Scotty Hasting's Emotional Debut "How Do You Choose" with Live Acoustic Video Available Now

LISTEN to "How Do You Choose" HERE

In honor of Veteran's Day, Hasting joined some of country music's biggest acts including Darius Rucker, Craig Morgan, Brothers Osborne, and more during the week leading up to Nov. 11 as a part of the Musicians On Call 2023 Concert for Veterans. Presented by Wrangler with support from Amazon Music, Gibson, and Southwest Airlines, the virtual concert was shared with VA facilities nationwide leading up to Veterans Day and was exclusive to Veteran patients and hospital staff.

During the 2023 Concert for Veterans, Hasting shared with viewers his remarkable story and the meaning behind his personal track, "Stories That They Tell" — a song that encompasses the desire of veterans to keep the memories of lost friends and loved ones alive through the stories they share amongst those that understand: fellow veterans.

On Friday (Nov. 10), Hasting began his day with Bill Cody and team on WSM's Coffee, Country & Cody before the singer's featured episode of AARP's “Reporting for Duty” with Operation Encore went live on YouTube. The moving eight-minute piece gives viewers insight into the nonprofit organization and the incredible work it does with veteran musicians such as Hasting. As the feature of the episode, Hasting dives into his journey of recovery after being shot ten times to then discovering his new passion  — music — that became a solace for the singer from his PTSD.

“When you have depression or PTSD, you suffer and it’s kind of very black and white,” revealed Hasting as he got vulnerable with viewers in the moving video. “You see everything exactly how it was. Whereas with songwriting, I was able to be creative and use my imagination. I was able to bring color back into my life.”

Read the full article detailing Hasting's feature with AARP HERE. Watch the video HERE.

Rounding out an incredible weekend, Hasting commemorated the sacrifices and bravery exhibited by those who have served and currently serve with a writer's round in partnership with nonprofit CreatiVets at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on Veteran's Day.

Looking ahead, Hasting gears up to offer more performances and new music as he continues to use his voice and share his heart into 2024.

ABOUT SCOTTY HASTING:

"For me, the demons of PTSD knock the loudest when it's quiet. When I have a guitar in my hands I find peace," says songwriter, artist, and army veteran, Scotty Hasting. The Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky native's debut single on Black River, "How Do You Choose" and its accompanying official music video strike a chord with anyone who has been left to pick up the pieces from a life-changing moment that's left them asking God that age-old question. The "promising, impactful debut" (Billboard) details Hasting's first visit to best friend Adam Hamilton's tombstone following his death, about one month after an ambush that left Hasting fighting for his life flying out of Afghanistan on a medivac after being shot ten times in April of 2011. Narrowly escaping death, Hasting was left with severe nerve damage to his right hand and a loss of purpose as he was unable to continue his journey in the army. The Purple Heart recipient filled the void with a newfound love for adaptive sports as competitive archery became his primary outlet to cope with PTSD — until 2020, when COVID-19 hit and shut down most of the world. Not one to lay down and accept defeat, the former Army Infantryman with the 1st Infantry Division 4th Squadron 4th Calvary picked up the unused guitar that sat in the corner of his room, opened YouTube, and set out to teach himself how to master the instrument in hopes of fighting the isolation and silence. Hasting was immediately overtaken by this new passion after learning his first song, "Should've Been a Cowboy," by Toby Keith. He began to write his own original music and attended his first open mic night in Cookeville, TN — a night that changed his life forever as he found that he was able to escape his PTSD while on stage performing. Now on a mission to help anyone struggling with loss or their mental health find solace through his music, Hasting strives to connect with his listeners by producing music that doesn't need an explanation. “Music is supposed to be a bridge that connects people. I want my music to not only tell stories, but to also be that bridge for people. You don't have to talk if you don't want to - you can just push play." Having found his escape from PTSD through archery and music, Scotty devotes his time and talents to several organizations, including Creativets, Guitars 4 Vets, Operation Encore, and more to offer other veterans the same tranquility. Despite only first picking up a guitar in 2020, Hasting has already opened for incredible artists including Tanya Tucker, Jelly Roll, and more, and had the opportunity to open and introduce rock legend Dave Grohl at downtown Phoenix's Crescent Ballroom during an exclusive pre-Super Bowl 2023 show. He has taken the stage for numerous performances at Nashville's Grand Prix and most recently played at the Patriot Fund Invitational Golf Tournament where he helped raise more than $400,000 for veterans. Inspired by 90’s country and hitmakers Garth Brooks and Alan Jackson, Hasting has also earned his place in the writing room with well-known and respected country artists, hit singer/songwriters, and country music's most promising up-and-comers. In classic Nashville fashion, a chance encounter with the son of Black River Entertainment's President and CEO, Gordon Kerr, brought him into the sights of the independent label. Hasting immediately caught the attention of renowned hit songwriter, producer, and Black River's Vice President of A&R Doug Johnson, who took the promising country artist under his wing. Hasting signed a record deal with Black River late in 2023 and released his debut song with the label on Nov. 3. Having spent much of the latter part of the year in the recording studio, Hasting looks towards a bright future in country music and many more offerings in 2024.

For more information and tour dates, please visit scottyhasting.com and follow Scotty Hasting on socials.

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