The Truth Behind "Dear Alcohol" and Saving His Own Life | DAX
For DAX, music has always been about telling the truth—even when the truth isn't easy to talk about.
During CMA Fest 2026, Heart of the Gulch host Tony Mendoza sat down with DAX for an incredibly personal conversation about addiction, faith, doubt, struggle and what it means to keep moving forward when life doesn't go according to plan.
DAX joins Tony Mendoza for Heart of the Gulch during CMA Fest 2026 in Nashville.
DAX opens up about breaking free from addiction and working through an incredibly difficult 2025. He talks about the moments when people around him questioned the path he was taking and the importance of continuing to believe in himself despite the doubt surrounding him.
That conversation eventually leads into one of the biggest themes in DAX's life and music: faith.
DAX speaks openly about God's purpose, finding belief during difficult seasons and refusing to give up on God's glory even when he doesn't understand why certain things are happening. That message has become increasingly visible in his recent music, including his 2026 single “God, Can You Hear Me?”
The song continues DAX's willingness to explore difficult subjects including addiction, identity, pain, faith and the search for purpose. His music has increasingly crossed traditional genre boundaries, bringing together elements of hip-hop, country and inspirational music.
DAX joins Tony Mendoza for Heart of the Gulch during CMA Fest 2026 in Nashville.
DAX's story also continues to evolve through his touring career. Following his sold-out Lonely Dirt Road Tour in 2025, DAX launched his 46-city Anger Management Tour in 2026.
That evolution is part of what makes DAX's story so interesting. Songs like “Dear Alcohol” and “Lonely Dirt Road” have allowed him to turn deeply personal experiences into music that connects with audiences far beyond a single genre. His current run of music continues that approach with songs including “God, Can You Hear Me?” and “Caught You In The Bed.”
But this conversation isn't only about music.
It's about being authentic when people don't understand you. It's about overcoming doubt. It's about working through difficult seasons instead of allowing them to define you. And for DAX, it's about continuing to believe that there is something bigger waiting on the other side of the struggle.
DAX isn't pretending that the difficult chapters didn't happen.
He's choosing not to let them determine how the story ends.
And as his music, touring career and message continue to evolve, it's clear that DAX's story is still being written.
DAX at CMA Fest 2026.
