“Hard work always pays off” is an adage that can sound cliché. That is, until you see the fruits of an artist’s labor paying off in a big way.
In just over a calendar year, Spencer Hatcher’s lifetime of work towards a country music career has taken shape. He signed a record deal, he’s introduced himself with several undeniably country songs and signed with one of the biggest booking agents in the business. Heck, even in the past week, his debut radio single, the infectious “When She Calls Me Cowboy,” became a Top 10 most-added song at U.S. country radio (Mediabase), earning double-digit adds upon its official impact date.
Today, Hatcher added another notch to his belt with the release of his debut EP, Honky Tonk Hideaway. Comprised mostly of songs released over the past year, the EP’s newly-released title track is a barn-burning good time that firmly cements Hatcher as one of the genre’s premiere honky tonkers.
We chatted with Hatcher all about the EP, the work he’s put into his career, his favorite honky tonk songs and more!
Pro Country: After several single releases over the last year, you’ve just released your debut EP, Honky Tonk Hideaway. How excited were you to release a full project, and how proud are you of the work you put in to reach this milestone?
Spencer Hatcher: Everything about this EP has been very exciting. Doing this is a prayer that I’ve prayed most of my life, so to see it finally happening after many years of hard work is amazing. Some people may use this lightly, but for me, it’s literally a dream come true. The past year, in particular, since I’ve signed with Stone Country Records, has been amazing. We’ve put in a tremendous amount of work. Everyone has their heart and soul in this. Most importantly to me is that I’ve been keeping it true to myself the entire time. A lot of times when you get into the industry, people try to change you, but that’s not how my label is. They made it very clear when they signed me that it was important to them that I never change who I am or what I’m doing. They want to help make me the best version of myself that I can possibly become. I think that we’re starting to see that in the music. I love what we’ve made: I love the production of it and I love keeping it country.
PC: The last time we talked, you had very recently sustained serious injuries from a fall, and you mentioned how Stone Country Records was very quick to give you a vote of confidence and stand behind you as you recovered. Now that you’re a year into working together, what has it meant to have them in your corner and to continuously see their belief in your artistry?
SH: It means the world. I’ve had trust issues in the past, and I tend not to sign deals that aren’t well-suited to me. This one was a no-brainer. This is one of the first and only things that I’ve signed my name to, because I’ve been doing it on my own for so long. We had a lot of success back in Virginia, but it was a pretty easy decision to make when Benny Brown and Stone Country Records came along and wanted to take me on and keep me involved every step of the way. They’ve stayed true to their word, and there’s no greater feeling than knowing you’re working with an outstanding team like that.
PC: Speaking of signing your name on things, you recently signed with WME for global representation. What does it mean to have them in your corner and to have their expertise with booking dates?
SH: It’s quite an honor. WME wanting to attach their name to me is a massive achievement. WME is one of the greatest in the game. They’re a monster in the industry. For me to have gone from booking and performing over 500 shows in four years to being able to let the professionals do what they do best is amazing.
PC: “Honky Tonk Hideaway” is a newly released track on its EP, and is a barn burner written by Jeffrey Steele and Brice Long. Can you tell us what you loved about the song when you heard it and what drew you to have the song serve as the EP’s title track?
SH: The demo was country. That always makes it easier. Sometimes, you’ll hear a demo that’s not very country, and you have to put your imagination to work with what you can do to it in the studio. Those guys are great writers. The song had a punch and feel that made it country. To me, it’s almost a revamped version of “Boot Scootin’ Boogie.” The first time we heard it, everyone knew we needed to cut the song. And I love what we did to it in the studio. It’s hard-driving, real country music. I hope and pray that the fans feel the same way.
PC: “When She Calls Me Cowboy” has earned hundreds of thousands of streams and views across platforms since its release. How encouraging has it been to see the response to the song and to see the life that it has continued to have?
SH: It’s been wildly encouraging. Something that’s hard for most artists, especially before you’ve had your first hit, is getting that feedback and building a fanbase so you can be seen as a true artist. I think “When She Calls Me Cowboy” has really helped me with that. “Cold Beer and Common Sense” was another one of those songs.
About a week or two after it came out, I was playing a show, and when I said we were about to play the song, the whole place erupted. Everybody sang every word to the song. That was the first time I got a true feel of what it would be like to have a hit. Having all of the great feedback and seeing the streams it’s gotten has been a very positive thing for me, and it gives me a lot of excitement and hope moving forward with everything I’ve got coming.
PC: On top of that response, “When She Calls Me Cowboy” was sent to country radio as a single this week. Now that you’ve seen the response it’s gotten from fans, how excited are you to get the song into the hands of DJs and to see how the song can perform at radio?
SH: I’m so excited. I don’t know a tremendous amount about radio, other than I grew up listening to it. As far as what radio really is and how it functions, I’m learning a tremendous amount. I’ve been on a radio tour for the last month and a half, and I’m having a ball. I’ve loved every minute of it. I think I’ve been in 20 different states in the last month. It’s been thousands of miles on the road of traveling and meeting people at radio that are the decision makers of what goes out into the world. To finally be doing it myself and having my song looked at as a song that’s going to be played on the radio is an honor. I’ve dreamed about it my whole life. Before I was signed, radio wouldn’t play me. I had some of my own songs that were from smaller studios in Nashville, but as an independent artist, I didn’t know what it would take to make it happen. To see it happening now, I can’t help but smile.
PC: Even though people have heard many of the songs on the EP already, what do you hope listeners take away from Honky Tonk Hideaway after listening all the way through as a complete project?
SH: I hope that it puts the artist I am in perspective. While they’ve heard most of the songs, I hope that they can go back, listen to it as a whole and hear that I’m a real country artist playing pure, straight country music. I hope they think every song is great. I want every song to have its own feel, character and story. I hope they feel that I’m doing something great for country music.
PC: With an EP title like Honky Tonk Hideaway, we’ll put you on the spot: can you tell us a few of your favorite honky tonk songs?
SH: They might not all have “honky tonk” in the title, but a song like “Pickup Man” by Joe Diffie. Brooks & Dunn have some great ones, like “Little Miss Honky Tonk” and “Boot Scootin’ Boogie.” George Strait’s “Unwound” is a great one. And then, of course, “All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Tonight” by Hank Jr.
PC: Honky Tonk Hideaway comes just over a year after your debut, “Cold Beer and Common Sense.” In that year, you’ve earned millions of streams, opened shows for legends like Josh Turner and Diamond Rio and just released your debut EP. What has it been like to see the trajectory of your career in the last year?
SH: It’s been amazing. Looking back, this year has been one of the hardest, but greatest years of my life. The many things I’ve been able to do, the people I’ve been able to meet and the songs that I’ve been able to put out are everything I’ve always wanted. I’ve had to pull myself back. I’m always looking forward, so now, I’m looking at next steps of multiplying that into next year. We did a tremendous job growing in the past year. Now, I want to stay on that incline. I’m always looking at the next thing, and it’s coming.
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