Braden Hobbs

with RICK REILEY

Back in the 60’s when I was growing up and listening to AM radio – before FM mind you – I was always amazed when tuning in to AM stations after dark to see what ‘foreign’ stations I could tune in on any particular night. For some technical reason I don’t understand, when the sun went down AM radio signals changed and suddenly you could hear other channels from far away. Chicago and New Orleans were always prominent as were the religious stations out of Del RIo Texas offering autographed pictures of Jesus for mailing in a simple offering.

This was my late night weekend treat to myself, listening to such different and exotic music from other worlds and feeling like I was in on some sort of secret society.

Of course our local Oklahoma radio stations served us well, but we all know the grass is always greener somewhere across town, across the street, across the river, across the aisle, across the country. So those late night radio evenings were magical.

I bring this up because these days you can easily find new music from anywhere in the world by using your computer or phone.

On one of my recent ventures in search of local music makers I ran across the name Braden Hobbs from Tryon. It was a name I recognized from recent memory as a fel- low who’d been to musical gatherings at our house on a couple of occasions and one I’d lost track of.

So I followed the link and learned he released an album a year ago simply titled, ‘Hobbs’ and has a brand new musical release coming up in February titled, ‘From Fourth’ consisting of songs written when he lived in Stillwater.

I listened to last year’s ‘Hobbs’ and began remembering those 1960’s late night AM radio ‘skips’ and got that old time feeling again. The feeling I had stumbled onto something fun and worthwhile. I’m anxiously awaiting the new release, ‘From Fourth’, on Feb. 2nd on all streaming platforms.

I followed links and asked questions. Here’s what I found out:

Braden Hobbs is a 25 year old mechanic by day, also a singer/songwriter, was born in Harrah, Oklahoma and resides in Tryon.

RR: Do you come from a musical family?

BH: I’m the only writer/musician i know of in my immediate family

RR: Who were your musical influences?

BH: My mother was my first influence I think. being around her always had the effect of introducing music to anyone’s ears. Whether she just sang out loud or sang along to the radio, she always loved music. Fleetwood Mac, Motown, anything that brought emotion with it. Another was the group of guys I spent time with in college. One of the ways we passed the time was playing music. It seldom sounded great, but we all got better at it that way. We learned through playing together.

RR: Do you recall a specific song or musical memory that grabbed you so hard you knew that making music yourself was a certain thing in your future?

BH: I remember my mom’s Fleetwood Mac greatest hits CD was always in her car’s cd changer when I was a kid, and I remembered how diverse the album was. I never thought about making music of my own until I picked up a guitar at eighteen, and thought I had something to say. We all do, really, and we all say things in our own unique ways…when I began to learn to appreciate my unique point of view and voice rather than compare it to everything else I heard is when I realized I could, and wanted to continue to do it.

RR: Can you tell me a bit about your musical journey, from early inspirations to now?

BH:I like to think of my music as an amalgamation of everything I’ve heard and been fond of all balled into one thing that comes out in little bits as songs. Tastes change, and what you listen to and like also changes, so what comes out of you is bound to change as well at times goes by…A lot of my earlier songs were more folky, waltzy, and almost Irish at times when I listened to a lot of Benjamin Tod and Mandolin Orange. As I’ve gotten a little older and been exposed to writers like Jeffrey Martin, David Ramirez, and Noah Gundersen, who almost lean more toward alternative, I think I’ve picked up some of their influences and carried them with me as well.

Here are a few lyric samples from last year’s release, ‘Hobbs’.

From Love At the Laundromat

“When I look at you it takes me back to the day I fell in love at the laundromat..”

A sweet remembrance of love with green eyes.

And one from Others Call me Friend’

“It is what it is I am who I am Some call me unwelcome But others call me friend.”

It’s about folks who love you, warts and all. And vice versa. And these two lines from Vows

“I’m no smooth talker so I listen instead…”

“I’m twice as foolish as I am wise…”

That appears to me to be how wisdom is born. From observing and admitting one’s failures.

RR: Where do you perform?

BH: I perform mostly at smaller venues around Stillwater, sometimes Enid, and Tulsa. Wherever I can show up and play.

RR: How did your current recording project come about?

BH: I knew I always wanted to record a record of my own, so I got some basic recording equipment and spent some time learning how to use it…The record was recorded from my living room couch with one microphone. It was one of the most fulfilling experiences I’ve ever had…

This album, From Fourth, is just a collection of songs written by a kid trying to find his place in the world, growing pains and all.

From what I’ve heard from him so far, I’m sure this new work will find a quite willing and welcoming audience!

RR: Do you have a list of upcoming performances?

BH: As of now, I only have one performance scheduled for Zannotti’s in Stillwater on April 29th from 8-11, but other shows can be seen on my Facebook page when they’ve been booked.

RR: How can folks find out more?

BH: Listen to the music I’ve got out there, and get in touch with me through Facebook or email. All of my contact info is on my Facebook page, Hobbs Music. OC