Will Hoge

Will Hoge

born on 14/11/1972 in Nashville, TN, United States

Will Hoge

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Will Hoge

Will Hoge (born November 14, 1972[1]) is a Grammy-nominated[2] American singer, songwriter and musician from Nashville, Tennessee.

Early life

Will Hoge grew up in Franklin, Tennessee, located just south of Nashville. His sound was heavily influenced by his musician father and uncles and the extensive record collection that his father kept.

Hoge attended Western Kentucky University to study history, planning to become a high school history teacher and basketball coach. He decided that he wanted to try his hand at rock and roll and began writing music. Will left the university after realizing he wanted to be a musician.

Early band

Will released an early EP of original music with his band Spoonful in the mid-1990s. However, the band was not picked up and eventually disbanded. Some of these early songs were recycled on later albums, and are still hits with his loyal followers.

Solo artist

With former The Georgia Satellites guitarist Dan Baird in tow as a guitarist, Hoge began touring the American south. He independently released his first CD, Live At The Exit/In, a live set recorded at the Nashville club. His original sound drew much attention and, through constant touring, he was able to release his first studio album, Carousel.

Hoge caught the attention of Atlantic Records music executives and he was signed to a record deal in early 2002. Atlantic then re-released Carousel to a wider market. His 2003 major label debut, Blackbird On A Lonely Wire was a cleaner sounding effort; however, the album was poorly promoted by Atlantic. Eventually, Hoge asked for and received a release from his contract, re-obtaining the rights to Carousel.

The support of his fans has given Hoge the ability to tour incessantly, and self release a couple live albums (2004's Almost Alone: Live At Smith's Olde Bar' and 2005's During the Before and After), a politically charged album called The America EP (which included a cover of Bob Dylan's "The Times They Are A-Changin')", and a bluesy rock and roll sounding album, The Man Who Killed Love.

Over the years, Hoge has toured with many artists, including Midnight Oil, Shinedown, Needtobreathe, Marc Broussard, ZZ Top, The Cat Empire, Squeeze, Jason Isbell, Lisa Loeb and Edwin McCain. Bands that have opened for him include Steel Train, The Trews, The Elms, Rose Hill Drive, Needtobreathe, Moses Mayfield, The Alternate Routes, Aslyn, Katie Herzig, Missy Higgins, and The Civil Wars.

Hoge recorded the opening theme song, "You Make Me Happy," for the CBS sitcom Still Standing.

On February 20, 2007, he released a live album, Again Somewhere Tomorrow, from recordings made during the band's two-night stint at the Exit/In in Nashville, in September 2006.

The band's fourth studio album, Draw the Curtains, was released nationwide in October 2007 by Rykodisc Records. The album was initially released as a CD, with a limited edition 180-Gram Vinyl Record version which followed later.

Following a scooter accident in August 2008, the band went on hiatus for seven months while Hoge recuperated from his injuries. In April 2009, the band got together for a 3 week acoustic tour of venues in the Midwest, Southeast and East Coast, hitting cities including New York City, Chicago, Nashville and Atlanta. When the tour ended in late April, the band headed back into the studio to complete recording their next album (of which they had begun at the time of Hoge's accident). Ken Coomer and Charlie Brocco again produced, and the album, The Wreckage, was released on September 29, 2009.

Will Hoge performed a residency at 12th & Porter in Nashville, TN in June 2010. During these concerts, many of Hoge's friends, family, and former bandmates joined him on stage during the run of the four shows. These guests included former guitarists Dan Baird, Brian Layson, and Jason 'Slim' Gambill; former keyboard players Jefferson Crowe and John Lancaster; as well as Will's own father, who sang lead vocals on the final song of the concert series.

On August 29, 2009, Will and the band appeared and performed the single "Even If It Breaks Your Heart" on the CBS Early Show as the music guest.

Hoge opened for Needtobreathe on their spring 2010 tour. He also opened shows for Sugarland and Michelle Branch on select dates during their summer tour.

Hoge was part of a line-up, which included Keith Urban, Dierks Bentley, and Sheryl Crow, that performed on the nationally televised "Music City Keep On Playin'" flood relief program that aired on GAC on May 16, 2010. Hoge closed the show by performing his song "Washed By The Water."

Hoge opened for mainstream rock band Shinedown on their acoustic "Anything & Everything" tour in the fall of 2010.

In September of 2011, Hoge released his 7th studio album entiled 'Number Seven'. The album was his third release via Ryko. This time around, Hoge took over production duties for the entire album. The album's first single "When I Get My Wings" was released to radio in August of 2011. The official music video for the song was added into rotation on both VH1 and CMT.[3] During this time, Hoge was invited to perform on three separate occasions at the Grand Ole Opry, with country legend Vince Gill playing guitar and singing background vocals on a couple songs during his first appearance (Gill is a guest artist on 'Seven' as well, as he and his wife, Amy Grant are fans of Hoge).

In a September 2012 blog post on his website, Hoge announced a number of changes. He left Rykodisc Records after releasing 3 albums with them. Longtime drummer Sigurdur 'Siggi' Birkis was released from the band. They have yet to hire a permanent replacement. He also announced in a Twitter post that Lady Antebellum was recording a cover of his song "Better Off Now" from his 2003 release "Blackbird On A Lonely Wire" which will be included on their next album.

In October 2012, Hoge announced, via Twitter, than he has signed a songwriting deal with BMG Nashville.

Hoge received a Country Music Association nomination, an Academy of Country Music nomination and a Grammy nomination for "Country Song of the Year" for "Even If It Breaks Your Heart". The song was recorded by the Eli Young Band and reached #1 on the country charts.

Scooter accident

Hoge was involved in a scooter accident on August 20, 2008 after leaving a studio session for what would be his next album, "The Wreckage." He was traveling north on Main Street in East Nashville at about 8 p.m. when a van traveling southbound failed to yield while turning into 712 Main St. Hoge's motor scooter collided with the passenger side of the van. He was admitted to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in critical condition. He went into surgery immediately upon arrival at the hospital for numerous broken bones (ribs, sternum, shattered femur, knee cap, shoulder blades), and lacerations to his face, arms, and torso requiring over 200 stitches. Hoge's condition was upgraded to stable on August 22.[1] No evidence was found that alcohol or drugs were involved in the accident.[4]

In the year following the accident, Hoge went through numerous surgical procedures (mainly on his shattered femur/leg) and intensive physical therapy. Work on The Wreckage, as well as tour dates, were postponed through spring 2009. Since that point, Hoge has made a full recovery.[5]

Current band members

  • Adam Beard - bass, trumpet, backing vocals
  • Jesse Isley - lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Brian Kilian - drums
  • Brady Beard - piano, organ, backing vocals

Former band members

  • Dan Baird - guitar
  • Adam Ollendorff - guitar, lap steel, dobro, slide
  • Greg Everett - guitar (Spring 2005 Selected Dates)
  • John W. Lancaster - keyboards (2000-2004, select dates 2010)
  • Kirk Yoquelet - drums
  • Tres Sasser - bass
  • Doy Gardner - drums
  • Sigurdur Birkis - drums
  • Brian Layson - guitar
  • Jason (Slim) Gambill - guitar (Winter 2005/2006 tour only)
  • Dean Tomasek - bass
  • Adam Fluhrer - guitar
  • Jefferson Crow - keyboards
  • Devin Malone - guitar, pedal steel, mandolin, keys
  • Ericka Smith - Vocals
  • Trina Meade - Vocals
  • Molly Thomas - Vocals/Fiddle/Percussion
  • Eleanor Whitmore - Vocals/Fiddle/Mandolin

Discography

Studio albums

Title Album details Peak chart positions
US Country
[6]
US
[7]
US
Heat
[8]
US
Indie
[9]
Spoonful - Tales Begin to Spin
  • Release date: 1997
  • Label: self-released
Carousel
  • Release date: January 16, 2001
  • Label: self-released
Blackbird on a Lonely Wire
  • Release date: March 4, 2003
  • Label: Atlantic Records
The Man Who Killed Love
  • Release date: February 7, 2006
  • Label: self-released
Draw the Curtains
  • Release date: October 9, 2007
  • Label: Rykodisc
The Wreckage
  • Release date: September 29, 2009
  • Label: Rykodisc
16
Number Seven
  • Release date: September 27, 2011
  • Label: Rykodisc
12
Never Give In
  • Release date: October 15, 2013
  • Label: Cumberland Recordings
23 129 1 31
"" denotes releases that did not chart

Extended plays

Title Album details
The America EP
  • Release date: 2004
  • Label: self-released
The Living Room Sessions
  • Release date: October 12, 2010
  • Label: Rykodisc
Modern American Protest Music
  • Release date: September 18, 2012
  • Label: self-released

Live albums

Title Album details
All Night Long: Live at the Exit/In
  • Release date: July 7, 2000
  • Label: self-released
Almost Alone (Live at Smith's Olde Bar)
  • Release date: 2003
  • Label: self-released
During the Before and After
  • Release date: 2005
  • Label: self-released
Live in Charleston
  • Release date: 2006
  • Label: self-released
Again Somewhere Tomorrow
  • Release date: 2007
  • Label: self-released

Singles

Year Single Peak chart positions Album
US Country
[10]
US Country Airplay
[11]
CAN
[12]
2003 "Be the One" Blackbird on a Lonely Wire
"Secondhand Heart"
2009 "Even If It Breaks Your Heart" The Wreckage
2011 "When I Get My Wings" Number Seven
2013 "Strong" 42 41 89 Never Give In
"" denotes releases that did not chart

Music videos

Year Video Director
2009 "Even If It Breaks Your Heart"
2010 "Favorite Waste of Time"[13] Paper Beats Rock
2011 "When I Get My Wings"[14] Joey Ciccoline
2013 "Strong"[15] Robert Richardson

Album appearances

Year Song Artist Album
1999 "Sunshine Burn" Hear and Now
2001 "Ms. Williams" Aware Compilation, Vol. 8
"Let Me Be Lonely" Live in the X Lounge IV
2006 "No Fair" Kid Pan Alley
2009 "I'm Sorry Now" Acoustic Lounge
2011 "With a Little Help from My Friends" Shinedown Somewhere in the Stratosphere
"Catherine" David Nail The Sound of a Million Dreams
2013 "Shovel in Hand" Amy Grant How Mercy Looks from Here
"Band on the Run" Let Us In Americana: The Music of Paul McCartney

Songs written by

Year Song Artist Album
2007 "Better Off Now" Rachel Proctor Only Lonely Girl
2011 "Even If It Breaks Your Heart" Eli Young Band Life at Best
2013 "Smile Alone" Ted Russell Kamp Night Owl
"Better Off Now (That You're Gone)" Lady Antebellum Golden

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 http://tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080822/ENTERTAINMENT01/80822064
  2. http://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/country/1483767/2013-grammy-awards-best-country-song-album-nominations
  3. When I Get My Wings. Retrieved 2011-12-29, from [1]
  4. http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080821/TUNEIN/80821015
  5. http://www.willhoge.com/blog?descp=update-on-will&maindivId=&divId=1&subId=1&main=
  6. You must specify title = and url = when using {{cite web}}.. Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved on October 24, 2013.
  7. You must specify title = and url = when using {{cite web}}.. Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved on October 24, 2013.
  8. You must specify title = and url = when using {{cite web}}.. Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved on October 20, 2013.
  9. You must specify title = and url = when using {{cite web}}.. Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved on October 24, 2013.
  10. You must specify title = and url = when using {{cite web}}.. Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved on October 20, 2013.
  11. You must specify title = and url = when using {{cite web}}.. Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved on October 20, 2013.
  12. You must specify title = and url = when using {{cite web}}.. Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved on October 24, 2013.
  13. CMT : Videos : Will Hoge : Favorite Waste Of Time. Country Music Television. Retrieved on September 20, 2011.
  14. CMT : Videos : Will Hoge : When I Get My Wings. Country Music Television. Retrieved on September 20, 2011.
  15. CMT : Videos : Will Hoge : Strong. Country Music Television. Retrieved on July 24, 2013.

External links

This page was last modified 25.02.2014 02:43:47

This article uses material from the article Will Hoge from the free encyclopedia Wikipedia and it is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.