16 Questions with Sam Hunt

Sam Hunt

After we completed the 20 Questions with Tim Hicks we took some time to think about who our next feature interview would be with.  We wanted to find someone familiar enough that people would recognize the name but not unfamiliar enough that people would be intrigued to read the interview.  Naturally we were also looking for an artist that would be coming to perform at a major festival or event in Ontario this summer.  This brought us to Sam Hunt who, like Tim Hicks, will be appearing at both Ottawa Bluesfest and Boots and Hearts this summer.

Sam Hunt

Born in Cedartown, Georgia Sam was originally a football player for both Middle Tennessee State University and University of Alabama at Birmingham.  After graduating from UAB Sam worked as a free agent for the Kansas City Chiefs while trying to find a place for himself in pro-football.  When it became clear that a future in pro-football wasn’t in the cards Sam moved to Nashville in search of a new career in music.  The rest, as they say, is history.  Today Sam is best known for co-writing the song “Come Over” which became a smash hit for Kenny Chesney.  More recently Sam held the pen for 2014 hits “Cop Car”, recorded by Keith Urban, and “We Are Tonight”, performed by Billy Currington.

Sam is currently writing and recording songs for his début album which is expected later this year.  His début single, “Raised On It” is available to purchase on iTunes now.

You can catch Sam at Ottawa Bluesfest on July 6th at 4pm on the Claridge Homes Stage opening for David Nail, Tim Hicks and Lady Antebellum, if you can’t get to Ottawa Bluesfest fear not Sam will also be appearing at Boots and Hearts on August 1 (set time to be announced.)

16 Questions with Sam Hunt

Sound Check: The buzz on the street about Sam Hunt is that you could be the next big thing in Country Music.  Your songs “Come Over” and “Cop Car” are already huge hits for Kenny Chesney and Keith Urban, how has life changed or how will life change for you as your career as a performer takes flight?
Sam Hunt: Obviously I’ll be doing a lot more traveling. I’m really looking forward to that. I’ve been writing full time since moving to Nashville and was starting to get a little cabin fever before taking off on the road just a few months ago. I’m wired to be on the move. I really enjoy it.

SC: Every artist I’ve spoken to has a story about how / when they decided to purse music as a career.  Describe the moment that you knew music was the path for you and what inspired you to take that path. SH: I flew home from the Kansas City Chiefs rookie mini camp right after graduating college and decided I was going to move to Nashville by September of that year. SC: Describe your live show, what can fans expect to see this summer? SH: They can expect to see a group of buddies having a ball – hoping to share the great time. SC: I’m a writer and I still get thrills when I see my work shared or quoted in a high profile setting, what was it like for you as a song writer when you first heard one of your songs on the radio? SH: It de-romanticized the idea of having a song on the “Radio” but it became almost tangible and the reality of it was really inspiring. SC: What’s your all-time favorite movie? SH: Forrest Gump SC: Your ideal brain food? SH: Salmon SC: Favourite Restaurant (anywhere in the world)? SH: Cracker Barrel SC: If you could see any artist in concert, who would you see (living or dead)? SH: Young Elvis SC: iPhone, Android or Blackberry? SH: iPhone SC: Can you talk about a fan encounter that completely took you by surprise? SH: It would have to be a string of surprising encounters with fans across the country who know the words to a few acoustic songs I uploaded to a computer in East Nashville a few months ago. SC: What are your family member’s musical interests and abilities? SH: I don’t know of any abilities. My mom listens to country music on the radio. My dad listens to classical music. SC: Star Trek or Star Wars? SH: Haven’t seen either (maybe he should talk to Tim Hicks about this one) SC: What is the best advice you’ve been given? SH: “You know best what’s best for you” SC: What’s next for Sam Hunt? SH: Write, record, play, repeat. Sam is most definitely on our list of artists to watch and he should be on yours too! Here is Sam’s single, “Raised On It”!  For more information on Sam or to find out where you can stay up to date with his music visit him online at www.samhunt.com. Special thanks to Triple 8 Management for setting up this interview for us and a big thanks, of course, to Sam Hunt for taking the time to answer our questions.