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Raised in small-town Haleyville, AL, Reid Haughton soaked up the sounds floating over on the breeze from nearby Muscle Shoals and caught the music bug after picking up a guitar one day during church lessons.
“I started out leading worship at my local church in 8th grade,” he told us. “Once I graduated high school, I went to Auburn where I started playing the bars and really cutting my teeth as a performer.”
In just a few short months at Auburn University, Haughton had quickly become immersed in the college circuit, booking gigs and filling rooms in towns throughout the southeast. Following the viral smash of an acoustic version ‘She Is’ in February 2023, Reid released his debut EP, produced by Sadler Vaden (Jason Isbell, Morgan Wade, Blue Dogs) featuring a full-band version of ‘She Is’ along with seven other instant country classics.
Every single one of the eight songs on his new self-titled EP sound so instantly familiar it’s as if you grew up on them. If you like your country classic with a little contemporary twist, then Reid Haughton is going to be stuck on your stereo for the foreseeable.
Whether it’s the gospel soaked ‘Day You Don’t’ and ‘Can’t Please ‘Em All’ taking you all the way to church, or the blue-eyed country soul of ‘Say Less’ and ‘Should’ve Thought About That’, it’s obvious that with Reid Haughton we’re listening to a timeless artist.
Blending the kind of grinding, bluesy southern rock that Brothers Osborne and Marcus King are famous for with a genuine songwriters touch, Reid Haughton is proof that when the songs are this good, all you need is to turn it up to 11 and let the songs do the rest.
Holler sat down with Reid Haughton to talk about his influences and what’s coming up next for him.
What did you grow up listening to?
I grew up around a lot of different genres and influences. My Dad is a huge fan of Lynyrd Skynyrd and the Grateful Dead and everything in between. My mom is also a big music fan and introduced me to mainstream country while driving me to school with her every day.
How would you describe your sound?
I would describe my sound as modern southern rock. It’s a country/Americana feel centred around the guitar.
Where’s the most unexpected place music has taken you?
I just played CMA Fest for the first time and that was an amazing experience. But as far as unexpected places, I’m heading out to tour in Europe later this year. That’s a long way for an Alabama boy.
What’s your all-time favourite song of someone else’s?
‘Universal Sound’ by Tyler Childers
If you weren’t doing this, what would you be doing?
I honestly have no idea because music is my only love and really the only thing I know how to do well. As Luke Combs would say, “I’d still be doing this.”
If you could time travel back to any time when would you travel back to?
I’d go see the Grateful Dead in their prime with Jerry still around.
Which person from history would you most like to meet?
Jimi Hendrix
What’s next for you?
I just recorded a whole new batch of music and I’m headed out on the road for some festivals this summer, and then Europe in September.
Reid Haughton's self-titled EP is available now on River House.
