Rodney Hayden

Rodney Hayden has been a songwriting troubadour for over two decades. As a teenager, he began making a name for himself on the Texas Opry and Jamboree circuit, performing on Johnnie High's Country Music Revue and Charlie Daniels' Talent Roundup before catching the attention of Texas music icon Robert Earl Keen. He subsequently signed with Keen’s Rosetta Records & Publishing. Hayden also recorded for Audium Nashville before launching his own record label in 2007.

Rodney Hayden has released over a dozen albums that have received praise from People Magazine, USA Today, Texas Monthly, Entertainment Weekly, CMT, and other notable publications. Over the years, Hayden has maintained a relentless touring schedule, performing worldwide. In addition to playing nearly every honky-tonk and dancehall in Texas, he has also appeared at Willie Nelson’s 4th of July Picnic, Austin City Limits Festival, Houston Astrodome, Equiblues Festival in France, Disneyland Paris, The Fillmore (West), and many other respected festivals and venues. Hayden has had the honor of opening numerous shows for legends like Merle Haggard, Ray Price, and Willie Nelson.

Boston Red Sox pitcher Clay Buchholz selected one of Hayden’s recordings as his warm-up song at Fenway Park. Hayden has been a featured artist at events hosted by Boston Red Sox pitcher Josh Beckett's Foundation. He was also invited to be a part of country music legend Billy Joe Shaver’s 65th birthday celebration, which was recorded and released as an album titled A Tribute To Billy Joe Shaver. Hayden’s songwriting achievements include cuts by other artists, placements in movies and television, as well as co-writing credits with Robert Earl Keen, Bill Whitbeck (REK Band), George Strait, Bubba Strait, and other notable artists and writers. He also has a few acting credits, including the western movie Palo Pinto Gold.

In 2023, Hayden launched Real Wild Radio, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating listeners on the history of Country, Western, and Bluegrass music. The station reached over one million people each month before going off the air at the end of 2024. Most recently, Hayden’s song Mr. Mockingbird was featured on Robert Earl Keen’s latest album, Western Chill.