on the road. His mom manages his business – including touring logistics and finances – while his dad handles merchandise.
Or, in Zeiders' words: 'That athletic background has prepared me for this life of controlled chaos that I live. I eat, sleep and breathe this, man."
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