Southeast Missouri State University student publication

Memphis-based Bryan Hayes to debut album at local show

Tuesday, September 1, 2015
Bryan Hayes will perform an album release show starting at 6 p.m. Sept. 4 at Cup 'n Cork.

Bryan Hayes' fourth studio album "Farther Down the Line" was seven years in the making.

Hayes started writing the title track all the way back in 2007. His up-and-coming music career was put on hold, though, when he enlisted in the Army National Guard. He was deployed to Iraq from late 2009 through the fall of 2010.

Even so, he didn't stop writing. About half his songs on "Farther Down the Line" were written during his time overseas. Only, his lyrics changed. He saw life a little bit differently when he returned home.

"I don't think you help but, hopefully, grow and mature when you're sent to a combat zone," Hayes said.

He talked about God and politics. He wasn't afraid to address those conversational taboos. Hayes said he felt an increased confidence out of being more open with his listeners.

"That's a hard thing to do because it's such a personal thing to you," Hayes said. "Sometimes it's a little hard to share it. Having done that now, I don't think we'll ever do another record any other way."

He added that level of honesty resulted in a stronger end product. Hayes said listeners relate to raw character, even if they don't connect to the situation.

"Willie Nelson, in his book, I remember it was just real simple, he said, 'You know what's the key to your songwriting success,' and he said, 'I write about what I know.' So we've always taken that approach," Hayes said.

But coming home from war wasn't just jumping back into the saddle either. Being out of the music scene for three years, Hayes said it was starting from "ground zero." He and his band had to reestablish their reputation with booking agents, the press and most importantly, fans.

"It was just like being in a brand new band," Hayes said.

They also had to connect as bandmates again. He wasn't used to the 200 to 215 shows demanded out of a tour.

Hayes said he typically releases records within two years of one another. An unset period called for a different approach. It can't be disputed that seven years is a stretch when it comes to making an album, but it allowed Hayes the luxury of edits. Playing the songs over and over again hundreds of times before going into the studio proved a much smoother process when they did finally get there.

Hayes said he got his start as a musician later than most. It all began when his neighbor from Texas introduced him to country greats like Guy Clark and Robert Earl Keen during his sophomore year of college.

"As soon as I heard those, the bug just bit me," Hayes said.

He borrowed his dad's acoustic from home and taught himself the basics. It didn't take long.

"As soon as I learned three or four chords I was immediately songwriting," Hayes said. "Those Texas songwriters, there was just something about it. It was so stripped down and so honest and intimate, I was like, 'Man, I wanna do that.'"

Essentially, the rest is history. Hayes got involved with songwriting groups in Memphis, Tennessee, and moved on from covers to performing his own material. His sound came out with hints of a "country Tom Petty or Bruce Springsteen," undertones of John Prine, and he debuted his first album "Just a Man" in 2004.

From then to now, Hayes has four albums and military service under his belt, in addition to owning Retriever Records, an independent record label, and Farmhouse Recording Studios. Retriever Records focuses on helping new, aspiring artists, often local, get their foot in the door of the music industry.

Traveling clear from New York to California on his first ever coast-to-coast tour, Hayes and his band, the Retrievers, are making a stop in Cape Girardeau for an album release show.

The performance will be held at 6 p.m. Sept. 4 at Cup 'n Cork, and weather permitting, the show will take place out on the Coffee Grounds. Hayes said he's strictly playing an acoustic set that evening.

Cup 'n Cork owner Patrick Abbott said his local coffee shop has hosted Hayes twice before, and the crowd always enjoys him.

"We just set him up and he goes," Abbott said.

Whether it's a characteristic Thursday open mic night or bringing in an out-of-state musician, Abbott said as a business owner, he's concerned with providing the best source of entertainment for the customer.

"I think it's important to have the highest quality people we can afford," Abbott said.

Hayes acknowledged Cape Girardeau's college population, but said there was still a "small town feel" he identified with. He likes the close-knit community here.

"Even though it's very much a city and it's very much growing, it still has a little bit of that laid back, kind of small town feel to it, which that's the core to our songwriting and the core to our songs," Hayes said. "It just seems to be a natural fit."

All proceeds from the purchase of Hayes' single "I Wanna Run" will go to the Wounded Warrior Project.

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