Hunter Hayes Explained

Hunter Hayes
Background:solo_singer
Birth Name:Hunter Easton Hayes
Birth Date:9 September 1991
Birth Place:Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, U.S.
Years Active:1993–present

Hunter Easton Hayes (born September 9, 1991)[1] is an American multi-genre singer, songwriter, record producer, and multi-instrumentalist. He is proficient at more than 30 instruments.[2]

Hayes released his self-titled debut album in 2011.[3] It reached number seven on the Billboard 200 and number one on the Top Country Albums, and sold over 1.1 million copies. Its most successful single, "Wanted", sold over 3.5 million copies and made Hayes the youngest male act to ever top the Billboard Hot Country Songs.

Hayes' commercial success and his talent both as a songwriter and instrumentalist prompted Billboard to call him the leader of "Country Music's Youth Revolution" in 2014.[4] He has been nominated for five Grammy Awards including Best New Artist, and won the 2012 CMA Award for New Artist of the Year and three BMI Awards.

Life and career

Hayes was born on September 9, 1991, at Larniurg Hospital in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana; he is an only child.[5] His parents both have Cajun ancestry, along with English, Scots-Irish, and German.[6] He grew up Catholic, singing songs in both English and French.[7] [8]

Hayes started performing when he was 2. At 4, he began making appearances locally and on national television,[9] [10] including Maury, Rosie O'Donnell Show, and the Nickelodeon game show Figure It Out, where he performed "Jambalaya (On the Bayou)".[11] American Songwriter writes that "Hayes received his first guitar from actor Robert Duvall at age 6"[12] At age 7, he was invited to perform for President Bill Clinton for a White House lawn party. At 13, he appeared on America's Most Talented Kids, a show hosted by Dave Coulier; he performed the hit Hank Williams song, "Hey Good Lookin'". At age 9, Hunter released his debut independent studio album "Through My Eyes" on October 8, 2000, under Suagartown Records and Louisiana Red Hot Records.[13] He released several more independent albums: Make a Wish in 2001, Holidays with Hunter in 2003, Honoring our French Heritage in 2006, and Songs About Nothing in 2008.

In 2008, he moved from Breaux Bridge to Nashville, Tennessee, and signed with Universal Music Publishing Group as a songwriter. In 2010, Hayes co-wrote "Play" for the Rascal Flatts album Nothing Like This. In September, he was signed to Atlantic Records Nashville and began working on what would become his major-label debut.

Hayes appeared as the opening act of 10 dates of country star Taylor Swift's Speak Now World Tour throughout the summer of 2011 and concluded his leg of the tour in St. Louis, Missouri.[14] In April 2011, he went on his own radio tour where he debuted songs that would appear on his debut album.[15] His debut headlining tour was the Most Wanted Tour; the first leg of the tour began on October 8, 2011, in Beaumont, Texas, and ended on December 4, 2011, in San Bernardino, California.[16]

Hayes and singer Victoria Justice contributed a duet to the soundtrack of 2011's Footloose remake, recording a cover of Mike Reno's and Ann Wilson's 1984 hit "Almost Paradise" from the original film. From January to February 2012, Hayes was the opening act on the Rascal Flatts "Thaw Out" tour.[17]

"Where We Left Off" is an original song, written by Hayes, that can be heard on the soundtrack for the 2012 war film Act of Valor.[18]

During the 2012 O Music Awards, The Flaming Lips broke a Guinness World Record (previously held by Jay-Z) for most concerts played in multiple cities in a 24-hr. period. Hayes was the opening act for them at the Hattiesburg stop.[19]

In May 2012, Martin Guitars named Hayes as C.F. Martin & Co.'s newest brand ambassador. American Songwriter quoted Hayes on the subject: "It is an absolute honor to be named an official Martin Ambassador and to be recognized by the Martin family."[12]

On September 7, 2012, he was inducted at the Mahalia Jackson Theater in New Orleans, Louisiana, into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame.[20]

2011–2014: Hunter Hayes and Storyline

Hayes's debut single, "Storm Warning", released to radio on May 16, 2011. His self-titled major-label debut album was released on October 11, 2011.[21] He co-wrote every song, played every instrument, and along with Dann Huff, produced the album.[22] "Wanted", the second single, was released to radio on March 5, 2012.

On July 24, 2012, he appeared on the CBS's The Talk, where he was then given an RIAA Gold Certification plaque for "Wanted".[23] Just shy of two months since "Wanted" went gold, the song was certified Platinum by RIAA on August 23, 2012.

"Wanted" became his first No. 1 single,[24] making him the youngest solo male act to top Hot Country Songs, breaking the record set in 1973 by Johnny Rodriguez.[25] Twenty weeks after first appearing in the top spot and under a new chart format, "Wanted" returned to the top spot.[26] "Somebody's Heartbreak", the album's third single, went to No. 1 on the Country Airplay chart.[27]

Starting September 14, 2012, Hayes began appearing as the opening act on 90+ dates for Carrie Underwood's Blown Away Tour.

He was also nominated for three Grammys including Best New Artist at the 2013 Grammy Awards; he is the youngest male country artist to be nominated in all three categories for which he was nominated.[28] [29] The album's fourth single, "I Want Crazy", which is from the deluxe Encore edition, was released to country radio on April 7, 2013. It peaked at number two on the Country Airplay chart in August 2013. Following it was "Everybody's Got Somebody but Me", a re-recording of a song from the original press of the album. The re-recorded version features guest vocals from Jason Mraz.

Hunter was one of five country singers who won a CMT Artist of the Year award in 2013. This award is awarded every year to a group of country musicians who have had an outstanding year.[30]

Hayes performed "Invisible", the lead single from his second album, at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards.[31] Storyline was released on May 6, 2014.[32] In an effort to promote his album and to raise awareness to end child hunger, Hunter broke the Guinness World Record for the most concerts played in multiple cities in 24 hours, previously held by The Flaming Lips.[33] The album's second single, "Tattoo" released to country radio on June 16, 2014.

On July 20, 2014, Hayes's self-titled debut album was certified double platinum by the RIAA.[34] Following that was "Light Me Up", another single from the deluxe version of his debut album, in 2015.

2015–2018: The 21 Project and canceled album

On May 21, 2015, Hayes released "21", which was the title track for both his EP and third studio album, The 21 Project. He also appeared on the track "I Can Play Guitar" on Brett Kissel's album Pick Me Up.

On November 2, 2016, Hayes performed with four holograms of himself on Jimmy Kimmel Live's after the CMA show.

In March 2017, Hayes performed as part of the festival in the UK where he played alongside Dan + Shay and Darius Rucker supporting Reba McEntire and would return in 2019 with Carly Pearce and Dustin Lynch in support of Lady A. Following "21," Hayes released several songs including “Yesterday’s Song” which were slated to be part of a studio album set to be released in February 2018. Hayes then canceled the project citing “shifted priorities.”[35]

Hayes also appeared as a guest star in the Nickelodeon show Bella and the Bulldogs.

2018–present: Wild Blue and Red Sky

See also: Red Sky (Hunter Hayes album). In December 2018, Hayes guest starred on Darci Lynne: My Hometown Christmas.[36] He also recorded a duet with Irish singer Catherine McGrath for her debut album Talk of This Town.

In January 2019, Hayes released his first radio single in three years titled "Heartbreak" which was the lead single for an upcoming album to be released by Warner Music Nashville.[37] Hayes headlined the Closer to You Tour in 2019 with Levi Hummon and Tegan Marie as supporting acts.[38] [39] [40]

In August 2019, Hayes made a surprise announcement on NBC's Today Show revealing his album Wild Blue (Part I) would be released on August 16, 2019.[41] [42] The album is the first part of a three-part ‘trilogy’ of albums.[43]

In April 2020, Hayes competed in the third season of The Masked Singer as "Astronaut".[44] [45] In June 2020, the Saskatchewan-based Hunter Brothers released their single "Hard Dirt", co-written and produced by Hayes.[46] He also co-wrote and produced their 2021 single "Been a Minute".[47]

In October 2021, Hayes released the album Wild Blue Complete an extension of the album Wild Blue (Part I).[48]

Discography

See main article: Hunter Hayes discography.

Tours

Headlining

Supporting

Filmography

YearTitleRoleNotes
1997The ApostleChild Accordionist
1998Figure It OutHimself/Guest
2000My Dog Skip Accordion Boy
2003Charley's War Montgomery
2016Bella and the BulldogsHimself
2020The Masked Singer Astronaut

Awards and nominations

Academy of Country Music Awards

The Academy of Country Music Awards, also known as the ACM Awards, were first held in 1966, honoring the industry's accomplishments during the previous year. It was the first country music awards program held by a major organization. The academy's signature "hat" trophy was created in 1968. The awards were first televised in 1972 on ABC.

Year Category Nominated Work Result
2013New Male Vocalist of the Year[53] Hunter Hayes
Single Record of the Year[54] "Wanted"
Song of the Year
Video of the Year

American Country Awards

The American Country Awards is a country music awards show, entirely voted on by fans. Created by the Fox Network, the awards honor country music artists in music, video, and touring categories. Hayes has won two awards from five nominations.

YearCategoryNominee / workResult
2012New Artist of the YearHunter Hayes
Single by a New Artist"Wanted"
Music Video by a New Artist
2013Breakthrough Artist of the YearHunter Hayes
Single by a Breakthrough"Somebody's Heartbreak"

Grammy Awards

A Grammy Award (originally called Gramophone Award), or Grammy, is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS) of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry. The annual presentation ceremony features performances by prominent artists, and the presentation of those awards that have a more popular interest.

YearCategoryNominee / workResult
2013Best New ArtistHunter Hayes
Best Country AlbumHunter Hayes
Best Country Solo Performance"Wanted"
2014"I Want Crazy"
2015"Invisible"

Other awards

YearAssociationCategoryWork / Nominee(s)Result
2012CMT Music AwardsUSA Breakthrough Video of the Year"Storm Warning"
Teen Choice AwardsChoice Male Country ArtistHunter Hayes
Choice Country Song"Storm Warning"
BMI AwardsAward Winning Song (Top 50)
Country Music Association AwardsNew Artist of the YearHunter Hayes
Billboard Touring AwardsTop Package[55] Speak Now, featuring Taylor Swift with Needtobreathe, Hunter Hayes, Danny Gokey, etc.
2013Billboard Music AwardsTop Country ArtistHunter Hayes
Top Country Song"Wanted"
CMT Music AwardsVideo of the Year
Male Video of the Year
Nationwide Insurance On Your Side AwardHunter Hayes
Teen Choice AwardsChoice Male Country Artist
Choice Country Song"I Want Crazy"
BMI AwardsSong of the Year"Wanted"
Award Winning Song (Top 50)"Storm Warning"
American Music AwardsFavorite Country Male ArtistHunter Hayes
2014World Music AwardsWorld's Best Song"I Want Crazy"
World's Best Video
World's Best AlbumHunter Hayes
World's Best Male ArtistHunter Hayes
World's Best Live Act
World's Best Entertainer
CMT Music AwardsVideo of the Year"I Want Crazy"
Male Video of the Year
Collaborative Video of the Year"Everybody's Got Somebody but Me"
(featuring Jason Mraz)
Teen Choice AwardsChoice Male Country ArtistHunter Hayes
BMI AwardsTop 50 Songs"I Want Crazy"
Music Choice Awards[56] Social Media SuperstarHunter Hayes
2015People's Choice AwardsFavorite Male Country Artist
Teen Choice Awards[57] Choice Country ArtistHunter Hayes
Choice Country Song"21"

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Hunter Hayes Celebrates His 20th Birthday at House of Blues. Dan Harr. Music News Nashville. September 14, 2011. September 14, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20111110064648/http://www.musicnewsnashville.com/hunter-hayes-celebrates-his-20th-birthday-at-house-of-blues. November 10, 2011. dead.
  2. Hunter Hayes Leads Country's Youth Revolution, Without a Pickup Truck or Beer in Sight. Deborah Evans Price. Billboard. May 6, 2014. May 6, 2014.
  3. Web site: Hunter Hayes Sets Release Date for Debut Album . Taste of Country . August 24, 2011 . November 7, 2011 . Amanda . Hensel.
  4. Hunter Hayes Leads Country's Youth Revolution, Without a Pickup Truck or Beer in Sight . . May 6, 2014.
  5. http://www.hunterhayes.com/bio Hunter's Story
  6. Web site: Hunter Hayes : Biography. IMDb.com. May 10, 2014.
  7. Squeeze Play . People . Jeremy . Helligar . October 27, 1997 . 48 . 17 . 113 . May 2, 2013 . April 21, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140421054547/http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20123577,00.html . dead .
  8. Web site: Wilkinson . Hannah . You Are Good Enough: Hunter Hayes and Jen Ledger Find Their Value In Christ . 2022-08-14 . Jesus Calling . August 16, 2018 . en-US.
  9. News: Kids keep Cajun traditions thriving. Rose. Christopher. April 4, 1997. The Tuscaloosa News. June 30, 2011.
  10. Web site: Hunter Hayes Was 'Born' to Make Country Music. Conaway. Alanna. Taste of Country. June 13, 2011 . June 30, 2011.
  11. Web site: Hunter Hayes - "Jambalaya" on Figure it Out. https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211219/mPpjNgdT2dk . 2021-12-19 . live. YouTube. October 16, 2011 . August 1, 2012.
  12. Hunter Hayes Is Martin Guitars' Latest Brand Ambassador . American Songwriter . Evan Schlansky . May 21, 2012 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20130128022554/http://www.americansongwriter.com/2012/05/hunter-hayes-is-martin-guitars-latest-brand-ambassador/ . January 28, 2013 . June 6, 2012 . mdy-all .
  13. Web site: Through My Eyes - Hunter Hayes Songs, Reviews, Credits AllMusic. AllMusic. 29 December 2017.
  14. Web site: Hunter Hayes will open for Taylor Swift SPEAK NOW North American Tour 2011 . HunterHayes.com . March 4, 2011 . May 2, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120506142749/http://www.hunterhayes.com/news/hunter-hayes-will-open-taylor-swift-speak-now-north-american-tour-2011 . May 6, 2012 . dead .
  15. Web site: Hunter Hayes – Radio Tour (Week 1) . https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211219/mpNAs08ZcVc . 2021-12-19 . live. October 30, 2011 . Hunter Hayes . . April 2011.
  16. Web site: Hunter Hayes Sets Fall 2011 Tour Dates . Taste of Country . September 13, 2011 . November 7, 2011 . Alanna . Conaway.
  17. http://www.rascalflatts.com/story/news/rascal-flatts-announce-ithaw-out-2012i-tour Rascal Flatts Announce Thaw Out 2012 Tour
  18. http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/entertainment/53539733-81/act-valor-original-songs.html.csp 'Act of Valor' soundtrack features original songs from Lady Antebellum, more
  19. Web site: Hunter Hayes Performs on O Music Awards . https://web.archive.org/web/20121105061428/http://www.cmt.com/news/country-music/1688734/hunter-hayes-performs-on-o-music-awards.jhtml . dead . November 5, 2012 . . June 28, 2012 . May 2, 2013.
  20. Web site: Hunter Hayes Inducted Into Louisiana Music Hall of Fame . . September 10, 2012 . May 2, 2013.
  21. http://www.hunterhayes.com/news/hunter-hayes-release-self-titled-debut-album-atlantic-records-october-11 HUNTER HAYES TO RELEASE SELF-TITLED DEBUT ALBUM ON ATLANTIC RECORDS OCTOBER 11
  22. Web site: Hunter Hayes becomes Next Big Thing. April 22, 2011. Country Standard Time. June 30, 2011.
  23. Web site: Hunter's Interview And Performance On The Talk . HunterHayes.com . July 25, 2012 . May 2, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121015165352/http://www.hunterhayes.com/news/hunters-interview-and-performance-talk . October 15, 2012 . dead .
  24. Web site: Hunter Hayes Gets What He 'Wanted' With First No. 1 Single . Taste of Country . September 18, 2012 . Alanna . Conaway . May 2, 2013.
  25. Hunter Hayes Makes History, Little Big Town Shines on Country Charts . Billboard . September 20, 2012 . Wade . Jessen . May 2, 2013.
  26. Ask Billboard: What's so unusual about Hunter Hayes's New No. 1 . Billboard . Gary . Trust . February 18, 2013 . May 2, 2013.
  27. Hunter Hayes Dupe 1 - Chart History (Country Airplay). Billboard. February 11, 2023.
  28. Hunter Hayes: My Grammy Ritual . Billboard . February 6, 2013 . Matt . Diehl . May 2, 2013 .
  29. Web site: About Hunter Hayes. https://web.archive.org/web/20121220034549/http://www.cmt.com/artists/hunter-hayes/. dead. December 20, 2012. March 16, 2013.
  30. Web site: News : Hunter Hayes Interview: CMT Artists of the Year . https://web.archive.org/web/20131130075801/http://www.cmt.com/news/country-music/1718091/hunter-hayes-interview-cmt-artists-of-the-year.jhtml . dead . November 30, 2013 . CMT . November 28, 2013 . May 9, 2014.
  31. Web site: Craig Shelburne . News : Hunter Hayes Debuts "Invisible" on Grammys . https://web.archive.org/web/20140129074928/http://www.cmt.com/news/country-music/1721157/hunter-hayes-debuts-invisible-on-grammys.jhtml . dead . January 29, 2014 . CMT . January 26, 2014 . May 9, 2014.
  32. Web site: Hunter Hayes' New Album 'Storyline' to Drop May 6 « Radio.com . News.radio.com . March 11, 2014 . May 9, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140321031056/http://news.radio.com/2014/03/11/hunter-hayes-new-album-storyline-to-drop-may-6/ . March 21, 2014 . dead .
  33. Hunter Hayes Breaks Guinness World Record For Most Concerts Played in multiple cities in 24 hours . Billboard . May 10, 2014 . August 9, 2014.
  34. Web site: Gold & Platinum - RIAA. Recording Industry Association of America.
  35. Hunter Hayes on His New Album, 'Wild Blue': 'What This Record Did for Me Was Something Pretty Profound'. Melinda . Newman . August 14, 2019 . Billboard .
  36. News: Delbel. Julia. Star-Studded Lineup Revealed for 'Darci Lynne: A Hometown Christmas'. Talent Recap. 20 October 2018. October 22, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181022232716/https://talentrecap.com/got-talent/agt/2018/10/20/star-studded-lineup-revealed-darci-lynne-hometown-christmas/. October 22, 2018. dead.
  37. Web site: Future Releases for Country Radio Stations. All Access Media . February 16, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190216014058/https://www.allaccess.com/country/future-releases . February 16, 2019.
  38. Web site: Krol. Jacklyn. Hunter Hayes Sets Spring 2019 Closer to You Tour. Taste of Country. August 14, 2015. 24 June 2020.
  39. Web site: Casey. Jim. Hunter Hayes Drops New Single & Will Hit the Road for "Closer to You" Tour . The Country Daily. Cumulus Media. March 25, 2019. 24 June 2020.
  40. Web site: Hollabaugh. Lorie. Hunter Hayes to Launch Closer to You Tour in April. MusicRow Magazine. February 7, 2019. 24 June 2020.
  41. News: HUNTER HAYES SOARS ON NEW ALBUM "WILD BLUE (PART I)". August 14, 2019 . Warner Music Nashville.
  42. News: Hunter Hayes to drop 'Wild Blue,' surprise album of heartbreak, turbulence. Cindy . Watts . August 14, 2019 . The Tennessean.
  43. News: HUNTER HAYES ANNOUNCES 'WILD BLUE' ALBUM, RELEASES TITLE TRACK [LISTEN]]. Jacklyn . Krol . August 14, 2019 . Taste of Country .
  44. Web site: 'The Masked Singer' Reveals the Identity of the Astronaut: Here's the Star Under the Mask. April 30, 2020.
  45. Web site: The Masked Singer Unmasks the Astronaut. April 30, 2020.
  46. News: Hunter Brothers drop highly-anticipated new single "Hard Dirt" June 12 . June 5, 2020. June 11, 2020 . Open Road Recordings.
  47. News: Nanci. Dagg. Timing is everything and the time couldn't be more perfect for the Hunter Brothers to release their new single "Been a Minute". March 20, 2021. March 22, 2021. Canadian Beats Media.
  48. Web site: "Wild Blue Complete". 2022-01-09. Hunter Hayes. en-US.
  49. Web site: Make a Wish - Hunter Hayes Songs, Reviews, Credits AllMusic. Kid's Music. 25 October 2013.
  50. Web site: Holidays with Hunter - Hunter Hayes Songs, Reviews, Credits AllMusic. Kid's Music. 3 October 2015.
  51. Web site: Honoring Our French Heritage - Hunter Hayes Songs, Reviews, Credits AllMusic. Kid's Music. 4 October 2015.
  52. Web site: Songs about Nothing - Hunter Hayes Songs, Reviews, Credits AllMusic. Kid's Music. 25 October 2013.
  53. Web site: A Look At The ACM Nominees for New Male Vocalist. Reynolds. Leslie. 101.5 KNUE. January 22, 2013 . 2019-01-15.
  54. Web site: 2013 ACM Awards Winners – Full List. Staff. Taste of Country. Taste of Country. April 8, 2013 . 2019-01-15.
  55. Roger Waters, Bruce Springsteen, Madonna, Coldplay, Kenny Chesney Among 2012 Billboard Touring Awards Finalists. Ray Waddell. Billboard. October 30, 2012. October 30, 2012.
  56. Web site: MC 100: Hunter Hayes Receives "Social Media Superstar" Award. https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211219/icKgQv77dqQ . 2021-12-19 . live. Music Choice. YouTube. December 29, 2014. August 22, 2015.
  57. Web site: 2015 Teen Choice Award Winners – Full List. Variety. Penske Media Corporation. August 16, 2015. August 17, 2015.