Rolling On: Local rock band makes quarterfinals in Rolling Stone contest

Local act the JT Hayden Band recently nearly found themselves in the pages of Rolling Stone.

And who knows, they still might someday.

The rock-country quartet (as opposed to country-rock), led by vocalist and guitarist JT Hayden, recently qualified for the quarterfinals in the Rolling Stone-sponsored contest America’s Next Top Hitmaker, where they were competing with hundreds of other bands across the nation.

“The grand prize winner gets $10,000, gets to play at a music festival in Austin, Texas, does a photo shoot, and they put you in Rolling Stone magazine,” said Hayden in an interview. “We’re in the top [ten] percent of the people who make it that far. So throughout the country, out of 5,000 bands, we’re in the top 500. That’s a lot.”

The competition’s semi-finals, which began late last month, saw the group get knocked out, but the JT Hayden Band has already won the hearts and ears of Toledo music fans and national music critics.

The band released its first full length album Long Way from Memphis in January, which received positive reviews from critics across the country.

“The JT Hayden Band isn't just making music; they're rekindling a Southern flame, showcasing a deeply rooted respect for the legacy from which they draw their inspiration. Both a tribute and a celebration of those who paved the way, Long Way from Memphis finds the JT Hayden Band taking their rightful place among rising stars in the southern rock and country music landscape,” wrote rock critic Michael Scanlon in Roots magazine.

Writing in Indie Pulse magazine, writer Sarah Payne described Long Way From Memphis as: “The JT Hayden Band clearly set out to narrate a storyline that while relatable to many, is also unique to their own life. A listener can hear within the first minute of the album how the JT Hayden Band claims their own life and experiences. Every moment feels natural, yet well thought out. This rare balance highlights the band’s true musical strength, and this album is ultimately a great piece of work to add to their portfolio.”

Hayden moved to Millbury from St. Louis back in 2017 after going through a divorce. He had written and recorded most of what would become Long Way From Memphis using studio musicians in St. Louis, but once he got to the Toledo area, he assembled the JT Hayden Band, which includes Tim Currier on drums, Jeff Traxler on lead guitar, Mike Harshman on bass guitar, and himself on lead vocals and rhythm guitar. Some of the album was recorded in Waterville at Bigfoot Studios.

And the group’s catalog has some range to it as well.

“This original band will also leave you impressed with cover songs from artists like The Allman Brothers, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Marshall Tucker, Bad Company, and many other great artists you know and love,” the group’s website says.

Members of the band feel that the synergy is just there.

“The music just flows,” Traxler said of working with the band.

The band is signed to Spectra Music Group, which got Hayden’s music played on SiriusXM, a feat Hayden counts as a major career victory.

“Somebody said they heard our music in a grocery store,” said Hayden with an appreciative laugh.

Hayden has since remarried and loves his new life in Toledo, working at a carpenter by day and doing the local rock star thing by night.

“Toledo will always be home base. It’s been an awesome experience to see the music grow like it has. The fans here have been unbelievably kind to us. We have a really unbelievable fanbase,” said Hayden.

Traxler, a Macomber High School grad with decades of experience in the local music industry as a mean guitarist, said playing with the JT Hayden Band has been a dream come true.

“I always have a great time performing,” said Traxler.

Though Hayden’s band didn’t win the Rolling Stone competition, he’s still honored to have received the number of votes that were cast.

“A lot of people from Toledo really amazed me in how they supported our band and we’re grateful for all the votes. It was so cool that the votes took us this far,” said Hayden.

For more information about the group, visit facebook.com/thejthaydenproject .

The America’s Next Top Hitmaker contest runs through the end of this month at tophitmaker.org .