Will Hoge is Franklin, Tennessee Americana country music singer, songwriter, and musician. Hoge’s sound was influenced by his musician father and uncles along with his father’s extensive record collection. He attended Western Kentucky University to study history planning to become a high school history teacher and basketball coach. Deciding he wanted to try his hand at rock and roll Hoge began writing music and left the university.
Hoge released an EP of original music with his band Spoonful in the mid-1990’s. Some early songs were recycled on later albums and are still hits with his loyal followers. With former Georgia Satellites guitarist Dan Baird in tow, Hoge began touring the American south. His original sound began to draw attention and he released his first studio album Carousel.
Catching the attention of Atlantic Records Hoge signed a record deal in 2002 re-releasing Carousel to a wider market. He then released his major label debut 2003’s Blackbird On A Lonely Wire. Through loyal fan support Hoge has been able to tour incessantly and after his release from Atlantic Records self-released a couple of live albums, along with a bluesy rock and roll album The Man Who Killed Love. Over the years Hoge has toured with artists such as ZZ Top, Midnight Oil, Squeeze, and Lisa Loeb.
During 2010 Hoge performed a residency in Nashville, Tennessee with many friends, family, and former band mates joining him including his father who sang lead vocals on the final song of the concert series.
In September 2011 Hoge released his 7th studio album entitled Number Seven. 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.
Hoge received a Country Music Association nomination, an Academy of Country Music nomination and a 2012 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.
In 2013, he released Never Give In one of his most successful commercial albums. The album’s final track “Strong” was featured in a television commercial for Chevy trucks and contributed to the album’s success.
In 2018 Hoge released his 11th studio album, the politically-charged My American Dream. He also toured with punk rock band Social Distortion after lead singer Mike Ness heard Hoge on satellite radio.
Reference – https://www.willhoge.com/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_Hoge
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