The Hunter Hayes Alphabet: A Hayniac’s Dictionary (N-Z)!
To gear up for our big interview with Hunter Hayes on the set of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno tomorrow night, we'd like to present you with our Hayniac Alphabet!
Learn everything you need to know about Hunter, from A to Z! Here's the second half of the alphabet- Click here to see A-M!
N – Nashville
Hunter moved to Nashville, Tennessee, at the age of 16 to pursue his dreams of becoming a country star, following in the footsteps of stars including Taylor Swift! Nashville is almost synonymous with the country music industry.
O – Opry
The Grand Ole Opry is the world's longest running live radio program, based out of Nashville and specializing in country music. Hunter made his Grand Ole Opry debut when he was 19!
P – Piano
Hunter is an accomplished pianist, as demonstrated in his hit single "Wanted." While Hunter usually writes songs with a guitar at hand, "Wanted" was written while he sat at a grand piano. The piano featured in the music video is covered in the song's lyrics!
Q – 5th Quarter
Hunter Hayes was recently part of one of the most-watched television events of the year, Super Bowl XLVII! He performed during the Super Bowl 5th Quarter party after the game!
R – Robert Duvall
Hunter appeared opposite actor Robert Duvall in the film "The Apostle" at the age of 4! Duvall saw so much talent in the young accordionist that he gave Hunter his very first guitar! Talk about the start of an era!
S – Storm Warning
Storm Warning was the debut single from Hunter's self-titled debut album. Hunter played every instrument on the track, as evidenced in the music video where a band of Hunters is his supporting band!
T – Through My Eyes
Many consider Hunter Hayes' self-titled album his first, but Hunter actually released an album called "Through My Eyes" when he was only six years old! He even wrote his very first song for this album, aptly titled "Six Years Old." Look at that little face!
U – Universal Music Publishing Group
Not long after moving to Nashville from his hometown of Breaux Bridge, Hunter signed with Universal Music Publishing Group as a songwriter. Under this deal he had the opportunity to co-write the song "Play" with Rascal Flatts!
V – Victoria Justice
Hunter Hayes performed a duet with Victoria Justice for the soundtrack of the 2011 Footloose remake! The song was also a remake "Almost Paradise" from the original film!
W – Wanted
Maybe Hunter's best-known song, "Wanted" was an immediate hit. It went Gold within three months, and Platinum within five! It also managed to top the Billboard Country Charts for more than three months!
X – The X Factor
No, we're not talking about the T.V. show, we're talking about that impossible-to-describe quality that makes Hunter the real deal! From Hunter's innate ability to pick up any instrument to his beautiful songwriting, everything he does make it seem he was born to play music!
Y – Youngest
Hunter Hayes has accomplished so much in his time as a musician, becoming the youngest artist to reach a handful of different achievements. In September of last year, he became the youngest inductee ever into the Louisiana Music Hall Of Fame. He's the youngest solo male act to ever top the Hot Country chart with his hit "Wanted," AND he's the youngest country male to ever be nominated at the Grammys for "Best New Artist Of the Year" as well as "Best Country Album of the Year." Maybe he'll even take home those awards Sunday! Not too shabby for a 21-year-old!
Z – Zydeco Est Pas Sale
"Zydeco Est Pas Sale" was a song Hunter performed at the age of 11 on an album called "Honoring Our French Heritage." Zydeco is a variation of Cajun and Creole music that prominently features the accordion. It's a style Hunter was well familiar with in his early days! (You can listen to it here!)