Dustin Lynch Discusses “Setlist Staples” and Upcoming Music Release This Fall on The Bobby Bones Show

Dustin Lynch Opens Up About “Setlist Staples,” His Crowd-Surfing Boat Wipeout, and His Surprise EDM Career

Dustin Lynch recently joined The Bobby Bones Show to celebrate the release of his latest album, Setlist Staples—a collection of his 10 number-one hits. The conversation flowed seamlessly, touching on a variety of topics, including songwriting missteps, his passion for flying planes, and the entertaining reasons behind his decision to retire his infamous crowd-surfing boat stunt.

The Album Isn’t a “Greatest Hits” (Even Though It Kind of Is)

Host Bobby Bones playfully teased Lynch about his age in relation to releasing what essentially amounts to a greatest hits album. Lynch laughed this off, explaining that although the collection represents his 15-year career, he wasn’t quite ready to label it as a “greatest hits” record. Instead, they settled on the title Setlist Staples, acknowledging that with so many hits, Lynch often finds himself having to cut certain songs from his live performances to make space for newer material.

The One That Almost Got Away: “Small Town Boy”

One standout story from the interview revolved around his hit song “Small Town Boy.” Originally, the track nearly slipped through his fingers. Lynch shared that a song plugger had emailed him the song, but it took him weeks to listen to it. Discovery occurred while he was at his hunting lease south of Nashville. A call in the middle of the song led him to believe that someone else had likely already claimed it. Luckily, that wasn’t the case, leading to the song’s enduring success. Co-host Amy even chimed in, recalling how she first heard the track during a soundcheck at the iHeartCountry Festival back in 2017 and recognized its hit potential instantly.

“Good Girl” Came Together in 30 Minutes — After a Failed Attempt

Lynch also recounted the whirlwind creation of his popular single “Good Girl.” He reminisced about a songwriting session that took place the morning after a night of celebrating with co-writers Brad Paisley and others. After their initial attempt resulted in a creative block, they scrapped it and managed to whip up “Good Girl” in a mere 30 minutes. To add to the excitement, their record label head unexpectedly flew in that day, allowing them to present the fresh demo immediately after its creation.

Cowboys & Angels: A Number Two That Became a Career-Defining Song

Not every song Lynch released saw the same success, as illustrated by his very first single, “Cowboys & Angels.” Interestingly, this slow cowboy ballad never reached number one, stuck behind Jason Aldean on the charts for three consecutive weeks. Lynch considered releasing a slower track as a debut single a bold choice, but he fondly admits it remains his favorite song to perform live, resonating with both him and his fans.

Retiring the Crowd-Surfing Boat (After Wiping Out Night One)

Many fans may recall Lynch’s once-viral stunt of riding a raft over the crowd during his concerts. However, Lynch confirmed that this stunt has now been officially retired. The decision came after a disastrous first attempt—he started the stunt from the back of the room without the crowd being aware, leading to a heavy crash. Post-wipeout, he adapted by initiating the stunt from the stage, allowing fans to anticipate his movements. Eventually, he turned the stunt into an entertaining feature, sending band members and radio friends sailing across the crowd.

An Unexpected Second Career in EDM

One of the most surprising facets of Lynch’s career is his unexpected leap into the EDM scene. Starting with remixes of his own country hits for an after-party in Las Vegas, he has since landed gigs in cities like Miami and Toronto. Lynch credits his admiration for dance music to childhood friends who ventured into Vegas nightlife. This year, he released an EDM track titled “Die Living” in collaboration with heavyweights David Guetta and Illenium, and even had the chance to watch Illenium perform live during his Las Vegas residency at The Sphere.

Still Flying, Still Farming, Still Golfing at a Three Handicap

Beyond music, Lynch remains dedicated to making the most of his downtime—enjoying mornings at home, watching baseball, and spending quiet hours on his porch. An avid pilot, he still flies despite co-host Eddie’s ribbing about the odds eventually catching up with him. Agriculture plays a role in his life as well, as he continues to manage his farming activities. Notably, he would love to hit the golf course, currently maintaining a three handicap. A big week in golf was on the horizon, with plans for events in Colorado and California.

What’s Next

Looking forward, Lynch confirmed that his next studio album is completed, with new music set to emerge this fall. His fans can expect to hear a mix of unreleased songs debuting live throughout September and October as part of the rollout.

Setlist Staples is available now, and Dustin Lynch is set to hit the road, thrilling audiences throughout this autumn season.