Hal Ketchum
Award winning singer songwriter and professional recording artist Hal Ketchum is a native of New York State. He spent his childhood growing up in the small town of Greenwich with his musical parents. Soon he was a drummer in his high school band, then singing in clubs as a teenager.
He made a move to Texas as a master cabinetmaker in the late 80's. Working to make enough money to pay for demos tapes. Stumbling upon the legendary Gruene Hall outside of Austin, soon he was performing with the likes of Lyle Lovett, Emmylou Harris, and Willie Nelson. Now Hal has his own event at the Hall yearly, Hal's Gruene Reunion, which sells out annually.
After securing a publishing deal for his songwriting, he made the move to Nashville. Immediately he was chosen to perform at the legendary Bluebird Café. Having his songs cut by Trisha Yearwood, Neil Diamond, put on soundtracks and in films, he was one his way. USA today has heralded him as the \"most effervescent voice in country Music\". The first single off his first major label release, Small Town Saturday Night, went straight to number one. Hal has since had 15 top ten hits and 10 major label releases, with more to come. Some of them are of Stay Forever, I know where Love lives, and Sure Love,.
Songwriting and singing keep him quite busy, but this artisan is also an actor , a painter and a published author. He appeared in the movie Maverick with Mel Gibson and Danny Glover and stretches in that direction every so often with cameo appearances. He also had his first Art show in Santa Fe, New Mexico at the acclaimed Amado Pena art gallery selling out every piece of his work. His short story, "when the clock struck nine" was featured in the newly published book, "A guitar and a Pen" along with his friend Kris Kristofferson's and many other well know songwriters. Hal tours the world yearly continuing to get his music to as many people as possible. He lives in Nashville with his wife, professional make-up artist Gina and their three children. Hal was inducted as a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 1994. An honor he treasures. He is a frequent host of the television show "Opry Live" broadcast on the GAC network.Hal's current major label release Father Time has been critically acclaimed this past year as a masterpiece. Hal's friend and co-writer Neil Diamond wrote the liner notes for the project. Hal produced this body of work recording it in just two days, live to two track in the studio in Nashville. Few vocalists could have the confidence to release this record without any pro tools or overdubs at all. But as Neil Diamond writes, "Hal, Old School Rules!"
