Many people experienced nothing but negative effects during the COVID-19 pandemic, but Keagan Hatton used the time to develop what is quickly becoming his passion.
Keagan got a guitar when he was 9 years old and he took less than five lessons. The guitar sat in the corner of his room until December 2019 when he found himself bored and stuck at home.
He started watching YouTube videos and essentially taught himself how to play the guitar.
“I would genuinely play until my fingers bled,” he said. “I was just looking for something to do. I was really bad at first,” he said with a laugh. But, as time went along he improved.
Now the CCHS junior is playing for crowds throughout the region. His next concert is Saturday night at Gen. Butler State Resort Park conference center from 7-9 p.m. He will also play Saturday, March 11 at the Burgers N Bands sponsored by Puckett’s Restaurant in Eminence at 7 p.m.
It was not uncommon for him to practice four to five hours a day initially, but he doesn’t have that luxury any longer since school is back in session and his sports and extracurricular activities keep him busy. “I play in all my free time,” he said.
Hatton said he has always loved classic country artists like Waylon Jennings and Johnny Cash. “My music taste has expanded since I began playing,” he said. His Facebook page showcases his talents with songs by Keith Whitley, Townes Van Zandt and Stevie Ray Vaughan.
Keagan performs as a solo act, which is quite a bit of work. His last gig featured nearly 50 songs played over three hours. “I do a lot of water sippin’ and talkin’,” he said with a smile.
He’s always on the lookout for new places to perform. Keagan said he sometimes pursues the venues and others he is approached. His dad also helps out a lot. “Everybody knows Harry,” he said.
One day he would like to record his songs, but he’s still working on finding ones he believes are good enough. “I have two or three good quality songs right now, but I’ve written a bunch,” he said. Songwriting can be inspired by anything from a conversation to life experience to the tune of a melody, he explained. “Sometimes you just have this perfect moment of inspiration,” he said.
“I hope everyone will come out and listen.”
