Up and coming artist Isaac Hayden is traveling down to Alabama from Nashville, Tennessee, to begin his first tour at the Event Center Downtown in Opelika on Oct. 16, from 7-9 p.m.
Originally from Wyoming, Hayden started playing guitar when he was in college. He writes his own songs and has traveled all over the world playing his music, including in Munich, Germany; Amsterdam; London; and Canada.
"He's starting a national tour that's starting here, so that's exciting," said Lisa Ditchkoff, owner of the Event Center Downtown. "I don't know that we've ever had one actually start their very first tour here."
Sam Booker, Hayden's executive producer from Artist Revolution, said Hayden's acoustic soul music is reminiscent of artists such as Amos Lee and Ben Harper.
"I saw him play a show here in Nashville and was just blown away by his talent," Booker said. "I've been in Nashville long enough to know when I come across something that is worth it, and Isaac is definitely worth it."
Artist Revolution also produced Florida Georgia Line's hit single "Cruise."
Hayden said he will play songs he has written on his acoustic guitar with a percussion player.
His songs are about relationships, loss, family dynamics, love, his relationship with himself and overcoming obstacles, Booker said.
"My goal with my music is to connect with people and to write about things that matter to the collective conscious and that matter to me individually on a personal level," Hayden said. "Hopefully it brings some inspiration and some joy and some passion into the world."
After Hayden comes to Opelika, his tour will go all over the country, starting along the southeast coast, back to Nashville and then out west by spring.
Booker said they will be announcing the rest of the dates soon, but the tour is going to be busier in the spring.
Booker said his favorite thing about Hayden's music is that it's honest.
"A lot of music today is kind of contrived, they're trying to fit into what's hip or what's cool, and Isaac, it's just honest, it's just what he does so you hear it," Booker said. "They use the word soul to describe a style of music, but really that style of music is meant to stir the soul. I think that's what Isaac does, he stirs your soul."
Booker said a lot of artists in Nashville get caught up in thinking it's cool to be an artist, but Booker said because it comes naturally to Hayden, he is humble about what he does and takes his music seriously.
"I just can't wait for the show," Hayden said. "I love playing live and connecting with everybody. I'm really excited to play music for the people that are there and see what they think of it."
Ditchkoff and Hayden both said there may be an opening act before his performance, but they were not sure of the details yet.
Tickets to see Hayden perform will be $10 at the
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