Meet Hunter Callahan | Singer-Songwriter, Musician, & Storyteller

We had the good fortune of connecting with Hunter Callahan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Hunter, what do you attribute your success to?
This is a fascinating question to me. It’s almost like a moving target. For me, it all comes down to how do you define success? The interesting part, though, is that that answer doesn’t always stay the same. What you considered to be successful 10 years, might be complete different than now. There was a time when I thought being a “successful” musician meant I was. a rockstar and was on the cover of Rolling Stone. Now, would I love that? Of course! Who wouldn’t mind a Grammy or two? But that isn’t what success is to me, anymore. At this point in my life, financially speaking, success is to just make a living doing what I love. To make a living and provide for myself and my family, that’s all I can hope for at the end of the day. But, here’s the thing…even that isn’t really success. At the end of the day, success, to me, is what kind of experience am I creating? And I mean that in an emotional way, an inspiration way, a leadership way, and more. Is my music or my art making someone feel seen? Then it’s successful. Is my music reminding someone that they’re not alone? Then it’s successful. Am I leveraging my experience as a musician and songwriter, to mentor young artists and teach them what I’ve learned? Then that is success. Ultimately, is my art, my music, my words, my expression creating an atmosphere and environment where people feel loved and feel comfortable being themselves? If so, then I would say that is very successful.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I like to think the thing that sets my art apart is that it’s inherently personal, but still relatable. As a singer-songwriter, my goal is really build on 2 things. Personally, I want to tell my stories. Whatever those stories are. I want to connect with the songs I’m singing, and really immerse the audience in them. Let then feel what I feel when I perform. However, the ultimate goal of any storyteller, is to allow the listener to get more in touch with what THEY are feeling. Or maybe to even help them figure out what they’re feeling in the first place. In more recent years, I’ve leaned away from writing so much about love and heartbreak. Don’t get me wrong, there’s always a place for that and I still write about it. But I try to write about heavier, more vulnerable topics. About depression, anxiety, fears. I like to thing that if the guy on stage can feel all those things, then it’s okay for the listener too as well. And they’ll know that they aren’t allow in those feelings.

I got to where I am today through hard work and consistency, but also mainly through the people I’ve met along the way. There are always challenges, whether it be financially, creative, emotional, personal, or anything. But coming back to your “why” is so crucial. If you know why you’re doing something, then that acts as your motivation to overcome challenges. And you can use the community you build as a support system. I’ve found that you can go much further together, than you ever could alone.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Oh that’s an easy one; you’d find me on the Eastside. I used to live in Glenwood Park, a little neighborhood nestled between Grant Park and Reynoldstown, and it still feels like home. My usual hangouts would have to one of favorite, if not my top favorite, coffee shops in Atlanta – Daily Dose. It’s in the new Madison Yards complex off Memorial. It’s also right around the corner from one of my favorite breakfast spots, Homegrown. I love to eat and Atlanta offers so much. At any point you might find me at Krog Street Market or Ponce City Market. Or roaming around the beltline in Inman Park, or at Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit in Virginia Highlands. However, I do actually do more than eat! In the evenings, it’s hard to beat a night with friends, some drinks, and your favorite pups over at Fetch in Edgewood. Of course, as a musician, going to see live music is one of my favorite things to do. The first place I’d take someone is the best listening room in Atlanta, and if you ask me; the country. And that’s Eddie’s Attic. Not only has it launched some legendary artist, and it’s just simply the best place to listen to live music. It’s so intimate and vulnerable. There’s not a bad seat in the house. Other venues on the list are The Tabernacle, Variety Playhouse, Terminal West and the Center Stage complex. Other than that, I’d have to say take a ride up to the Battery on the Northside. I grew up playing baseball, so I’ve got a soft spot for our Atlanta Braves.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Oh, man the list is endless. There have been so many people who have helped and influenced me. First off, of course, are my parents. Both my parents are musical, my Dad plays guitar, while my Mom dabbles on piano. They have a wide range of musical tastes, which has really influenced me. However, I feel like the most important things they did was actually something they didn’t do. They never told me to stop and get a real job! I’ve always had big dreams, and my parents have always made me feel like those dreams are possible, if not probable. More recently, on the personal side has been my wife and my son. I’ve been with my wife for almost 10 years (married for 5 in December), and she’s my biggest supporter. But also, my biggest challenger. She’s not afraid to point me in the directions that need my attention, give me her honest feedback, and still make me feel like I can be great. I can feel that she believes I can do great things, and it inspires me to strive for that. And for my son? It’s amazing the impact a 1 year old can have on you. Since he was born, I’ve just felt inspired to strive to be everything I can be. So I can hopefully lead by example for him, to show him that it’s worth going for.

On a more professional level, there’s still tons of people. I couldn’t write this and not mention my original instructors. Jerry Bundy taught me guitar when I was 14, while Roger Beale coached me vocally at 17. I’ve graduated from them, but they laid the foundation. Now, I’m very fortunate to get to work with “Mama Jan” Smith, perhaps the most sought after vocal coach there is. She’s pushed me farther than I ever thought I could go, while instilling in me a strong belief in my own artistry. I could go on and on. Matt Arnett & Andy Hingley at Eddie’s Attic. Dan Hannon, a producer and mentor. Shawn Sullivan, a friend who helped me produce 2 singles. Abe Parker, a friend and producer who took my most recent single, “Masks,” to a place I could never take it alone.

There’s too many to name!

Website: www.huntercallahanmusic.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huntercallahanmusic/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hunter-callahan/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/hcallahanmusic

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/huntercallahanmusic/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCc4OcW_7suDcybXt1i9MQ0w

Image Credits
Emily Threatt Photography