Born in
Winter Haven Florida, May 24, Hoyt was raised in Lakeland with his mother, Jenny, father,
Travis Ozell and older brother, Travis Randall (referred to as Randall). Hoyt was 5 years
old when he discovered he was musically inclined and actually started his career, but not
as a singer. Hoyt would frequent the local Bluegrass Festivals and fairs with his
Papa. Would you believe it Buck Dancing. Then is when he was taught to play the spoons and
he does it quite well. He came from a musically inclined family. His Papa played the
guitar and fiddle, and his daddy played the guitar and sang. In later years his brother
became a professional drummer/singer. His daddy (Travis) played professionally with local
bands and wrote songs in his spare time. In the evenings Hoyt could remember his daddy
setting up with his band on the front porch, where all the neighbors would gather. Hoyt
would get his dancing shoes on and his brother would pick up his drumsticks. His daddy
would step up to the mic with his guitar. The whole neighborhood would be sitting in the
front yard, applauding the show. This went on for several years and everyone knew the
Hughes.
1974 was a tragic year. Hoyt age 9 and his brother
Randall age 13, found that their lives would change forever. A security guard under the
influence of alcohol mistook a loud noise for a gunshot. While his judgment was impaired
he pulled his weapon and fired, unfortunately their dad was in the line of fire. Travis
Ozell Hughes 1937-1974. Due to this tragedy loaded guns are no longer part of the uniform
for a security guard. He will always be missed.
At the age of 25 the interest and love for country
music sparked again. His biggest influences were his brother and his Papa. Hoyt
frequently went to hear his brother's band play on the weekends. Sitting around in their
spare time listening to the songs his brother wrote, on occasion putting in his 2 cents.
Visiting with his Papa who would be there for the duration of the jam session. Between his
brother and his papa they had sparked that love again that had been buried many years
before. His papa sold him his first guitar. When Hoyt and Randall would get together, Hoyt
was always carrying that guitar. Randall would teach him how to play the chords so he
could get down to the "Pickin and a Grinnin'"
This opened up a whole New World for Hoyt and marked
the beginning of a true artist. He grew more and more interested in the songwriting. He
spends much of his time pickin and writing as a hobby. He would try his hand at singing
once in a while, but nobody was ever around to hear him. He has always been shy, so the
singing was never shared.
Several years later,
Hoyt encountered a woman who became his friend and would later become his wife, his soul
mate. She encouraged Hoyt to share his vocal ability, share his gift." She had talked
me into going out one night", he recalls. "It was the worst night of my
life". With a little coaxing and a lot of support" she had talked me into
singing with the band" I don't think I have ever been more scared" He says.
" I don't remember the audience at all. All I remember is the banister that held me
up! My knuckles were white I held on to it so tight." That night marked another
beginning. Hoyt had started singing out more often and sharing his unique talents.
"Each time it gets easier and with each time I find myself wanting to please the
crowd more and more"..
In 1996 Hoyt started entering contests winning cruises
and cash prizes. He developed a following and people came from all over to hear him. He
joined the F.C.M.A (Florida Country Music Association). From here he started singing at
Jamborees, Festivals, and at the remotes for the local radio station WPCV 97 Country. He
was voted Male Vocalist of the Year 1997 for Polk County chapter of the F.C.M.A. He was
requested for fund-raisers, including Shriners for crippled and burned children, Senior
Fest for the
Orphaned Senior Citizens, Toys for Tots, and a local, 2 year old little boy with leukemia,
which raised $3,000.00 for his medical bills. Hoyt had his own group of fans that
supported his every performance.
Notice the guitar in the pic above/right: This picture
was taken just last month (March, 1998) at the Heritage Day Fest in Lakeland, Florida.
Hoyt poses with his favorite guitar, a 1958 Gibson ES 125 which was bought for Hoyt by one
of his fans!
1997 was a busy year for Hoyt. It included the
Octoberfest, Ribfest in Kissimee Florida where Hoyt had the great pleasure of being
included in the opening acts for the legendary Charlie Daniels. Hoyt appeared on the
Haywood Henson Show, a local TV station who featured Polk County's Male Vocalist. Hoyt
will be returning sometime in late April for a follow up feature. .
In September of '97 Hoyt and his step-dad, Bobby, went
to Nashville. They loaded up ready for everything, well not quite everything. His response
from the locals and the tourist was not what he expected at all. He performed at Tootsies
Orchid Lounge, Lonny's Western World, Barbara's, Roberts, and Skulls. The picture to your
right exhibits what happens to a lazy crowd of folks! Hoyt thought the crowd was way too
sedate so he cocked his hat on sideways and livened the place up with his shenanigans! He
also appeared on the Wild Horse Saloon with Katie Lane where he won a jacket for
unscrambling the famous artist name who happened to George Jones. By this time people were
passing him in the streets calling him by name, like they have known him forever. Hoyt was
amazed at how wonderful everyone was to him. To top it all off, there were actually people
who gave up their Grand Ole Opry tickets to hear Hoyt sing! They were able to join him at
the Nashville Palace where he put on an awesome show. Hoyt and his dad had been there for
only a week and it was a week of pure excitement. He was able to attend one of the parties
after the CMA Awards. Hoyt says, "it was a great honor". They had made several
new friends, all of which have stayed in contact. Hoyt was invited to sing on The Midnight
Jamboree at the Texas Troubadour Theatre sometime in 98. All in all the trip went great
and Hoyt plans to be going back in 1998.
1998's
calendar is already filling up with important dates. It started off with a membership to
the NACMAI (North American Country Music Association International). They held their First
Annual Competition in Gatlinburg, TN this past January. Hoyt entered two categories Male
Vocalist and Entertainer. Hoyt is now the Male Vocalist of the year 1998 and the
Entertainer of the Year 1998 for the NACMAI. He's gone on to do several more festivals
such as the Citrus Festival in Florida, where Hoyt began with his latest addition to the
show, "Southern Pride". From there Hoyt joined the OBCMAI (Orange Blossom
Country Music Association International) which is the Florida chapter of NACMAI. 1999 Hoyt
entered the Florida State competition. Entering 4 categories and bring home 4 awards. Male
Vocalist and Male Entertainer of the Year, Songwriter of the Year for (Traditional
Country) with a song he wrote for his wife titled "I Thought You Already Knew"
and 2nd place for
Songwriter of the Year (New Country) with the song "In San Antone".
