"Ty Hager stands out as a unique songwriting and performing talent. His songs are 100% honest, heartfelt, and often hilarious. He never fails to knock the audience out."
- Jeff Pearson, The Bluebird Café, Nashville
"...manages to succeed where so many others fail, in combining comedy with musicianship."
- Patrick Nichols, ThisIsTexasMusic.com
"The guy's got good, smart, funny stuff that deserves a wider audience."
- Peter Cooper, The Tennessean, Nashville
"A gem."
- Phil Kurnit, Winthrop Records, New York
Ty Hager is part renaissance man, part bohemian, and all artist. From songwriting to screenwriting, from music to comedy to acting, it's not surprising that Hager knew from a young age that he was destined to entertain. Raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma, a young Hager saw Keith Partridge (aka David Cassidy) on television and "something just clicked." From that point, Hager began to explore his creative abilities. At the age of eighteen, he started doing stand-up comedy in Tulsa, where he also attended the American Broadcasting School.
The next twenty years are not easily summarized, as Hager's adventures are as numerous and diverse as his song repertoire. Hager soon moved to Nashville, where he continued to refine his talents by combining his witty humor with his growing abilities as a songwriter. He spent several years hitchhiking the country before settling back in Nashville, where he worked a variety of "rent-paying" occupations from telephone operator to sandwich maker to radio DJ, all the while writing (over 700 songs and a screenplay to date), playing, and selling self-released tapes and CD's. Although a favorite of many music industry insiders, including "The Dance" writer Tony Arata and long-time Diamond Rio Producer Mike Clute, Hager was considered too alternative by the major Nashville record labels, and he moved to Austin, TX in 2001. There a chance meeting with John Peyton of Peyton-Hill Communications led to the completion of a new record, Funny Ha Ha, Funny Strange, which ultimately landed in the hands of Phil Kurnit, of the NY-based indie label Winthrop Records. Kurnit immediately recognized Hager's knack for combining song and wit, and presented Hager with a recording contract.
Released in May 2003, Funny Ha Ha, Funny Strange is a diverse collection of Hager's serio-comedy that spans over ten years, two states, and three studios. Self-produced, the album reflects Hager's ability to move from the humorous to the heartfelt without missing a beat. The CD has received wide-spread attention, including heavy airplay on XM Satellite Radio.
Ty's second album, SONGS ABOUT LIFE AND GIRLS (BUT MOSTLY GIRLS), released in July, 2006, continued his incisive, sardonic and teasing view of the world and people. The humor and originality keep shining through.
Hager parted ways with Winthrop Records in 2007, and now makes his home in Independence, KS, where he is the new morning show host at KIND-FM 1029 Rocks. (www.1029rocks.com;www.myspace.com/1029rocksthenation)
I met you at bluebird in nashville back in 74 and I bought your cd. Great tunes guy and a great dork/smart ass. I love the song about your best friend stealing your girl friend.
Pretty darn good brother! How are things in Indy? When are my gorgeous nieces coming back down? What do you think about the latest family drama? Ugh! Love ya! :)
