When I first saw Keagan Hatton perform, opening for Buffalo Wabs at Red Bicycle Hall a few weeks ago, his voice was so strong and compelling, and his songwriting seemed wise beyond his apparent years. So I asked him how old he was, he replied, “I’m a senior at Carroll County High School.” Well, well, here’s to knowing what you want from life and not wasting any time!
Apparently the COVID pandemic of five years ago had something to do with Keagan’s advanced skills at such an early age. “I’d had a couple of guitar lessons when I was much younger, but then I just set the guitar aside for several years. But when COVID hit and school went online, I found myself with a lot of free time each day,” relates Keagan.
“I just picked that guitar up and started playing it, like five hours a day. Sometimes I’d play ’til my fingers would bleed, then I’d just tape them up and keep going. At some point I got on YouTube and found a tutorial on how to play Folsom Prison Blues by Johnny Cash. And man, once I had a real song to play, I was really motivated, I played that poor song to death.
“But I was just doing the guitar music, no vocals. And at some point I realized, it’s not much to listen to if it’s just the chords and notes. The soul of any song is the lyrics, of course. So I started singing along. And I don’t mind saying, my voice was not very well trained in the beginning. It took some work to get to a place where anyone would want to hear me sing.
“So that was pretty much me during COVID, putting in the hours learning the guitar and honing my voice. But then in 2021 a lucky thing happened. I’m good friends with Justin Chappell, who plays in Joe Clark’s band. And I was at a Joe Clark show, and when they took a break, Justin pulled me up on stage to do a few songs. Wow, that was scary! First time in front of a crowd. But it was also exhilarating.
“I got another chance some months to do a full show, when Joe Clark got sick and they needed a fill-in. That was over at General Butler State Park. And I remember thinking to myself, ‘Hey, this being on stage thing is pretty cool!’
“That led to several shows at ‘Hey Turtle,’ which is a bar in Warsaw, Kentucky, and the crowd there is just so supportive and fun to play for. I ended up doing about 25 shows in 2023. I also started doing my own songwriting during that period, and I have a good handful of originals in my set list now. Almost enough to go into a studio and do some recording.
“Looking to the future, I’m enrolled at Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond in the fall, and I’m excited to see what new experiences and opportunities that brings. I’ve already been going over to Richmond and making some connections, getting my name out so I can maybe play some gigs around there.
“Ultimately, I’d love for music to be a career, if I could do what I love and support a family. That would be awesome. But I’m a realist too. I’m not putting all my eggs in that basket. I think I might major in business at Eastern, which can be a big plus with a music career too, obviously.
“I feel blessed to be doing what I love, and in some ways I kind of have COVID to thank for it. It’s a funny way to look at what were pretty hard times for a lot of people, but it helped set me on a path, and I’m going to make the most of it.”
Hot Tip of the Week
On Friday at Red Bicycle Hall, Joey Harkum is performing what is being called “The Revenge Tour.” I don’t know who he’s mad at, or what form the revenge will take, but I do know the last time he played in Madison the crowd was so pumped and glad they came. He puts on a great show! (Tickets are at MadTixEvents.com). If you are from out of town and you’re wondering, “OK, if I come to Madison for some music … where’s a good local hangout?” On Friday that would be Jimmy and the boys at The Drake, on Mulberry Street in the heart of the downtown music district. And on Saturday, you have your choice of Joe & Deano at the Taproom, or just about 100 yards walk down the alley to Thomas Family Winery where you can catch Erik Brunner doing his special and entertaining thing. Check out the calendar, there are a bunch more options, and it’s fun to just stroll around and check them all out!
Charlie Rohlfing is a retired advertising man and partner in The Red Bicycle Hall music venue. Look for his distinctive fedora bobbing above the crowd, anywhere live local music is happening.
Friday, April 19
Red Bicycle Hall — Joey Harkum w/Derek McBride
The Central — Dead Eye Drifters
Riverboat Inn — Joe & Deano
1st Street Saloon — Shawn Blanton & Memphis Reigns
Am. Legion — Still Kick’n Band
The Drake — Jimmy, Danny & Kerry
Saturday, April 20
1st Street Saloon — L&L Karaoke
Rivertown Grill — Fabulous Hickbillies
Off Broadway Taproom — Joe & Deano
Thomas Family Winery — Erik Brunner
The Central — The Henchman
Sunday, April 21
Rivertown Grill — Michael Trapp
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