Country singer Hunter Hayes returning to Pittsburgh with new album ‘Evergreen’ Hunter Hayes will bring his Evergreen tour to Mr. Smalls Theatre in Millvale on March 27, 2026, as the country artist prepares to release his 10th studio album on March 6. The tour marks a return to Pittsburgh, a city Hayes recalls with a mix of nostalgia and vivid memories from his early career. Hayes, a five-time Grammy nominee who rose to fame with his hit single “Wanted,” shared stories of his formative years during a recent Zoom interview with TribLive. He recounted a memorable night in Pittsburgh when he was just 21, having recently launched his music career. Alongside a group of around 30 bandmates and crew members, Hayes and his team attended a James Bond movie premiere for Skyfall, followed by a martini bar visit where he ordered a Vesper cocktail. The experience, he admitted, was overwhelming for a newcomer. “I didn’t know that taking a Vesper would take some experience to get through,” he laughed. “We had a show the next day. I loved the movie, but I remember going back to my room and thinking, ‘I don’t know if I’m gonna be OK tomorrow.’” The Evergreen album, which Hayes described as a “brand new home” for his music, has been in the works for nearly a decade. He explained that the project began with his first independent album, Wild Blue, which he created while still under a label but released independently after leaving. The follow-up, Red Sky, expanded on that foundation, and Evergreen emerged as a concept that felt both grounded and aspirational. “I kept writing songs for it, and I think I wrote the title track in 2018,” he said. “There was this complicated relationship with it—like, I knew it felt peaceful and grounded, but I didn’t feel qualified to speak on it yet.#hunter_hayes #evergreen_album #mr_smalls_theatre #pittsburgh #james_bond_skyfall
Hunter Hayes' Musical Journey: From 'Wanted' To 'Evergreen' Multi-platinum musician Hunter Hayes reflects on his 15-year journey in music, the creation of his new album Evergreen, and the evolution of his artistic identity. The album, released this year, marks a significant chapter in his career, blending personal growth with creative experimentation. Hayes, known for hits like "Wanted" and "Somebody’s Heartbreak," discusses how his approach to music has shifted from a debut driven by raw emotion to a more intentional, independent process. The title Evergreen symbolizes a thematic thread connecting his past and present. Hayes explains that the album was inspired by a trilogy of creative phases, with Wild Blue and Red Sky serving as the first two parts. "Evergreen" represents a grounded, reflective chapter, where he explores future aspirations and self-discovery. He describes the album as a "fun chapter of letters from your future self," emphasizing its role in shaping his artistic vision. Creating Evergreen involved a meticulous process, particularly in narrowing down the final 10 songs. As an independent artist, Hayes prioritizes albums over singles, viewing them as ongoing series with "seasons." He notes that while he initially wrote hundreds of songs to meet label expectations, his current focus is on quality, ensuring every track resonates with his artistic values. Some songs from the project have already found their way into future seasons, highlighting his commitment to long-term creative development. Hayes also delves into the instrumental and production aspects of Evergreen. The album features a unique sound, partly due to his experimentation with the oud, a fretless double-stringed instrument.#hunter_hayes #evergreen_album #wild_blue #red_sky #dann_huff
