From Small Town Dreams to Nashville Stages to National Memorial Day Concert: The Journey of Army Veteran Scotty Hasting
Photo: Kyle McMahon
In the ever-evolving landscape of country music where trends come and go, there's something truly refreshing about an artist who always stays true to their roots, their story, and their sound. Scotty Hasting is one such artist. Hailing from a small town in Northern Kentucky, his journey from a small town to combat in our military to the bright lights of Nashville and now to the National Memorial Day Concert is a testament to perseverance, raw talent, and a deep, abiding love for crafting honest songs.
Scotty's musical story isn't one born of industry connections or overnight fame. It's a narrative woven with the threads of everyday life and pure, unbridled determination. Growing up, music wasn't just background noise for Scotty, it was the soundtrack to his life. He absorbed the classic country sounds that filled the airwaves, the heartfelt lyrics that spoke of real experiences and the infectious energy of local bands playing in small town bars.
This formative period instilled a deep appreciation for storytelling through song for Scotty. He wasn't just learning chords - he was learning how to connect with an audience, how to evoke emotion and how to paint vivid pictures with his words. These early experiences, far from the polished studios of Nashville, laid the authentic groundwork for the artist he would become.
Photo: Black River Entertainment
Like many aspiring country musicians, the magnetic pull of Nashville eventually became undeniable. It's a city built on dreams. A place where countless artists have honed their craft and chased their big break. For Scotty, the move wasn't a gamble, it was a natural progression - a necessary step in pursuing his passion with unwavering dedication.
And now, he's performing at the West Lawn of the United States Capitol for the 2025 National Memorial Day Concert.
When I asked Scotty what being at the concert meant to him, his raw honesty was truly moving. "My head is crazy right now," he admitted, "I mean I never thought this would be a thing." As a veteran who has experienced the heartbreak of losing comrades, being able to pay tribute to them and "all of the heroes before" him is clearly everything. You could feel the weight and the honor of the moment in his voice.
The song Scotty is performing is particularly poignant, stemming directly from his own experiences. It's a "heavy song," he confessed, one that’s incredibly "hard to sing about" because it brings back vivid, firsthand memories. He spoke openly about the struggle to maintain composure: "You try not to think about it in the moment, or else you get caught up and you start crying." The courage it takes to bare that kind of emotion on such a very public stage for such a very incredible purpose is truly remarkable.
Despite the difficulty, Scotty’s purpose is clear. He feels this song, his story, "needs to be heard." He hopes to use his voice to "help somebody with my music and with my story." He believes that by sharing his experience, "hopefully, someone hears my story or hears the song that I sang and it helps them a little bit in some way, shape or form." It’s a powerful testament to turning personal pain into collective healing and understanding. Which is what great art does, right?
Photo: Black River Entertainment
Scotty’s journey has been one of overcoming incredible odds. He shared that he's "on borrowed time," having been shot "a bunch of times." in combat. Yet instead of letting that define him negatively it has fueled his gratitude and his drive. He's simply "grateful to just be able to be breathing every day, let alone be able to do the main thing that I never thought or dreamed possible."
When I asked him what motto has gotten him through, his answer was simple, yet profoundly impactful: "Don't forget to do good." That's his guiding principle, "all it's ever been about is just trying to help somebody."
Scotty Hasting isn't just a country singer with a great voice - he's a true American hero who continues his service by using his art to bring comfort, understanding and honor. His authenticity and dedication are truly an inspiration and his performance at the National Memorial Day Concert is a powerful reminder of the very personal cost of freedom and the enduring spirit of those who serve our nation.
Please, make sure you take the time to watch the National Memorial Day Concert 2025. It airs live on PBS, Facebook, and YouTube tonight, Sunday, May 25th, at 8 PM ET. If you miss it live, it will also be available on demand for two weeks after. You won't want to miss Scotty Hasting's incredibly moving contribution to this vital tribute to our nations heroes.
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