Just a music lover/DJ searching for great music

Hayes Carll has spent over two decades building a reputation as one of Americana’s most beloved and consistent voices—not by chasing trends, but by being unflinchingly himself. 
With a knack for cutting through noise and naming the hard truths with humor, humility, and heart, Carll’s songs feel both deeply personal and universally understood. He doesn’t aim to preach or persuade, but rather to reflect the world as he sees and feels it—flawed, funny, complicated, and worth showing up for.

“...It’s [Carll’s] testament to the power of slowing down and appreciating the moment: to having fun, to loving another, to parenting, to engaging with the world around him in an enduring and meaningful way." 
- Rolling Stone Country

Carll’s voice—both literal and lyrical—is warm, weathered, and unmistakably his. He’s got a knack for pairing clever turns of phrase with real emotional weight, and for tackling big questions without taking himself too seriously. Whether he’s singing about grace, distraction, judgment, or joy, there’s always a sense that he’s letting us in on something real. His songs resonate because they aren’t safe—they’re personal, imperfect, and deeply human.
See above. Hayes Carll is the transmutable jester whose incisive songs and funky beats play as well in shitkicker bars as they do hippie festivals, somewhere as organic as American Public Radio’s “Mountain Stage” concert series and middle America as “The Tonight Show With Jay Leno.”

Maybe it’s the influences – Kerouac, Dylan, Guy Clark, John Prine, Hubbard… Maybe it’s the fact that somebody has to say something… Maybe it’s just the fact that some people are born to play…

But for whatever reason, over a decade into a recording career, Hayes Carll shows no signs of having arrived at his creative apex. Each album expands on his already extreme vintage country, extreme thumping bad road boogie, extreme heartbroken ache – and finds new ways to take on the fate of the nation. Whether it’s the GI protagonist in the propulsive title track of KMAG YOYO, the train wreck objet d’amour of “Drunken Poet’s Dream,” also recorded by Hubbard, the road warrior of both “I Got A Gig” and “Little Rock” or the stoner liberal and the uptight Republican vixen of “Another Like You,” Carll paints vivid pictures of humanity as it really is.
Thick-headed. Avaricious. Squalid. Hungry. Angry. Getting by.

Like so many Texans before him, there’s no agony in the ecstasy – just the wonder of capturing the perfect character in the song. When you’re 6 beers down on a 12 pack night, you know Hayes Carll understands. At a time like that – whether in your own backyard or some jam-packed bar – that’s the best kind of friend to have.

Over the years, Carll has earned praise from critics, peers, and fans alike. His work has been recognized by the Americana Music Association, nominated for a Grammy, and championed by The New York Times and Pitchfork. His songs have been recorded by the likes of Kenny Chesney, Lee Ann Womack, and Brothers Osborne—but it’s his own delivery that leaves the lasting mark. Through his records and live shows, Carll has become one of Americana’s most beloved voices—not by chasing trends, but by staying true to himself.

At the heart of it, Hayes Carll is a storyteller with a songwriter’s soul—always chasing truth, sometimes stumbling into grace, and never losing sight of the power in simply being human. His songs are filled with snapshots of quiet clarity, hard-won insight, and wry observation. He sings like someone still doing the work—and that’s what keeps people coming back. Because in a world full of noise, Hayes Carll offers something rare: a voice that’s still listening.

Leon Majcen is a musician whose story is one of resilience and determination. He grew up on the Gulf Coast of Florida, the son of Bosnian war refugees who had fled their homeland in search of a better life for their children. From a young age, Leon was drawn to the power of storytelling through music, particularly the work of artists like Townes Van Zandt, John Prine, Bob Dylan, and Guy Clark.

Leon began playing in local bars while still in high school, honing his craft and building a loyal following. After graduating, he decided to pursue his passion for music in New York City, while attending college at New York University and playing shows around town. After a while, Leon came to the realization that the hustle and bustle of the city wasn't where his heart was at.

He returned home to Florida and took a job at a commercial fishing dock, filleting and packing fish while he planned his next move. And that move was to Nashville, where Leon hoped to make his mark as a singer-songwriter. Since arriving in Nashville, Leon has continued to develop his unique blend of Americana, folk, and country music, drawing on his experiences and his love of the outdoors to craft songs that are both poignant and powerful. With his heartfelt lyrics, soulful voice, and deft guitar work, Leon has built a strong following in Music City and beyond.

He is currently set to release three new singles starting on June 2nd, leading up to a full-length album in the Fall, as well as embark on a tour across the United States, playing shows and searching for the next great fishing spot along the way.

PraiseWorthy Publishing is a Boutique Publishing company.  We strive to promote well-produced songs in a variety of genres and styles from positive, upbeat, and spirited to heartfelt and emotional.  Our songwriters and artists write and record custom songs for #Sync projects in #Film, #TV, and #Advertising as well as Special Occasions like weddings, birthdays and anniversaries, corporate events, and church services.  Contact us at Licensing@PraiseWorthyPublishing.com if you are interested in any of our music or would like a licensing quote for a custom song.

Now based in Tampa FL, singer/songwriter Bill Johnston hails originally from New England. He has been performing since the age of 10, has appeared in a variety of venues across the nation and in several countries, and appears on several CDs as a singer and/or guitar player. Since relocating to Florida, he has been featured on TBCN local cable as well as radio stations WTAN 1340AM and WMNF 88.5FM, and regularly plays at bars, clubs, coffeehouses, and art galleries throughout Tampa Bay.

In addition to performing solo, Bill is currently working on a project with singer/songwriter Holly Vinson (check out some rough mixes on this profile page), and also makes up half of the acoustic duo One Lone Something (check out some rough mixes at reverbnation.com/onelonesomething).

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