Fresh Find - Hicks
- Freshly Brewed Country
- Jan 12, 2017
- 6 min read
We are happy to announce the talented Swedish Country Star Hicks as our latest Fresh Find here at Freshly Brewed Country!
Hicks kicked off 2013 with two European hits on the European Country Top 40, he then represented Sweden at the CMA Global Show in Nashville as part of the CMA Fest week in June along with various acts from around the world and all the top American country artist such as Taylor Swift, Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum Tim McGraw and many more. This event were beamed live around the world via the Internet and audio streams to over 10 stations in the USA, Europe, and Australia. He then was asked to appear at two of CMR Nashville’s International Shows on Broadway at the Whiskey Bent and The Bridgestone Arena, if this wasn’t enough he was invited to be part of the CMA Fest Autograph signings at the Digital Rodeo booth with thousands of fans walking around in the brand new Music City Venue one of the biggest exhibition venues in the world. More to follow when asked to appear as a special guest at ‘A Night For Heroes’ a fund raiser for returning soldiers. Hicks (Miqael Persson) is also an accomplished songwriter with most of his live material being written by himself and other co-writers. Whilst in Nashville he was able to co-write with top songwriters Anthony Smith, Dallas Rogers, Dennis Morgan and Sharon Vaughn. He met with his USA publisher and learned that a song he wrote ‘Cuts Like A Diamond’ on his last USA visit was picked up by the Little River Band. Not only did they record it, but used the title of their new album to be released in August when they start a nationwide tour of the USA to promote it. Other artists such as Jimi Jamison (Survivor) Giant (Dann Huff) Bobby Kimball (Toto) W.E.T (Featuring Jeff Scott Soto) Grammy nominated Toby Hitchcock and many more have recorded his songs... Born in the southern part of Sweden (Helsingborg) Miqael grew up with a dream of making a living on his music. Playing in local bands he wrote music, toured and learned the chops as an artist and songwriter.
He soon moved to Stockholm to pursuit his dream of being a songwriter. His first cut with an other artist was the Swedish band Barbados that cut one of his country songs. The album went Gold and the band got a Grammy for Best Album. Pretty good start as a songwriter. Since then he has picked up more Gold and Platinum albums.
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We know you want to know more about Hicks so be sure to check out our interview with him.
FBC: What made you want to get involved in the country music world?
HICKS: I didn't have a choice I didn't find country music. Country music found me. I grew up listening to Johnny Cash, Hank Williams and Jim Reeves. My Ma' and Grandpa' are big country music fans. So there was always country music playing in the background. And those songs stuck with me. When I started writing despite what genre of music I was writing there was always a hint of country music in it. It's just in my blood. And I Love It. So it was a no brainer for me to be a country artist.
FBC: What do you use for inspiration to write your songs?
HICKS: From everywhere. Life... Reading books... Watching movies... Talking to friends... Thinking... Feeling... Dreaming... Watching the kids grow... Traveling... When I write on my own, I usually write the song in my head first.. Maybe not all of the lyrics just some words that will give you an idea what the song is about. When I have something that sounds like a song I pick up my guitar and start putting chords to it. I do most of my writing in my car. I don't why but it is something relaxing with driving and humming melodies and come up with lyrics. Sometimes when I've written a song a just let it lay for a while. And then pick it up again a few weeks later to see if it's still good. And if it is I record it. Some songs write themselves in just a few minutes while others can take months and even years to finish.
FBC: How was it working with Steve Wariner on "Stomp A Little Louder"?
HICKS: AMAZING!!! I met Steve in London. We were playing at the British CMA. I was on stage just before him. He stood in the wing watching. After my show he gave me his card and said "Next time your Nashville call me, Let's write some songs." I went straight back to Sweden packed my bags and flew to Nashville called Steve "Hey I'm in town. Let's write" And we did... The whole writing process was so much fun. We laughed the whole time. Told crazy stories from our tours and stuff. It was so effortless. Just like the song wrote itself. The recording of the demo was just crazy crazy fun. I never had that much fun in the studio before. Steve went totally crazy playing drums.guitars, bass and made really cool noise with whatever was around. It was hilarious. We kept a lot of the stuff from that demo. And he asked his son Ryan to come and play slide guitar. That was so cool. So not only did I co-write the song with Steve he also plays on the track with his son. How cool is that. Not many people outside of country knows how well respected Steve is as a guitar player. I mean he plays on Megadeath newest album. Dave Mustain is a huge fan.
FBC: If you could perform a duet with anyone who would it be with and why?
HICKS: Brooks And Dunn... I'm a huge Brooks And Dunn fan. It broke my heart when they parted ways. But they are starting to do more and more together so I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a reunion. I love the way they mix country with rock, soul, blues and even gospel. I think the world needs a little more Brooks And Dunn mixed with Hicks.
FBC: Who is your country music idol and why?
HICKS: I don't just have one "idol". There's a few and they're not all country... Brooks And Dunn The way they mix country, soul, blues, rock and sometimes a little gospel is just off the hook Steve Wariner, Great guitar playing great singing great song writing. What more can you ask for Van Halen (The Sammy Hagar years) They just had the whole package. Musicianship, songwriting, entertainers and I love Sammy Hagars voice. Eric Church a modern outlaw that does it on his own terms. Def Leppard especially when they worked with Mutt Lange. Great great melodies and hooks. Larger than life choruses. What they all have in common are strong melodies. I just love great melodies.
FBC: What are three fun facts about each of you that you want your fans to know?
HICKS: I'm a health nut. I try to live as healthy as possible. Eat clean food and drink a lot of clean water. I train 4 to 5 times a week in the gym. I don't eat that much sugar, wheat flour or dairy. That stuff is actually pure poison. We can eat a little. But not everyday and absolutely not in those amounts that we eat it today. It will get you sick. I love to cook. And especially make up my own recipes. A good glass of red wine to that is just heaven. I don't drink that much but a glass of wine once in while is just great. I'm a strong believer in homeopathy, herbs and vitamins. I don't go to an ordinary doctor. I go to a homeopath or a chiropractor depending on what I need. Usual doctors don't have a clue how to heal the body. I mean really heal the body. They can only prescribe poison to numb the pain a little, but they are lost when it comes to take care of the cause. I know it's hard words. But big pharma own the doctors and it's just a big big business. Has nothing to do with healing.
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