Local singer-songwriters make a big national splash

Two of Breaux Bridge’s favorite sons continue to draw national attention for their musical abilities.
Hunter Hayes, 23, who grew up on stage in Acadiana, took home the People’s Choice award for Favorite Male Country Artist, beating country music heavyweights Blake Shelton, Brad Paisley, Luke Bryan and Tim McGraw. The nationally televised award ceremony was held Wednesday, Jan. 7, in Los Angeles.
Hayes is also nominated for a Grammy in the category of Best Country Solo Performance for “Invisible.” It’s his fifth Grammy nomination.
In 2012, he won the American Country Award’s Single of the Year: New Artist and Music Video of the Year: New Artist for “Wanted,” as well as the Country Music Association’s New Artist of the Year award.
River Gibson is zeroing in on becoming the next American Idol. Gibson, 20, auditioned during the summer in New Orleans for the popular show. After going through several auditions, Gibson got a chance of a lifetime to audition in front of American Idol judges Jennifer Lopez, Harry Connick Jr. and Keith Urban.
Gibson will make his national debut on American Idol Tuesday, Jan. 22. If he wins a golden ticket that means a trip to Hollywood to compete and hopefully become one of the 25 semifinalist.
The UL Lafayette student impressed the judges with one of his original songs titled “Alive.”
After the release of a CD called Bright Nights early last year, Gibson and his band have toured locally with the following bands – Gavin Degraw, Aranda, Hinder, Trapt, Sevendust, Saving Abel, Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, 10 Years, Pop Evil, Nothing More, 12 Stones, Taproot and 3 Pill Morning.
Gibson continues to focus on his music and touring regionally. Follow Gibson on his Facebook page, facebook.com/rivergibson.
American Idol is in its 14th season. Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson and Jennifer Hudson were past American Idol winners.