185 Clingman Ave. Asheville, NC 28801
While his early work showcased a lo-fi, home-recorded aesthetic, 2024’s Flowers Falling signals a bold step forward. Secretly tracked over several months with producer Kevin Boggs at Loc-Level Sound in Asheville, the album features a cast of celebrated collaborators from Steep Canyon Rangers, Drive-By Truckers, and the Amy Ray Band. It was mastered by the legendary John Keane (R.E.M., Indigo Girls, Widespread Panic) in Athens, Georgia, and blends aching Americana with soulful grit and melodic urgency. Hooten’s 2021 live album Mornings Are for Singing—recorded in stairwells at his day job—remains a cult favorite for its warmth and originality.
A staple of Southeastern stages, Hooten has played iconic venues like the Grey Eagle, Evening Muse, and Orange Peel, and appeared at festivals including Enofest, Finsterfest, AVLFest, and the inaugural AVL Punkfest. He’s shared bills with a broad and respected roster including Scott Miller, Freedy Johnston, David Childers, Agent Orange, Soul Asylum, and PYLON REENACTMENT SOCIETY.
Beyond the stage, he helped organize Caverns of Gold: A Benefit for WNC Hurricane Relief, a Bandcamp-exclusive compilation supporting grassroots aid in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. He’s currently collecting and distributing gently-used guitars and other stringed instruments for Asheville Middle School students.