Saultite Tyson Hanes gaining traction on country music radio

Nashville-based singer/songwriter Tyson Hanes says he got to visit a lot of people during his December stop in Sault Ste. Marie, where he was promoting his first single, Other Than That, on local country radio. 

“It’s always too fast. It was great,” Hanes told SooToday while waiting for a flight in Ottawa Friday. “I ended up playing an impromptu show in Wawa, and then driving back through a blizzard.”

“It’s always too short but I got to visit a lot of people, so that was really good. The interview at Country 104.3 went great - it’s always awesome getting in there for an interview.”

It was just one stop on Hanes’ recent 11-city tour of country music radio stations throughout Ontario, including stops in Sudbury, North Bay and Manitoulin Island. 

“Really cool,” Hanes said of his single being played on country radio. “I was just talking to somebody about that, and they asked how it feels to hear your song on the radio, and I’m like, it’s really cool to hear your own song.”

“But it’s honestly cooler to get your hometown family, friends and fans all sending you messages and pictures showing that they’re listening to it on local radio.”

So far, most country music radio stations in northern Ontario have been spinning Other Than That since its release earlier this year, including Country 104.3 in the Sault, Pure Country 91.7 in Sudbury, 600 Country in North Bay and Country 103 on Manitoulin Island.

Nashville was always the goal 

Hanes, who was known around local bars as a member of the now-defunct band Asylum Country, moved to Nashville permanently when he was 23 years old with dreams of pursuing a career in country music. 

He says that his goal of moving to the Music City was firmly cemented even before he graduated from Korah Collegiate and Vocational School. 

“Nashville was always in my mind - that’s my goal, that’s where I want to get to,” Hanes said. 

For the first six years of his musical journey in Tennessee, Hanes was employed as a house musician at the famous Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge, playing to crowds anywhere from four to six nights a week. 

Hanes also got a chance to cut his teeth at a number of bars and clubs along Nashville’s Broadway Avenue downtown, including Honky Tonk Central and Kid Rock's Big Ass Honky Tonk Rock N' Roll Steakhouse. 

Since moving to Nashville, Hanes has opened for Keith Urban and shared stages with country music stars like Mark Chestnutt and Lee Brice. He’s also met a number of well-known entertainers, including Garth Brooks and Kid Rock. 

“That’s one of the cool things about living in Nashville and just wandering downtown - you never know who you’re going to meet,” he said. 

Hanes tells SooToday that his creativity when it comes to composing songs has expanded greatly since moving to the Music City, where he’s had the opportunity to work with other songwriters. 

“It’s just kind of expanded everything for me,” he said. 

Hanes hints at headlining show in the Sault 

Hanes has a number of shows lined up for next month, including a New Year’s Eve gig in New Jersey, a tour of western Canada and a string of 15 dates lined up for Las Vegas. 

He’s currently trying to line up a tour of Ontario for this summer, which could potentially involve a high profile appearance back home in the Sault this July.

“It’s looking like a possibility for a headlining spot,” he said. 

Radio station tour a success

But for now, Hanes is looking to garner more airplay on country music radio in his home province - and by the sounds of it, his recent radio station tour of Ontario has been a step in the right direction. 

Hanes is now appealing to his fans to request his single on country music radio. 

“I’ve got at least five radio stations, I believe, that started playing it right off the bat, so I’d say pretty successful,” he said. 

More information about Tyson Hanes and his music can be found via Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.