We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Scotty Hasting. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Scotty below.
Scotty, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?
I have been singing since I was a kid. I just recently learned how to play the guitar. Before covid I was shooting archery professionally with the U.S. Paralympic program. When covid hit archery shut down and I needed to find something to do as someone who battles depression and PTSD I needed to find an outlet or an escape to get out of my head. I had always had a guitar sitting in the corner of my room and, I decided that I was going to learn how to play it. I deep dove into YouTube and started learning. I learned how to play G, C, Em, and D and, got more and more comfortable with those chords. I then learned how to use a Capo and from there I realized I could play songs I grew up listening to so, I started learning those songs. I knew what they were supposed to sound like, and it sometimes took a little bit to get them to sound that way but, over time I was learning more and more songs. I decided during covid with Nashville shut down that I would give playing on a stage on the outskirts of Nashville a try. When I got on stage at the open mic night I played a cover and I was hooked! I had found my new purpose. my new escape from all the crap I deal with that going to war brings. I haven’t looked back since! I learned how to play guitar with a disability so I’m not sure there was anything I could have done to speed up the process. the most essential skills are 100% in your head being patient and continuing to push through even though its incredibly frustrating. the obstacles that stood in the way more than anything was the nerve damage that I sustained when I was shot in Afghanistan. learning how to play with a disability was absolutely the biggest obstacle.
Scotty, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I grew up in Northern Kentucky right outside of Cincinnati. I decided in 2010 that I wanted to join the Army. I had a calling to be a part of something bigger than myself. After graduating basic training, I went to Fort Riley, Kansas. Then deployed to Afghanistan. While in the Kandahar province of Afghanistan we were on patrol and, I was shot 10 times. After years of medical treatments and fighting to try to stay in I was medically retired from military service in January of 2015. I spoke on how I got into the industry a bit before. I think what sets me apart from others is my story and my work ethic. I am so incredibly proud of how far I have come from where I started. I now have a song coming out this year with Lee Brice and Dolly Parton and, I am way beyond blessed. I want people to see that nothing is impossible. I never in a million years thought I would be playing music live and making music a career. It always just seemed like another dream that would never come true. I want to people to see that you can still follow your dreams you owe it to yourself to at least try. what do you have to lose?
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding part of what I do is when I am on stage playing and come off stage and someone tells me that my playing with my disability or that one of my songs meant something to them. Or when I get messages telling me that I inspired them to push through, to try something new, or to pursuing their dreams.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
Of course, The Artist side of me wants to be a household name and be playing on stage in front of thousands of people but, the real root of why I want this is. I want my story and music to inspire people to feel like they can do anything they set their mind to. That is the driving force behind what I am doing. My goal is to impower people and to let people know they are not alone. That we all struggle but, you can come out of that struggle victorious.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.scottyhastingmusic.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scotty_hasting_music/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ScottyHastingMusic/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJtZ6RC7cCmCT_erDZztzjg
- Other: Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@scottyhastingmusic Linktree; https://linktr.ee/ScottyHasting