Ward Hayden and The Outliers

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Ward Hayden and the Outliers
Also known asGirls, Guns, and Glory (2005–2018)
OriginBoston, Massachusetts, U.S.
Genres
Years active2005–present
Labels
  • Faster Horses Recordings (2023-present)
  • Lonesome Day Records (2005-2014)
  • Proper (2014)
  • Sony RED (2015)
  • MRI (2015)
  • Dry Lightning Records (2015)
  • independent (2016-2023)
Members
  • Ward Hayden
  • Josh Kiggans
  • Cody Nilsen
  • Greg Hall
Past members
  • Colt Thompson
  • Bruce Beagley
  • John Graham
  • Colin Toomey
  • Brendan Murphy
  • Justin Maxwell
  • Michael Calabrese
  • Chris Hersch
  • Joe Keffler
  • Paul Dilley
Websitewww.wardhaydenandtheoutliers.com

Ward Hayden and the Outliers, formerly known as Girls, Guns and Glory (GGG), is an American band from Boston, Massachusetts. They currently release music on their own label, Faster Horses Recordings. Prior to this, at various times, the band had released music independently and was formerly signed to Lonesome Day Records and released albums with Sony RED, MRI and Dry Lightning Records in the US, as well as through Proper in the UK and Rough Trade in Europe. Their music is a mix of old school country, early rock 'n' roll, blues, and country rock. Inspiration is taken from Hank Williams, Johnny Cash and Johnny Horton classics. Ward Hayden and the Outliers has garnered seven Boston Music Awards (BMA). They were the 2011 winner of the BMA for "Americana Artist of the Year", and were nominated in the "Live Artist of the Year" category. They were also the 2019 winner of the BMA for "Country Artist of the Year". The band is popular throughout Europe and Scandinavia and has toured there for several years. Their 2016 album Love and Protest was a top 5 album in Norway and peaked at #1 on the Norway country album charts.

The band has released eight studio albums, two live albums, one studio EP, one live EP, and numerous singles; their most recent studio album was South Shore, and their most recent live album was A Celebration of Hank Williams Live (both albums were released in 2023). One more studio album is currently in the works for 2024.[2]


History[edit]

The band was formed in 2005 by vocalist/rhythm guitarist Ward Hayden and bassist Bruce Beagley,[3] joined shortly afterward by lead guitarist Colin Toomey and drummer John Graham. Colt Thompson replaced Toomey in 2007.[4] 2008 led to the band's third studio recording and their first Top 10 album Inverted Valentine, which peaked at #8 on the Americana Music Association (AMA) Chart. It was the highest charting album by an Independent band that year and led to the band being courted by numerous Major and Independent record labels in the US and Europe.

After re-releasing "Inverted Valentine" with label support in 2009, the band embarked on two years of non-stop touring, racking up close to 200 shows a year in 2009 and 2010. During this time the band toured with Yarn, Lake Street Dive, Della Mae, Bill Kirchen, Eilen Jewell, Bobby Bare Jr, Trampled By Turtles, Drag The River, and Slim Cessna's Auto Club.

By 2010, Hayden was the sole original member left in the band, with Boston-based guitarist Chris Hersch and bassist Paul Dilley joining. A second guitarist, Joe Keffler, also toured with the band in 2010.[5] Their third album, 2011's Sweet Nothings featured a collaboration (the song "1000 Times") with local Massachusetts alternative country musician Sarah Borges. Since December 2010, the band has held annual tribute concerts for Hank Williams in late December and early January to mark the anniversary of Williams' death.[1] In 2011, the band opened for Wanda Jackson. By 2012, Josh Kiggans became the band's third drummer replacing Michael Calabrese, also of the Boston-based band Lake Street Dive.

In 2014, Rolling Stone included the band in its list of the top 10 new country artists that fall.[6] The band released the studio album Good Luck that same year. In 2015, Rolling Stone also reviewed the band's then-recently released live tribute album to Hank Williams, A Tribute to Hank Williams - Live, which was their first live album.[1]

In 2016, Hersch left the band and was replaced later that year by Cody Nilsen. Also in 2016, the band decided to release new music independently, beginning with the album Love and Protest. The album featured local Massachusetts sideman Duke Levine as guest lead guitarist because it was recorded between Hersch's departure and Nilsen's arrival.[7][8][9] The band also featured a touring lead guitarist during this time. After Nilsen joined the band, they opened for NRBQ.[10]

In 2018, the band dropped the name Girls, Guns and Glory because of the polarizing issue of gun control in the United States.[11][12] Hayden later told The Patriot Ledger (in 2021) that the band also (at the time) had more recently had difficulty booking shows; for example, he mentioned that some people assumed they were a heavy metal band.[12] Also in 2018, the band opened for The Oak Ridge Boys,[13][14] Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives,[15][16] Los Lobos,[17] and Dwight Yoakam.[18]

In August 2019, the band "officially" released their EP Can't Judge A Book.[19] The status of this release is unclear, as they have referred to it sometimes as an EP (during its initial limited release in September 2018)[20] and other times as a full album.[21] The EP was self-produced by the band[12] and mostly featured covers (of songs by Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash,[22] Chuck Berry,[23] Fountains of Wayne,[24] Brinsley Schwarz, and The Derailers), some of which had been re-imagined and re-arranged by the band. The EP also included one original song, "Naturally Crazy".[21][25] That same year, the band opened for Midland at the Cape Cod Melody Tent in Hyannis, MA.[26][27] In late 2019, the band toured Europe, playing dates in Sweden, Norway, Spain, France, and Switzerland.[28]

In January 2020, longtime bassist Paul Dilley left the band, with Matt Murphy of the Ellen Jewell Band serving as a substitute (as the band referred to it, "on loan") the next month.[29] Dilley was ultimately replaced by local country musician Greg Hall.[30][31] As with many musicians, the band's touring schedule was hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic.[30][12] During this time, Hayden focused on his family and songwriting, Hall gave music lessons, and Kiggans and Nilsen worked construction jobs (as both had done before joining the band).[12] Most of the songs included on their seventh studio album, Free Country, were written during the various phases of the pandemic, including lockdowns.[12]

In 2021, the band opened for Los Lobos for a second time.[32] They also released their seventh studio album, Free Country, during 2021; it was produced by Eric "Roscoe" Ambel.[12] In 2022, the band performed special shows in honor the 99th anniversary of Hank Williams' birth; at least one of these shows featured guest musician Katy Boc Nickerson on fiddle.[33][34] Their European tour in late 2022 included shows in Spain, France, Belgium, and Switzerland.[35]

In early 2023, while Nilsen worked as a guitar tech for the Dropkick Murphys, Ryan Hommel temporarily sat in with the band on lead guitar.[36] Around this time, during a podcast interview, Hayden discussed the band's upcoming studio album, South Shore, with another studio album and another Hank Williams tribute live album scheduled to follow later in 2023 and in 2024.[2] The band formed their own record label, "Faster Horses Recordings" to better distribute their post-2017 catalog.[37] In March 2023, the band released a re-arranged country cover of "Badfish", originally by the band Sublime, as a non-album single. In May 2023, the band's eighth studio album South Shore was released.[37] Two singles, "Write a Song" and "(Breaking Up With) My Hometown", were released from South Shore. In September, A Celebration of Hank Williams Live, the band's second live tribute album to Hank Williams, was released, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Williams' birth. Two singles and an EP were released in advance of the live album's release and in order to promote it.


Members[edit]

Current members[edit]

  • Ward Hayden — lead vocals, rhythm guitar, double bass, drums (2005–present)
  • Josh Kiggans — drums, mandolin, percussion, piano, vocals (2012–present)
  • Cody Nilsen — vocals, lead guitar, pedal steel guitar, dobro, slide guitar, baritone guitar (2016–present)
  • Greg Hall – vocals, bass, double bass (2020–present)[30][31]

Former members[edit]

  • Bruce Beagley — bass guitar (2005-2008)
  • John Graham — drums (2005-2009)
  • Colin Toomey – lead guitar (2006)[38]
  • Brendan Murphy – percussion (2006)[38]
  • Colt Thompson — harmony and backing vocals, lead guitar, rhythm guitar (2007-2010)
  • Justin Maxwell — bass guitar, double bass (2009-2010)
  • Michael Calabrese — drums (2009-2012)
  • Chris Hersch — vocals, lead guitar, banjo (2010-2016)
  • Joe Keffler – rhythm guitar (2010)
  • Paul Dilley — vocals, bass guitar, double bass, lead guitar, piano, Mellotron, drums, mandolin (2010–2020)[29]

Timeline[edit]

Discography[edit]

Albums and EPs[edit]

2000s[edit]

  • Fireworks & Alcohol (2006)
  • Pretty Little Wrecking Ball (2007)
  • Inverted Valentine (2008)

2010s[edit]

Title Details Peak positions
AMA (US) NOR NOR Country
Sweet Nothings 18 — —
Good Luck
  • Release date: January 28, 2014
  • Label: Lonesome Day Records, Proper (UK)
 — — —
A Tribute to Hank Williams - Live!
  • Release date: February 2015
  • Label: Sony RED, MRI, Dry Lightning
 — — —
Love and Protest
  • Release date: 2016
  • Label: Independently released
 — 5 1
Can't Judge A Book (EP)[20]
  • Release date: September 1, 2018 (limited release at concerts);[20] August 2019 (widespread release)[21]
  • Label: Independently released
 — — —
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

2020s[edit]

  • Free Country (2021)
  • South Shore (2023)
  • Why Don't You Love Me (Live) (EP) (2023)
  • A Celebration of Hank Williams Live (2023)

Singles[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e Hudak, Joseph (February 23, 2015). "Hear Girls Guns and Glory Honor Hank Williams on New Tribute Album". Rolling Stone. Rolling Stone. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Studio 84 Podcast - February 2023 Interview with Ward Hayden". SoundCloud.com. Retrieved 23 February 2023.
  3. ^ "Girls Guns and Glory, November 2008". Countrystandardtime.com.
  4. ^ "Wicked Local | Provincetown Banner". Truro.wickedlocal.com.
  5. ^ [1] [dead link]
  6. ^ "10 Country Artists You Need to Know Now". Rolling Stone. 10 October 2014.
  7. ^ "A milestone achieved, the road goes on for Girls Guns and Glory - the Boston Globe". The Boston Globe.
  8. ^ "Girls Guns & Glory take things to a higher level on Love and Protest". Billcopelandmusicnews.com.
  9. ^ "Discography". Dukelevine.com.
  10. ^ "NRBQ and Girls, Guns and Glory lead Narrows' free Block-a-Palooza concert". Heraldnews.com.
  11. ^ [2] [dead link]
  12. ^ a b c d e f g Miller, Jay N. (August 17, 2021). "Rock on with Scituate's Ward Hayden and the Outliers". The Patriot Ledger. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  13. ^ "Zeiterion welcomes "Elvira" to New Bedford when the "Oak Ridge Boys" perform, March 24". New Bedford Guide.
  14. ^ "Check out the Oak Ridge Boys at the Z". Heraldnews.com.
  15. ^ "The Common Man Family in New Hampshire". Thecman.com.
  16. ^ "Girls, Guns & Glory perform on Saturday, January 20th!". Narrowscenter.org. 12 January 2018.
  17. ^ "Girls Guns and Glory opens Wednesday's los Lobos show with creative takes on traditions". Dailyprogress.com. 8 May 2015.
  18. ^ "Ward Hayden and the Outliers opening for Dwight Yoakam in October". Wardhaydenandtheoutliers.com.
  19. ^ "Ward Hayden & the Outliers Mark Band Name Change (From Girls Guns & Glory) with New Album 'Can't Judge a Book' Out August 24". Thecountrynote.com. 18 July 2019.
  20. ^ a b c Ward Hayden and The Outliers (August 15, 2018). "Ward Hayden and The Outliers' NEW EP "Can't Judge A Book" Out September 1st!!". Facebook. Facebook/Meta. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  21. ^ a b c Ward Hayden and The Outliers (August 27, 2019). "Recent News: Ward Hayden and The Outliers - Our New Album "Can't Judge A Book" is Officially Out Now!!". WardHaydenandTheOutliers.com. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  22. ^ Brown, Kristin (August 13, 2019). "Song Premiere: Ward Hayden & The Outliers' "The Ballad of Ira Hayes"". Cowboys & Indians: The Premier Magazine of the West. Cowboys & Indians Magazine. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  23. ^ "Song Premiere: Ward Hayden and the Outliers' Electrifying Cover of 'The Promised Land'". Wideopencountry.com. 11 July 2019.
  24. ^ BGS Staff (August 9, 2019). "LISTEN: Ward Hayden & The Outliers, "Hackensack"". The Bluegrass Situation. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  25. ^ Glide (August 8, 2019). "SONG PREMIERE: Ward Hayden & The Outliers Soar With Breezy Rocker "Naturally Crazy"". Glide Magazine. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  26. ^ Ward Hayden and The Outliers (August 25, 2019). "Very excited for this show tonight at the Cape Cod Melody Tent w/ Midland. ..." Facebook. Facebook/Meta. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  27. ^ Ward Hayden & The Outliers (August 26, 2019). "Huge thanks to both @midland and @melodytent for having us open last night. ..." Facebook. Facebook/Meta. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  28. ^ Ward Hayden and The Outliers (October 13, 2019). "Recent News: Ward Hayden & The Outliers: Sweden, Norway, Spain, France & Switzerland...Oh My!!". WardHaydenandTheOutliers.com. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  29. ^ a b Ward Hayden and The Outliers (January 24, 2020). Facebook. Facebook/Meta https://www.facebook.com/wardhaydenandtheoutliers/posts/pfbid02EdqAm38c7C8RcQouuJTPk1cDK9qMUi1Y7HNX5Ajz5uv65YFxCtw7yc7hKJ4jyrmyl. Retrieved June 5, 2024. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  30. ^ a b c Hall, Greg (March 18, 2020). Facebook. Facebook/Meta https://www.facebook.com/greghall.dogsofwarband/posts/pfbid02TvRBq4YNgc2aWh9ZP7faT7DnLJmRDFsrqhpsu4rMKKZDZfej5eHaaersXG9UYSgdl. Retrieved June 5, 2024. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  31. ^ a b Ward Hayden and The Outliers (March 27, 2020). "Alright [sic] friends, we've got some livestreaming going on! ..." Facebook. Facebook/Meta. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  32. ^ "Hands down one of the best... - Ward Hayden & The Outliers". Facebook.com.
  33. ^ Ward Hayden & The Outliers (September 18, 2022). "A great big thank you to everyone who came out this weekend for this run of shows celebrating the life, legacy, and music of Ol' Hank Williams. ..." Facebook. Facebook/Meta. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  34. ^ Ward Hayden & The Outliers (September 15, 2022). "On the lost highway….and happy about it. ..." Facebook. Facebook/Meta. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  35. ^ Ward Hayden & The Outliers (November 2, 2022). "These five guys were in this van for just north of 7,150 miles. That's like driving from Boston to CA, then back to Boston, then back to CA. That's a whole lotta time in a Mercedes Benz Vito…..." Facebook. Facebook/Meta. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  36. ^ Ward Hayden and The Outliers. "A great big thank you to Ryan Hommel for joining us the last couple weeks,..." Facebook.com. Facebook/Meta. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
  37. ^ a b admin (March 6, 2023). "Ward Hayden & The Outliers Bring It All Back Home On 'South Shore' Due Out On May 5". JamBandNews.net. Jam Band News. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  38. ^ a b "Girls, Guns & Glory – Pretty Little Wrecking Ball". Ninebullets.net. 15 May 2007.

External links[edit]

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