Is it just us, or is Jordan Davis a little salty lately?
When it comes to concerts, our favorite country stars work hard to give it their all on that stage! And while performing may look glamorous, it’s actually quite taxing night after night.
That’s why many artists turn to pre-show rituals to help them get in the zone. For some it’s a traditional drink or a handshake with the band. For others, it’s a quick cold plunge or a prayer with the team. Performers will use just about anything to get themselves in the zone!
What Is Jordan Davis’ Pre-Concert Ritual?
For Davis, it’s smelling salts.
In an interview with GQ, he talked about how difficult it can be to maintain a health and fitness routine while on the road. Not only are the hours brutal and you’re waking up in a new city — and possibly a new time zone — every day, but putting on a concert can be grueling.
He confessed he uses the smelling salts to wake him up before taking the stage.
“We have smelling salts on the road,” he explains. “We throw them in a Solo cup. Probably 10 minutes before a show, everybody gets a whiff.”
“Man, it’ll wake you up,” he adds.
No one can argue with that. After all, smelling salts are used to revive people who have fainted.
What Are Smelling Salts?
According to WebMD, smelling salts are an inhalant that is made of a mixture of ammonia and other chemicals. Their aroma — likely due to the ammonia — can be used to prevent a fainting spell and revive someone who has fainted. They’ve been used since the 13th century.
The idea is that the strong odor clears out your nasal passages, which allows for deeper breathing. This rush of oxygen triggers a “fight or flight” response in the body that creates an adrenaline boost.
It may sound odd for Davis to use them before a show, but there have been athletes who have used them to give them a performance boost. In fact, it’s become common in the NFL ,which placed a strict ban on them in 2025. The league fears that the salts could mask concussion symptoms in players.
There are negative side effects to using smelling salts, but they seem to be working just fine for Davis.
Best Country Concerts to Take Your Kids to
Here’s a complete list of the best country concerts to take your kids to.
Gallery Credit: Nicole Taylor
Country Artists Reveal The Best Concert They’ve Ever Been To
Our favorite country artists know how to put on a good show, but have you ever wondered which artists have blown them away? As musicians, artists are naturally inspired by other artists and just fans of music in general — no matter the genre.
So which concerts have knocked the socks off your favorite artists? Keep scrolling to find out.
Gallery Credit: Jess