Hunter Hayes

Hunter Easton Hayes, born September 9, 1991, is an American multi-genre singer, songwriter, record producer, and multi-instrumentalist who is proficient at more than 30 instruments. He gained widespread commercial recognition with his 2011 self-titled debut album and its hit single "Wanted." His combination of songwriting and instrumental talent led Billboard to name him the leader of Country Music's Youth Revolution in 2014.

Hayes was born in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, as an only child. His parents have French Cajun ancestry along with English, Scots-Irish, and German heritage. Raised Catholic, he grew up singing in both English and French. Hayes began performing at age 2 and made appearances on television shows such as Maury, The Rosie O'Donnell Show, and Figure It Out by age 4. Actor Robert Duvall gave him his first guitar and amplifier on his 5th birthday. At age 7, Hayes performed for President Bill Clinton, and at 13, he appeared on America's Most Talented Kids. He released his debut independent album, Through My Eyes, in 2000, followed by additional independent records including Make a Wish, Holidays with Hunter, Honoring our French Heritage, and Songs About Nothing.

In 2008, Hayes relocated to Nashville, Tennessee, signing with Universal Music Publishing Group as a songwriter. After co-writing "Play" for Rascal Flatts, he signed with Atlantic Records Nashville in 2010. In 2011, he served as an opening act on Taylor Swift's Speak Now World Tour and launched his own headlining Most Wanted Tour. His self-titled major-label debut album was released in October 2011. Hayes co-wrote every track, played every instrument, and co-produced the record alongside Dann Huff.

The debut album reached number one on Top Country Albums and number seven on the Billboard 200, selling over 1.1 million copies and receiving a double platinum certification from the RIAA. Its second single, "Wanted," topped the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, making Hayes the youngest solo male act to achieve a number-one single on that chart. Subsequent singles from the album and its deluxe edition included "Somebody's Heartbreak," "I Want Crazy," "Everybody's Got Somebody but Me" featuring Jason Mraz, and "Light Me Up." During this period, Hayes opened for Carrie Underwood's Blown Away Tour, contributed a song to the Act of Valor soundtrack, and recorded a duet with Victoria Justice for the Footloose soundtrack.

Hayes premiered "Invisible" at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards before releasing his second studio album, Storyline, in 2014. To promote the album and raise awareness to end child hunger, he broke a Guinness World Record for the most concerts played in multiple cities in 24 hours. In 2015, he released "21," the title track for his EP and album The 21 Project. Hayes later canceled a planned 2018 studio album due to shifted priorities. Alongside his musical releases, he appeared on television programs such as Bella and the Bulldogs, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, and Darci Lynne: My Hometown Christmas.

In 2019, Hayes released the single "Heartbreak" and the album Wild Blue (Part I), which was later expanded into Wild Blue Complete in 2021. He competed as "Astronaut" on season three of The Masked Singer in 2020. Hayes subsequently released the albums Red Sky in 2023 and Evergreen in 2026. Over his career, he has earned five Grammy Award nominations, won the 2012 CMA Award for New Artist of the Year, received three BMI Awards, and was named a 2013 CMT Artist of the Year. He was also inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame and served as a brand ambassador for Martin Guitars.