Michigan Native, Waylon Hanel, Opening For Trace Adkins At The Capitol Theater
Millington, Michigan-reared outlaw country artist, Waylon Hanel, will check off a lifelong dream on Thursday, May 5 as he takes the stage to open for country music icon Trace Adkins at The Capitol Theater in Flint, MI.
“I am honored and appreciative for the opportunity to play on the same bill as Trace Adkins and show everyone there what outlaw country means to me,” the musician expresses. “The Capitol Theater is an amazing venue and I feel very blessed that I will step on the same stage that has featured countless legends in the music and entertainment industry.”
Fans in attendance will be treated a set of all original acoustic music when Hanel takes the stage with nothing but his guitar and his outlaw swagger.
Full details on the show are below:
Location: The Capitol Theater
Address: 1241 E. Kearsley St. Flint, MI 48503
Date: May 5
Time: 8:00PM ET
Ticket Price: Main Floor- $67-$91; Balcony- $54-$91
Ticket Link: https://tickets.thewhiting.com/9274
Coming off his self-titled EP release in early 2022, the skillful six string picker has been featured on the official Academy of Country Music’s New Music Friday playlist and has gained national radio play across 18 states and the U.K. on syndicated broadcast New Country Brew. Since the EP’s release, Waylon has been making stops at local favorites across his home state of Michigan.
About Waylon
Waylon was born in Flushing, MI in 2002 and just 17 months later he and his parents welcomed his baby brother, Landyn. The family moved to rural Clio, Michigan (pop. 2,421) before later settling in Millington, Michigan (pop. 1,120) in 2013, where seven years later, Waylon graduated from Millington High School.
At 16, this self-taught musician was invited to play his first show at local pizza shop, Cardinal Country Pizza, wowing clientele there and spring-boarding him to larger venues throughout Michigan.
Tragically, in early 2021 his brother, Landyn, unexpectedly passed away due to complications from a serious automobile accident. Understandably, his passing was a huge blow to the family. Overwhelmed, Waylon considered never booking another gig again. After some time off from the rest of the world to grieve, he told his parents he wanted to do a show in honor of his brother. This was a turning point where literally hundreds of people came out to show their support.
“Music saved me, and more importantly, saved my family,” he states. “Losing someone so close to you changes your outlook on life. I try to live my life by a simple motto: Be good to everyone. Be nice. If I can continue to do these things, I know that Landyn is looking down on me and proud of my accomplishments.”
The determined tunesmith went on to impress a local radio station host, Dan Richards (host of The Sunday Night Flashback at 98.1KCQ out of Saginaw, MI) and his wife Georgeann Ricketts at the Montrose Pub in late 2019. The couple was so impressed by Waylon’s talent and earnest work ethic that they surprised Waylon and his family with a trip to Fredericksburg, Texas to meet and write music with Michigan native, legendary hit songwriter Bernie Nelson (Daddy Never Was The Cadillac Kind by Confederate Railroad; House on Old Lonesome Road by Conway Twitty).
In early August 2021, the Hanels met Nelson in Nashville, TN to record Waylon’s EP at Omni Studios. He also crossed paths with songwriter Gary Vincent, who has written songs for Chris Ledoux, John Anderson, Gary Morris and many more.
Waylon has taken stages across in Tennessee, Texas, Florida, and Indiana in 2021 as he fine-tunes his craft.
To stay up to date with Waylon, visit the following:
Website: waylonhanel.com
Facebook: facebook.com/waylonhanelmusic
Instagram: @waylon_hanel_music
Twitter: @Waylon_Hanel
TikTok: @waylonhanelmusic