Rising country star Lexie Hayden headlines Whiskey Jack’s 1-year anniversary party
story & interview by Lorne Chambers | Editor
This month, Whiskey Jack’s in West Ashley will celebrate its one-year anniversary with a full night of live music, highlighting the next generation of country stars. On Saturday, May 13, Jon Hanks starts the party off at noon on West Ashley’s only outdoor container bar stage, followed by Drew Marler from 3:30-6 p.m. Then, things get really hopping at 7 p.m. when acclaimed Nashville singer/songwriter Lexie Hayden hits the stage. There will also be prizes, surprises, and even secret special guests at the event.
Writer of “Pretty Damn Close” (Gary Allan) and co-writer of “My Bar” (Priscilla Block), Hayden’s music has garnered more than three million total streams between Apple Music and Spotify, with six songs featured on national radio. She was also named the National Spotlight Artist of the Week twice by Bobby Bones and featured on the Top 30 Countdown. Hayden was also featured on the first ever season of MTV’s Becoming A Popstar.
West Of Free Press had a chance to chat with Hayden about the challenges of making it today in the cut-throat world of Nashville, what she is most proud of, and what’s next on the horizon for this rising star. Here is some of that conversation:
WEST OF FREE PRESS: What is it like being a rising star, particularly a rising female star, in Nashville right now?
LEXIE HAYDEN: There are a lot of ups and downs that come with being a rising female artist in country music. As you probably know, females make up about 5-10 percent of country radio. CRAZY! We have to work twice as hard and have less opportunities than the males in this town. But I feel that it is slowly changing thanks to artists like Lainey Wilson, Priscilla Block, Ashley McBryde, Kelsea Ballerini, and all the girls who are paving the way for females right now. I feel very supported by my co-writers and my peers, and find it to be twice as rewarding to have success in this industry as a female.
WOFP: Unlike a lot of young musicians on the country scene today, you are also an accomplished songwriter. Do you see yourself as a performer first and then a songwriter or vice-versa? What do you enjoy more?
LH: I enjoy them both the same! I grew up performing and writing songs so both of them are a huge part of who I am. I always consider myself an artist and a performer first but have definitely considered myself much more of a “songwriter” since getting cuts with other artists in Nashville and having my first song on country radio as a writer. There are so many artists out there who have had successful songwriting careers on the side (Maren Morris, Kacey Musgraves, Ed Sheeran, Julia Michaels, etc), in all genres of music. There is just something so special about hearing a song I wrote on the radio, whether or not I’m the one singing it.
WOFP: What are you most proud of at this point in your career?
LH: At this point in my career, I’m the most proud to have had a top 25 on country radio as a completely independent songwriter. I have never signed a publishing or record deal in my life, so I own 100 percent of my own royalties! It’s so rewarding to be able to say that I had a successful song on country radio as an independent female songwriter with a FEMALE artist because I know that the odds were stacked against me. I’m also proud to be a full-time musician at this point in my career because I worked my butt off for many years in Nashville to be able to say that I completely live off my music at this point.
WOFP: Last season you played at Nissan Stadium during Titans football games. What was that like? And do you think you’ll do it again this coming NFL season?
LH: I got connected with the Titans in 2021 and began performing outside the stadium as a part of their “pre-game” show for most of the home games. They have been so great to me and even put me up in the entertainment suite during one of the last home games of 2022. I have played private events for the Titans as well, and it’s been really cool to be a part of something that is so huge in the city of Nashville. I definitely hope to be performing for the 2023 season, and I also hope to sing the national anthem for a game someday!
WOFP: What’s next for Lexie Hayden?
LH: I am currently taking a little break from releasing music to write for an upcoming project of mine. I’ve been releasing singles for a few years now, and haven’t put out an album since 2020. I really want my next release to be something cohesive and impactful, so I’m going to spend the next few months with my head down just writing songs. I want my next album to be a little bit retro, a little bit 70s, some groove, and really try to incorporate some of the sounds that I love listening to. I’m also very excited to announce that I will be performing at one of the bigger musical festivals in the US, Summerfest, this upcoming June. I’ll be the direct opener for Mitchell Tenpenny on the main stage on June 30th!
Whiskey Jack’s One-year Anniversary party will start at noon on Saturday, May 13. Lexie Hayden takes the stage at 7 p.m. For more information, visit WhiskeyJacksCHS.com.
