TEXT "AUSTINHICKS" TO "66937"
Austin Blair Hicks was born on October 6, 1990 in Dayton Ohio. Born into a musical family, Austin began singing in the early stages of his life. At two years old he was dancing and singing to the rockabilly sound coming from one of his favorite artists, Marty Stuart. A solid spiritual foundation at home, at church, and through Christian grade school, also played a big role in his early start in music. He actively participated in the children’s choirs, performed for school talent shows and sang in many musicals at school and church, often cast in the lead role even in the adult presentations. Austin has always been at home on stage whether playing his guitar while his parents were performing, or stealing the attention from them with his own singing.

Austin grew up like most other kid’s, playing sports from an early age on into high school. In the winter of 2007 Austin made the difficult decision to lay varsity sports aside to dedicate his time toward his true passion, singing country music. The beginning of 2008 started out with fresh challenges and a whole new road to run down. Austin went knocking on Nashville Star’s door in the early spring, and received a VIP invitation to the Nashville auditions from an NBC talent agent. He was able to bypass the long line and perform for the producers and judges at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel. Soon after returning to Ohio, Austin set out to gain more experience and exposure by establishing Austin Hicks & the Rattlesnake River Band. He and his band have quickly become a popular act for festivals, fairs, corporate events and weddings.

While quickly gaining local momentum, Austin sought out “Artist Development” advice from John Studivant Jr. at Junction Entertainment in Madison, Tennessee. The spring of 2009 found Austin at Junction Recording Studio in Nashville, Tennessee, working with some of his long time hero’s behind the sound of Marty Stuart’s “Hot Hillbilly Band” from the 1990’s. John Sturdivant Jr. (drums) and Larry Marrs (Bass) both contributed heavily to his recording sessions as well as his brother Tyler Hicks on guitar. Several other well known musicians from Nashville also played on his recordings. His debut CD is to be released in early June and will fulfill a life long dream to get his music to his current fans, and generate a broader fan base across the country.

Career Highlights:
• Top Flight Male Vocalist of the Year '05, '06, '07, '08, '09
• Top Flight Band of the Year '05, '06, '07, '08, '09
• Carnival Cruise Line "Legends Show" 7/08
• Nashville Star 2008 Regional Finalist
• Debut CD release, June 2009