Scotty Hasting-New Music, Service and Sacrafice

Summary

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Podcast Summary

takin' a walk – "Scotty Hasting: New Music, Service and Sacrifice"

Date: October 16, 2025
Host: Buzz Knight
Guest: Scotty Hasting

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Main Theme and Purpose

This episode dives deep into the extraordinary life journey of country artist and Purple Heart recipient Scotty Hasting. From his early love of country music with his dad to a life-altering injury in Afghanistan and his inspiring recovery through music, Scotty shares what it means to persevere, give back, and use music as a force for healing—for himself and other veterans. The conversation explores themes of resilience, purpose, mentorship, and the unifying power of song.

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Key Discussion Points

1. Personal Loss and Perspective (02:31)

• Who Would You Take a Walk With?
  • Scotty would choose his father, who recently passed away. The emotional weight of this loss sets a deeply personal tone for the conversation.
  • "I just lost my dad June 1st, so my dad, I don't care where we're walking as long as I'm with you." — Scotty Hasting (02:51)

2. Musical Upbringing and Discovery (03:41)

• First Connection to Music
  • Childhood split between Cincinnati and Kentucky; discovered country music with his dad—a love sparked specifically by Garth Brooks.
  • "We listened to that cassette. We listened to one side… flipped it over… and did that over and over again. Garth Brooks music is the music that made me fall in love with country music."* — Scotty Hasting* (03:46)

3. Music as Therapy During Recovery (05:23)

• Country Music and Healing
  • 90s country left a huge impact, but after his injury and during recovery at Walter Reed, it became about songs that “force you to feel,” mentioning Tim McGraw’s “If You’re Reading This,” Lee Brice’s “I Drive Your Truck,” and Luke Bryan’s “Drink a Beer.”
  • "There's songs that just make you feel and just… force you to feel… the most beautiful songs that happen, and those are the ones that I truly connected with and still do." — Scotty Hasting (05:23)

4. Musical Mentorship and Industry Breakthrough (06:43 – 10:10)

• Serendipitous Encounter
  • Chance meeting with Michael Kerr (son of Black River Entertainment’s CEO), who appreciated Scotty’s story and music goals.
  • Within hours, Scotty is called by Doug Johnson (A&R, Black River), leading to an extensive meeting with the team and, eventually, a record and publishing deal.
  • "I had one song out called ‘Truck It’… I wanted to help veterans who are struggling… And that's all that matters to me. I just want to help people." — Scotty Hasting (06:43)
  • "Around Black River for about a year, I was just known as Doug's guy… and then about a year and a half after that conversation was when they presented me with a record deal and a publishing deal." (09:18)

5. Breakout Releases and Collaborations (10:11)

• Debut EP and Notable Performances
  • Released 1st EP, “I’m America,” in May 2024.
  • Turning point: “Till the Last Shots Fired” with Lee Brice and Dolly Parton.
  • Meeting Lee Brice:
    • "Lee is one of the most wonderful people I’ve ever met… He just wanted to be a part of what this is. This song is incredible and your story is amazing." — Scotty Hasting (10:57-11:40)
    • Scotty describes witnessing Lee’s artistry in the studio as transformative for his own growth.
    • Their friendship developed beyond music.

6. Performing at Major Events (13:48)

• Normandy D-Day 80th Anniversary
  • Represented the US with performances in Normandy, connecting with WWII veterans.
  • "It was, if not the most incredible experience I’ve ever had… especially as a veteran, the World War II guys were like it. Those are my heroes." — Scotty Hasting (13:48)
  • Highlighted meeting Dennis Bolt, a veteran returning to Normandy for the first time since combat.

7. Grand Ole Opry Debut (15:31)

• A Lifelong Dream
  • Debuted at the Opry during the Forrest Gump 30th anniversary event.
  • Invited by Gary Sinise; describes feeling the ongoing “weight” and honor of stepping into the Opry circle.
  • "The Opry is the mountaintop… the top. That’s where everyone wants to be… Every time I’m there, I feel it every single time." — Scotty Hasting (15:31)

8. Advocacy and Giving Back (16:25)

• Veteran Nonprofits
  • Credits veteran nonprofits with saving his life and finds it natural to align with those committed to helping others.
  • Highlights: PenFed Foundation, Creative Vets, Guitars for Vets, Tunnel to Towers, Folds of Honor.
  • "Veteran nonprofits saved my life. They have." — Scotty Hasting (16:25)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "I just want to help people. I don't care about anything else… I've used music as therapy and I want to continue to use it and help." — Scotty Hasting (07:51)
• "There's songs that just make you feel and… force you to feel… those are the ones that I truly connected with and still do." — Scotty Hasting (05:23)
• "I was able to get in rooms with these writers… I could have only imagined ever being able to be in with." — Scotty Hasting (09:18)
• "Lee [Brice]… just wanted to hang out and it was… amazing. He's since become a very dear friend of mine, which is something I never thought in a million years I would ever say." — Scotty Hasting (12:11)

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Timestamps of Important Segments

• 02:31 – Scotty’s wish to take a walk with his late father
• 03:41 – First musical memory with his dad and Garth Brooks
• 05:23 – Impact of 90s country music and songs as therapy
• 06:43 – Chance encounter at car dealership leading to music career breakthrough
• 09:18 – Signing with Black River Entertainment
• 10:11–12:44 – Collaborating with Lee Brice, creation of “Till the Last Shots Fired”
• 13:48 – Performing at Normandy D-Day Anniversary, connecting with WWII veterans
• 15:31 – Grand Ole Opry debut and its personal significance
• 16:25 – Veteran nonprofit partnerships and giving back to the community

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Tone and Atmosphere

The conversation is deeply heartfelt, filled with gratitude, genuine admiration, and purpose. Scotty’s humility and sense of mission shine through, while Buzz offers empathy, warmth, and respect throughout.

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Final Thoughts

This episode of “takin’ a walk” offers a moving portrait of how music and service can intersect, highlighting the healing power of both, and showcasing Scotty Hasting’s ongoing journey from wounded veteran to musical storyteller and advocate for others. Scotty’s conviction to use his talent and hard-won wisdom to make a difference leaves a resonant message of hope, service, and the enduring power of song.

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Transcript

[Buzz Knight]

Taking a walk Today we're not just taking a walk.

We're stepping into the extraordinary. I'm joined by Scotty Hasting, a Purple Heart recipient who has faced life's toughest battles both on and off the field. From the battlefield to the stage, Scotty's journey is a testament to courage, resilience and reinvention. Now he's channeling his experiences into powerful new music. Music that inspires and uplifts. I'm Buzz Knight, the host of the Taking a Walk podcast. So lace up, tune in, get ready for a stroll. That's going to change how you think about grit, second chances, and the healing power of song. This is an I Heart podcast. Every music lover has that moment. You hear or read something that stops you in your tracks. A forgotten B side, an offhand comment in an interview, a connection. Nobody else noticed that. Curiosity. That's where Claude comes in. Cloud is AI for people who don't stop at the surface. It helps you explore the real stories behind the music, not with quick answers, but by working through the discovery with you, matching your level of curiosity. Try Claude for free at Claude AI Buzz Lexus believes in the importance of standards. One of my standards I never want to be late. I always want to show up on time. For Lexus, the standard is simple Experience. Amazing. Their benchmarks aren't stats or specs, they're feelings. Exhilaration. Joy. That sense your car was designed just for you. Machines built to make you feel more human. Because a car that doesn't make you feel something is a car that stops short of amazing experience. Amazing at your Lexus dealer. This episode is brought to you by 20th Century Studios New film. Springsteen Deliver Me From Nowhere don't miss the movie. Critics are raving as the real deal. An intelligent, deliberate paced journey into the soul of an artist. Scott Cooper, director of the Academy Award winning movie Crazy Heart, brings you the story of the most pivotal chapter in the life of an icon. Springsteen. Deliver Me From Nowhere. Only in theaters October 24th. Get your tickets now.

Taking a Walk Scotty Hastings. Welcome to the Taking a Walk podcast, my friend.

[Scotty Hastings]

Thank you. Thank you for having me. I appreciate it.

[Buzz Knight]

It's an honor having you on. Before we get into hearing the many fantastic things that you were up to, I want to ask first, since we call this podcast, Taking a Walk, if there's somebody, Scotty, you could take a walk with, living or dead, who might it be and where would you take that walk?

[Scotty Hastings]

Yeah, that's easy. I just lost my dad June 1st, so my dad, I Don't care where we're walking as long as I'm with you.

[Buzz Knight]

I'm sorry for your loss. I am very, very sorry for loss. Loss runs deep, especially with family members.

Right.

We will never forget about that. And, and so. But thank you for sharing. And like I said, my.

[Scotty Hastings]

I appreciate it.

[Buzz Knight]

My condolences on your. On your loss. You have had a whirlwind of a 2024 and a whirlwind of 2025. And we want to talk about, certainly as much of it as you want to talk about. But I do want to ask you the first moment growing up in the Cincinnati, Kentucky neck of the woods.

[Scotty Hastings]

Absolutely.

[Buzz Knight]

Do you remember the first moment you. You connected with music?

[Scotty Hastings]

100%. I was with my dad. My parents are divorced. My dad lived on the Kentucky side of Cincinnati, and my mom lived on the Ohio side of Cincinnati. And, and yeah, I remember we were with my dad and I was in the car and he played Garth Brooks for the first time. And that was when I was sold on country music. I. I remember we listened. We listened to that cassette. We listened to one side. He. We finished it, took it out, flipped it over, listen side, and we did that over and over and over again. And that was his. His music. Garth Brooks music is the music that made me fall in love with country music and what made me fall in love with music, period. Honestly.

[Buzz Knight]

Isn't it something, though, that when, you know, you've struck gold with a particular song or, you know, a style or an artist, you know, that part of striking gold is that you continue to just, you know, keep it in and keep playing it over and over again, whether it's a cassette or an album. Right. And that's the beauty of it.

[Scotty Hastings]

Never. It never gets old. It's just like something. It just feels right.

[Buzz Knight]

So as you think about that moment and then think about how you continue to be touched by music in an important way, especially with your unbelievable story of recovery at Walter Reed, who are some of the artists that really touched you over time? Especially, you know, as you were, you know, impacted by this long recovery and found solace in music?

[Scotty Hastings]

Sure. You know, I've always been a 90s country guy. I feel like the 90s were the. Some of the best time for country music. Honestly, it was incredible. What was happening in country music was incredible. And, and. But no, I mean, I noticed that as I got older, into my recovery, after getting shot in Afghanistan and stuff like that, like, my music, the. The things that touched me became different. It wasn't. It wasn't just individual artists anymore. Now it was songs that, like, truly touched my soul in my heart. Like, if you're reading this by Tim McGraw, I drive your truck by Lee Bryce. Like, drank a beer by Luke Bryan. I mean, there's just. There's songs that just make you feel and just. And don't even. Don't even make you feel, but force you to feel. I mean, the songs that you can't yourself, you have to feel what's happening in that song. And for me, I think that those are the most beautiful songs that can happen, and those are the ones that I truly connected with and still do.

[Buzz Knight]

I know there's a number of folks that have been really important that have sort of, on the musical side of things, mentored you. First, talk about that chance encounter with the son of Black River Entertainment president and CEO Gordon Career.

[Scotty Hastings]

Yeah, that was crazy. It's the most natural story ever. So I was with my mom one day. I. She was like, I'm gonna go buy a car. Like, come with me. All right. I don't know anything about cars. I know nothing about. But I was like, you know what? Mom's probably gonna buy me lunch if I go hang out with her, though. And I love free food, so absolutely, I'll go hang out with my mom. And, you know, so we went and. And we went to this dealership, and the guy who was her salesman ended up being Michael Kerr, who was Gordon Kerr's son. At the time. I had no idea who that was. I didn't know what Black river was. Black river entertainment had no idea who they were. And he just started talking to me about music. He started talking to me about. You know, at the time, I had one song out called Truck it, and it was an okay song. I mainly just put that out because I wanted to see what it felt like to be in a studio. But I had that song out, and I. I started talking to him about what I want to do with my music, about how I want to help people, about how I want to help veterans who are struggling or anyone who's struggling, and. And how that's all that matters to me. I don't care about anything else. I just want to help people.

[Buzz Knight]

And.

[Scotty Hastings]

And he was like, well, he said, man, like. And I told him more of my story about me getting shot in Afghanistan and how I've used music as therapy and how I want to continue to use it and help.

[Buzz Knight]

And.

[Scotty Hastings]

And he's like, man, that. Like, that's amazing. He said, I'm gonna. So you Know, I'm gonna send a little bit of your story and a little bit of, you know, what you want to do with music and this song to Doug Johnson, who's the A R at Black river, and to my dad and Gordon Kerr at Black River. And I was like, oh, yeah, man. That'd be great. Like. And, you know, Nashville's full of people who say that they're gonna do something and nothing happens. Well, that's not how this worked, because I was like, okay. Like, I'm not gonna hold my breath. But then three hours later, I get a call from Doug Johnson saying, hey, man, we need to meet. And I was like, man, I'm in sweatpants right now, but I'll head that way right now. Like, I will be there in 10 minutes. And he was like, no, like, let's look. Like. Let's put something on the books, and we'll. We'll go. We'll meet. Like, I want to talk to you. And I was like, okay. So I went into Doug Johnson's office and started talking. Literally five minutes into it, he said, okay, stop talking. Hold on. We need to go to Gordon Kerr's office. We. We need to have this conversation together. I was like, okay. So then we sat down in Gordon's office and we talked for, God, three hours, probably. And it was just about everything that I want to do and how I want to help people and how I don't and how I've used music as therapy and what music means to me, and. And. And it was an incredible conversation.

[Buzz Knight]

And.

[Scotty Hastings]

And then from that day forward, I. I just kind of became Doug's guy. You know, I didn't know it at the time, but he was developing me as an artist. I had no idea at the time, but, you know, it was. I was able to get in rooms with Doug, written some incredible songs that will truly live forever, and I was able to get in rooms with these writers that I. I could have only imagined ever being able to be in with. And I was able to. To talk to Doug and kind of develop myself and him help me in that. And. And it's funny, like, around Black river for about a year, I was just known as Doug's guy. No one knew who I was. They just. I was just Doug's guy. I was there all the time. They just. No one knew who I was. And. And then, yeah, about a year and a half after that conversation was when they presented me with a record deal and a publishing deal.

[Buzz Knight]

I love that story.

That's so amazing. So the first EP comes out, I'm America in May of 2024. A great impact on the scene. And then later that year, the real turning point became with Till the Last Shots Fired with Lee Bryce and, and Dolly Parton, which is pretty spectacular. What was the first encounter with Lee Bryce like? And how late did you stay up as part of that first encounter? And I know a little bit of this firsthand because I love Lee and Lee stays up late.

[Scotty Hastings]

Yeah. You know, Lee is. Lee is one of the most wonderful people I've ever met. He truly is.

[Buzz Knight]

He.

[Scotty Hastings]

It was so funny. I remember the first time I ever went to him. The first time I ever met him was when we went to his brand new home studio that he just built. And it was when he was recording his part for this song. And it was incredible because, you know, we had that song and it was perfect. And that song changed my life. It was the, the song that made me decide that I was going to live my life to the fullest and that I was going to, you know, live my life for my best friends who never had the opportunity and I wasn't going to let my injury stop me. And, and you know, Lee, we walked in there and he's like, man, like, I don't know how much you guys want me to do with this song. He's like, but I don't, I don't care how much I get of this song. He's like, I just want to be a part of what this is like. This song is incredible and your story is amazing. And the fact that this song is what it is to you is all I care about being a part of. And I was like, that, that's, that's incredible. So we went there and yeah, we were there for, we were there for quite, quite an amount of time. But it was, it was also the first time that I was ever able watch a. An incredible recording artist be a recording artist. It was the first time I ever got to watch someone who's lived in a studio be in a studio. It was one of the. I learned so much that night from Lee just watching how he does what he does when he's in the studio and how he, he phrases stuff and I mean, he is. His, his vocals are unreal. And I don't think he gets enough credit for what he can do vocally and, and he's just, he. He's. He's just an incre. He sat down and just talked to us for hours. And I mean, we were done with the studio and he just Wanted to hang out and it was, it was, it was amazing. And Lee has since become a very dear friend of mine, which is something I never thought in a million years I would ever say.

[Buzz Knight]

He's a special, he's a special guy for sure. He really is. You made a incredible appearance on our companion podcast called Music Saved Me, hosted by Lynn Hoffman. And, and we have been big supporters wherever we can of, of certainly those that have served our country, you know, so valiantly, like you. Home Based Nation is based here in Boston and we've certainly tried to advocate their work as well with the work they do for veterans and families all over the place. The weight of some of your other appear is incredible. And I'll just highlight them and get your reflection. First of all, you representing the United States with multiple performances in Normandy, in France, during the 80th anniversary of the D Day commemoration. What was that like?

[Scotty Hastings]

I don't know. I still don't know how to find words for what that was. It was, it was truly one of the, if not the most incredible experiences I've ever had. It was, it was unreal, man. It was, it was so cool because for me, especially as a veteran, not not only on the music side and as an artist, but as a veteran, like, for me, like the World War II guys were like it. Like, those are my heroes. Like, those are the guys who went and did things, unimaginable things. And I was able to connect with so many of them and it was incredible to be able to see and it was so cool because when they're over there, they're treated like rock stars. And it was so cool to see and it was amazing. And we connected with one guy named Dennis Bolt. It was his first time ever back in Normandy since he was 19, storming the beach. And it was amazing to see. Like, you just watched him connect with all of the hell that he had went through was for what was happening right now. Like he saw a free, a free normal. He saw free France. Like, he saw it. He got to experience it and he got to experience the gratitude from everybody. It's just a deep rooted gratitude for the United States and for those guys. And it was, it was one of the most incredible things I've ever been part of. And yeah, I got to play and I got to play music, which is even better. But I, I would have had an incredible time had I not been playing music.

[Buzz Knight]

And then you made the. Your Grand Ole Opry debut during the Opry's celebration of Forrest Gump's 30th anniversary. That sounds fairly spectacular.

[Scotty Hastings]

It was. I mean, the Opry is the mountaintop, you know, I mean, that's. As an artist, like, as a country artist. The Opry is the top. Like, that's where you want to be. That's where everyone wants to be. And, and, you know, I was, I was blessed enough to be able to step into that circle and feel all of the weight from all the history before me when I stepped in that. And, and it was incredible because my really good friend Gary Sinise was the one who asked me to be a part of it. And it was, it was, it was, it was so amazing. And honestly, I've been back there since, and that weight that you feel when you step into that circle never goes away. I, I, Every time I'm there, I feel it every single time.

[Buzz Knight]

I would love for you to highlight some of the many organizations that you support and support your fellow veterans through partnerships. So feel free to brag about all of them.

[Scotty Hastings]

Yeah, 100%. You know, veteran nonprofits saved my life. They have. And for someone who, like myself, who wants to help with music, it's so easy to align myself with other veteran nonprofits. You know, PenFed foundation are doing incredible things for veteran creative vets. Are doing incredible things for veterans. Guitars for vets, Tunnel to towers, folds of. I mean, there's. There's so many, so many amazing organizations out there that are doing such incredible things. And it's like I said, it's so easy for someone like myself who's not only a vet, but wants to use my music and my story to help people, to align with people who are also trying to help. And I, I can't say enough for not only the relationships that I have with those organizations, but what they do to help.

[Buzz Knight]

You are a hero, sir. We are honored that you took the time to be with us. Thank you for your service. Thank you for all you continue to.

[Scotty Hastings]

Thank you.

[Buzz Knight]

Give us and give your fellow veterans and just an absolute honor, Scotty, to speak with you. We are always in your corner to help any way we can with your mission and your work.

[Scotty Hastings]

Thank you so much. I really appreciate that.

[Buzz Knight]

Thank you for your time, Scotty. Appreciate you, man. Thank you very much. Tell Lee we said hello. It's been a while, but love that guy.

[Scotty Hastings]

So special human. He's a very special. Thanks for listening to this episode of the Taking a Walk podcast. Share this and other episodes with your friends and follow us so you never miss an episode. Taking a Walk is available on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your podcasts.

[Buzz Knight]

Music history is full of hidden connections, just like everything else worth understanding. If you're someone who can't help but dig deeper, who sees problems as puzzles worth solving, Claude is for you. It's built for people that don't settle for surface level answers. Claude works with you on whatever you're curious about, helping you explore ideas and connect dots in ways that might surprise you not by thinking for you, but with you. See why the world's best problem solvers choose Claude as their thinking partner and try Claude for free @Claude AI buzz this episode of Taking a Walk is brought to you by Chase Sapphire Reserve. Whether I'm booking my next vacation or going to a concert, Chase Sapphire Reserve is my gateway to the world's most captivating destinations. When I use my Chase Sapphire Reserve card, I get eight times points on all the purchases I make through Chase Travel and even access to one of a kind experiences like music festivals and sports events. And that's not even mentioning how the card gets me into the Sapphire Lounge by the Club at select airports nationwide. No matter where I'm walking, travel is more rewarding with Chase Sapphire Reserve. Discover more at chase. Com Sapphire Reserve cards issued by JPMorgan Chase Bank NA member FDIC subject to credit approval terms apply. This is an iHeart podcast.