Justin Haigh
Houston, Texas, United States | INDIE
Music
Press
It was the Superbowl of poll contests for sure in the February listener’s poll with a tight race all month long but in the end it was Justin Haigh and his song “Ain’t Leaving” that finished in the number one spot.
With a huge following and an extremely well produced group of songs under his belt, Haigh is definitely on the “one to watch” list of new artists. And with influences in the business that stretch from Merle Haggard to Metallica, it’s easy to see how he has been able to tap into his own imagination to come up with some very powerful and vivid material to record. His songs are lined with a plaintive, sometimes brutal honesty that is not harnessed in any way by commercialism or the need to please anyone, in other words, what you see is what you hear.
Another thing he has going for him is that he doesn’t sound like anybody else. A distinctive voice that sets him apart from many of the Texas music acts in the fact that he can actually sing, a welcome advantage that can certainly be appreciated when listening to many of the new releases that have been received in recent months and is probably one of the main reasons for the huge following. Whether in an intimate setting in a small club or in a packed arena, here is an artist that could pull it off in either situation.
It’s a comforting thing to me to know there is an artist like this that is coming up in the biz that knows what’s up, Haigh is not only keenly aware of what it takes to write and sing a song but is also appreciative of the ones that came before him and familiar with and indebted to the history of those performers. Just listen to the song “Waylon” and you’ll know what I mean.
Doing a fine job on some other writer's efforts as well, “I Ain’t Leaving”, written by Mary Gauthier, “Out In The Fields” and my personal favorite “Monahans” both written by award winning songwriter Kevin Higgins are all definite keepers and fine examples of things to come for a fine Texas artist.
Haigh is currently working on a new CD with producer Lew Curatolo of Heritage Records in Austin and it will be interesting to hear the finished product. For more on Justin Haigh, check out www.myspace.com/justinhaigh for a glimpse of what will definitely be “one to watch.” - Greg Roberts | AustinMusicCity.com
Texas Country Music Rising Star, Justin Haigh, was selected to be one of the opening acts for Brad Paisley on Saturday, July 10 at AquaPalooza 2010 along with Jerrod Niemann, Lee Brice, Joanna Smith and Matt Stillwell.
Austin, TX / July 14, 2010 – On Saturday, July 10, Texas country artist Justin Haigh opened for superstar, Brad Paisley, after winning the 2010 AquaPalooza Battle of The Bands. Haigh competed against and beat out seven other bands for the coveted performance slot, including the Rankn Twins, Doug Warriner and His Only Band and The Bill Rice Band, among others.
Haigh was selected the winner by a panel of celebrity and industry judges including David Anderson from KVET, Kathy Armistead, VP of the William Morris Agency, Sandra Greaney, owner of Country Line Magazine and Gary Blake, a country music columnist. AquaPalooza was sponsored by Sea Ray and Austin’s own, Sail & Ski.
The free concert was held on the shores of Lake Travis and drew more than 30,000 people in over 4,000 boats locally and was broadcasted to over 100 locations around the world. The event in all drew more then 84,000 people, three times the size of the inaugural event in 2006. The annual event is held on lakes around the country and is only accessible by boat or personal watercraft.
“I had a great time and it was such an honor to open for Brad,” said Haigh. “I love playing in Texas. This show brought out a great crowd, was a great venue and I’m just thankful to be a part of it all.” Haigh’s current single, “People Like Me, is currently #40 on the Texas Radio Charts and his debut album on Apache Ranch Records is due out later this Summer. For more information, please visit www.JustinHaigh.com.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contacts:
Jason Landry
Apache Ranch Records
512.415.7454
jason@apachesongs.com
Nicole Pope Gaia
Nicole Pope Gaia Entertainment Publicity
615-517-1960
nicolepopegaia@gmail.com - ARR
Discover Justin Haigh with “A Real Good Year For Beer” and more
Brady Texas honky tonker Justin Haigh is going to hit the big time. This talented artist will appeal to country music fans everywhere, and his song “A Real Good Year For Beer” reflects what I hear on Main Street these days. Traditional country music fans appreciate his cover of Merle Haggard’s “Let Chase Each Other Around The Room Tonight” on his Myspace page. “Monahans” is a great country song with cowboy flavor. The song may not rock like “A Real Good Year For Beer” but many cowboy and western songs slow down to tell a story. Ian Tyson, Dan Roberts, and Red Steagall do it too. Words in the song “Don’t bother me, I’m listening to Merle” is something we all think of saying.
Justin Haigh is superb with “Waylon” as his words paint a picture and the song brings to life Justin’s tribute to Waylon Jennings. “A Real Good Year For Beer” is written by John Arthur Martinez. I know Martinez is talented and we featured him in an article a while back. Connect with Justin through his website, learn more about him at Myspace, and add him as a friend on Twitter. You’ll be glad you did, and everyone will be hearing more from him soon. - Country Classics
Brady Texas honky tonker Justin Haigh is going to hit the big time. This talented artist will appeal to country music fans everywhere, and his song “A Real Good Year For Beer” reflects what I hear on Main Street these days. Traditional country music fans appreciate his cover of Merle Haggard’s “Let Chase Each Other Around The Room Tonight” on his Myspace page. (see it here)
“Monahans” is a great country song with cowboy flavor. The song may not rock like “A Real Good Year For Beer” but many cowboy and western songs slow down to tell a story. Ian Tyson, Dan Roberts, and Red Steagall do it too. Words in the song “Don’t bother me, I’m listening to Merle” is something we all think of saying.
Justin Haigh is superb with “Waylon” as his words paint a picture and the song brings to life Justin’s tribute to Waylon Jennings.
“A Real Good Year For Beer” is written by John Arthur Martinez. I know Martinez is talented and we featured him in an article a while back.
Connect with Justin through his website, learn more about him at Myspace, and add him as a friend on Twitter. You’ll be glad you did, and everyone will be hearing more from him soon. - TheCountryClassics.com
Discography
People Like Me (Single)
A Real Good Year For Beer (Single)
Pale Horse Rider
Photos
Bio
Justin Haigh has made a long journey in a relatively short period of time. Born in South Dakota and raised on his parents ranch, Justin has a long history with the cattle industry. From the early age of four, Justin spent countless hours in the saddle on his trusted pony “Lonesome” riding with his family checking pastures and fixing fences. Prior to his love for horses, Justin had memorized the words to the great Waylon Jennings song, “Luckenbach, Texas” and Tom T. Hall’s, “I Love.” It was obvious after watching home videos recorded by Justin’s father, that his life in the spotlight was not far away.
In school, Justin discovered that academics and ballgames were not his forte, but music, music made sense. Putting out the minimum effort through school, he barely squeezed by. Justin balanced his out of school time between ranch responsibilities, playing music, and being as wild as he knew how to be. At thirteen, on a dare from a girl, Justin made his way to the stage of a fiddler’s jamboree. After this performance, he and his hometown knew he was where he was meant to be. Justin continued through high school playing weekend gigs at VFW Halls and honky tonk venues, but a stronger urge was calling him.
Justin enlisted in the U.S Air Force upon graduation from high school. With a strong love for the ideals our forefathers gave us, and the unbelievable sacrifices of service men and women of our nation, Justin knew he had to do his part. He landed at Lackland Air Force Base, located in San Antonio and got his first taste of the state that he would eventually call “home.” This chapter of his life was not meant to be and his time in the military was short lived. Justin returned to what he loved the most which was his family, the ranch, and music. Though he wasn’t pursuing music full time, Justin’s experiences were grooming him for a life on the road as a professional performer. “I did time, lot’s of time, time behind the wheel of my eighteen wheeler, time aboard a ship in the Bering Sea, isolated from the outside world, hard time in turbulent relationships, and even some time behind bars,” Justin says. “You have to put in your time if you want to be successful. I’ve done the time. I’ve lived the songs. There is no ‘bullshit’ about me and you can hear it when I sing you the stories.”
Finally realizing that playing music full time and living in Texas were the two things he should have been doing all along, Justin packed everything he owned and moved to Brady, Texas. “There is a feeling in Texas like no other place. I moved here and hardly knew a soul. But the people are friendly, the climate is good, the food is incredible, and I have a feeling I won’t be moving anywhere, soon. I Ain’t Leavin’!”
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