'DWTS' judge and pro dancer Derek Hough brings his new wife and show to the Opry House

Looking at the schedule for dancer Derek Hough’s Symphony of Dance tour, it seems he only has Tuesdays off.

That’s the day he shoots the live show for “Dancing with the Stars.”

So, why would anyone create this type of demanding schedule for himself?

“I’m a glutton for punishment,” Hough told The Tennessean from a tour stop in Chicago.

At only 12 shows in to a 60-show run during this interview, Hough said he gets endless fuel from the audience, adding that the shared experience is extraordinary.

“The response from the audience has been remarkable,” he said. “I’ve done so many tours and they are always great, but this response is louder. More engaged. There’s a heartfelt moment in the show people aren’t expecting.”

He describes this show as "jam-packed with every genre of dance and music you can think of.

"It's basically a Broadway production and the show is really not what you expect," he added.

BCAAs, ice baths and a physiotherapist

At 38, Hough realizes keeping up this type of schedule requires a team and a focused effort on staying healthy. So each day begins with oatmeal, a "green drink with BCAAs" and he gets some work done with a physiotherapist, who he says keeps everyone tuned up like a race car.

"It's rituals and habits that keep us going," he said. "It's eating good food, taking the right supplements, stretching and staying healthy."

But Hough admits that staying physically tuned up is only part of it. Keeping mentally strong is a focus as well.

"I love to listen to a podcast or something that fuels my soul," Hough said. "Something that's inspiring, motivating or encouraging to put me in the right frame of mind. The show is not just physical. It's an emotional process to do the show and give the audience my entire self every single night."

After each show, he goes straight into an ice bath for 15 minutes before packing up and heading to the next city.

The show evolved from music — and a red dress

Hough said he began working on the music first about seven months ago and that 85% of the music was built from the ground up. The choreography, on the other hand, took only about three weeks.

“I basically wrote an album,” he said. “I am so proud of the soundtrack. It’s stuff you have heard before, but in different ways.”

In one case, inspiration for a dance number started with a dress.

“I saw this beautiful red dress and I was like, ‘We have to use this.’” Out of that red dress, Hough worked with a friend who plays flamenco guitar, he put his new wife Hayley in the dress and the number was born.

The show consists of Hough, his wife and six dancers who Hough says keep him on his toes.

"Every single one of them are absolute powerhouses. I am like, 'What am I doing? This kid is 18 and I am like 38.' It's so cool because I get to introduce them to the world of touring and they are pushing me as a dancer. This cast of dancers is extraordinary."

From star of the show to 'DWTS' judge

While Hough was first introduced on "DWTS" as a professional dancer, his current role is at the judges' table. He admits he views the show and dancing differently going from role to role, but he said the show continues to be a "beautiful and unique experience."

"I love being able to meet such an eclectic group of people. We've had an astronaut, an influencer, a Grammy winner. ... There are just so many different people come on that show. The thing I enjoy about being a judge is it’s a lot easier. It's hard in the sense that I genuinely want to help the contestants. I get frustrated because I want 20 minutes with you but instead I get 20 seconds. I want to be encouraging as I possibly can, so that's the place I am coming from."

All roads lead to Nashville

Whether touring or working from Los Angles on "Dancing," Hough considers Nashville a second home. His mom lives here, his oldest sister lives here and Hough said he could even see himself living here someday.

"Slowly but surely we are all moving out there," Hough said. "We go to Nashville for Thanksgiving each year. We all just love being around the family. We love the outdoor space there. The trees, the grass — and the food is delicious, but the people are what make a city great. We love the people out there. We have so many good friends who live there."

Hough brings his "Symphony of Dance" to the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville on Nov. 8.

If you go:

What: Derek Hough's "Symphony of Dance."

Where: Opry House, 600 Opry Mills Drive.

When: Wednesday, Nov. 8 at 7 p.m.

Tickets: $59.50-$119.50, on sale at opry.com.

Melonee Hurt covers music and music business at The Tennessean, part of the USA TODAY NETWORK — Tennessee. Reach Melonee at mhurt@tennessean.com or on X @HurtMelonee.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Derek Hough brings 'jam-packed' Symphony of Dance tour to Nashville