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 EP title track “I’m America” was released Feb 9. After hearing "I'm America," written by Wade Kirby and Phil O'Donnell, who co-produced the track with Doug Johnson, Hasting knew he had to record it. "Every single line of this song is why I decided to enlist in the Army," says Hasting. "The moment I heard it, I fell in love with it and knew I wanted to record it. 'I'm America' celebrates ALL of the things and people that make this country beautiful and indivisible."

Hasting’s debut single on Black River, "How Do You Choose" and its accompanying music video strike a chord with anyone who has been left to pick up the pieces from a life-changing momentt hat'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 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 PurpeleHeart 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. “I want to show people that it may be bad now, but I promise you it's going to get better." Having found his escape from PTSD through archery and music, Scotty devotes his time and talents to several organizations, including Creativets, Guitars 4 Vets, 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 first song on November 3, 2023. With his debut EP having been released on May 3, 2024, Hasting looks towards a bright future in country music.