While most students spent their summers out by the pool or hanging out with friends, Neil Hewitt was playing shows at county fairs and writing new songs.

A fifth-year senior at Iowa State, Hewitt plans to graduate this December with a degree in liberal studies. However, his diploma might only be a back-up plan to his country music career, seeing as Hewitt currently has a recording contract with ATP Records, an independently owned record company in Nashville, Tenn.

“I feel pretty good about where we’ve come,” Hewitt said.

Music has been a part of Hewitt’s life for a long time. His stepfather, Eric Gabrielson, remembers back when Hewitt came back from a summer camp inspired by some counselors who played guitar and sang. It wasn’t long before Hewitt was taking guitar and music lessons himself.

In junior high and high school, things slowly began to take off as Hewitt began to play in talent shows at his school and other venues.

“While other kids were at football games, Neil was playing shows,” Gabrielson said.

Not long after high school, a talent scout approached Hewitt. He was signed to ATP Records, and produced his first CD entitled “Roll the Dice” in 2009.

Hewitt also has spent time touring around the Midwest performing his music. Each year on the road has brought not only more shows, but also bigger shows. Last year, Hewitt preformed at the Iowa State Fair.

This past May, Hewitt spent some time writing new songs in Nashville. He said he mostly writes his own songs. However, he said he has had help from songwriters, including one who has worked with Blake Shelton.

While Hewitt has some big plans for his future, both he and Gabrielson said they enjoy where Hewitt is now.

“The work has and will continue to pay off,” Gabrielson said.

Knowing that the journey is a lot rougher on the way down, Hewitt said he appreciates everything that has happened to him so far, including some helpful advice he’s picked up from people he’s met through the process.

“Just try to share your appreciation with everyone who’s helped you out along the way,” Hewitt said.

People like his parents, for starters. Gabrielson described what it was like to see Hewitt preform for one of the first times at a showcase in Nashville.

“We went down there a couple days before. They had six professional musicians hired to back [Neil],” Gabrielson said. “His mom and I were in the balcony watching Neil stand in front of six world-class professional musicians and it was where he belonged.”

“This was worth the drive down,” his mother said.

“No,” Gabrielson corrected. “This was worth the last 10 years.”

During the school year, music goes on the back burner as Hewitt focuses on his education, he said. However, next Wednesday, Hewitt will be preforming in front of his fellow students as part of CALS Week, an event to promote the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

The free concert starts at 8 p.m. on Central Campus, and is sure to be one of the highlights of CALS Week, said Darrin Rahn, CALS Student Council president. 

“I hope everyone comes out and has a good time,” Hewitt said.

To listen to some of Hewitt’s songs before the concert, go to www.neilhewittmusic.com or check out his Facebook fan page to learn more.