Hayes Carll began learning guitar at the age of 15, playing along to the likes of Bob Dylan, John Prine and Kris Kristofferson. Swiftly, Carll began to write his own songs, taking inspiration from the Beat writers, such as John Kerouac, as well as “The Dead Poets Society,” displaying a maturity in his style. He began to focus on his music after graduating from Hendrix College, Arizona, US, in 1998, returning to Texas and playing his own songs at local bars. Having gathered a strong local following, Carll started attracting the attention of record labels, eventually signing to Compadre Records.
Carll’s debut album appeared soon after in 2002, releasing “Flowers and Liquor,” displaying a style reminiscent of fellow Texan troubadour Townes Van Zandt. Despite an offer of a deal from Sugar Hill Records, Carll then decided to form his own label, Highway 87 Records. With producer R.S. Field, Carll released his second release on his own label, “Little Rock,” in 2005, reaching the top spot on the Americana charts.
Following this success, Carll moved to Lost Highway Records in 2006. Two years later, his third album, “Trouble in Mind,” came out, featuring the hit song full of irony and wit, “She Left Me For Jesus,” co-written with Brian Keane. His second release for Lost Highway Records, “KMAG YOYO” (a military abbreviation for “Kiss My Ass Guys, You’re On Your Own), was released in 2011, reaching number 12 on the US Country Chart. That same year, Carll was nominated for ‘Artist of the Year’ at the 2011 Americana Music Association Awards. His single, “Another Like You,” was also named the number one song of 2011 on American Songwriter’s annual list.
Hayes Carll plays a delightful brand of Americana, full of country blues stylings, with songs full of romp and vitality that sound as if they have come from a rural Texan barn. Which they likely have, hailing from Woodlands, Texas, a small place located near Houston. At The Shed, Maryville, Tennessee, he delivered a rousing performance, full of energy rumbling and growling through his set. His lyrics are of a true journeyman, with tales of rambling across the country that are compelling a listen. The musicianship is equally captivating, with a twanging guitars and bluesy slides that take you back to a small shed in rural Texas, with the sun just about to disappear. His music takes you places full of romanticism of a more simple, honest life. "One Bed, Two Girls, Three Bottles of Wine" is perhaps my favourite song by Hayes, with its raunchy, amusing lyrics and catchy chorus. It is certainly a song that will stick in your mind. Yet what really makes his performance is his stage presence, commanding complete attention right from the start through his entertaining stage presence. Hayes Carll is a true troubadour and a brilliant live act and I would definitely recommend.
osenn22
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