Singer/Songwriter Stephen Hunley, nephew of renowned country vocalist Con Hunley, was born and raised in Knoxville, Tennessee. He grew up in a family that surrounded him with a love and passion for music, which had a significant impact on his life from a very young age. He began taking piano and violin lessons at the age of five, and for a moment it seemed as if Hunley was destined to follow in the musical footsteps of his family. However, his attention soon turned to another passion... baseb...
Singer/Songwriter Stephen Hunley, nephew of renowned country vocalist Con Hunley, was born and raised in Knoxville, Tennessee. He grew up in a family that surrounded him with a love and passion for music, which had a significant impact on his life from a very young age. He began taking piano and violin lessons at the age of five, and for a moment it seemed as if Hunley was destined to follow in the musical footsteps of his family. However, his attention soon turned to another passion... baseball. At the age of twelve he decided to quit taking music lessons all together and devote his time and attention to baseball, which ultimately earned him a scholarship to Cumberland College in Williamsburg, Kentucky. After two seasons Hunley felt it was time for a change, moved back to his hometown and enrolled in classes at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. It was during this time that, Hunley began to reconnect with his passion for music by writing and playing songs on a guitar his father bought for him. He started playing his songs for family and friends who encouraged him to pursue his rediscovered love for music. After graduating with a degree in Political Science, he began playing small clubs around East Tennessee. In 2006, Hunley stepped into the studio to record his first full length album.
Now nearly three years later, Hunley is set to release his debut album Wait and See in April 2009. Wait and See is an eclectic mix of thirteen original compositions. With the brilliant arranging of producer Burton Akers, each song from Wait and See is graced with a unique and tasteful flair. The album covers a wide range of musical styles spanning Acoustic Soul, Pop-Rock, New-Age-Country, and Southern Blues. Hunley doesn't care much for labeling, however, and his writing serves as proof. "I have always been influenced by the song first and the artist second," says Hunley. "That's not to say certain artists haven't influenced me more than others. I'll never forget the first time I heard Otis Redding. It absolutely floored me. I was seven years old riding in the car with my dad when I heard ‘Sittin' On the Dock of the Bay.’ I've always felt a deeper connection with a lyric or a melody than with a particular artist." Hunley writes of life – both good and bad - of his own, and of others. Along with a varied style, Hunley also has a refreshing sense of delivery. If a song moves him or thrills him, he loves it and it shows.
To get more information on Stephen Hunley, hear what he sounds like, or to see more photographs you can check out his personal MySpace page or see his Facebook fan page.
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