WILL HOGE
''NEVER GIVE IN''
OCTOBER 15 2013
36:06
1 /A Different Man
Patrick Davis / Will Hoge/3:15
2 /Goodbye Ain't Always Gone
Dylan Altman / Rose Falcon / Will Hoge/3:12
3 /Never Give In
Dylan Altman / Will Hoge/3:00
4 /This Time Around
Dylan Altman / Will Hoge/3:41
5 /Still Got You on My Mind
Dylan Altman / Will Hoge/3:08
6 /Home Is Where the Heart Breaks
Will Hoge/3:24
7 /Daddy Was a Gambling Man
Will Hoge / Adam Ollendorff/2:57
8 /Pale September
Will Hoge/3:31
9 /Bad Old Days
Dylan Altman / Will Hoge/3:18
10 /Damn Spotlight (Julia's Song)
Will Hoge/3:16
11 /Strong/3:24
Jessi Alexander /Vocals (Background)
Adam Beard /Bass
Pat Buchanon /Guitar (Acoustic)
Nick Buda /Drums, Percussion
Tom Bukovac /Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric)
Ken Coomer /Drums
John Deaderick /Organ, Piano
Kenny Greenberg /Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric)
Tony Harrell /Organ, Piano
Will Hoge /Guitar (Acoustic), Vocals, Vocals (Background)
Scotty Huff /Vocals (Background)
Robert Kearns /Bass
Kristen Kelly /Vocals (Background)
Doug Lancio /Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric)
Ashley Monroe /Vocals (Background)
Maureen Murphy /Vocals (Background)
John Randall /Vocals (Background)
Harmonie Reddick /Vocals (Background)
Michael Webb /Piano
REVIEW
by Thom Jurek
Since 2001, Nashville singer and songwriter Will Hoge has steadfastly and stubbornly tread a singular path through a brutal and increasingly confused music industry. He's been with the majors, the big independents, and on his own. He's actually thrived, becoming an in-demand songwriter who has grown his audience through quality releases and a relentless touring schedule. Never Give In is aptly titled. These 11 songs are potent, chock-full of great story songs all delivered in under four minutes. They wed guitar-driven rock & roll, country, Americana, and Southern R&B. Love is the prevalent theme here. Opener "A Different Man" reveals the influence of Bob Seger. It's anthemic rock underscored with a grainy, R&B-tinged delivery framed by a stirring female gospel chorus. It's what a rock & roll love song should sound like. The hook-laden rocker "Goodbye Ain't Always Gone" reflects love's other side. Despite the bravado in the lyric, the protagonist's raw vulnerability saturates the song. There are textures and production touches in the title track that recall those that John Mellencamp used on Scarecrow, but the song is pure Hoge: it's the individual and his beloved against the world. Despite its time-worn theme, the singer really sells it. The meld of Americana and contemporary country in "Still Got You on My Mind," with Kristen Kelly's and Ashley Monroe's plaintive, earthy backing vocals, makes it a prime candidate for a single. "Home Is Where the Heart Breaks" is a hard luck story told in a big way. With its melodic hook, ringing slide guitars, power chords, rolling drums, and an R&B backing chorus, Hoge's protagonist is thoroughly beaten, but surrender still isn't an option; the guitars hold him up even as he falters. "Daddy Was a Gambling Man" is a lean, lilting country story-song, with a melody as beautiful and moving as anything he's written. "Bad Ol Days" is a rocker that juxtaposes gratitude and the nostalgic wish for excess, and contains genuine irony. "Damn Spotlight (Julia's Song)" is the set's most tender ballad. It's sad as hell, but the longing in the grain of Hoge's voice as it hovers above the sparse, atmospheric mix offers a portrait of a character so thoroughly bereft he has no choice but to fake it until he makes it -- or dies. The set's first single, "Strong," is a bonus cut. Chevy used it in its 2014 Silverado pickup campaign. It's a midtempo rock ballad balancing acoustic and electric guitars, dobro, and lonesome B-3 with majestically played drums. It convincingly portrays an everyman -- tough, reliable, and generous -- much like Seger's "Like a Rock," also used by Chevy, though they sound nothing alike. It's a fitting closer for Never Give In, an album that abundantly captures all of Hoge's strengths as both singer and songwriter.
BIOGRAPHY
by Erik Hage
Born and raised in Tennessee, songwriter Will Hoge made his name honing a blend of soulful Americana and heartland rock & roll. After spending his childhood in the Nashville suburb of Franklin, he left Tennessee to study history at Western Kentucky University. Music drew him back home, however, and he relocated to Nashville to assemble a band that included former Georgia Satellites guitarist Dan Baird. Hoge then cut his teeth on the Southern bar circuit and issued a live release, 1999's All Night Long, before inking a deal with Atlantic Records.
With the label's support, he entered Memphis' famed Ardent Studios to record his official debut, Carousel, with engineer John Hampton (the Replacements, Gin Blossoms). The album was released in 2000, and Blackbird on a Lonely Wire followed in 2003 (albeit without Baird, who'd left due to the band's demanding tour schedule). Record sales were slim, though, and Hoge found himself receiving minimal attention from his label. Requesting release from his contract, Hoge was made a free agent.
Following his departure from the Atlantic roster, Hoge combined a relentless tour schedule with a string of independent releases, from live albums and brief EPs to a full-fledged studio effort (2006's The Man Who Killed Love). Rykodisc took note of Hoge's work, particularly his 200-plus shows per year, and signed the artist. Draw the Curtains, Hoge's fourth studio album and first effort for Rykodisc, was released in October 2007, followed by -- what else? -- an aggressive fall tour. Recording sessions for another record began in 2008, but work was temporarily postponed on August 20th, when a scooter accident left Hoge severely injured. Months of physical therapy followed. Hoge focused on his recovery for the remainder of 2008, eventually returning to the studio project in 2009 and releasing The Wreckage later that year. Hoge put out his seventh studio album, the appropriately titled Number Seven, in September 2011.
He and co-writer Eric Paslay received 2012 Academy of Country Music (ACM), Country Music Association (CMA) and Grammy nominations for Best Country Song for "Even If It Breaks Your Heart," the opening track on the Eli Young Band's album Life at Best. In December of 2012, Hoge released the digital-only EP Modern American Protest Music, which included the songs "Folded Flag" and "Ballad of Trayvon Martin." In October of 2013, Never Give In, his eighth full-length, was released by, Cumberland Recordings. The album's first single, "Strong," was tapped by Chevy for its 2014 Silverado pickup truck ad campaign.
''NEVER GIVE IN''
OCTOBER 15 2013
36:06
1 /A Different Man
Patrick Davis / Will Hoge/3:15
2 /Goodbye Ain't Always Gone
Dylan Altman / Rose Falcon / Will Hoge/3:12
3 /Never Give In
Dylan Altman / Will Hoge/3:00
4 /This Time Around
Dylan Altman / Will Hoge/3:41
5 /Still Got You on My Mind
Dylan Altman / Will Hoge/3:08
6 /Home Is Where the Heart Breaks
Will Hoge/3:24
7 /Daddy Was a Gambling Man
Will Hoge / Adam Ollendorff/2:57
8 /Pale September
Will Hoge/3:31
9 /Bad Old Days
Dylan Altman / Will Hoge/3:18
10 /Damn Spotlight (Julia's Song)
Will Hoge/3:16
11 /Strong/3:24
Jessi Alexander /Vocals (Background)
Adam Beard /Bass
Pat Buchanon /Guitar (Acoustic)
Nick Buda /Drums, Percussion
Tom Bukovac /Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric)
Ken Coomer /Drums
John Deaderick /Organ, Piano
Kenny Greenberg /Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric)
Tony Harrell /Organ, Piano
Will Hoge /Guitar (Acoustic), Vocals, Vocals (Background)
Scotty Huff /Vocals (Background)
Robert Kearns /Bass
Kristen Kelly /Vocals (Background)
Doug Lancio /Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric)
Ashley Monroe /Vocals (Background)
Maureen Murphy /Vocals (Background)
John Randall /Vocals (Background)
Harmonie Reddick /Vocals (Background)
Michael Webb /Piano
REVIEW
by Thom Jurek
Since 2001, Nashville singer and songwriter Will Hoge has steadfastly and stubbornly tread a singular path through a brutal and increasingly confused music industry. He's been with the majors, the big independents, and on his own. He's actually thrived, becoming an in-demand songwriter who has grown his audience through quality releases and a relentless touring schedule. Never Give In is aptly titled. These 11 songs are potent, chock-full of great story songs all delivered in under four minutes. They wed guitar-driven rock & roll, country, Americana, and Southern R&B. Love is the prevalent theme here. Opener "A Different Man" reveals the influence of Bob Seger. It's anthemic rock underscored with a grainy, R&B-tinged delivery framed by a stirring female gospel chorus. It's what a rock & roll love song should sound like. The hook-laden rocker "Goodbye Ain't Always Gone" reflects love's other side. Despite the bravado in the lyric, the protagonist's raw vulnerability saturates the song. There are textures and production touches in the title track that recall those that John Mellencamp used on Scarecrow, but the song is pure Hoge: it's the individual and his beloved against the world. Despite its time-worn theme, the singer really sells it. The meld of Americana and contemporary country in "Still Got You on My Mind," with Kristen Kelly's and Ashley Monroe's plaintive, earthy backing vocals, makes it a prime candidate for a single. "Home Is Where the Heart Breaks" is a hard luck story told in a big way. With its melodic hook, ringing slide guitars, power chords, rolling drums, and an R&B backing chorus, Hoge's protagonist is thoroughly beaten, but surrender still isn't an option; the guitars hold him up even as he falters. "Daddy Was a Gambling Man" is a lean, lilting country story-song, with a melody as beautiful and moving as anything he's written. "Bad Ol Days" is a rocker that juxtaposes gratitude and the nostalgic wish for excess, and contains genuine irony. "Damn Spotlight (Julia's Song)" is the set's most tender ballad. It's sad as hell, but the longing in the grain of Hoge's voice as it hovers above the sparse, atmospheric mix offers a portrait of a character so thoroughly bereft he has no choice but to fake it until he makes it -- or dies. The set's first single, "Strong," is a bonus cut. Chevy used it in its 2014 Silverado pickup campaign. It's a midtempo rock ballad balancing acoustic and electric guitars, dobro, and lonesome B-3 with majestically played drums. It convincingly portrays an everyman -- tough, reliable, and generous -- much like Seger's "Like a Rock," also used by Chevy, though they sound nothing alike. It's a fitting closer for Never Give In, an album that abundantly captures all of Hoge's strengths as both singer and songwriter.
BIOGRAPHY
by Erik Hage
Born and raised in Tennessee, songwriter Will Hoge made his name honing a blend of soulful Americana and heartland rock & roll. After spending his childhood in the Nashville suburb of Franklin, he left Tennessee to study history at Western Kentucky University. Music drew him back home, however, and he relocated to Nashville to assemble a band that included former Georgia Satellites guitarist Dan Baird. Hoge then cut his teeth on the Southern bar circuit and issued a live release, 1999's All Night Long, before inking a deal with Atlantic Records.
With the label's support, he entered Memphis' famed Ardent Studios to record his official debut, Carousel, with engineer John Hampton (the Replacements, Gin Blossoms). The album was released in 2000, and Blackbird on a Lonely Wire followed in 2003 (albeit without Baird, who'd left due to the band's demanding tour schedule). Record sales were slim, though, and Hoge found himself receiving minimal attention from his label. Requesting release from his contract, Hoge was made a free agent.
Following his departure from the Atlantic roster, Hoge combined a relentless tour schedule with a string of independent releases, from live albums and brief EPs to a full-fledged studio effort (2006's The Man Who Killed Love). Rykodisc took note of Hoge's work, particularly his 200-plus shows per year, and signed the artist. Draw the Curtains, Hoge's fourth studio album and first effort for Rykodisc, was released in October 2007, followed by -- what else? -- an aggressive fall tour. Recording sessions for another record began in 2008, but work was temporarily postponed on August 20th, when a scooter accident left Hoge severely injured. Months of physical therapy followed. Hoge focused on his recovery for the remainder of 2008, eventually returning to the studio project in 2009 and releasing The Wreckage later that year. Hoge put out his seventh studio album, the appropriately titled Number Seven, in September 2011.
He and co-writer Eric Paslay received 2012 Academy of Country Music (ACM), Country Music Association (CMA) and Grammy nominations for Best Country Song for "Even If It Breaks Your Heart," the opening track on the Eli Young Band's album Life at Best. In December of 2012, Hoge released the digital-only EP Modern American Protest Music, which included the songs "Folded Flag" and "Ballad of Trayvon Martin." In October of 2013, Never Give In, his eighth full-length, was released by, Cumberland Recordings. The album's first single, "Strong," was tapped by Chevy for its 2014 Silverado pickup truck ad campaign.
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