WILL HOGE TRACKS MILES WITH THE RELEASE OF 10th STUDIO ALBUM SMALL TOWN DREAMS TODAY (4/7)
Critically-acclaimed singer/songwriter Will Hoge releases his 10th studio album SMALL TOWN DREAMS (Cumberland Recordings/Thirty Tigers) today (4/7). Tracking the miles of his own American journey and life stories on the new album, Hoge is excited to share the new music with fans this week as he kicks off his SMALL TOWN DREAMS TOUR 2015 and will celebrate the album release with a live acoustic performance and autograph signing at Grimey’s Too tomorrow (4/8) at 6p.
“I'm excited to have this record out there - it's a perfect snapshot of where I am as a person and an artist, but also where I came from,” shares Hoge. “I'm anxious for everyone to hear it.”
SMALL TOWN DREAMS is a collection of songs that paint a vivid snapshot of the American experience – the struggles to overcome the confines of youth; the perfect cycle of parents watching their children make the same beautiful mistakes they once did; the feeling when we realize our roots run deeper than we've ever known.
After producing several albums on his own, Hoge handed the reins to producer Marshall Altman (Frankie Ballard, Eric Paslay, Matt Nathanson). The partnership with Altman (as well as a guest appearance from Vince Gill on guitar) bred a sound that's both crisp and raw, letting the lyrics and unforgettable melodies shine while never casting too much of a gloss on Hoge's signature raspy bellow.
Media critics and fans alike are already abuzz with rave reviews:
"Masterful piece of work that takes the simple beauty of everyday life and delivers it to the listener in a way we’ve never heard it before" – CMT.com
"Reminiscent of Springsteen, and based on the subject matter alone, you can’t help but conjure Mellencamp songs like 'Small Town' and 'Pink Houses'’"– Radio.com
"Touching and enlightening, and just what’s needed to put the focus back on the heartland, the place where it needs to be" – PopMatters.com
"Latest in a long line of wins for Hoge’"– Paste Magazine
Driving lead single “Middle Of America” was recorded in Nashville’s historic RCA Studio A, featured on SiriusXM’s “The Highway” and exclusively debuted on Rolling Stone Country. As a strong storyteller and hit-maker, several of the songs from the new album have already been featured on Paste.com, USA Today’s ‘Playlist,’ Rollingstone.com and more.
The GRAMMY-nominated recording artist catapulted into the national spotlight with the release of his top-selling single “Strong.” Providing the musical backdrop for General Motor’s 2014 Chevy Silverado ad campaign, the song has sold nearly 200,000 copies to date. “Strong” is the featured bonus track on Hoge’s last album NEVER GIVE IN.
Breaking into mainstream country, Hoge has penned Lady Antebellum's “Better Off Now (That You’re Gone),” and co-wrote the Platinum-selling No. 1 smash “Even If It Breaks Your Heart,” recorded by the Eli Young Band. “Even If It Breaks Your Heart,” earned Hoge nominations for the 2013 GRAMMY Country Song of the Year, 2013 ACM Song of the Year and 2012 CMA Song of the Year. His stage shows are equal parts sweat, charisma and rock & roll revival which has landed him coveted opening slots for Dierks Bentley, John Mellencamp, Pistol Annie’s, Shinedown and ZZ Top.
The Nashville native is kicking off the first leg of his SMALL TOWN DREAMS Tour 2015 in Tallahassee, FL on April 10 with upcoming shows in Birmingham, AL (4/21), Charlotte, NC (4/22), Asheville, NC (4/23) and Columbia, SC (4/24).
For more tour dates and information, visit www.willhoge.com.