Russell Dickerson has had a summer packed with career milestones and family news. The 39-year-old country singer drew major attention at CMA Fest after bringing rapper Fetty Wap onstage for a surprise performance. At the same time, his RussellMania Tour has been filling venues across the country, while he and his wife, Kailey, prepare for the arrival of their third child.
The busy season has also given Dickerson plenty of reasons to reflect on family, his fans, home life and the simple summer traditions that have stayed with him over the years.
The Fetty Wap Collaboration
Few country music fans would have predicted a Russell Dickerson and Fetty Wap collaboration in 2026. The connection started with a casual social media video posted by Kailey.
She shared a clip of Dickerson performing his version of Fetty Wap’s 2015 hit “Trap Queen,” which he had described as one of his party tricks. The video quickly passed 35 million views, with viewers repeatedly tagging Fetty Wap in the comments.
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The rapper eventually saw the attention. That led to conversations between the artists’ teams and, soon after, a feature on Dickerson’s song “Boots.”
Dickerson recalled how quickly the idea became real. “When he got out, I was like, ‘We need a song with Fetty Wap.’” He sent the idea to his managers, who initially responded with “LOL, really?” Dickerson, however, was serious.
The teams sent Fetty Wap the existing track. The next day, he returned his vocal.
Dickerson described the moment simply: “It’s happening! We’re really doing it.”
The collaboration reached another level at CMA Fest, where the two performed together before tens of thousands of fans. Months later, Dickerson still viewed the experience as “mind-blowing.” He even joked that whenever he feels down, he can remind himself, “You have a song with Fetty Wap. How could you be sad right now?”
RussellMania Brings Fans Closer
Dickerson’s RussellMania Tour has also brought him closer to fans across the country. He describes his audience as “the best fans in the world” and appreciates how naturally families have become part of his shows.
He said the people attending his concerts often feel like the kind of people he would spend time with away from the stage. That connection has grown as more children began attending his performances.
The response even influenced the tour merchandise. With so many young fans showing up, Dickerson added kids’ merchandise to the lineup.
For him, that detail carries real meaning. He explained that there are only a few concerts he would feel comfortable taking his own children to, making it especially meaningful that families choose his shows.
A Growing Family and a New Home
Family life remains just as important as the tour. Dickerson and Kailey already have two sons, Remington, 5, and Radford, 2. The children join their father on the road whenever possible.
Touring with young children can be demanding, but Dickerson said the time together makes it worthwhile. He prefers seeing his family every day rather than waiting until he returns home between shows.
With school about to begin, the singer has been making the most of the final stretch of summer.
Instagram | russelldickerson | Even with packed schedules, Russell Dickerson keeps his family close—both on tour and at home.
The family is also renovating its home before baby number three arrives. Kailey has been overseeing much of the project while writing a book, creating a packed schedule of her own.
Dickerson said the renovation is moving along, with the cabinets already installed. The family hopes to move into the completed home before the end of the year.
There is also one familiar household item that may soon receive an upgrade: Dickerson’s inflatable Costco hot tub. After years of using it, he admitted, “It’s time to put on my big-boy pants and get a real hot tub.”
A Summer Tradition Built Around S’mores
Even with touring, renovations and a growing family, Dickerson still has room for one classic summer ritual: s’mores.
National S’mores Day falls on August 10, and the singer has connected the treat with one of his favorite summer movies, “The Sandlot.” The 1993 film includes the memorable scene where Ham teaches Scotty how to make a s’more before delivering the famous line, “You’re killing me, Smalls.”
Dickerson considers himself a s’mores purist, although he sometimes adds chocolate to both sides of the marshmallow. His preference is clear: he is “Camp Gooey.”
For Dickerson, the ideal s’more has melted chocolate on both sides with a soft, fully heated center. His enthusiasm for the snack reflects the same nostalgia he associates with “The Sandlot,” which he considers the ultimate summer movie.
Russell Dickerson’s current season combines several parts of his life at once: a surprising musical partnership, a demanding national tour, a growing family, and a home renovation.
The Fetty Wap collaboration shows how a simple social media clip can lead somewhere unexpected, while the tour reflects Dickerson’s continuing connection with family audiences. At home, the arrival of a third child and a larger living space mark another important chapter. Even with those changes, familiar summer rituals such as watching “The Sandlot” and making gooey s’mores remain part of the picture.
For Dickerson, the summer stands out not because of one event, but because music, family, and familiar traditions are all happening at the same time.
