Newly resurrected Hazard, Kentucky-bred country music duo Halfway To Hazard (“Daisy,” “Devil And The Cross”) has released a new music video recounting the life of one of Kentucky’s most feared outlaws of the 1800s — “Bad Tom” Smith. The song is a preview of what’s to come on the duo’s forthcoming brand new album that’s currently being recorded — the first since a personal hiatus in 2009. In support, Halfway To Hazard announces their 2016 REDEMPTION TOUR hitting major markets nationwide.
The scandal-singed single, “American Outlaw,” was written by the duo’s Chad Warrix and David Tolliver alongside Matt Alderman. It will serve as the theme song for a forthcoming documentary produced by Showhouse Productions about the real “Bad Tom” and his tumultuous life, including confessions for the murders of many Eversole supporters during the French-Eversole Feud. Much of the feud took place in the backdrop of Chad and David’s hometowns in the 1800s. View the music video for the song, produced by Matt McClure, David Tolliver and Chad Warrix, by clicking here.
“David and I are proud of our heritage and continue to be huge supporters of anything Kentucky related,” said Warrix. “We’ve always been intrigued by the outlaw characters of the Wild West, so this is kind of our way of delving into that intrigue in the backdrop of our home state. Halfway To Hazard is more than ready for our comeback and this project favorite is an opportunity to tell the story of ‘Bad Tom’ Smith through our music.”
“We had a great time filming the video and getting into our characters through costumes, bar fight scenes and gun slingin’. I think my favorite part was watching David attempt to ride a horse! We hope the music video along with the forthcoming documentary will give people a real sense of the rustic life in Eastern Kentucky in the late 1800s,” he added.
Born in 1859, the formidable “Bad Tom” Smith lived a life of crime in Eastern Kentucky and escaped prosecution of those crimes, including multiple murders, for many years by threatening witnesses. He was eventually arrested and convicted for the murder of Dr. Robert Rader from Jackson, Kentucky and on June 28, 1895, was hung for taking Dr. Rader’s life. Smith’s execution marks the first and last hanging ever to take place in Breathitt County, Kentucky.
Halfway To Hazard rose to fame after signing to a record deal with Mercury Records, thanks to help from their long-time supporter Tim McGraw and a passionate national fan base. In 2007, they celebrated their hit single “Daisy,” and performed on Tim McGraw and Faith Hill’sSoul2Soul II tour, which served as the backdrop in their music video for “Countrified,” (featuring McGraw), followed by the Live Your Voice Tour with McGraw and Jason Aldean. Their second single, “Devil And The Cross,” came after the release of their critically acclaimed self-titled album. Two years later, Halfway To Hazard parted ways with Mercury and independently released their second studio album Come On Time.
After a multi-year career break paved with personal struggles and conviction, the duo nearly closed the book on their dreams. But persistent coercion from their supportive peers, passionate fans and team of believers pushed Chad Warrix and David Tolliver to overcome the bitterness of their past and reunite in 2015 by playing multiple shows, charity events and collaborating in the studio working on the third studio album. They released a new single, “Heaven On Down The Highway” in September 2015 and the song proved to mark their official “comeback” in country music, garnering national airplay on SiriusXM’s The Highway and widespread fan support. A documentary is currently being filmed about their life and career, suitably called Redemption. The documentary is slated for release in 2016. View the video teaser for the new film here.
“American Outlaw” will be available for download on iTunes in coming weeks.
Catch Halfway To Hazard on their 2016 REDEMPTION TOUR performing dates stretching from Kentucky to Montana to Wisconsin to Florida.
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Halfway To Hazard – 2016 REDEMPTION TOUR
April 1 David J. Prior Convocation Center | Wise, Virginia
April 2 Brickhouse Grill | Newnan, Ga.
April 3 Seafood Festival | Desoto, Fla.
April 4 Private TJ Martell Foundation Benefit | Key Largo, Fla.
April 8 Seasons Inn | Seasons Allen, Ky.
April 9 Silver Eagle | Mount Vernon, Ky.
April 12 Waiting For Wishes Event – The Palm | Nashville, Tenn.
April 12 Honky Tonk Central | Nashville, Tenn.
May 11 Baxter’s 942 | Louisville, Ky.
June 9 Fan Club Party | Nashville, Tenn.
June 15 Country Jam | Grand Junction, Colo.
June 16 Country Jam | Grand Junction, Colo.
June 18 Headwaters Country Jam | Cardwell, Mont.
June 21 Lexington Legends All Star Game | Lexington, Ky.
June 24 Brickhouse Grill | Newnan, Ga.
June 25 Brickhouse Grill | Newnan, Ga.
July 30 E. Colorado Roundup & Fair | Akron, Colo.
Aug. 12 Tin Roof | Lexington, Ky.
Aug. 13 Hazard Rotary Club | Hazard, Ky.
Aug. 5 Country On The River | Prairie Du Chien, Wis.
Aug. 6 WE Fest | Detroit Lakes, Minn.
Aug. 20 Magoffin Community Day | Salyersville, Ky.
Sept. 2 Brickhouse Grill | Newnan, Ga.
Sept. 3 Brickhouse Grill | Newnan, Ga.
Sept. 24 Country On The Beach 8 | Key West, Fla.
Sept. 25 Country On The Beach 8 | Key West, Fla.
Sept. 26 Country On The Beach 8 | Key West, Fla.
Oct. 12 Tootsies Birthday Bash | Nashville, Tenn.
Oct. 28 Brickhouse Grill | Newnan, Ga.
Oct. 29 Brickhouse Grill | Newnan, Ga.