Will Hoge
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Will Hoge (born 1973[1] ) is an American musician from Nashville, Tennessee.
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[edit] Early life
Will grew up in Franklin, Tennessee, a rural suburb south of Nashville. His sound was heavily influenced by his musician father and uncles and the extensive record collection that his father kept.
Will went to college at Western Kentucky University looking to study history and with the plan to becoming a high school history teacher and basketball coach. He decided that he wanted to try his hand at rock and roll and began writing music. Will left the university after realizing he wanted to be a career musician.
[edit] Early Band
Will released an early EP of original music with his band Spoonful in the mid 1990’s; however, the band was not picked up and eventually broke up. Some of these early songs are still hits with his loyal followers.
[edit] Solo Artist
With former The Georgia Satellites guitarist Dan Baird in tow as a guitarist, Hoge began touring the American south. He independently released his first CD, Live At The Exit/In, a live set recorded at the Nashville club. His original sound drew much attention and, through constant touring, he was able to release his first studio album, Carousel.
Hoge caught the attention of Atlantic Records music executives and he was signed to a record deal in early 2002. Atlantic then re-released Carousel to a wider market. His 2003 major label debut, Blackbird On A Lonely Wire was a cleaner sounding effort; however, the album was poorly promoted by Atlantic. Eventually, Hoge asked for and received a release from his contract, re-obtaining the rights to Carousel.
The support of his fans has given Hoge the ability to tour incessantly, and self release a couple live albums (2004's Almost Alone: Live At Smith's Olde Bar' and 2005's During the Before and After), a politically charged album called The America EP (which included a cover of Bob Dylan's "The Times They Are A-Changin')", and a bluesy rock and roll sounding album, The Man Who Killed Love.
Over the years, Hoge has toured with many artists, including Marc Broussard, ZZ Top, The Cat Empire, Squeeze, Jason Isbell, Lisa Loeb and Edwin McCain. Bands that have opened for him include Steel Train, The Trews, The Elms, Rose Hill Drive, Moses Mayfield, The Alternate Routes, Aslyn, and Missy Higgins.
Hoge performed the opening theme from the cancelled CBS sitcom Still Standing.
On February 20, 2007, he released a live album, Again Somewhere Tomorrow, from recordings made during the band's two-night stint at the Exit/In in Nashville, in September 2006.
The band's fourth studio album, Draw the Curtains, was released nationwide in October 2007 by Rykodisc Records. The album was initially released as a Compact Disc, with a limited edition 180-Gram Vinyl Record version slated for release in November.
Following his accident in August 2008, the band went on hiatus for seven months while Hoge recuperated from his injuries. In early April 2009, the band got together for a 3 week acoustic tour of venues in the Midwest, Southeast, and East Coast, hitting cities including New York City, Chicago, Nashville, and Atlanta. When the tour ended in late April, the band headed back into the studio to complete recording their next album (of which they had begun at the time of Hoge's accident). Ken Coomer and Charlie Brocco are again producing, and the album, like its predecessor, is scheduled to be released on Rykodisc sometime in late September 2009.
Will Hoge performed a 'residency' at 12th & Porter, a Nashville venue, during the month of June. During these concerts, many of Hoge's friends, family, and former bandmates joined him on stage during the run of the four shows. These guests included former guitarists Dan Baird, Brian Layson, and Jason 'Slim' Gambill; former keyboard players Jefferson Crowe and John Lancaster; as well as Will's own father, who sang lead vocals on the final song of the concert series.
Starting in late July, Hoge will continue his typical rigorous touring schedule, kicking off a trek that will take him and his band across the country through mid October.
[edit] Scooter Accident
Hoge was involved in a scooter accident on August 20, 2008 after leaving a studio session for his forthcoming album. His condition was upgraded to stable on August 22. [1]
He received care at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. According to Police spokesperson Kris Mumford, Will was traveling north on Main Street in East Nashville at about 8 p.m. when a van traveling southbound failed to yield while turning into 712 Main St. Will’s motor scooter collided with the passenger side of the van. Police found no evidence of alcohol or drugs involved in the accident.[2]
According to a blog written by Hoge, he suffered numerous broken bones (ribs, sternum, shattered femur, knee cap, shoulder blades), lacerations to his face, arms, and torso (requiring over 100 stitches), as well as other minor injuries. He went into immediate surgery when he arrived at the hospital. Since then, Hoge has been through numerous surgical procedures (mainly on his shattered femur/leg) and intensive physical therapy over the past several months. He has made close to a full recovery thus far, aside from future physical therapy sessions to regain strength in his leg. Work on the new album, as well as tour dates, were postponed through Spring 2009. [3]
[edit] Discography
| Title | Album Information | Track List |
| Spoonful - Tales Begin To Spin |
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| Hear and Now |
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| All Night Long: Live at The Exit/In |
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| Carousel |
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| Aware Compilation, Vol. 8 |
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| Live In The X Lounge IV |
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| Almost Alone (Live At Smith's Olde Bar) |
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| Blackbird On A Lonely Wire |
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| The America EP |
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| During The Before And After |
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| Kid Pan Alley |
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| The Man Who Killed Love |
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| Live In Charleston |
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| Again Somewhere Tomorrow |
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| Draw The Curtains |
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[edit] Current Band Members
- Sigurdur Birkis - drums
- Adam Beard - bass
[edit] Former Band Members
- Dan Baird - guitar
- Greg Everett - guitar (Spring 2005 Selected Dates)
- John W. Lancaster - keyboards
- Kirk Yoquelet - drums
- Tres Sasser - bass
- Doy Gardner - drums
- Brian Layson - guitar
- Jason (Slim) Gambill - guitar (Winter 2005/2006 tour only)
- Dean Tomasek - bass
- Adam Fluhrer - guitar
- Jefferson Crow - keyboards
- Ericka Smith - Vocals
- Trina Meade - Vocals
- Molly Thomas - Vocals/Fiddle/Percussion
- Eleanor Whitmore - Vocals/Fiddle/Mandolin
