When one discovers their passion to perform, it’s like a flame is lit within and it would take a storm of all storms to even attempt to put it out. That flame was lit in 5 year old Fordie Hays, and it is still burning bright after its own battles with a few storms. Entering the country music scene in 2011, Fordie released his debut single which lead to working with a country music icon and several more singles, including “There’s Gonna Be a Fight” featuring American Idol alumni Skyler Laine, but personal responsibilities lead him back home to work Mississippi. Even then that fire burned as he would spend half each year in Nashville chasing his country music dream.
We caught up with Fordie to talk about that very journey, his most recent single “More In This Glass” and what’s to come.
CN: With everything that’s been going on in the world in regards to COVID-19, we hope everyone in your circle is safe and healthy. How are you holding up?
FH: Thank you so much! We have been staying inside and safe during this crazy time. Despite the circumstances, everyone here at home with me is great.
CN: Growing up in a musical family, you knew fairly early on that you wanted to pursue a career in music. Was there a specific moment that just solidified your decision? When you just knew that this was what you were meant to do?
FH: At 5 years old, I went to a Travis Tritt show where he pulled up on stage in his Harley Davidson. From that day, I knew someday I wanted to do the same.
CN: Which musicians, country or not, have influenced you both personally and as an artist?
FH: Elvis was always my favorite because he had the most giving heart. He looked out for others, not just himself. That was always so cool to me.
CN: What was the first album you ever owned?
FH: The first album I owned was a Michael Bolton record. As a kid, I rode with my grandmother to work most summers and she loved him. That was the only music we could agree on. She bought me my first portable CD player and she gave that album to go with it.
CN: There was a six year period in your life where you’d spend 6 months working in Mississippi on an oil rig, and the next 6 months in Nashville working on music. That took true determination and had to be mentally and physically exhausting. What was going through your mind during each half-year shift? How did you stay motivated and not lose sight of your goal?
FH: You know, working on a rig was tough but I loved it. I was a father at 20, so honestly I never thought twice about it. I wanted to take care of my son but also wanted my dream of being a singer to still happen.
CN: In 2011 you released your debut single “Life in the Slow Lane” and 4 years later you were signed to Go Time Records, owned by the legendary Kent Wells. What was it like to work with such an icon?
FH: Kent is a great man. He taught me a lot. I got to do some awesome things with Go Time Records and I feel like the things he taught me will definitely last through the years in my recordings.
CN: What insight into the craft did you learn while working with Kent Wells that you have carried with you as you move forward with your career?
FH: Kent would laugh when I’d say that I just couldn’t get there on a note. He would come into the recording room with me and say, “You definitely can do this. Try it this way,” and it always helped. He just had a way to make it look easy.
CN: Last year you took what ended up being quite the fortuitous trip to Las Vegas with some friends. What happened on that trip that has brought you to where you are today?
FH: I met Jeff Silvey at the Nashville Unplugged show at Mandalay Bay. One of my friends who was playing the show asked me to come on stage and play a few songs. Immediately after I got off stage, Jeff came up to talk to me. A month later, we were in the studio on Music Row recording some great new songs.
CN: You recently released your newest single “More in This Glass.” Can you share with our readers what they can expect from the song?
FH: “More in This Glass” is a sweet and heartfelt song that describes what it’s like when you’re feeling a lot more than you’re letting on. I think a lot of people will be able to relate to this song, just like I did when I first heard it.
CN: What was the inspiration behind the track?
FH: Jeff spent over five months trying to find the perfect songs for my next album. When he found this song, he called me into the studio immediately. When he played it for me, we both just knew it was the one.
CN: With the new single, will there be more new music to follow?
FH: We are super excited about this release, and we hope to follow up with a music video very soon. We’re planning on getting back into the studio to record new music as soon as possible. Also, we are hoping to get some tour dates on the books, as soon as it’s safe enough to do so.
CN: If you had the opportunity to collaborate with any one artist, who would it be?
FH: I have always said that I would collaborate with Travis Tritt, because he truly turned on the love for music inside my soul.
CN: What was the first concert you ever attended?
FH: The first concert I ever went to was the Travis Tritt show I mentioned earlier. When I was five years old, I won a raffle at the local grocery store. The prizes were free tickets to Travis Tritt’s concert. The first time I decided I wanted to be a countrysinger was after that concert.
CN: If you could describe yourself in one word, what would it be and why?
FH: I’d say “dynamic” is the word I would use to describe myself, because I have a lot of energy and I can think creatively.
CN: What’s next on the horizon for you?
FH: I hope to have some new music and scheduled tour dates very soon. I just plan on putting my heart and soul and everything I have on the line to continue to make this work, follow my dreams and create new music for my fans.
For more information on Fordie Hays, follow him on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.