One glance at my social media pages and you will have no doubt who my favorite country artists are. But the question I get so often is why? What is so special about Halfway to Hazard. Well if you have to ask this question you’ve obviously never seen them perform live. But let me go back to the first time I found out about them and where my admiration for them began. September 2014 a friend and I load up the car to go to the middle of eastern Kentucky to see a favorite artist, Chris Young, perform at a charity event. I am notoriously early for everything, especially if I don’t know where I’m going. This day was no exception. My thought process was it’s an all day festival with Chris Young performing and tickets are only $10. . .people will be lined up everywhere and I need to be early to get a good spot. Well we got there early all right and put our chairs right up front. There were two guys on stage sound checking.
Who are they I asked my friend? They were so funny and were cutting up with the “crowd” all ten of us lol. They sounded awesome too. We said to each other, they’re really good, I like them. We knew nothing of their backstory and were coming in blind but immediately they impressed us.( Fast forward to their set. . . ) They began singing the song “Daisy” it was beautiful and sounded a little familiar but I wasn’t sure, but the crowd loved it. The crowd began to sing out and over power David and Chad. It was at this point David got teary eyed and emotional. Oh my, who is this man? It was such a beautiful moment. He thanked the crowd for never giving up on him and always believing in this song. He had to walk away and wipe his tears. I started to cry and didn’t even know what was going on. Then after they finished their set a surprise guest came on stage. A senator or some political figure (ha) came on stage and presented them with the highest honor bestowed upon a citizen of the State of Kentucky, the Admiral of Kentucky award. He told us how rare it is to receive this honor and that David and Chad were receiving it because of all their charity work and money raised for the State of Kentucky. Once again David got a little teary eyed. I looked at my friend and said I’ve got to know who these guys are! I was hooked. I went home and researched the group. Watched youtube videos, read articles and bought their records. But their tour page was pretty bare. I was dying for a show. I had to see these guys perform again.
I saw them perform a couple of times after that but never had the guts to introduce myself. During the holidays of 2014 my mom was diagnosed and went through treatments and surgery for colorectal cancer. I found out that Halfway to Hazard was participating in Craig Campbell’s Celebrity Corn Hole tournament to raise money and awareness for colorectal cancer. I knew without a doubt I had to go. Then I found out that I could bid to play with one of the guys in the corn hole tournament and I placed my bid and won. Then I panicked. I had never played corn hole before AND I would have to meet these guys I admired so much. (I have social anxiety and am pretty socially awkward at times so this was a major ordeal!) The morning of the tournament I was a ball of nerves and thought of backing out but I had to do it for mom! When it was time I walked up to David and introduced myself , “I’m the reason you’re gonna lose today!” We had a good laugh, but I said I’m serious I’ve never played before. They were so kind and we had a great day. Yes we lost! We were the worst team out there ha! But we had a good time.
By a twist of fate I guess, the next few weeks were filled with shows and I had the days off work. The first was the last show of their Douglas Corner series. The guys both seemed happy to see me and bonus Chris Young showed up to watch their performance. Next was the Waiting for Wishes after party. I had already purchased my ticket before it was announced that H2H would perform. I was sitting with a group of people I had never met when David came up from behind. He asked the people how they knew me and they said we don’t. He said “You really should because she’s awesome. She’s a horrible corn hole player but an awesome person.” I was beaming!! That same week they did a couple of shows in Kentucky at the Louisville & Lexington Tin Roofs. I had people that wanted to go to both shows because they’d never seen the guys before so I took them. In less than two weeks I had seen 4 performances. I was in over my head. I was going through PCD (post concert depression Ha) and kept checking the tour page for more dates. There was no going back now. I was officially a H2H junkie.
Every time I see the guys on or off stage they are so genuine and friendly. I actually ran into to Chad one night on the town in Nashville. He talked with me 20 minutes or longer. You just don’t find that very often. They are the most down to earth and sincere people I’ve met in a long time. I tell everyone I meet about Halfway to Hazard and recommend their music and live shows. I don’t mind driving a few hours to see a show because I know it’ll be good and worth my drive. I’ve lost count of how many shows I’ve seen but it’s never enough. They’ve got my support full heartedly, but they have earned it. I don’t give that out to just any ole group. It isn’t just about their voices, which are amazing by the way, it’s not just about the way they treat me and seem honestly happy that I’m there, or the way they tirelessly give of themselves to multiple charities but a culmination of all of this that makes them so special to me. Take a listen to their newest single Heaven On Down The Highway and you’ll agree their harmonies are something to be envied, but you have to see them perform live to get a true appreciation for them. Do it and I promise you won’t be disappointed!! Go to their website www.halfwaytohazard.com for a complete tour listing. Chances are if you go to one of their shows I’ll be there too!!