Concert News

Levi Hummon to Make His Cleveland Debut at Agora Theater

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Cleveland Country Magazine recently had the good fortune to spend some time chatting with up and coming singer/songwriter Levi Hummon. If the Hummon name sounds familiar, that’s because it is. His dad, Marcus Hummon, has penned some of the most iconic and beloved songs in country music. But Levi is a whole lot more than just being his father’s son. His voice is distinct and deserves to be heard! Let’s hear what he had to say.

CCM: So, word has it that you’re a Nashville kid?
LH: That’s right. Nashville born and raised.

CCM: What was it like growing up with a father who has been such an enormous influence on the country music scene?
LH: Really, growing up we were just pretty normal. While music was a big part of life around the house, there was never any pressure to pursue it in a serious way. It was something I enjoyed. But dad encouraged us to find and follow our own interests and dreams. You know, he told us to just go out there and live our lives.

CCM: Did you feel that music was something you wanted to pursue early on?
LH: Not really. I always knew that I wanted to do something creative, but that didn’t necessarily mean music. Growing up we attended a lot of country music events, and they were fun. But I also listened to a lot of punk rock and other stuff. The Ramones, The Clash and Outkast were what I listened to. Some of that was from me being a skateboarder, and music is a big part of that. But when I picked up my guitar and wrote a song, it was always country. For some reason, I never had the desire to write a rock song.

CCM: Tell us about your journey, your path, to making music.
LH: I went to college in Florida with the intention of being a visual artist. Painting and sculpting were what interested me and satisfied my desire to create. Music was an interest, too. But it wasn’t my primary focus. I went through a bad time personally, and I picked up my guitar and started writing songs. It was an outlet for me to fully express what I was thinking and feeling at the time. Before you knew it, one song turned into forty.

CCM: Is this when you started to get the idea that music might actually be the creative outlet you were looking for all along?
LH: Kind of. I sent the songs to my dad and asked him what he thought. He said they showed some promise. But he also told me that if I wanted to pursue songwriting that it would be best if I came back to Nashville. I took his advice and transferred to Belmont University and studied music.

CCM: Your music is really listenable. It’s country, but it’s also infused with a pop and R&B kind of vibe. How would you describe your style?
LH: To me, the most important thing in music is that it be honest. If a song doesn’t reflect what I feel or who I am, I shouldn’t be singing it.

CCM: You’ll be appearing in Cleveland soon with Hunter Hayes on his Closer To You Tour. How did that come about?
LH: I have to thank Jimmy Robbins (Grammy and CMA Award nominated songwriter and producer) for this. He liked my Patient EP and told Hunter that he really needed to listen to it. He liked what he heard and asked me to clear my schedule and go out on the road with him. I wasn’t about to pass on such a great opportunity. I’m really looking forward to touring with him. He’s one of the nicest and hardest working guys in country music today.

CCM: You recently released a new single called Night Lights.What’s the story behind this song?
LH: I was going for something fun and up-tempo. Something a little different from what I’ve already done. I’m stoked about this song because I think it has the makings of a possible hit. Let’s hope. I feel really good about it though.

CCM: Where’s your favorite place to play around Nashville?
LH: I’ve played the Grand Ole Opry fifteen times. We even did the release party for the Patient EP there. It’s always an honor to take the stage there. I also love to play the Ryman Auditorium. There’s just so much country music history there. There’s a reason why it’s called the Mother Church of Country Music. I’ve been lucky enough to play there five times, including once when I opened for Dwight Yoakam. That was amazing. I’m also looking forward to doing a show there with Brandi Carlile. It’s going to be a fundraiser for my mom’s (CNN Hero Becca Stevens) charity Thistle Farms. (Levi’s song “Love Heals” is a testament to the work that’s being done there.)

CCM: So we have to ask, have you ever played Tootsies Orchid Lounge?
LH: (Laughs.) Actually, no. I’ve sort of avoided playing down on Broadway. But I may have to reconsider that. Tootsies could be fun.

CCM: What would you like the people in Cleveland to know about you that they don’t know already?
LH: That’s easy. I’ve never played in Cleveland, but I’m really looking forward to doing so because it’ll be a homecoming of sorts. While we aren’t from there, dad has a lot of family in Northeast Ohio. In fact, we travel there every year for a big family reunion. We’ve done it forever. We’re even big fans of the Cavs and Indians. The closest I’ve ever played to Cleveland was the Ohio State Fair a couple years ago.

CCM: Finally, what’s next for Levi Hummon?
LH: Well, I have 2 ½ new songs in the works. So there’s plenty to do there. Plus, I’m really stoked to be getting out on the road with Hunter Hayes and connecting with as many people as possible. That connection is what the music is all about, and what makes the work worthwhile.

Check out Hummon’s new single “Night Lights” below or on your streaming service of choice. And definitely catch him live with Hunter Hayes on May 30 at The Agora in Cleveland. This is one show you definitely won’t want to miss!

Levi Hummon will open the show for Hunter Hayes on Thursday, May 30 at The Agora Theater & Ballroom in Cleveland. Doors open at 6:30pm; Show starts at 7:30pm. All ages event. Tickets are $30/Advance; $32/Day of Show and are available online through The Agora website.

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