‘College GameDay’ new theme song, explained: Darius Rucker, Lainey Wilson take over in 2023

ESPN’s “College GameDay” is comin’ to your city with a new theme song this season.

The hit college football preview show announced last month that country music duo Big & Rich would no longer headline the show’s intro. Instead, country music stars Darius Rucker and Lainey Wilson, plus rock band The Cadillac Three are stepping in to deliver a new version of “Comin’ to Your City” for the 2023 season.

Here’s what you need to know about the new song:

Video of new ‘College GameDay’ theme song debuted Sept. 2

The new “GameDay” theme song aired for the first time Sept. 2, before the live broadcast in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Why did ‘College GameDay’ change theme song in 2023?

All good things come to an end. The college football version of Big & Rich’s 2005 hit “Comin’ to Your City” served as the intro to “College GameDay” for 16 years, more than half of the 30 years “GameDay” has been on air.

[ Can’t watch “College GameDay” on Spectrum today? Here’s why ]

Unlike the original song, the “GameDay” version gives shoutouts to college football teams and traditions and would be tweaked from year to year to reflect the current landscape of the sport.

What did Big & Rich say about new ‘College GameDay’ theme song?

Big & Rich, comprising singer-songwriters Big Kenny and John Rich, released a video on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, on Aug. 24 announcing their departure.

“It’s been a great 16 years being the voices of the ‘College GameDay’ open,” Kenny said.

“And now we’re excited to officially pass the torch to these extremely talented artists,” Rich said.

Who sings new ‘College GameDay’ theme song?

The Cadillac Three, Rucker and Wilson are teaming up to take the reins, with the new song debuting Sept. 2 for the live “GameDay” broadcast from Charlotte, North Carolina, where South Carolina will face the Tar Heels (6:30 p.m. Central time, ABC).

Who are Darius Rucker, Lainey Wilson and The Cadillac Three?

Rucker, a staunch South Carolina fan, will also serve as celebrity guest picker for “GameDay.” The former Hootie & the Blowfish lead singer and Grammy Award winner made his solo debut in country music in 2008 and is one of the genre’s most-recognized stars of the past decade.

Wilson is a rising star in country music and the reigning ACM Female Artist of the Year. In addition to her music career, she had a featured role as Abby in Season 5 on the hit show “Yellowstone” in 2022.

The Cadillac Three, a Nashville-based rock band, features singer-songwriter Jaren Johnston, Neil Mason and Kelby Ray. Johnston has written hit songs for country music stars such as Keith Urban and Tim McGraw, among others. The band’s hit song “The South” was nominated for an ACM award in 2015.

Required reading: ‘College GameDay’ live from South Carolina vs. UNC

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: College GameDay new theme song, explained: Darius Rucker, Lainey Wilson