Morgan Wallen: From Tennessee roots to Saturday Night Live musical guest, five things to know

If you don't know his name, you've certainly heard his music.

Morgan Wallen is a household name whose fame continued to skyrocket in 2024 with the release of "I Had Some Help" with Post Malone . The song stayed at the top of the charts for 14 weeks, went viral on social media and was continuously nominated for some of the most prestigious awards in music .

Some of Wallen's other big hits include "Everything I Love," "Last Night" and "Whiskey Glasses." The country singer dropped his first album in 2018 and quickly ascended in the ranks of popular country artists.

The world knows a lot about Wallen but there's a lot to know about this proud Tennessee native. Here are some facts you may not have known about the country star.

1. Morgan Wallen will soon have two Saturday Night Live appearances

Wallen will appear on Saturday Night Live for the second time in his career on Saturday, March 29. The country star will be SNL's musical guest, alongside "Anora" star Mikey Madison, who will host the evening's show.

His appearance precedes his new album, "I'm The Problem", which drops on May 16.

The singer made his  debut in December 2020  just before the release of his second album, "Dangerous: The Double Album," in January 2021.

Tune in to Saturday Night Live at 11:30 p.m. on March 29 to watch Wallen perform on the big late-night comedy stage. Or, you can stream the comedy show the next day on Peacock.

2. Morgan Wallen is a HUGE Vols fan

Ok, so this one is Tennessee's worst-kept secret.

Morgan Wallen is a certified Vols fan; he bleeds orange through and through.

The Knoxville-native doesn't hide his love for the University of Tennessee. He sat front-row while the baseball team played game three of the College World Series in June and was recently on the court when the Vols basketball team beat Texas on March 14. Wallen even has a song entitled "Tennessee Fans," which was released in 2023.

"A little deep south Delta Gamma / Done found a Smokey Mountain man / She was raised Roll Tide 'till the day she died / But ever since that night, she's been a Tennessee fan," the chorus goes.

What you may not know is that UT has echoed that same love back to Wallen. Before the fourth quarter of a UT Football game, Neyland Stadium proudly sings Wallen's 2018 hit "The Way I Talk."

Tennessee  changed its longstanding fourth quarter song from Garth Brooks' "Friends in Low Places" to "The Way I Talk" in October.

3. Morgan Wallen donated $500,000 after Hurricane Helene

In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Wallen donated half-a-million dollars to the Red Cross. His gift helped provide food, shelter and other resources to those who lost everything in the floods.

The six-figure gift from the  Morgan Wallen Foundation,  announced Sept. 30, is one of the most substantial donations to efforts helping people harmed by the historic flooding.

"My family in East Tennessee are safe but I know many are absolutely devastated there and in multiple states," Wallen posted in an Instagram story. "Those hills and hollers are very important to me in so many ways. It is going to take a monumental effort and I am in contact with my team and others working on ways I can help."

Wallen has a history of philanthropy and has made a number of big gifts since his career went big. In 2024, the country star also donated $500,000 to purchase new instruments for school bands in 13 cities across the U.S., bought new drums for the Powell High School Marching Band in Knoxville and more.

The Morgan Wallen Foundation's mission supports youth sports and music.

4. Morgan Wallen is the fourth Tennessean to win Entertainer of the Year

Only three other Tennesseans and one other Knoxvillian have ever won Entertainer of the Year at the Country Music Association Awards. Wallen was honored with the 2024 title in November, though he was not there in person to collect the award on stage.

Here's every Tennessee-native to win Entertainer of the Year:

• Eddy Arnold, 1967 winner. Arnold is a native of Henderson, Tennessee.

• Dolly Parton, 1978 winner. Parton is from Locust Ridge, Tennessee.

• Kenny Chesney, four-time winner in 2004, 2006, 2007 and 2008. Chesney is from Luttrell, Tennessee.

• Morgan Wallen, 2024 winner. Wallen is a native of Sneedville, Tennessee.

5. Morgan Wallen's ups and downs

Wallen's fame has not come without some notoriety. His career has had its ups and downs through the years, which would be remiss to ignore.

The singer made national news for throwing a chair off the roof of a Nashville bar in April. Wallen threw a chair from the rooftop of Chief's, a six-story honky-tonk on Broadway opened by Eric Church. Following the incident, the country star took to social media to accept responsibility for his behavior.

Wallen pleaded "conditionally guilty" to two misdemeanor counts of reckless endangerment in a Nashville courtroom in December.

In addition to paying $350 in fines, plus court fees, he was sentenced to seven days in a DUI education center. He will then be on supervised probation for two years, which will overlap with his upcoming national tour.

Knox News editor Ryan Wilusz contributed to this report.

Allison Kiehl covers trending news and service journalism for Knox News. Contact her at allison.kiehl@knoxnews.com.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Morgan Wallen: From Tennessee roots to SNL musical guest. What to know