Music artist Will Hoge and his band will open the lineup for tonight’s Bulldog Bash at 5:30. Born in Nashville, Hoge said music has always influenced him.
“Being exposed to a musical place will affect you at least on a subliminal level,” he said.
Hoge began his musical career soon before he left for college at Western Kentucky. Since then, he has channeled his work ethic to his art. “We don’t work like someone punching the clock at a car plant,” he said. “Those people work hard.” Hoge said he and his band perform 200-250 shows a year.
“We wanted to showcase him as the opening, because he can add a performance to bash that no one else can,” Bulldog Bash co-coordinator Lauren Burns said.
Tyler Wolfe, the other co-coordinator, said he owns and listens to Hoge’s albums.
“They sound so classic, and I think a lot of people will relate to his sound and find his songs close to home,” he said.
At this point in his career, Hoge said he wouldn’t compare his own musicality to legendary artists like Otis Redding or Bob Dylan.
“I would say that I am true to myself like them,” he said. “They are real, and I would like to think I am, too.”
Hoge said he has been to Starkville four times. He played two years ago at Bulldog Bash. “I’ll never forget how hot it was,” he said.
The first time he played at Rick’s Caf?, he asked owner Rick Welch if he could play for free.
“People showed up and said they liked it,” Hoge said. Since then, he and Welch have had a close relationship. “He’s been good to us,” he said.
“Music is a fickled business,” Hoge said. “You get a lot of people that will only work with someone who has a hit song.”
Hoge said he is trying to maintain relationships because for him, music is not just a business.
“It completes such a part of everything about me,” he said. “I love every single thing about it. When my friends and I get together, we talk about music. When I go home and there’s nothing to do, I go see music. I like to go look at guitars and buy musical equipment.”
Hoge said he loves the ridiculousness of performing on stage in front of fans singing his songs. “Think about it,” he said. “A song you wrote in your bedroom somehow gets recorded. It’s gets produced and someone hears it. That person buys and listens to it and sings it in his or her bedroom, and then sings it in front of you,” he said. “And when the crowd sings louder than the band, we’re really moved.”
“On stage I try to remember why I wrote a song we’re playing.” Hoge said. “I close my eyes and search inside so it can be emotional again.”
Hoge said he doesn’t expect to make a hit for the radio and stop playing six months later.
“This is my life,” he said. “It’s what I’m gonna do until I’m old and gray.”