Rising country artist and chart-topping songwriter Styles Haury is quickly making a name for himself in Nashville with his authentic storytelling and songs rooted in family, faith, and real life experiences. From co-writing “Country On” for Luke Bryan to preparing for the release of his deeply personal new EP 5 TO 9, Styles continues to connect with listeners through music that feels honest and relatable. The Northeast Ohio native recently connected with The Country Note for a special GTN (Getting to Know) feature to talk about songwriting, life beyond the daily grind, his recent debut at the Grand Ole Opry, and what fans can expect next.
CN: For our readers who may not be familiar with you, can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your journey from Northeast Ohio to Nashville?
SH: I’m a singer-songwriter, a dad, a husband, and someone who loves the outdoors. I grew up in Ohio and spent a few years in North Carolina. My dad owned a mechanical contracting company, and a country band used to rehearse in his shop. That’s really where the spark of music started for me. Watching them, listening to music, and eventually getting a drum kit from their drummer after my dad worked on his muscle car all lit a fire in me. After school and working different jobs like landscaping and pipe fitting, I realized music was always what was truly on my heart. That journey ultimately led me to Nashville — the best place I could imagine to chase that dream. A fun fact about me is that I hold the state record for moose in Maine with a TenPoint crossbow.
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CN: You’ve described your upcoming 5 TO 9 EP as music rooted in family, faith, and balancing everyday life. What inspired this project and why does it feel especially personal to you?
SH: This project was inspired one late night while I was working on a barn just off my house that my ex-Amish buddies helped me build. I had poured so much sweat and time into creating this place — somewhere to make memories, host hunting trips, and, honestly, get all the taxidermy out of the house. Happy wife, happy life, right? But while I was building it, it really hit me that we all have our daily grind to keep the bills paid, but it’s what we do in those hours outside of work — that 5-to-9 window — where we really build our dreams. Raising kids, building something meaningful, making memories — that’s the heart of it. From there, I started working with my producers Chris DeStefano and Phil O’Donnell to capture that feeling so many hardworking families live every day.
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CN: Which artists have influenced you both personally and as an artist, and what lessons have you taken from them into your own music?
SH: There are so many, but a few really stand out. Kenny Chesney, AC/DC and Brooks & Dunn have all shaped me in different ways too — from sound to stage presence to understanding the importance of choosing great songs. Their music taught me that songs can connect deeply with people’s everyday lives and that’s something I strive for in my own work. Phil Vassar’s “Just Another Day in Paradise” was definitely an influence on my new record 5 TO 9. Being able to now write with incredible people in Nashville who’ve worked with artists like that is something I don’t take for granted.
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CN: You co-wrote “Country On” for Luke Bryan, which became a No. 1 hit. What did that milestone mean for you as a songwriter and how did it shape your confidence moving forward?
SH: That milestone means everything. It reminded me that I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be. That song helped put my family in our first home and it showed me firsthand just how powerful one song can be. It gave me confidence, validated the hard work and definitely made me even hungrier to keep chasing this dream more.
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CN: Can you take us through your songwriting process? Do songs usually begin with a personal experience, a title, or a melody for you?
SH: For me, it’s really important to write what you live. I think the best songs come from real life, so I try to stay out there experiencing things, picking up ideas, titles and finding inspiration in everyday moments. Sometimes it starts with a title, sometimes a melody, and sometimes just a cool riff that feels right. I’m always recording little ideas, then going back through them to find something that connects emotionally and feels authentic.
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CN: “Broke Down In My Truck” has a really clever emotional twist to it. What was the writing session with Pryor Baird like and how did the song come together?
SH: That song came from a very real place for both Pryor and me. We were both going through tough seasons in life at the time. Pryor came in late and said, “Sorry man, I broke down in my truck.” I assumed he meant vehicle trouble, but he was actually talking about emotionally breaking down. I told him I was in a similar place, and right then we knew we had something real to write about. We wrote it in about 45 minutes, straight from the heart. It was one of those sessions where the truth just poured out.
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CN: The title track “5 to 9” flips the traditional “9 to 5” mindset. What message were you hoping listeners would take away from that song and the EP as a whole?
SH: I hope people hear this project and truly relate to it. Life is hard — balancing work, marriage, kids, finances and dreams isn’t easy. But I wanted this EP to remind people that while the 9-to-5 may pay the bills, it’s what you do outside of that — chasing dreams, building your family, making memories — that really defines your life. I hope it encourages people to appreciate the grind, give themselves grace and remember that all the hard work is worth it.
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CN: As a husband and father of three, how has family life changed the way you approach songwriting and your career goals?
SH: Family has absolutely given me more fuel and purpose. It’s made me clearer on what matters most and why I work so hard. My wife and kids are my biggest motivation. At the same time, I’ve been blessed with incredible mentors and friends in Nashville like Phil O’Donnell, Casey Beathard, Dave Turnbull, Kris Rochester and Chris DeStefano, who’ve helped guide me along the way. Having both family and strong mentors has really shaped how I approach both music and life.
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CN: You recently made your debut at the Grand Ole Opry. What was going through your mind during that moment and what did it mean to finally stand in that circle?
SH: It was surreal. Standing in that circle was checking off a dream I’d carried for years. To share that moment with my wife, kids, and close friends made it even more special. I was excited, nervous, grateful — honestly, every emotion all at once. It’s one of those moments I’ll carry with me forever.
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CN: You’ve shared the stage with artists like Brantley Gilbert, Darius Rucker, and Dwight Yoakam. Is there a performance or tour memory that really stands out to you?
SH: One that really stands out is opening for Jake Owen early in my career. He was incredibly kind and supportive. Years later, reconnecting with him in Nashville and building a real friendship was already special, but what really meant the most was him showing up for me during a family crisis with my dad. That was a true full-circle moment and showed me the kind of person he really is.
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CN: If you could collaborate with any one artist, who would it be and why?
SH: Without a doubt, Kenny Chesney. I’ve always been inspired by his songs, especially tracks like “Don’t Blink,” and I admire how intentional he’s been with his brand and career. His music has always connected deeply, and I think blending his beach vibe with my outdoors, woods-driven style could create something really unique.
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CN: What was the very first concert you ever attended, and do you remember what impact it had on you?
SH: My first concert was AC/DC on the Black Ice tour in Cleveland, Ohio. I went with my high school band buddies, and it absolutely blew us away. That night lit a serious fire in all of us and made the dream of making music feel even bigger.
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CN: If you could describe yourself in one word, what would it be and why?
SH: Focused. I say that because I’m deeply driven in every part of my life — music, family, my career and making the most of every opportunity I’ve been given. I really try to stay locked in on the good, work hard, chase dreams and live life to the fullest while I’m here.
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CN: What else can fans look forward to from you this year following the release of 5 TO 9?
SH: Beyond 5 TO 9, I’m really excited about releasing God’s Grocery Store: Aisle 2 this fall. It’s a collaboration project with other artists and friends in the music industry who share a love for the outdoors. It’ll build on the spirit of Aisle 1 I previously release while bringing even more songs that connect faith, outdoorsmanship and lifestyle — and it’ll be dropping at the perfect time for hunting season.
Known for his dynamic live performances, Styles has shared the stage with notable acts including Brantley Gilbert, Darius Rucker, Chris Janson, Brett Eldredge, Jake Owen, Uncle Kracker and Dwight Yoakam. For the latest information, visit StylesHauryMusic.com and follow his journey on Instagram @StylesHauryMusic and TikTok @StylesHauryCountry.