In a new interview shared via socials, Tim McGraw has shared what goes into his pre-show routine in order to ensure he's mentally and physically prepared for his 2026 tour-stops.

McGraw is currently in the middle of an expansive run of shows as part of his 2026 Pawn Shop Guitar Tour, which includes a couple of blockbuster stadium shows with The Chicks.

The ‘Live Like You Were Dying’ hitmaker has become synonymous with his penchant for intense workouts and health-conscious lifestyle habits, but what fans no doubt wouldn't expect is that McGraw would opt for a workout instead of a vocal warm-up.

McGraw smiles as he explains, “I don't do any warm-ups. I don't do the “mi mi mi's” and all that. I probably should. I don't do any kind of vocal warm-ups”, before modestly adding, “Because to me, I'm not Pavarotti. It's not polishing silver for me”.

The ‘Don't Take the Girl’ hitmaker elucidates, “My go-to pre-show ritual is, you know, my workouts for sure, then getting all cleaned up and everything, and doing a last cold plunge right before I get dressed for the Meet & Greet. My warm-up is just singing”.

McGraw goes on to name-check an array of old-school country legends ranging from Conlee to Strait, “We might sit there and sing ten Earl Thomas Conley songs, or we might sing a John Conlee Song, or we might sing a Vern Gosdin song or a George Strait song or a Chicago song, for God's sake. We'll sing anything”.

The Louisiana native stresses that his workout is a key part of his day, “My workout ritual is very important to me. I mean, I like routine, yes, I like routine. Routine is good for me”.

He warmly touches on how, when exercising with his fellow band-mates, it serves as far more than a simple physical activity. Rather, it gives them the opportunity to chat openly about about the show later on and get candid about their lives, too. Given how rich and compelling McGraw's voice famously is, we think it's safe to say this feels like a better use of his time than feeling the need to do vocal exercises.

McGraw underlines how importance it is to make time for these moments, “Working out together with the band is a bonding experience for us, because we talk about the show, we talk about ways to make the show better while we're working out. And we even talk about personal stuff, and get some personal stuff out there that everybody needs to talk about when you're around friends”.

Next up, McGraw heads to New York for the latest leg of his Pawn Shop Guitar Tour. In honour of the tour's name and the song that inspired it, McGraw and his team are purchasing a guitar from a local pawn-shop in every city they play, and then gifting it to a young fan at each show. It's a heartwarming idea that epitomises the kind-hearted and hopeful spirit that permeates McGraw's live show and catalogue.