Joshua Hedley. Photo: Jamie Goodsell
Third Man Records artist Joshua Hedley will release his debut album for the label on April 20. The 10-song project, titled Mr. Jukebox, was produced by Skylar Wilson and Jordan Lehning. The album includes nine original songs as well as a version of “When You Wish Upon A Star.” In addition to Hedley on vocals and fiddle, the album features Eddie Lange on steel guitar/guitar, Jeremy Fetzer from Steelism on guitar/baritone guitar, Michael Rinne on bass, Jon Radford on drums/percussion and Micah Hulscher on piano/organ.
Florida native Hedley first asked for a fiddle at age 3. By age 8, he was finally given a fiddle. He began playing at local VFW and American Legion halls and by age 12, he had joined his first band. His bandmates were all in their 40s. At 19, he moved to Nashville and began sneaking into Robert’s Western World, where he became a performer and sideman, and ultimately, a frontman. He’s performed with Jonny Fritz, Justin Townes Earle and was featured in the 2015 documentary Heartworn Highways Revisited.
“It’s not a throwback,” Hedley says of the classic sounds on his new album. “It sounds new because it is new, and it sounds the way it sounds because it’s the only thing I know how to do. I can’t write a song that sounds different. Classic country is like a suit. Nothing about a men’s suit has changed in like 100 years. Classic never goes out of style. Something can’t be a throwback if it’s never been out of style.”
He continues, “I just want people to remember they have feelings, and that they’re valid. Not everything is Coors Light and tailgates. There are other aspects of life that aren’t so great that people experience. They’re part of life, part of what shapes people. And that’s worth noting.”
MR. JUKEBOX TRACK LIST
1. Counting All My Tears
2. Mr. Jukebox
3. Weird Thought Thinker
4. Let’s Take A Vacation
5. These Walls
6. I Never (Shed A Tear)
7. This Time
8. Don’t Waste Your Tears
9. Let Them Talk
10. When You Wish Upon A Star
About the Author
Jessica Nicholson serves as the Managing Editor for MusicRow magazine. Her previous music journalism experience includes work with Country Weekly magazine and Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) magazine. She holds a BBA degree in Music Business and Marketing from Belmont University. She welcomes your feedback at jnicholson@musicrow.com.View Author Profile
