Gabe Hizer

Gabe Hizer is a Nashville, TN-based singer-songwriter, originally from Long Island, NY. He attended the Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA, played in various rock and pop cover bands in the 70s, and more recently led a blues band for a couple of years. He is now performing as a solo artist, featuring his complex guitar arrangements, well-crafted songs, and wide vocal range.


How do you describe your music to people, Gabe?
Melodic folk-pop. A little Townes Van Zandt mixed with Joni Mitchell and Jackson Browne.

Tell me about how you originally got into your craft.
I started music lessons at 6. I guess I always had a gift for music! I remember actually composing a song at age 7, not that I'm any Mozart or anything!

I started out as a musician and graduated from Berklee College of Music. At age 30 I went to Boston University Law School and I practiced law for 25 years. Then in early 2008 I drove to Mexico with my two cats, a guitar, electric bass, small keyboard, and a few simple pieces of recording equipment, and lived in a small apartment for 4 months. I wrote a ton of songs and rediscovered my passion for music. By the time I left Mexico, I had decided to move from Boulder, CO, to Nashville, TN, where I now pursue music full time! My new CD is the culmination of this adventure, and also the start of a new one.

What is your favorite thing to do in the whole wide world?
Write a great new song and sing it! My secret is to go into my very spacious bathroom, where the natural acoustics are awesome, and just play the guitar and sing; I'm happy in there!

What is your biggest challenge when it comes to running your business?
The sheer volume of talented musicians also trying to get attention.

When you were a kid, what did you think you were going to be when you grew up?
I received a Downbeat magazine scholarship to Berklee College of Music when I was just 16, for summer study. I always figured I'd be a musician.

In what way has your community impacted your development as a musician?
It's clear that my early exposure to college radio from New York City (I heard those stations in my suburban Long Island home) had a big influence on me. That's where I first heard jazz, blues, bluegrass, and country, and r 'n' b and early rock n roll, too, of course.

What other artists out there do you love?
Joni Mitchell, Townes van Zandt, Jackson Browne, Eric Clapton, Pierce Pettis, Tom Kimmel, John Mayer's early work.

What does your future hold?
Wider exposure of my songs, continued development of my craft into better and better singing, playing, and songwriting, more gigs!

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