Has Luke Grimes’ Music Career Hurt His Role In Yellowstone?

Before Luke Grimes was a successful actor, he was a singer. Although you may know him better as Kayce on Yellowstone, he has also recently kicked off his career as a country singer. The 39-year-old actor swapped his saddle for a microphone, releasing his first single “No Horse to Ride” last year.

As Yellowstone comes to an end, Grime’s music journey is only just beginning as he indicated in a recent Instagram post. He recently announced he has new music “coming very soon.”

Luke Grimes plays the son of John Dutton (Kevin Costner) who works as a horseman and ranch hand on the Dutton Ranch. Before playing the former Navy SEAL on Yellowstone, Grimes was known as James on True Blood and Elliot Grey in the Fifty Shades of Grey film series. He’s also set to star in an upcoming Netflix movie called, Happiness for Beginners.

Luke Grimes explained to The New York Post the unlikely way his solo music career started. “I was writing some stuff, singing it into my iPhone, and sent it to a few friends,” the actor explained. “One thing led to another, and I get a phone call from this great music manager, and he says, ‘Do you really want to try this?’ And I said, ‘Well, why wouldn’t I?’, not really thinking much of it. Now here I am signed with Universal Nashville.”

Is Luke Grimes A Singer?

Luke Grimes revealed to Rolling Stone last year that he was part of the band long before Yellowstone aired. The Ohio native was a drummer and guitarist before he landed his break-out role as Ryan in Brothers & Sisters.

Grimes started his music career playing drums, guitar, and piano in church as the son of a Pentecostal pastor. When he moved from Ohio to attend acting school in New York, he taught himself to play the guitar. “I always have a guitar with me. It’s always been a little buddy that I can take around anywhere.”

“It was around that time when the alt-country thing was really going on. Wilco and Ryan Adams were really big then and we were kind of like that,” he recalled. “I played guitar too and helped write songs for the band, so I got to be more than just the drummer. It was a cool experience.”

Before starting his recent career as a solo artist, Grimes was a drummer and songwriter for a country band based in Los Angeles called Mitchells Folly. The band released their debut album in 2008.

He announced in December 2022 that he was releasing his new song No Horse To Ride. “Music has always helped me find meaning. Hopefully this song means something to some folks out there, that would sure mean a lot to me. Much love, more soon.”

“I think of music as sort of a first love; it was my first creative outlet,” Grimes said about his debut song. “To be at the start of this journey, putting my own music out into the world, is beyond a dream come true. I’m grateful to the people who helped make this happen and to anyone who connects with these songs, I will do my best to keep them honest.”

Does Luke Grimes Sing On Yellowstone?

Luke Grimes keeps his singing talents away from Yellowstone.

When asked if his character Kacey will ever sing on the Paramount Plus show in the future, Grimes told ET

While his character has not sung on the show, fans would have heard his voice. His debut song appeared in Yellowstone season 5’s midseason finale during a tense scene.

“Thanks for watching, and thanks @yellowstone for having my song in last night’s show. Means the world,” the actor Tweeted on January 2, referencing his new single.

How Yellowstone Influenced Luke Grimes’ Music

Luke Grimes has been part of Yellowstone since 2018, but he admits the Kevin Costner-led show has “shaped the music that the Dayton, Ohio, native both listens to and writes.”

Grimes has revealed that his father brought him up on classic music. “I hate this word, but the ‘secular’ music that I was allowed to listen to as a kid was Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard and Johnny Cash,” he said.

“That’s the stuff my dad grew up on in the Appalachian Mountains. When he didn’t have to be a pastor, he was playing that sort of folk and country-rock.”

Since moving to Montana to film the show, he has become influenced by his new lifestyle. “This just happens to be what my life is right now. I’m driving a diesel truck on a highway with no one on it,” he told Rolling Stone.

Will Luke Grimes Quit Yellowstone To Pursue Music?

Luke Grimes is serious about his music career, but it hasn’t got in the way of his popular Yellowstone role. Recently it was announced Yellowstone is set to end after the final batch of its season five episodes debuts in November. It comes after months of speculation and rumors about Kevin Costner quitting and Matthew McConaughey set to join the show.

Fans of the show need not worry as it looks like the Duttons will be back again in a spin-off. “The Dutton story continues, picking up where Yellowstone leaves off in another epic tale. We are thrilled to bring this new journey to audiences around the world,” teased David Glasser, the CEO of 101 Studios.

It has not yet been announced if Grimes is joining any upcoming spin-offs. Luckily, the actor-musician is keeping himself busy. He recently played Stagecoach festival. Judging on Grimes’ enthusiasm for his music, it looks like we will be hearing more of his

He is not the only cast member who has pursued a career in music. Ryan Bingham, who stars as Walker, and season 5 cast member Lainey Wilson also performed at Stagecoach festival.

This year he’ll be appearing at more music festivals, where you will be able to hear him sing live. He’s heading to Big Mountain Ranch in Whitefish for Under the Big Sky Festival In September. Grimes will travel to the Park at Harlinsdale Farm in Franklin for the Pilgrimage Festival.