At the young age of 19, J.T. Hubbell packed his belongings and headed out to pursue a dream of singing and songwriting. He took the drive from his Arizona birthplace to Nashville, Tennessee where he had never been before and where he knew no one!
Born in 1987 and raised in the Phoenix area, J.T. grew up in a family of talented musicians, but more importantly, a family where music was the theme of every gathering. His first talent show was at the age of 4 where he sang “Ragtime Cowboy Joe”. At the age of 16, he wanted to learn how to play the banjo. His Grandmother, who he is very close to, restored a banjo that had been gathering dust in the garage. J.T. took a couple of lessons, then picked up guitar and taught himself how to play.
Within a few months, he entered a teen talent contest at J. David Sloan’s famous honky-tonk, Mr. Lucky’s, where he took second place! The first place winner was the 2007 American Idol Jordin Sparks. By the time he was 17, J.T. wrote his first song, “One of a Dyin’ Breed”. His voice and songwriting abilities continued to flourish. According to a 2007 article in the Wrangler Newspaper, “J.T. Hubbell may be only 20 but he’s got a lifetime of musical history – and talent – to help him pave the way to stardom.”
As word spread, J.T. began landing gigs all over Arizona. He performed for the Cowboys for Kids Charity Rodeo along with other well known celebrities and entertainers. He is a member of the Southwestern Steel Guitar Association and has entertained at their conventions. In 2004, he was a finalist in the Young Guns contest held at Country Thunder. The summer of his 18th year, he played in Arizona bars and honky-tonks from the high White Mountains to the low Sonoran Desert. Those experiences solidified his love of the stage, singing, writing, and performing.
Once in Nashville, doors began to open and, in late 2005, J.T. completed his first CD project at Watershed Studio in Hermitage, Tennessee. The CD includes 11 original songs and some of Nashville’s finest musicians, such as Tommy White (Grand Ole Opry steel player) and Wanda Vick (multi-instrumentalist). J.T. is a regular featured artist on the internet radio station www.toginet.com. He continues to enjoy playing at weddings, honky-tonks, and songwriter nights, always meeting people that allow him to pursue his love of country music.
