Humble beginnings: Local artist Homer Hart gets a helping hand from some big names
By Steve Wildsmith
of The Daily Times Staff
originally published: October 15. 2009 3:01AM
Last modified: October 14. 2009 11:38PM
He's not one to boast, but then again, local country artist Homer Hart doesn't have to.
At least, not when he's got the talent to speak for him. That talent -- which is getting airplay on local country radio giant WIVK-FM and will be showcased on Saturday when Hart opens up the Saturday portion of the 2009 Foothills Fall Festival in Maryville -- may just carry Hart to bigger and better things.
Although, in typical aw-shucks fashion, he doesn't hope for anything too big.
"It's been a joyride for me, for sure," Hart told The Daily Times this week. "I'm just trying to get my show like I want it. I started out playing with a little garage band, and now I've moved up to some professional musicians. It was my childhood dream to be a Jason Aldean or a Kenny Chesney or a Garth Brooks, but what would really make my day would be to play the Grand Ole Opry.
"Even if I never got a record deal, I think that would be an accomplishment for life."
A listen to Hart's voice doesn't take much to convince doubters that he may just get there one day soon. After all, it persuaded the III Kings -- a rhythm section that's worked with a number of Nashville stars and currently records and tours with Aldean -- to lend him a hand.
In 2005, a friend of Hart's won a trip to Nashville to attend the Country Music Television Awards, and he took Hart with him. The trip would change Hart's musical career.
"We got down there and walked by a bar called Fuel, and Jason Aldean was there soundchecking," Hart remembered. "They let us in, and I was just sitting at the bar with his band, talking to them. Rich (Redmond, the III King's drummer) said, 'You seem like a nice guy; we'd be interested in hearing how you sound.'
"They were honest with me. I told them I was no great singer, and they told me that if I sounded horrible, they wouldn't want to do it. They asked me to just record an acoustic song and send it to them."
He did -- and to his surprise, the three musicians called Hart back. They liked what they heard, and they offered to back Hart on a demo album. The next thing he knew, he was in a Nashville studio, cutting country music with guys who did it for a living, backing such super-stars as Keith Urban and Brooks and Dunn.
"We went to Nashville and did it, and everything kind of snowballed from there," he said. "I got to open for some big bands like Emerson Drive, and now I'm going to be on the same bill as Alan Jackson."
Hart credits all sorts of people -- from WIVK radio personnel to folks at Cotton Eyed Joe nightclub -- for his success. He won't thump his own chest, preferring instead to celebrate his accomplishments from the stage.
"I try to have a good time, because that's what it's about," he said. "As long as you're having a good time, everybody else will have a good time. I'm not all that great of a vocalist or a guitar player, but I don't think you have to be the best, as long as you're nice to people and you're entertaining."
Influences
My name is Homer Hart and I’m an aspiring artist. I was born July 20, 1976 in Knoxville, TN
I’ve been singing for just about as far back as I remember. I can remember being five years old, singing along with the local radio station WIVK in our Family’s car. I drove my parents crazy with all the singing!
When I was 11, my uncle Robert (“Dobey”) bought me my first guitar and began teaching me how to play it. I immediately picked up on it and since then, I’ve had a love for playing as well as singing.
In 2004, I began playing at some local pubs and restaurants in the Knoxville area. It was kind of frustrating just starting out, and oftentimes there wasn’t much of a crowd. In fact, sometimes the only people there were the other musicians and their girlfriends! As time went on, the guys that I played with and I got to become a little more well-known in the area and more and more folks began turning out for our shows.
In 2005, my friend Michael entered a celebrity look-alike contest, and won. The prize was two tickets to attend the CMT awards. Being the good friend that he is, he invited me to go with him and, as anyone would, I accepted. What a trip that was! We had the opportunity to meet and network with some of the biggest names in country music at the time, including Jason Aldean and the three members of the band “The Three Kings”, who play all the music on Jason’s Platinum-selling albums.
We had an opportunity to jam a bit while we were down there, and they all said they liked what they heard, and offered to help me record a CD at Big records in Nashville. That changed my life dramatically, and was done with a few of Nashville’s best musical talents, such as Kurt Allison, Tully Kennedy, Rich Redmond , Jeff Carter of Deana carter, Gary Morse of brooks and Dunn, Stephen King of Keith Urban , T. W. Cargile, and Jack Sizemore. These guys were amazing; they live it and breathe it just like me! From then on, music has become much more than just playing and singing; it’s become my way of life, and my passion. Now, I strive only to realize my true dream of becoming a professional artist.
My dad and uncle always told me that if I surround myself with good people, everything else will work out. I’ve tried to live my life according to those words. It’s a really good feeling when someone else believes in your dream as much as you do.
I just hope to be able to continue making music that my fans can relate to and feel. Anybody can listen to music, but it’s something special to make people truly feel it.
Also, much thanks to WIVK radio DJ Jack Ryan and program director Mike Hammond for being such a friends and helping me to get my first song on the radio. Also, thanks to Justin Weaver and Kelly Archer for letting me sing some of there songs – I deeply appreciate it. Also, thanks to Janet at API Nashville for sending me songs when no one else would give me the time of day also thanks to all of the acts that i've shared the stage with like Alan Jackson, Laura Bryna, Carolina rain, king billy, Emerson drive, Justin Moore,Chris Young, John Berry, Sarah Darling and Trailer Choir . Also thanks to the cotton eyed Joe for being a great friend to me. Many thanks to all of you!
God Bless! -HH
Thank you for your great music and wonderful voice and for being my friend, I enjoy your music very much and can't wait too hearing what you might have next too show me. I wish you great success in your career and again thanks for your friendship.
We had a blast playin' the Foothills Fall Festival yesterday with Homer, Justin, Alan & all the rest. What a great crowd who braved the frigid temperatures to party with Alan Jackson on his birthday. Homer put on a killer set & it was great to finally meet him & hear him play! If any of you local E. TN fans are interested in catching us play again, OUR last show of the year is October 30th at the Square Room in Knoxville. Hope to see some of y'all there!
A friend is the one who tells you the truth regardless of the cost, A friend will help you find the thing's you'd given up as lost A friend will never put you down or make you feel alone, He'll smile and try to comfort you 'cause together you have grown A friend is the one who picks you up when you've fallen on the ground, A friend is the one whose voice at night is a welcome, warming sound So when you think you're on your own and wish you had a helping hand, Remember, a friend is the one who, when you cry, will always understand Because the world is full of people who will laughingly pretend, But, when it's said and done you're lucky if you've got a friend ...
Hey HOMER HART , Thanks for showing me some myspace love. If you get a chance check out the artist I have been working with. I love feedback. Oh yea.....its rated PG13 music.
Hey Homer~ How are You? I just posted a music video of my song "Backroads"! Will You check it out and let me know what You think :) Thank You so much :) Have a beautiful day, ~Hannah
Hi Homer,
how are you? thank you so much for finding me here on myspace & for sharing your music with me. I enjoyed listening. You sound great! I wish you all the best in your music career endeavors.
Hi Homer! It was great seeing you at the Jason Aldean concert. I can't wait to see you in concert Big Time!!! You have a great voice, I could just listen to you over and over again. Keep on doing what your doing!!! Hug, Hug, Kay Check out my pics from the concert and the one of you and me.
Hey!!! I just wanted to tell you that i really loved watching you perform last night.. You are a wonderful and extremely talented performer.. I love all your songs and look forward to hearing more.. Let me know when and where your next performance is.. Until then i will keep calling WIVK and requesting you..
Hi Homer, So good meeting you the other night and Becky said she saw you guys again last night :) Please keep in touch and see you soon up at Cotton Eyed Joe's.. Blessings to you~Julia
