Justin Kyle ......Hasty........

"Justin Kyle Hasty is one of the most exciting young artists we've heard for ages! He's the John Mayer for the next generation!" - Radio 2CUZFM 106.5 Australia

Wingate boasts a successful list of graduates including news reporters, business owners and even opera singers. Soon, Wingate will be adding former student turned musician Justin Kyle Hasty. Hasty, who attended from 1999 until 2004, signed with the mega-management agency Wright Entertainment in late October this year. Formed by internationally known Johnny Wright, Wright Entertainment is based in Orlando, Fla. and is responsible for the careers of N’SYNC, The Backstreet Boys, Janet Jackson, P. Diddy and Boyz II Men. Wright has an unparalleled reputation in the music industry and can be seen every week on MTV’s newest Making the Band. ?
Wright Entertainment is typically known for their top pop acts, but this doesn’t bother Hasty. “I prefer not to be called a ‘boy band’ sound. I’m a little rougher around the edges. I’m more concerned about what kind of new tattoo I might get, not my next highlighting appointment. But with that said, I’m not going to spend my energy fighting something. I’m just going to be myself,” he said. ?
Hasty began playing the guitar in his teens and decided to more actively pursue a music career a little over a year ago. He met up with Wally World Entertainment artist Jamie Morgan who at the time was producing music. The pair actively worked on an album and in January 2005, “Drive by Versailles” was released. The album was mostly recorded in Charlotte, but was finished in Nashville, Tenn. with acclaimed producer David Hall. The experience of recording a full album was both challenging and fulfilling for Hasty. “Learning arrangement and how those parts play off each other was a big learning experience. It’s a whole new way of thinking,” he said. ?
While recording his album Hasty was also juggling school, but he feels his Wingate experience added something to the process. “Relationships I had on the campus were very much a part of that album. I got to experience a lot of different things in college. I’m a lot surer of myself because I went through Wingate. Even though I had my moments, I really did enjoy it,” he said. ?
Getting the word out about his new album was the next challenge for Hasty. He began touring in the Southeast in March and has played with various artists including Angie Apparo and Mike Garrigan. He also started sending his album to various management agencies and record labels. He joined Red Rebel Management Agency in Australia in May. His song “Give You My Heart” was released in Australia and quickly hit the Top 40 charts there. ?Though he had found success overseas he still fought to get his music heard in the United States. His dream became a reality in September when he received a surprise phone call from Kathleen Sweeney of Wright Entertainment. He had sent a CD to Wright Entertainment months earlier, not expecting much. She expressed interest in his music and arranged a meeting in Orlando at the Wright Entertainment Compound. Wright joined Sweeney to hear Hasty play and the meeting turned out to be a success.?
After their meeting, Sweeney called to let Hasty know Wright Entertainment was interested in managing his career. Hasty was thrilled. “Of course I felt excitement,” he said, “But I also thought it was a downhill battle from there. I felt for the first time I could prove everyone wrong who said I didn’t have what it takes.” ?
He recently signed a contract with the agency and appears on their website as a managed artist. His picture will be added with the other Wright artists sometime soon as the company restructures the site. For the rest of the year, Hasty will be splitting his time between his home in Indian Trail and the Wright Entertainment compound in Orlando. He will be writing and recording a new album to shop to major record labels. A trip to New York City is also expected sometime in January. ?
Despite having big dreams, Hasty maintains a grounded approach to his career. “I don’t need to be on MTV, but I’d at least like to do a major tour,” he said. “And maybe have a Top 40 hit in the USA,” he jokingly finished. For more information about Hasty visit justinkylehasty.com or myspace.com/justinkylehasty. For information about Wright Entertainment visit wegmusic.com.

by Lindsay Hollandsworth - The Triangle

From listening to this month’s featured artist, Justin Kyle Hasty’s album, “Drive by Versailles,” it’s apparent Hasty thrives on emotion. Exploring every facet of a relationship, from the hope of love at first sight in “Waiting Here on Sunday” to the slightly bitter, but light hearted “Take Her Back,” Hasty is simply an amazing songwriter whose goal is to connect with the listener . “I want my music to speak to people, move people and encourage people,” Hasty said??The album begins on a light and positive note, and grows increasingly serious. It reflects Hasty’s personal life when writing and recording, showing truth and honesty was his goal. “It’s almost like two evils are fighting, the way the album starts off happy and then grows darker.”??Hasty’s style makes it very easy for listeners to relate. “Music brings me the most excitement but also the most fear.” Hasty’s softly strong voice, refreshingly honest lyrics and toe tapping guitar melodies made him a hit when he played at Pfeiffer on April 20th.

by Jamie Cole - Pfeiffer University

Domestic radio stations outside of the big cities may've given up on the unproven songwriter, but Monroe, N.C., native Justin Kyle Hasty has figured out a way around this: go where Clear Channel and Cumulus aren't, or at least where they have dominated of the airwaves. In Hasty's case, Australia was the answer, and it seems he's just the right answer to the Aussie jones. They love him over there like Germans love Hasselhoff. "Justin Kyle Hasty's music is" closest in sonic comparison to John Mayer's best moments! - Augusta Spirit

Tonight's show--was amazing!!!! I had originally been scheduled to run to Charlotte for the evening to check-out Westrin-Mowry. However, unexpected events happen and the band has my prayers this weekend. ??However, as the saying goes, as one door closes, another opens and I had the fabulous opportunity of meeting John Earle and Justin Kyle Hasty. WOW. What a duo. John had asked me after his set what I thought and for one of the rare moments in my life, I was at a loss for words. I remember when they started, the phrase "Holy F&*$ing SN." ran through my head.??Anyway, the boys were awesome--they have this duo stage presence that is unlike anything I've ever seen--musical soul mates as you might put it. Kyle and John both had the singer-songwriter story telling thing down right--they painted the human experience beautifully and backed it up with great vocals, guitar playing, and keyboard. I was really impressed with John's skill--wow, that boy can work a guitar! The really interesting thing is that the boys felt they needed to apologize for their "sound" this evening--as if it wasn't very good...well, I can't wait to see them on a better night then!??That's it for now, keeping it musical and really caffeinated.??--Helana - Columbia Review