Hunter Hayes

[Kim]

Hunter Hayes Is Learning to Fly


Three Grammy nominations and the chart-topping success of his current single, ‘Wanted,’ aren’t enough to satisfy Hunter Hayes. No — the singer/songwriter/country phenom has soaring, plans and they include learning to fly. Cue that famous R. Kelly song! “I believe I can fly…”

Only Hayes doesn’t just “believe” that he can fly. He is doing it.

In his free time, the 21-year-old country hitmaker is learning how to operate a plane. The act of flying helps him to alleviate stress, which is ironic, since flying is often a big headache for travelers or those who fear it.

“I’ve got tons of hours on a flight simulator,” Hayes shares. “Anytime I can go fly for a few hours, I go. It’s stressful and stress-relieving at the same time.”

The singer confessed that having to be hyper-focused and paying close attention to detail are his strengths, which is why he enjoys the task of flying, which is also favored by the A-list likes of Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise, Gisele Bundchen and Jimmy Buffett.

“You’ve got five or six things you’ve got to pay attention to,” Hayes reveals. “But I’m a geek — flying is so tailored to me.”

He sings. He plays instruments. He writes songs. He’s cute. He wins awards. He flies. Is there anything the multi-talented Hunter Hayes can’t do?

[Kim]

Hunter Hayes Fulfills Wants With "Wanted," His First No. 1 Song - Celebrates the Achievement at BMI With Co-Writer Troy Verges


Up-and-comer Hunter Hayes celebrated his first No. 1 as a singer and songwriter Thursday (Jan. 17) at the BMI headquarters on Nashville's Music Row. The spotlighted song was "Wanted," which Hayes co-wrote with veteran composer Troy Verges.

Unlike most No. 1 parties, which take place in the late afternoon, this one was a lavish brunch affair, complete with mimosas and Bloody Marys and a caloric onslaught of eggs Benedict casserole, crème brulee French toast, lemony deviled eggs and yogurt parfaits.

The turnout of Hayes' friends, family and business associates nearly filled BMI's cavernous reception hall.

A few minutes into the feast, BMI's Jody Williams came to the stage to call the room to order. He reminded the crowd that Hayes is CMA's reigning new artist of the year and is currently in contention for three Grammy awards: best new artist, best country solo performance and best country album.

As is the custom for BMI writers earning their first No. 1, Williams presented Hayes a special-edition acoustic guitar.

Williams also pointed out that Hayes increased his fan exposure enormously by opening approximately 100 shows this past year for Carrie Underwood.

Of Verges, who is now riding high on the charts as co-writer of Kip Moore's "Beer Money," Williams said, "His music appeals to artists no matter what genre."

John Esposito, head of Warner Music Nashville, Hayes' record label, saluted Hayes' parents, who stood near the stage, for raising an exemplary son.

"If all the artists worked as hard as this kid," said Esposito, "our life would be better." He added that he had recently returned from an international meeting of Warner branches, at which label representatives from Germany, Japan and the United Kingdom all expressed interest in promoting Hayes' music in their markets.

Esposito then presented Hayes a double-platinum plaque signifying that "Wanted," the single, has sold 2 million copies. He said sales are now approaching 3 million.

Verges took his turn at the microphone to praise his co-writer, proclaiming, "He is one of the most talented people to walk in this town in a long time."

Besides singing and writing songs, Hayes is a multi-instrumentalist and especially dazzling on the guitar.

Hayes wrapped up the celebration with a few remarks of gratitude. He first recalled the excitement he felt when, as a newly signed songwriter, he came to No. 1 parties for other artists.

"I've never known anything but music," he said. "It blows me away that my parents let me move to Nashville [from Louisiana] and moved with me. ... The big thing to me was getting introduced to songwriters I respected. . . . One of the first things I learned from them was that there's no 'right way' to write a song. You just write it."

[Kim]

Hunter Hayes' St. Jude Visit Offers Healing Power of Music

by Vernell Hackett
theboot.com


Hunter Hayes was in Memphis Friday (Jan. 18) visiting with patients at St. Jude Children's Hospital. The singer says he loves visiting with the kids at St. Jude as much as he enjoys playing for them.

"I haven't actually done a lot of performances," the singer-songwriter told The Boot and other reporters at a media event just before he celebrated his first No. 1 single, "Wanted." "I enjoy talking with the kids and hanging out with them. When I do perform, I usually rely on the team at the hospital to give me direction as to what I should play. I sometimes do cover tunes, or they might tell me that someone is fan of my music, in which case I would sing one of my own songs."

Many country artists make time to reach out to the kids who are in hospitals, knowing they can make a difference in a young life when they do. Parents who have children at one of the many children's hospitals around the country will be quick to say how much a visit from someone can cheer up a child and make their day brighter if they're having a hard time. Darius Rucker recently visited Vanderbilt Children's Hospital, as did Randy Houser. Both were a hit with the kids for whom they played their tunes.

Hunter sees his job as one of a messenger of positive reinforcement. "I try to bring energy and joy to the room, give them a fun time that they'll remember. I want them to enjoy themselves and let go. It's the same kind of thing we do in our live shows, but much more specific."

Although the 21-year-old admits he sometimes experiences butterflies before such a visit, he understands the importance of being there for the kids. "I think I get nervous because I want to do so well that it is a release for the kids in addition to having a good time with them. You want to give them the best you can give them so they'll never forget it. I'm learning about it the more I do it. I really enjoy going."

Hunter believes that music can make a difference in someone's life. "It is an important thing for me to do; it is beautiful thing. Music is very powerful. It is more powerful than most people give it credit. Music is what I turn to in my worst times. Music is a powerful healing tool and I think it's a critical part of the equation to good health. Visiting with these kids is a perfect example of being able to reach out to them through my music."

Hunter will rejoin Carrie Underwood's Blown Away tour when the trek resumes Feb. 13 in Colorado Springs, Colo.

[Kim]

Hunter Hayes' New Album Is in Experimental Stage


Hunter Hayes will spend much of 2013 crossing the country with Carrie Underwood on her Blown Away tour, while simultaneously plotting his sophomore album. The 21-year-old hints that new music is in the works, but cautions that it might be awhile before the upcoming record hits shelves.

"I'm now at the point where I'm experimenting [but] I'm not ready necessarily to go into new record mode because I don't feel like I am and I don't want to fake it," he explains (quote via the Country Vibe). "I don't want to say that I am and then make a new record that wasn't whole-hearted."

The singer-songwriter's self-titled major-label debut was released in 2011 and has spawned three Top 20 singles, including the chart-topping "Wanted." Although he recognizes the importance of having new music ready, he insists he doesn't feel pressure to churn an album out too quickly.

"I'm right at the point where it's part of the routine, you start making your next album, but I don't want to rush into that process and I don't want to make it based on a time table and I don't want to write it based on a schedule or an agenda. I still kind of see it a ways off, for the sake of not rushing, for the sake of not doing it the wrong way. So I'm in the studio now doing new music but I'm experimenting a little bit more and we'll kind of have to wait to see how that experiment goes, but I want to try something new."

The multi-instrumentalist co-wrote every song on his freshman album and played every instrument on each of the 12 tracks. While he doesn't know if he will repeat that process for his next CD, he reveals that he already has 50 to 60 songs for the new project.

Hunter, who is nominated for an ACM Award for New Male Vocalist, will kick off the 2013 leg of the Blown Away tour Feb. 13 in Colorado Springs, Colo.

[Kim]

Hunter Hayes Promises New Album Will Be ‘Whole-Hearted’


Since Hunter Hayes‘ self-titled debut album has been so successful, his group of devoted followers (the Hayniacs) have been dying to hear some new tunes. Rest assured, the singer promises that there will be another album, but he’s going to take time to make it completely genuine.

Hayes admits that when it comes to recording new music, the process of falling into a routine scares him. “I’m right at the point where it’s part of the routine, you start making your next album, but I don’t want to rush into that process and I don’t want to make it based on a time table and I don’t want to write it based on a schedule or an agenda,” he explains, according to the Country Vibe.

That said, Hayes has been playing around in the studio, but he hasn’t recorded anything that’s definitely going to make the cut on his next record. For now, he’s in the process of experimenting.

“I’m now at the point where I’m experimenting [but] I’m not ready necessarily to go into new record mode because I don’t feel like I am and I don’t want to fake it,” he shares. “I don’t want to say that I am and then make a new record that wasn’t whole-hearted.”

On his debut album, Hayes had a hand in every aspect of the recording process. The ‘Wanted’ hitmaker co-wrote every song that appeared on the liner notes, and he played every instrument in the studio. The young singer’s hard work earned him a co-producer credit on the album.

That sounds pretty ambitious, but Hayes doesn’t plan on backing down from his preferred way of producing an album. He plans to be even more involved in every aspect of cutting his sophomore album. So far, the 21-year-old country singer has written 50 to 60 songs that could make it to his next record, but he says he’s not going to rule out the possibility of writing 100 before he starts culling a list of songs for the record.

But don’t get excited just yet.

“I still kind of see it a ways off, for the sake of not rushing, for the sake of not doing it the wrong way,” Hayes says, explaining why it may be awhile before the next CD is on the shelves. “And so I’m in the studio now doing new music, but I’m experimenting a little bit more and we’ll kind of have to wait to see how that experiment goes — but I want to try something new.”

One thing that you can definitely add to your 2013 calendar: Hunter Hayes’ appearance at the 2013 Taste of Country Music Festival. He’ll join big-name acts like Lady Antebellum, Willie Nelson, Trace Adkins at more for the inaugural event, which will run June 13-15, 2013 in Hunter Mountain, New York

[Kim]

Hunter Hayes Reveals His GRAMMY Plans – And Artists He Hopes to Meet


Hunter Hayes received some great news from Billboard recently – he’s the youngest male country artist to be simultaneously nominated in all the categories he’s up for in the 55th annual Grammy Awards, including Best New Artist, Best Country Solo Performance for “Wanted” and Best Country Album for his self-titled debut album. He revealed to Billboard how he’ll be preparing for the GRAMMYs, which air live on CBS this Sunday at 8p|7c.

“That day is going to be jam packed – I’ll be doing a ton of interviews, and getting ready – so I’m going to take thirty minutes to an hour to just chill out,” he said. “I’ll need a couple minutes to process what’s going on; If I don’t, it will all come as a surprise, and I want to live in the moment. It’s my first time, so I want to experience it as it’s happening.”

Fans can catch Hunter presenting during the GRAMMYs but if they want to get the scoop straight from Hunter himself, they should follow him on Twitter before Sunday night’s show. “I love tweeting during these kinds of events – it’s the most dependable connection: it gets everybody who’s had your back in there with you,” he said. “I consider my fans my friends, and a tweet is the best way to bring them into that scenario.”

Hunter plans to wear a suit – but with Converse Chuck Taylors – and is worried he’ll forget to thank his mom should he win an award. Besides being a nominee, he’s also a fan and hopes to run into at least a couple of his fellow artists backstage.

“I definitely want to hang with The Lumineers and Fun.,” he said. “I respect them for the music they make, and what they stand for. Being nominated alongside them is huge for me: I’m in a category with people who are shaping and inventing new sounds, and I want sit down, chat with them, and see how they think.”

But the very first thing Hunter plans to do when he wakes up on GRAMMY day? “Find the nearest Starbucks,” he says.

[Kim]

Hunter Hayes Sells Out Two Nights at the Historic Ryman Auditorium

By Christina Vinson
June 21, 2013
tasteofcountry.com



Hunter Hayes is at the top of his game right now, and there’s no stopping him. Not only did he just release ‘Hunter Hayes (Encore),’ much to the delight of his fans, but he also just sold out at the Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium — twice.

If anyone was unsure about the 21-year-old’s popularity, all they need to do is look at his Ryman power. Hayes sold out two nights in under an hour, and it’s his first headlining show at the venue. Now that’s impressive.

“ONE night at the Ryman is something I’ve dreamed about for a long time,” says Hayes. “It makes it even better that we get to do TWO, and the fact that they sold out that quick is just such a thrill. I’m so excited!”

He adds, “This pretty much guarantees it’s going to be crazy!”

The super talented, multi Grammy-nominated performer will perform his past hits, as well as songs from the new deluxe edition of his album. Of course, it’s no longer a Hayes concert without his No. 1 hit single ‘I Want Crazy,’ which has a sweet music video that fans are watching again and again.

Special guest, critically-acclaimed Warner Bros. Records artist Ashley Monroe, will also perform at the Ryman with Hayes. She appears on the track ‘What You Gonna Do’ on his ‘Encore’ album.

They’ll be spending lots of time together, as the 26-year-old singer will even join the country crooner on his Let’s Be Crazy headlining tour this fall. The pair of rising stars will get lots of good practice in at the Ryman — and store it away as an incredibly memorable experience, for sure.