“I remember calling our manager at the time,” John said. “And I told him, I’m like, I mean, ‘We can’t go into the studio. I don’t know what’s wrong with me — I don’t know why I’m not happy. I’m depressed. My anxiety is through the roof. I can’t sleep. My ears are ringing.'”
He added, “I was very reluctant to say anything. We grew up in a culture where if you fell over and skinned your knee, you just get up, don’t cry, and walk it off. There comes a point in your life where you can’t do that anymore, and you need to stop and sort your s— out.”
Eventually, John received the help he needed but admitted to almost leaving his musical career behind.
“With a lot of therapy, a lot of self-help, a lot of love from my friends and family — I was able to kinda get to a better place so we can finish the album,” he said. “This is the God’s honest truth, going into this record, I considered quitting music … which is something I never in my life thought I would want to do.”
The ACM Awards are produced by Dick Clark Productions, which is owned by MRC. MRC and Penske Media are co-parent companies of Billboard.
