This week on “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Ira sits down with rising country artist Dalton Hicks, performing at Stoney’s Rockin’ Country on August 15. Dalton opens up about the stories and grit behind his latest single, "Day By Day"—a song shaped by his rough life, self-reliance right after high school, and a “get up and keep moving” philosophy.

He shares how picking up a guitar at 17 turned a dream of becoming a marine biologist into a career as a songwriter and performer—without any studio backing. Raised a self-described “redneck,” Dalton was first inspired by his grandmother’s church music, even though it wasn’t country. In 2020, he released his debut song, and his first online hit,"I’m Still Here" (2024) put him on the map.

In this conversation, Dalton talks about his first-ever Vegas performance, his two-year bond with his band (including the funny tattoo story of how they met), recording in Nashville versus the rush of a live audience, his admiration for Thomas Rhett as a family man, and his ultimate dream—to one day stand on the Grand Ole Opry stage. He’s not chasing fame—he’s chasing the chance to motivate people through his music. And when he’s on stage, this “country boy” pours his whole heart into every note.

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