The last time we chatted with Peytan Porter, she was sitting in a Nashville coffee shop after just having relocated there from her hometown of Dawsonville. Growing up in Dawsonville, one of three girls, she spent time in the basement listening to music, studying songwriters, literature and marketing. When she moved to Nashville, she surrounded herself with a supportive professional team. She had just released her first record, In My Head, and was hoping to tour and dedicate herself to a signature project.
Well, she’s come a long way in a short time, opening this month for three-time Grammy Award winner Tim McGraw’s highly anticipated 2024 Standing Room Only Tour.
“I always want to deliver the best possible concert I can for the fans,” said McGraw. “We’ve got some really special plans to make this the biggest and the best tour we’ve ever done.”
Featuring a huge production, his biggest hits, and songs from his forthcoming 17th studio album Standing Room Only, the tour promises the most fun and memories of a lifetime.
On Standing Room Only, fans can expect an album full of McGraw’s enduring country sound, distinguished vocals and meaningful songs. Standing Room Only marks McGraw’s first new record since 2020’s Here On Earth, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Country Chart.
Throughout his career, McGraw has amassed 68 Top 10s and holds the Mediabase record for the most weeks at No. 1 with all titles, totaling 73 weeks, and holds the record for second-most No. 1 albums in the U.S., just behind George Strait.
We caught up with Peytan to talk tour, music and dreams.
Sue Collins: We're so excited for you to be opening for Tim McGraw. How are you?
Peytan Porter: I’m so honored to be opening for Tim McGraw on these dates. I’m really excited because I will be playing arenas for the first time in my career. I’ve never played a room even close to that size, so it’s pretty surreal. Not to mention that one of them is State Farm Arena in Atlanta, which isn’t too far from my hometown in Dawsonville, so I’m hoping to see some familiar faces at that one, which is always extra special!
SC: Tell us about your fans. How does their support fuel your success?
PP: My fans have been really kind in letting me evolve creatively as an artist and person. They are really supportive of any direction my creativity takes me in. The freedom to be authentically myself is the best gift they could give me.
SC: What are a few creature comforts you'll take on the road with you?
PP: I take my teddy with me on the road. He has been to almost all of my tour stops! I got him my senior year of high school and I always take him along with me. I also always have Twizzlers and coffee!
SC: What else is happening in your career now?
PP: There’s been a lot going on that I’m super excited about! I’ve been writing a ton and I’m gearing up to release new music. I also just played my first headlining shows. I played The Basement in Nashville and Eddie’s Attic in Atlanta. I also made my Grand Ole Opry debut in May, which was crazy to wrap my head around. I’m always trying to be as busy as possible and on the road as much as I can. I think it’s going to be a great second half of the year!