Para bailar la bamba! Jake Hoot Releases Cover of Ritchie Valens’ Classic

After the past eight months of dealing with the conditions of the pandemic, who wouldn’t want to have a chance of letting loose and having a party? Socially distanced of course. Season 17 champion of The Voice Jake Hoot has just the right song to get us up and dancing some of this stress out of our bodies! He recorded his version of Ritchie Valens’ “La Bamba” available today!  Hoot, along with some of his closest Voice Alumni friends, bring back the classic track and all the feel good vibes!

We caught up with Hoot to talk about how he’s been dealing with the pandemic, why he decided to cover Valens’ iconic song, and more.

CN: For our readers who may not be familiar with you, can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

JH: Hmmm, well, my name is Jake Hoot. I am the dad to a beautiful 5 year old little girl, I’m about to be married to the woman of my dreams, and I’m a musician! I was the winner of Season 17 of The Voice, and am a full time musician in Nashville, TN!

CN: With everything that’s 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?

JH: We are all good! My fiancée, Brittney, and I contracted it a few months back, but thankfully it wasn’t too bad! I will say that I am so ready for COVID to up and leave, though!

CN: How have you been keeping yourself busy and inspired during this unprecedented time?

JH: I have been writing a TON! Its amazing how when life in general gets thrown into a blender (thanks COVID), you find so many new things to write about!

CN: At what age did you discover music? When did you realize that you wanted to pursue a career as a country artist?

JH: Just like so many other musicians, I think I was humming long before I could even talk! For as long as I can remember, I’ve always loved music, and knew early on that I wanted to do it in some fashion! However, I didn’t make the plunge into a full-time career until March of this year!

CN: What was it like moving to the Dominican Republic at such an influential age (9) and not moving back to the States until a decade later?

JH: It was a BLAST! When you’re that young, it all feels like an adventure! We loved it! Once we finished our homework every day, we would go out and play with all the neighborhood kids, and actually learned Spanish that way! Moving back was a little different. Going from a 3rd world country, to the states, was a learning curve, but I was so blessed to have so many people who helped me along the way!

CN: Was country music popular in the D.R.?

JH: It was NOT. My parents listened to some music, like John Denver, Jimmy Buffet, The Carpenters, etc., but it wasn’t until I moved back and went to college that I fell in love with it!

CN: Have you taken aspects of the music culture and applied them to your music?

JH: Absolutely! The music in the DR was very rhythm heavy, so I learned at an early age to keep a good rhythm! I have also written a few tunes that are very island-y!

CN: While living in the D.R., you became fluent in Spanish, something you bring front and center on your new single, an incredible cover of Ritchie Valens’ classic “La Bamba.” What led you to release this cover?

JH: I have always LOVED this song! I can remember singing this with my siblings when we were younger, and even now at my shows, anytime I play that first guitar riff, everyone knows what song it is! I had asked to sing it while I was on The Voice, but didn’t get it cleared. Now, I’m so excited for everyone to hear our take on such a classic tune! I can’t thank Danny Myrick enough for his vision on this song!

CN: And it’s not just a single – it’s a whole reunion as you have several Voice alumni joining you: Ricky Duran on lead guitar and background vocals from Alex Guthrie, Max Boyle, Gracie Shriver, Zoe Upkins, Jordan McCullough, Jordan Chase and Brittney Hoyt. How did this idea come about?

JH: I had always known that I wanted Ricky on it! He is such an incredible vocalist and guitarist, but even more, a great guy! The rest kind of came together last second! I had wanted a mariachi band to be featured in the video, but they ended up canceling last second, so I thought who better than my peeps from The Voice! I was really hoping we could have more like Cali Wilson, Ricky Braddy, ShaneQ, and others, but time constraints didn’t allow it!

CN: There is also a studio performance video with everyone. What was that like seeing everybody during the pandemic, taking precautions?

JH: It was great to see everyone! Obviously with the craziness of COVID, we had to take a few precautions, but it was so nice to be around my Voice Fam again!

CN: Side note: have to comment on your choice of shirt. Colter Wall. Well done. ::thumbs up::

JH: Thank you! I love Colter! I’ve seen him a few times in concert, and he just gets better and better.

CN: Favorite Colter song?

JH: Either “Kate McCannon,” or “Transcendent Ramblin’ Railroad Blues”!

CN: Let’s go back to Season 17 of The Voice. From a one chair turn at the blinds to working with Kelly Clarkson to winning it all – what is the biggest lesson you learned from that whole experience?

JH: To quit doubting and disqualifying myself! To have more confidence in my craft! Kelly was a great encourager!

CN: If you were able to collaborate with any one artist, who would it be?

JH: Luke Combs

CN: If you could describe yourself in one word, what would it be and why?

JH: Driven. I have always had a drive to be the best in whatever I was doing, playing football, scrubbing toilets, selling radio, ect, I have always strived to be excellent. And I have my parents examples to thank for it! They were always so hard working.

CN: Where can fans find you? Are you livestreaming?

JH: I am! They can find me on Instagram @jake.hoot.music or on Facebook @jakehootmusic!

CN: What’s next on the horizon for you?

JH: Releasing “La Bamba” on Nov 6th, the full EP in January, and then getting married in March of 2021! So many exciting things that I cant wait to get started!

Stream or download “La Bamba” here.

For more information on Jake Hoot, visit his website at www.jakehoot.com and follow him on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.