Despite remaining one of the genre's most-streamed artists, Sam Hunt has largely stepped away from the spotlight in recent years. The Inside Sam Hunt’s Rocky Marriage As His Music Career Takes A Back Seat first appeared on The Blast

It’s been more than six years since Sam Hunt released “Southside,” and country music fans are beginning to wonder when (or if) the singer plans to return in a major way. Despite remaining one of the genre’s most-streamed artists, Hunt has largely stepped away from the spotlight in recent years. His last single, “Liberty,” arrived in November 2024, while a full-length album has yet to materialize. The absence has become increasingly noticeable in Nashville, where many industry insiders still view Sam Hunt as one of the genre’s most influential artists.

Sources Say Family Life Has Become The Priority

According to insiders who spoke with the Daily Mail, Hunt’s quieter public profile is less about music and more about life at home with wife Hannah Fowler and their three children.

“He is a homebody and loves his family, his farm, but he also loves music. It’s been a long-time point of contention that those two things clash for Hannah,” one insider said. “The label got an EP and some singles out of him recently, but touring heavily is probably not on the table for right now.”

Hunt has offered occasional glimpses into that slower lifestyle through social media, sharing photos of hunting trips, fishing excursions, and family moments away from the stage.

The Couple’s Relationship Has Faced Public Challenges

The reported shift comes after several turbulent years in Hunt and Fowler’s relationship. The couple married in 2017 after nearly a decade of an on-again, off-again romance that inspired much of Hunt’s music, including songs on his debut album, “Montevallo,” which was named after Fowler’s hometown.

In 2022, Fowler briefly filed for divorce, citing “inappropriate marital conduct.” The split never moved forward, however, and the pair ultimately reconciled before welcoming their first child together later that year. Together, they now have three children. Sources claim those experiences changed the way the couple viewed Hunt’s career.

“Sam is literally one of the nicest humans in country music,” another insider told the outlet. “Unfortunately, he’s in love with someone who has basically made it clear that if he loves her and wants her, he needs to take a step back from the music and touring and focus on her.”

Past Legal Troubles Also Put Pressure On The Family

Hunt has also faced legal issues during his marriage that attracted significant public attention. In 2019, the singer was arrested for DUI in Nashville after police reported seeing him driving erratically. “It happened,” Hunt said in an interview with HITS Daily Double at the time. “People in my camp were talking about suppressing it, but why would I be afraid to talk about it? If it happens, it’s true.”

He later pleaded guilty and received a suspended sentence, lost his license for a year, and was required to complete an alcohol safety program. “Moderation is important. I’ve never wanted to glorify it,” he added. “It’s a cheap trick in country music, and I’ve always wanted to avoid that. I don’t like using [drinking] as a party song; for me, that wouldn’t be honest. I’ve never been the guy who shotguns a beer. I know people who partake that way, and I wouldn’t want to shake my finger or look down on them.”

A later Tennessee arrest involving speeding and an ignition interlock device violation also generated headlines, though Hunt ultimately did not face charges. “Sam’s wife had to deal with him getting caught driving drunk,” one industry insider said. “So would you want your husband to ever do anything again?”

Country Music Executives Say The Genre Is Missing Sam Hunt

Even with his reduced public presence, many within country music still believe Hunt’s influence can be felt throughout the industry. “What’s missing from the genre right now? It’s Sam Hunt in a significant way. If Sam Hunt walked in right now and did the exact thing he did ten years ago, he would save country music,” a second insider said.

Another industry source credited Hunt with helping reshape how country artists connect with fans online. “Sam started the whole content Golden Age,” the source said. “He was the first person in Country that was making highly-produced content that was strictly for social media and documenting touring in a big way.”

Will Sam Hunt Release New Music Soon?

Recent social media activity briefly sparked speculation that new music could finally be on the horizon. A Father’s Day post featuring the caption, “Blackberries growing on the property line, staining little hands that look like mine,” led some fans to wonder if Hunt was teasing lyrics from an upcoming song.

However, at least one industry executive told the Daily Mail that there are currently no signs of a major project being imminent. “He’s taken a back step,” the source said. “He’s taking time to focus on his family. I haven’t heard of anything imminent, but he’s the kind of artist that could surprise us with something at any moment.”

For now, fans hoping for a new Sam Hunt era may have to keep waiting.

The Inside Sam Hunt’s Rocky Marriage As His Music Career Takes A Back Seat first appeared on The Blast