10 Things to Know about Hunter Hayes

Hunter Hayes

Katherine Klingseis

Hunter Hayes has been impressing crowds with his musical ability since he was 4 years old. Now, 16 years and four albums later, Hayes will play Saturday for Live @ Veishea.

10 Things to Know about Hunter Hayes

1. Received an accordion when he was 2 years old from his grandmother.

2. Joined a band as an accordionist when he was 4 years old, and became the front man when he was 5 years old.

3. Sang “Jambalaya” with Hank Williams Jr. in front of 200,000 people. One YouTube video of the performance has almost 4 million views.

4. Received his first guitar when he was 6 years old from actor and director Robert Duvall.

5. Played with Johnny and June Cash and Charlie Daniels.

6. Performed when he was 7 years old for President Bill Clinton.

7. Moved from his hometown of Breaux Bridge, La., to Nashville, Tenn., in 2008 and signed with Universal Music Publishing Group; signed with Atlantic Records in 2010.

8. Opened for Taylor Swift on her Speak Now World Tour in summer 2011.

9. Played 30 instruments on his debut album “Hunter Hayes”; the album peaked at no. 7 on the US Country Billboard chart and no. 18 on US Billboard chart.

10. Featured on the soundtracks of “Footloose” and “Act of Valor.”