Nightfall Preview: Hal Ketchum

This Friday, we get a lesson in Behind the Music, Nashville Style.

1.  After years of hard work, our artist becomes an "over-night sensation"

Hal Ketchum grew up playing music in New York.  But it was his move to Texas that got him moving on a country music career.  He spent the 80s learning how to be a Texas Songwriter from the likes of Lyle Lovett & Jimmie Dale Gilmore at the legendary Gruene Hall.

Then Hal gets his big break, a recording contract with Curb Records.  And presto, a country music star is born.

2.  Our star burns brightly, turning out hit after hit.

In 1991, Ketchum's debut album launches two top five singles... "Small Town Saturday Night" & "Past the Point of Rescue."

His first 3 albums give us 11 top 40 country hits.

3.  Our star hits the wall.  Nashville finds younger artists to fall in love with.  Radio doesn't love you anymore.

Ketchum's last hit big hit was "Stay Forever" in 1995.  From there, a very quick slide into Radio oblivion.

4.  The final chapter of self-destruction, and trying to hang on by playing your old hits at county fairs and introducing younger acts on the Opry.

But a funny thing happened to Hal Ketchum.  He bypasses step 4 because he can actually play and write his own music.  He's built up a steady fan base through touring (like real musicians do).  While Radio ignores his Texas songs, the growing Americana community embraces them.

So Ketchum still has a vibrant, artistic career as he takes the stage at Nightfall this week.  He's promoting a new, back-to-basics album, Father Time.

Here he is on stage in May explaining his new approach and playing the new song "Invisible."

Angel Snow opens Friday night's show at 7:00.

Then Hal Ketchum takes the stage at 8:00.