Scott bought his first guitar the summer of his freshman year and proceeded to annoy the “bajeezuz” out of his friends and roommates. A few years down the road Scott was introduced to the musical genius of some Minnesota based artists like Peter Mayer, Jason Gay, Chris and Johnny, Preston Reed, and Stuart Davis. This has left Scott with a lasting love for the art of performance and song-writing.
There’s a restless-ness inherent in the original works of Scott Hays. ‘Big World’ is a jazzy plea for help from certain “higher beings” (i.e. Santa Claus, The Tooth Fairy, etc.) with their mighty powers of ‘world travel’ and ‘efficient time management’. ‘Caveman Sam’ is a song about the irony of working in a “cave” (cubicle) while surrounded by today’s modern technologies. ‘Falling Down’ is introspective of our crazy, fast-paced lives. ‘Johnston Isle’ is a song written in the first-person of someone who may have served on this pacific atoll during the few years the world turned a blind eye to open-air nuclear arms testing.
Scott’s technical prowess and musical creativity set him apart from other performers in his genre, that is, if he actually fit into one. Strong vocals, refined lyrics, live looping, and a percussive acoustic playing style all add to a complete and unique musical experience. Scott also mixes in a wide variety of covers from well known artists like Dave Mathews, John Mayer, Marc Cohn, Peter Mayer, and Martin Sexton. Scott has an eclectic arsenal of styles including Folk, Funk, Rock, Blues, and Americana. Given his natural talent and the many tools at his disposal, Scott is an emerging artist to keep a watchful eye on!
ACHIEVEMENTS:
1st place at Uncommon Ground Open Mic Competition - Chicago, IL - 2008
1st place at Allstar open mic competition – Cheeseburger in Paradise – Middleton, WI – May 2005
1st Place at open mic competition – Cheeseburger in Paradise - Middleton, WI - December 2004
1st Place at open mic competition - Brocach Irish Pub - Madison, WI June 2006
VENUES PLAYED:
Lillys - Chicago, IL
Bad Dog Tavern - Chicago, IL
Underground Lounge - Chicago, IL
The Globe Pub - Chicago, IL
Fearons - Chicago, IL
Uncommon Ground - Chicago, IL
JT Whitney's - Madison, WI
River Music Experience (Mojo's) - Davenport, IA
Cheeseburger in Paradise – Middleton, WI
RIBCO – Rock Island, IL
Sam’s Take Time Pub – Moline, IL
The Bier Stube – Davenport, IA
The Bier Stube – Moline, IL
Fireworks – Moline, IL
Dead Poet’s Espresso – Moline, IL
Bent River Brewing Company – Moline, IL
11th St. Bar and Grill – Davenport, IA
Dalton’s – Davenport, IA
The Jazz Club – Mankato, MN
The Grind – Mankato, MN
The Coffee Hag – Mankato, MN
The Sugar Room - Mankato, MN
RAP SHEET:
Current Residence: Chicago, IL
High School: Middleton High School – Middleton, WI
College: University of Minnesota – Mankato, MN
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering
Favorite Ethnic Food: Indian
Favorite Beverage: Polygamy Porter (an SLC beer)
Favorite Sports: Soccer, Snowboarding, Skiing, Volleyball, etc.
Favorite TV shows: Scrubs, How I met your Mother, Chuck, TrueBlood, Entourage
Favorite Movie Quote: “A little nonsense now and then, is cherished by the wisest men” – Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
Favorite Movies: Shawshank Redemption, Lord of the Rings, Tommy Boy, Saving Private Ryan, A River Runs Through It, Dead Poet Society, Empire of the Sun, The Holy Grail, Ferris Beuhler’s Day Off, Dumb and Dumber, O Brother Where Art Thou
Favorite Authors: Robert Jordan, Robert Service, James Clavell, Anne Lamott, Thomas Merton, Mother Theresa, J.R.R. Tolkien, J.K. Rowling, C.S. Lewis, John Eldredge
In my CD player: Martin Sexton, Peter Mayer, Five For Fighting, Dave Carter and Tracy Grammer, Jason Gray, Incubus, 311, Dave Mathews, John Mayer, Jack Johnson, G. Love and Special Sauce, Andrew Petersen, Keller Williams, Ben Folds, Dr. Wayne Dyer
Most Embarrasing Moment: I was running some stairs in the middle of the Augustana College campus, caught the edge of my button down ripaway warm up pants with my thumb, and tore them completely off my body. My underlayer was minimal (use your imagination).