Dustin Lynch pays tribute to his Tennessee hometown with 'Tullahoma'

On his latest album, Dustin Lynch invites listeners to his "Tullahoma," where "Country Star" means more than your idols and "Momma's House" isn't what it seems. 

On his fourth LP, the chart-topping Lynch sets his sights some 70 miles south of Nashville in a musical tribute to his Coffee County hometown. "Tullahoma" releases Friday via Nashville's BBR Music Group. 

But the album, Lynch said, didn't start as an homage to Tullahoma (where he still performs an annual benefit concert, raising thousands for local children's charities). Lynch set out to personify the small town boy, which pointed he and producer Zach Crowell "directly to my hometown," he said. 

He celebrates "Tulalhoma" Friday night in Nashville with an intimate show at Marathon Music Works. 

"I think it's going to be cool to see what kind of traction and traffic we get in town," Lynch said with a smile. "That should be kind of cool, all over the world, people figuring out where I'm from. It's just nice to, man, kinda tip my hat to the town that made me who I am." 

The release offers some of Lynch's most personal work; he's listed as co-writer on a half-dozen album tracks, including the Lauren Alaina collaboration "Thinkin 'Bout You," album-closing single "Good Girl" and standout story "Country Star." 

"Country Star," born in part out of Lynch buying his first Tennessee farm, opens with a rural sonicscape before leading into the chorus: "Girl, just say we get outta here/ Get way out where the sky is clear/ Get to wishin' on a country star." 

"You forget there are stars in the sky," Lynch said. "We live in a city. ... I went in to write with BK (Brian Kelley, song co-writer and one part of Florida Georgia Line), and he brings in the idea of country star and instantly my head goes to country singer ... country star!" 

The album also gives attention to the spaces outside city limits, the back roads lending a landscape to small town memories. On single "Ridin' Roads," Lynch offers: "This town ain't got no nightclub/ We don't need the neon lights/ Girl, I got that '87 gassed up/ 30 early out there in your drive." 

And, with opening track "Momma's House," Lynch takes listeners to an unsuspecting place. The chorus sings: "I'd burn this whole town down/ Pick a spot, dig a hole, put them ashes in the ground/ Baby, I'd burn this whole town down/ If it wasn't for my momma's house." 

"It was a hard song to record for the album because it just had something magic about it, you know?" Lynch said. "... The way that hook just hit you, man. It just comes out of nowhere with a left." 

Lynch takes "Tullahoma" on the road as part of his headlining "Stay Country" tour. Shows kick off Jan. 30 in Detroit. 

On headlining the winter tour, Lynch said: "People want to be entertained and go away feeling like they got their money's worth.

"I'm at a point in my career where I want them to go away and want more. I want to tell her friends that we absolutely kicked ass and they should come next time."