Nashville native and music industry veteran Will Hoge released his 10th studio album last week. The record is entitled Small Town Dreams and features stories chronicling Will’s own journey as well as universal tales of American life.
Now that we got the lead out of the way let’s talk about Will Hoge. For people wondering how someone can have a career in music without achieving Chesney level fame, let me introduce you to Will Hoge. I’ve been pontificating the virtues of self made artists for a while to say the least. With all of the avenues from which to gain exposure on an “unsigned” level there is no need for big conglomerate record labels anymore. If all goes according to my master plan, pretty soon the labels won’t be telling the artist what they can offer, but the other way around.
Will Hoge is a hero (and I don’t use that word lightly unless I’m referring to myself) in my book because he’s an O.G. when it comes to telling labels where they can put it.
Will’s first album was a live concert from well known Nashville venue The Exit/In. Recording and releasing that on his own as well as a subsequent studio album, Carousel, got him eventually signed to Atlantic Records in 2002. After a re-release of Carousel and a second studio album was ill promoted by Atlantic Will found himself, as many young artists do, signed to a label who was doing nothing for him.
That’s supposed to be the ultimate goal, is it not? Get signed to a major record deal and become famous. Will could have sat back, collected a few checks and got industry songwriters to write a third album, but he cared about the music too much for that. At least that’s the narrative I have fashioned in my own mind. So Will marched right into the CEO’s office, pounded his fist on the desk, and demanded a release from his contract. That’s how it went down in my head anyway.
However it happened, Will not only got out of his contract but reacquired the rights to Carousel. Using his well earned fan base he has been able to tour and further his career on his terms. Lady Antebellum recorded his song “Better Off Now”, and he has been nominated for CMA, ACM, and Grammy awards. He totally Jesse Pinkman’ed the music business. (Made it his b**ch)
I gave the new record a listen last week and definitely pulled more than a few of the songs onto my personal playlist. Will Hoge continues to propagate the spirit of Nashville. The album’s first single, “Middle Of America”, was recorded at the legendary RCA Studio A on music row. Will even had the CD release party at local music shop Grimey’s in Nashville.
Support hard working artists that still care about music. Go see Will Hoge live this summer on the Small Town Dreams Tour kicking off Arpil 10 in Tallahassee, FL.
Visit willhoge.com for additional info
