Tim Hicks
In Canadian Country Music today there are a few names that stand out in the crowd, one of those names is Tim Hicks. It’s hard to believe that it was only last January that Tim burst onto the scene with his smash hit “Get By” - a Top 10 hit at Country Radio in less than 8 weeks and certified GOLD. Hicks ruled the digital charts with the #1 selling single for more than 17 weeks.
Just 13 months after his debut, in February of this year, Tim was nominated for 2 JUNO Awards - Breakthrough Artist of the Year and Country Album of the Year for Throw Down. If you’ve ever seen Tim Hicks live the reason for his massive success is clear, he loves what he’s doing and brings a party to every stage that will host him and his band…guaranteed! Last year we were lucky to catch Tim at the Spencerville Fair, even though we were both at Boots and Hearts we didn’t make it in time for the kick-off party on the Thursday night.
Tim Hicks
This summer Tim returns to Boots and Hearts, we definitely won’t miss him this time, he is also part of a monster line-up at one of the largest music festivals in Canada, Ottawa Bluesfest where he will open for David Nail and Lady Antebellum. These just a few of the events filling up his schedule this year. As we did last year we will be profiling various artists leading up to the summer festival season and the first feature artist is Tim Hicks. We wanted to do something a little different in our features this year so we decided to put Tim in our hot seat and ask him 20 random questions, some about his career and some that will just give you some insight into what makes Tim tick.
#1: Tim Hicks has been a household name in Canada for the last 2 or 3 years now, tell us what life was like before “Throwdown”.
Pretty much the same, but on a smaller scale. I was playing 5 to 6 nights a week in bars and clubs in southern Ontario. The band and I were doing mostly covers, but we snuck in my own songs too!
#2: Every artist I’ve spoken to has a story about how / when they decided to purse music as a career. We know that you started in music at a very early age, describe the moment that you knew that music was the path for you and what inspired you to take that path.
It was something I always knew I would do. In grade 2, my teacher went around the room and ask each child what they wanted to be when they grew up – I said “professional musician”. I don’t know why, but I always felt I’d be doing music in one way or another.
#3: You are still in the very early stages of your career and yet you’ve already collaborated with some huge names in the country music industry today like Tyler and Brian of Florida Georgia Line and Neil Sanderson of Three Days Grace to name a few. Name any three artists, you haven’t already collaborated with, that you would like to work with?
I’d love to work with Eric Church. He’s badass and an amazing songwriter! I think Dallas Smith is great, I’d love to do something with him at some point. Zac Brown would be another artist that I would LOVE to work with.
#4: We’ve seen you perform live and you seem very comfortable on stage, do you get nervous at all before, or during, a performance?
I get more excited than nervous. If the gig is something a little bit different than usual, like a big TV performance or a national anthem event, I get nervous. I’m super comfortable as long as I’m in my element.
#5: To most of us your rise would appear to have been easy, but most artists struggle for years until they get their lucky break. What challenges have you had to face in your rise to fame? Describe the moment you got your break.
Yeah it’s hard and continues to be hard. I played every bar within a 7 hour radius of my house nearly every night for the better part of 17 years. Couldn’t get anyone in the music industry interested in what I was doing. That all changed when some guys saw me play on a random Wednesday night in Toronto, next thing I knew I was headed to Nashville. So you never know who will be in the audience at your gig!
#6: What’s your all-time favourite movie?
Too many to narrow down to one, but a few of my favs are “Saving Private Ryan” ; “Forgetting Sarah Marshall”; and “That Thing You Do”
#7: Your ideal brain food?
I love popcorn!
#8: Favourite Restaurant (anywhere in the world)?
I ate at this little tiny bistro-type place in Villefranche, which is in the south of France, and it blew my mind. I’d love to go back one day.
#9: Favourite TV show (all-time)?
MASH – I love it and I don’t even know why, but it’s a great show.
#10: If you could see any artist in concert, who would you see (living or dead)?
I would’ve loved to see Led Zeppelin in their prime.
#11: iPhone, Android or Blackberry?
Iphone…. are there others??
#12: There’s no question you love your fans and your fans love you. Can you talk about a fan encounter that completely took you by surprise?
Yeah actually. I recently took my family on a neighborhood walk to the park around the corner and a random little girl (about 7 years old) called out from the top of the slide, “Hi Tim Hicks!”. It totally took me by surprise because I just assumed that no one in my neighborhood knew who I was. It made me laugh!
#13: What are your family member’s musical interests and abilities?
My Dad plays and sings a bit. My uncle (my mother’s brother) also plays and sings. Other than that, they think I’m an alien.
#14: Name a fictional character most like you?
Charlie Brown
#15: In “Tim Hicks, Story of My Life” – The Movie, who would play you?
I’d have to say Jay Mohr – people used to say I looked like him… personally I don’t see it.
Neither do we but we’ll let you decide:
Jay Mohr
Tim Hicks
#16: Star Trek or Star Wars?
Both – which movie should I start reciting, cause I know them ALL!
#17: Stress management: hit man, spa vacation or Prozac?
Whiskey!!!
#18: What is the best advice you’ve been given?
Easy – to just keep going. Never stop, never accept anything less than the what you want and where you want to be.
#19: What charity do you support?
I think “Music Counts” is doing really great things. I think it’s so important to continue to teach music and the arts in schools. Education administrators are foolish for cutting these programs back. Check the research: music and the arts equals better rounded students and increased ability to learn.
#20: What’s next for Tim Hicks?
I’m currently working on a new record and very excited to get back out on the road to play for the wonderful people who have been buying, requesting, and spreading the word about my music – thank you Canadian country fans!! See you soon!!
One thing is for certain Tim loves his fans, even recently at the Juno Awards we saw a picture posted of Tim signing autographs.
SPOTTED: @timhicksmusic signing autographs on @TheJUNOAwards red carpet! pic.twitter.com/N8kEW8dBAD
— Top Country (@topcountrynews) March 31, 2014
With new music expected this spring, a new album in the works and a summer of festival appearances there’s no question we haven’t heard the last from Tim Hicks. If Tim is coming to a venue near you do yourself a favour and go check it out, it’s a guaranteed #HellRaisingGoodTime! For more information on Tim and his music be sure to checkout his website www.timhicksmusic.com!
Many thanks to Denny at RGK Entertainment for setting this interview up and of course huge thanks to Tim Hicks for taking the time to answer our questions.
Here’s Tim Hicks featuring Blackjack Billy and their smash hit “Got A Feeling”
