Last year, I discovered an artist that wasn't on the radio yet. The first time I heard his music, I was watching the music video to "House Party." Needless to say I fell in love right then and there. I followed along with his "Out In It" videos on YouTube when he was touring around the United States and getting his name out there. I went back through all of them before writing this article, and it's crazy to see how far he's come.
Last year, no one knew his name. Last week, he was the headliner for Country Night Lights in Athens, Ohio. I got there at 1:00 just to be front row to his performance at 9:00. People were reaching over me and fighting their way to the front just to get a high-five from him. The atmosphere was insane to say the least, and totally different from the first Sam Hunt concert I went to.
Country Night Lights @ Athens, OH 9/26/2015
From day one, I told everyone who appreciated good music and attractive men about him. In October 2014, his first album was released and everyone knew who he was. FINALLY, people could see why I was so crazy about this guy. I fell in love with Sam Hunt faster than any other artist I have ever known. Here's why:
1. His voice
I went to my first Sam Hunt concert in July 2014. He was opening up for Little Big Town at a county fair in Indiana. I got there three hours early and heard him doing sound check. I cried.
2. His passion
If you only listen to one song, let it be a live version of "Cop Car." Hear it from the man who lived it and wrote it himself. There is so much more love and passion behind those lyrics when you hear it from him.
3. Those muscles
I stopped the host at Country Night Lights as he walked past me and jokingly told him to let Sam know that I was there and I'd gladly hang out after the show. He said, "Well he's actually at the gym right now. I'll let him know when he comes back." As if I wasn't in love with him enough already, he was at the gym just hours before he had to perform. Be my swole mate? Also, please wear cut-off shirts more often. We'd all really appreciate it.
4. He's proud of where he came from
5. He doesn't let the fame change him
He's not above eating pizza in the back of a taxi cab.
6. His beliefs and values
Have you ever noticed that he refuses to cuss in his songs? The lyrics to Break Up In A Small Town go, "I wanna jump out, I wanna fight, I wanna say ____ that guy, but I can't. It's my fault. I let her go but I never thought..." or in Cop Car; "That's when those cops came pullin' up, and I thought, 'Man ain't this some ____.'" He doesn't actually say those words in the songs and if you've ever seen him in concert, you'd know he doesn't say them live either. Something about that is really attractive to me.
7. He's a momma's boy
He took his MOM as his date to The Academy of Country Music Awards. How perfect can perfect get? If you haven't watched this video of Joan Hunt bragging on her son, you need to right now.
8. That smile
More photo evidence
9. His style
Everyone knows Sam's style. He breaks the "country singer stereotype" by swapping his boots for Nike's and his cowboy hat for a snapback.
10. He gives major credit to his band
I'm sorry but I don't know any other artists that I could name every other member of their band. Tyrone, "Burke" and Josh are part of the show and Sam sets aside a time in every performance for them to be in the spotlight and share their talents.
11. He changed the game in country music
There's no denying the fact that Sam Hunt changed the way country music sounds today. When he first presented his song, "We Are Tonight," he was told it would never make it on the radio because it wasn't considered country and it didn't sound the same as other songs that were out. How many number one hits has he written now, including We Are Tonight? I don't know... I've lost count.
