It’s safe to say Russell Dickerson is having the time of his life. The 39-year-old country singer went super viral at CMA Fest when he brought out Fetty Wap for an epic performance. He has been selling out venues across the country on his RussellMania Tour. And he and his wife, Kailey, just announced that they’re expecting their third child.
The “Happen to Me” singer slowed down for a few moments to talk to Country Living about his epic year so far.
The Collaboration No One Saw Coming
If you didn’t have Russell teaming up with Fetty Wap on your 2026 bingo card, you’re not alone. But when the Grammy-nominated rapper was released from prison earlier this year, he and Russell were brought together through the power of social media—with an assist from Kailey.
Kailey shared a video of her husband doing his best rendition of Fetty Wap’s 2015 hit “Trap Queen” (his party trick, she explained) and the clip racked up more than 35 million views and countless comments tagging the rapper. The post got Fetty Wap’s attention. He later recorded a feature on Russell’s song “Boots,” and the duo made a surprise appearance at CMA Fest in front of tens of thousands of fans.
Months later, Russell is still reveling in the “mind-blowing” moment. “If I’m ever feeling down in any way, I’m just like, ‘You know what? God is good. Also, you have a song with Fetty Wap. How could you be sad right now?’”
Before the song, Russell explains, “We had no connection or contact at all. When he got out, I was like, ‘We need a song with Fetty Wap.’ I just put that out there, sent it to my managers, and they were like, ‘LOL, really?’ and I was like, ‘Uh, yes, I’m serious.’ So I think that was the beginning of the manifestation of it.
“They saw it because he got tagged a million times, and that led to us talking with management, and we sent them the song ‘Boots.’ We already had that, and literally the next day, he sent his vocal on the song, and I was just like, ‘It’s happening! We’re really doing it.’”
Why His Fans Feel Like Family
RussellMania has taken the singer across the country, and he’s had the opportunity to connect with his fans of all ages. He calls them “the best fans in the world.” “They're just normal people, right? I feel like some artists have crazy people coming to their concerts, and I feel like I have the most aligned people that I would hang out with.
“It's turned into a family affair, and I am honored. I’m grateful. We had so many kids coming out that we added kids’ merch into our merch line. If I was going to take my kids to a concert, there are very few concerts I would take them to, so I'm honored.”
Baby News and a New Home
Kailey and their sons Remington, 5, and Radford, 2, join Russell on the road when they can, even when it is challenging. “It’s so worth it to get to spend time with them every day, as opposed to only getting to see them when I’m home,” he says. “And school is about to start, so I’m really soaking in these last moments of summer.”
The couple has been busy renovating their home, and the extra space will come in handy when baby number three arrives. Kailey has been keeping the renovation running during this busy season. “It’s beautiful. It’s happening. The cabinets are in. It’s just so many decisions, and we’re all so busy. And [Kailey] is writing a book while also designing this entire house. So she is legitimately Superwoman right now. Hopefully we’ll be in before the end of the year. That’s our greatest hope.”
Russell has been open about his love for his inflatable Costco hot tub, but the renovation might mean it’s time for an upgrade. “It’s time,” he admits. “It’s time to put on my big-boy pants and get a real hot tub.”
The Summer Tradition He Never Outgrew
While he continues his tour and gets ready for back-to-school season, Russell has one date marked on his calendar: National S’mores Day. He’s teaming up with Hershey’s on August 10 to celebrate the beloved snack and settle the age-old debate: Are you Camp Gooey or Camp Toasty?
For Russell, his fondness for s’mores goes back to another summertime favorite: the 1993 movie The Sandlot, in which Ham teaches Scotty how to make the treat and delivers the iconic line, “You’re killing me, Smalls.”
“It was already solidified in American culture before The Sandlot,” he says, “but that to me was the ultimate summer movie, and s'more is the ultimate summer snack.”
He considers himself a s’mores purist, but when he’s “feeling saucy,” he adds a piece of chocolate to both the top and the bottom. “I'm Camp Gooey, by the way,” he clarifies. “I am fully lava all the way through. So when it hits that chocolate, both sides melt, and it becomes, to me, the most perfect s'more that you can possibly create.”
Katie Bowlby is Digital Director at Country Living, where she covers pop culture news including country music, Yellowstone, and all things HGTV, plus gift guides and product reviews. She has been with Country Living for more than 11 years. Before that, she worked for Southern Living. The Indiana University grad also stitches up the cross-stitch pattern for every issue of the magazine.
