Hunter Hayes

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

This article is about the artist. For the album, see Hunter Hayes (album).

Hunter Hayes
Hayes performing in Memphis, TN in August 2019
Background information
Birth nameHunter Easton Hayes
Born (1991-09-09) September 9, 1991
Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • record producer
  • multi-instrumentalist
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • guitar
  • piano
  • accordion
Years active1993–present
Labels
Associated acts
Websitehunterhayes.com

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] Hayes grew up singing songs in both English and French.[7] He began his career when he was 2. At 4, he began making appearances locally and on national television,[8][9] including Maury, Rosie O'Donnell Show, and the Nickelodeon game show Figure It Out, where he performed "Jambalaya (On the Bayou)".[10] American Songwriter writes that "Hayes received his first guitar from actor Robert Duvall at age 6"[11] 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.[12] 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.[13] In April 2011, he had gone on his own radio tour where he debuted songs that would appear on his debut album.[14] 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.[15]

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.[16]

Hayes signing autographs in Frederick, Maryland in August 2012

"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.[17] 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.[18]

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."[11]

On September 7, 2012, he was inducted at the Mahalia Jackson Theater in New Orleans, Louisiana into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame.[19]

2011–2014: Hunter Hayes and Storyline
Hayes performing in 2013
Hayes doing a soundcheck at Progressive Field in preparation for his performance of the US national anthem at Game 6 of the 2016 World Series

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.[20] He co-wrote every song, played every instrument, and along with Dann Huff, produced the album.[21] "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".[22] 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,[23] making him the youngest solo male act to top Hot Country Songs, breaking the record set in 1973 by Johnny Rodriguez.[24] Twenty weeks after first appearing in the top spot and under a new chart format, "Wanted" returned to the top spot.[25] "Somebody's Heartbreak", the album's third single, went to No. 1 on the Country Airplay chart.

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.[26][27] 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.[28]

Hayes performed "Invisible", the lead single from his second album, at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards.[29] Storyline was released on May 6, 2014.[30] 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.[31] 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.[32] Following that was "Light Me Up", another single from the deluxe version of his debut album, in 2015.

2015–2018: The 21 Project and cancelled album

On May 21, 2015, Hayes released "21", which was the title track for both his EP and third studio album, The 21 Project.

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 C2C: Country to Country festival in the UK where he played alongside Dan + Shay and Darius Rucker supporting Reba McEntire and will 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 cancelled the project citing ‘shifted priorities’.[33]

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

2018–present: Wild Blue and Red Sky

In December 2018, Hayes guest starred on Darci Lynne: My Hometown Christmas.[34] 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.[35] Hayes headlined the Closer to You Tour in 2019 with Levi Hummon and Tegan Marie as supporting acts.[36][37][38]

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.[39][40] The album is the first part of a three-part ‘trilogy’ of albums.[41]

In April 2020, he was revealed to be the Astronaut in the third season of The Masked Singer.[42][43] In June 2020, the Saskatchewan-based Hunter Brothers released their single "Hard Dirt", co-written and produced by Hayes.[44]

Discography
Main article: Hunter Hayes discography

Tours

Headlining

Supporting

Filmography
Year Title Role Notes
1997 The Apostle Child Accordionist
1998 Figure It Out Himself/Guest
2000 My Dog Skip Accordion Boy
2003 Charley's War Montgomery
2016 Bella and the Bulldogs Himself
2020 The 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.

YearCategoryNominated WorkResult
2013 New Male Vocalist of the Year[49] Hunter Hayes Nominated
Single Record of the Year[50] "Wanted" Nominated
Song of the Year[50] Nominated
Video of the Year[50] Nominated

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.

Year Category Nominee / work Result
2012 New Artist of the Year Hunter Hayes Nominated
Single by a New Artist "Wanted" Won
Music Video by a New Artist Won
2013 Breakthrough Artist of the Year Hunter Hayes Nominated
Single by a Breakthrough "Somebody's Heartbreak" Nominated

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.

Year Category Nominee / work Result
2013 Best New Artist Hunter Hayes Nominated
Best Country Album Hunter Hayes Nominated
Best Country Solo Performance "Wanted" Nominated
2014 "I Want Crazy" Nominated
2015 "Invisible" Nominated

Other awards
Year Association Category Work / Nominee(s) Result
2012 CMT Music Awards USA Breakthrough Video of the Year "Storm Warning" Nominated
Teen Choice Awards Choice Male Country Artist Hunter Hayes Won
Choice Country Song "Storm Warning" Nominated
BMI Awards Award Winning Song (Top 50) Won
Country Music Association Awards New Artist of the Year Hunter Hayes Won
Billboard Touring Awards Top Package[51] Speak Now, featuring Taylor Swift with Needtobreathe, Hunter Hayes, Danny Gokey, etc. Nominated
2013 Billboard Music Awards Top Country Artist Hunter Hayes Nominated
Top Country Song "Wanted" Nominated
CMT Music Awards Video of the Year Nominated
Male Video of the Year Nominated
Nationwide Insurance On Your Side Award Hunter Hayes Won
Teen Choice Awards Choice Male Country Artist Won
Choice Country Song "I Want Crazy" Nominated
BMI Awards Song of the Year "Wanted" Won
Award Winning Song (Top 50) "Storm Warning" Won
American Music Awards Favorite Country Male Artist Hunter Hayes Nominated
2014 World Music Awards World's Best Song "I Want Crazy" Nominated
World's Best Video Nominated
World's Best Album Hunter Hayes Nominated
World's Best Male Artist Hunter Hayes Nominated
World's Best Live Act Nominated
World's Best Entertainer Nominated
CMT Music Awards Video of the Year "I Want Crazy" Nominated
Male Video of the Year Nominated
Collaborative Video of the Year "Everybody's Got Somebody but Me"
(featuring Jason Mraz)		 Nominated
Teen Choice Awards Choice Male Country Artist Hunter Hayes Won
BMI Awards Top 50 Songs "I Want Crazy" Won
Music Choice Awards[52] Social Media Superstar Hunter Hayes Won
2015 People's Choice Awards Favorite Male Country Artist Won
Teen Choice Awards[53] Choice Country Artist Hunter Hayes Nominated
Choice Country Song "21" Nominated

References
  1. Dan Harr (September 14, 2011). "Hunter Hayes Celebrates His 20th Birthday at House of Blues". Music News Nashville. Archived from the original on November 10, 2011. Retrieved September 14, 2011.
  2. Deborah Evans Price (May 6, 2014). "Hunter Hayes Leads Country's Youth Revolution, Without a Pickup Truck or Beer in Sight". Billboard. Retrieved May 6, 2014.
  3. Hensel, Amanda (August 24, 2011). "Hunter Hayes Sets Release Date for Debut Album". Taste of Country. Retrieved November 7, 2011.
  4. "Hunter Hayes Leads Country's Youth Revolution, Without a Pickup Truck or Beer in Sight". Billboard. May 6, 2014.
  5. Hunter's Story Archived February 9, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. HunterHayes.com. Retrieved on February 21, 2012.
  6. "Hunter Hayes : Biography". IMDb.com. Retrieved May 10, 2014.
  7. Helligar, Jeremy (October 27, 1997). "Squeeze Play". People. 48 (17): 113. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
  8. Rose, Christopher (April 4, 1997). "Kids keep Cajun traditions thriving". The Tuscaloosa News. Retrieved June 30, 2011.
  9. Conaway, Alanna. "Hunter Hayes Was 'Born' to Make Country Music". Taste of Country. Retrieved June 30, 2011.
  10. "Hunter Hayes - "Jambalaya" on Figure it Out". Retrieved August 1, 2012.
  11. Evan Schlansky (May 21, 2012). "Hunter Hayes Is Martin Guitars' Latest Brand Ambassador". American Songwriter. Archived from the original on January 28, 2013. Retrieved June 6, 2012.
  12. "Through My Eyes - Hunter Hayes | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved December 29, 2017.
  13. "Hunter Hayes will open for Taylor Swift SPEAK NOW North American Tour 2011". HunterHayes.com. March 4, 2011. Archived from the original on May 6, 2012. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
  14. Hunter Hayes (April 2011). "Hunter Hayes – Radio Tour (Week 1)". Retrieved October 30, 2011.
  15. Conaway, Alanna (September 13, 2011). "Hunter Hayes Sets Fall 2011 Tour Dates". Taste of Country. Retrieved November 7, 2011.
  16. Rascal Flatts Announce Thaw Out 2012 Tour. RascalFlatts.com (October 17, 2011). Retrieved on February 21, 2012.
  17. 'Act of Valor' soundtrack features original songs from Lady Antebellum, more. Sltrib.com (February 20, 2012). Retrieved on 2012-02-21.
  18. "Hunter Hayes Performs on O Music Awards". Country Music Television. June 28, 2012. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
  19. "Hunter Hayes Inducted Into Louisiana Music Hall of Fame". Yahoo! Finance. September 10, 2012. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
  20. HUNTER HAYES TO RELEASE SELF-TITLED DEBUT ALBUM ON ATLANTIC RECORDS OCTOBER 11 Archived February 20, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. HunterHayes.com (August 24, 2011). Retrieved on 2012-02-21.
  21. "Hunter Hayes becomes Next Big Thing". Country Standard Time. April 22, 2011. Retrieved June 30, 2011.
  22. "Hunter's Interview And Performance On The Talk". HunterHayes.com. July 25, 2012. Archived from the original on October 15, 2012. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
  23. Conaway, Alanna (September 18, 2012). "Hunter Hayes Gets What He 'Wanted' With First No. 1 Single". Taste of Country. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
  24. Jessen, Wade (September 20, 2012). "Hunter Hayes Makes History, Little Big Town Shines on Country Charts". Billboard. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
  25. Trust, Gary (February 18, 2013). "Ask Billboard: What's so unusual about Hunter Hayes's New No. 1". Billboard. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
  26. Diehl, Matt (February 6, 2013). "Hunter Hayes: My Grammy Ritual". Billboard. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
  27. "About Hunter Hayes". Retrieved March 16, 2013.
  28. "News : Hunter Hayes Interview: CMT Artists of the Year". CMT. November 28, 2013. Retrieved May 9, 2014.
  29. Craig Shelburne (January 26, 2014). "News : Hunter Hayes Debuts "Invisible" on Grammys". CMT. Retrieved May 9, 2014.
  30. "Hunter Hayes' New Album 'Storyline' to Drop May 6 « Radio.com". News.radio.com. March 11, 2014. Archived from the original on March 21, 2014. Retrieved May 9, 2014.
  31. "Hunter Hayes Breaks Guinness World Record For Most Concerts Played in multiple cities in 24 hours". Billboard. May 10, 2014. Retrieved August 9, 2014.
  32. "Gold & Platinum - RIAA".
  33. Newman, Melinda (August 14, 2019). "Hunter Hayes on His New Album, 'Wild Blue': 'What This Record Did for Me Was Something Pretty Profound'". Billboard.
  34. Delbel, Julia (October 20, 2018). "Star-Studded Lineup Revealed for 'Darci Lynne: A Hometown Christmas'". Talent Recap. Archived from the original on October 22, 2018. Retrieved October 22, 2018.
  35. "Future Releases for Country Radio Stations". All Access Media. Archived from the original on February 16, 2019. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
  36. Krol, Jacklyn (August 14, 2015). "Hunter Hayes Sets Spring 2019 Closer to You Tour". Taste of Country. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  37. Casey, Jim (March 25, 2019). "Hunter Hayes Drops New Single & Will Hit the Road for "Closer to You" Tour". The Country Daily. Cumulus Media. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  38. Hollabaugh, Lorie (February 7, 2019). "Hunter Hayes to Launch Closer to You Tour in April". MusicRow Magazine. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  39. "HUNTER HAYES SOARS ON NEW ALBUM "WILD BLUE (PART I)"". Warner Music Nashville. August 14, 2019.
  40. Watts, Cindy (August 14, 2019). "Hunter Hayes to drop 'Wild Blue,' surprise album of heartbreak, turbulence". The Tennessean.
  41. Krol, Jacklyn (August 14, 2019). "HUNTER HAYES ANNOUNCES 'WILD BLUE' ALBUM, RELEASES TITLE TRACK [LISTEN]". Taste of Country.
  42. "'The Masked Singer' Reveals the Identity of the Astronaut: Here's the Star Under the Mask". April 30, 2020.
  43. "The Masked Singer Unmasks the Astronaut". April 30, 2020.
  44. "Hunter Brothers drop highly-anticipated new single "Hard Dirt" June 12". Open Road Recordings. June 5, 2020. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
  45. "Make a Wish - Hunter Hayes | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". Kid's Music. Retrieved October 25, 2013.
  46. "Holidays with Hunter - Hunter Hayes | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". Kid's Music. Retrieved October 3, 2015.
  47. "Honoring Our French Heritage - Hunter Hayes | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". Kid's Music. Retrieved October 4, 2015.
  48. "Songs about Nothing - Hunter Hayes | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". Kid's Music. Retrieved October 25, 2013.
  49. Reynolds, Leslie. "A Look At The ACM Nominees for New Male Vocalist". 101.5 KNUE. Retrieved January 15, 2019.
  50. Staff, Taste of Country. "2013 ACM Awards Winners – Full List". Taste of Country. Retrieved January 15, 2019.
  51. Ray Waddell (October 30, 2012). "Roger Waters, Bruce Springsteen, Madonna, Coldplay, Kenny Chesney Among 2012 Billboard Touring Awards Finalists". Billboard. Retrieved October 30, 2012.
  52. "MC 100: Hunter Hayes Receives "Social Media Superstar" Award". Music Choice. YouTube. December 29, 2014. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  53. "2015 Teen Choice Award Winners – Full List". Variety. Penske Media Corporation. August 16, 2015. Retrieved August 17, 2015.
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