August 29, 2009 3:02 PM

Second Cup Cafe: Will Hoge

By
CBSNews
(CBS)  Nashville-based singer/songwriter Will Hoge is madly in love - and her name is rock 'n' roll.

The soulful singer, who admits he is "embarrassingly in love with rock and roll," has a passion for being on the road, averaging more than 200 shows a year.

After spending the last year recovering from a car accident that put him in critical condition, the country music veteran is set to release his latest album, "The Wreckage," which is being described as his most personal to date.

Hoge stopped by "The Early Show Saturday Edition"'s "Second Cup Cafe" to sing "Hard to Love."

Often compared to music legends Tom Petty and Bruce Springsteen, Hoge puts his blood, sweat and tears into his music. He makes it clear he is in this for the long haul and that he isn't a one-hit wonder. Hoge even practically gives the shirt off of his back for the love of music.

"I bust my ass every night, sometimes for $45 a pop," he said on his official Web site. "I load my own gear, mortgaged my house to pay the band. But if you want it, you have to be willing to bleed."

Music is a Hoge family affair. His grandfather was an accomplished jazz artist and his father and brother are both singers, who found their calling in rock.

Hoge's music and tireless drive have traces of Townes Van Zandt, Steve Earle, Hank Williams, Van Morrison, Patty Griffin, Neil Young and Bob Dylan.

He has been added to the lineup with Black Crowes, My Morning Jacket and the Drive-By Truckers. He also performed at Bonnaroo and the Austin City Limits festival.

Copyright 2009 CBS. All rights reserved.
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by RichmondGirl August 31, 2009 12:16 AM EDT
It was soooo wonderful to see Will and the guys on the Early Show this morning. I absolutely LOVED both of the songs that they played, and can't wait to see them in concert. Also can't wait to get my hands on this new CD!
It's so hard to believe that he's put out a new album and is back on the road performing again after the horrendous accident of last year. Nothing short of a miracle.
An amazing talent with a work ethic that's second to none. He is so deserving of great success, and I wish him all the very best.
If you haven't seen him in concert, do yourself a favor and grab tickets to one of his shows. Guaranteed to blow you away. (shows are posted at www.willhoge.com or www.myspace.com/willhoge
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by Blatensphere August 29, 2009 2:14 PM EDT
I saw Will a few years ago at a festival and he was the best artist there. I picked up his Carousel CD, which was great.

He's a talented singer/songwriter. Check him out!
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by mtoddo August 29, 2009 1:08 PM EDT
Is there going to be a video post of Will playing today? Anyone know of any other place it might be?
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by JrzyGyrl August 29, 2009 12:28 PM EDT
Thanks for profiling one of the indie music scene's best artists!! :) Great to see Will on the small screen!

You may want to check your photo credit on this. The photo was taken by long time Will fan Jason Williamson (see credit on Will Hoge's website and or the photo on Jason's Flickr site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jasonwilliamson/3474682954/).
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