Louisville, Kentucky's own born and bred Hugh Hill has finally made it to the homestretch with his sophomore C.D., "That Redheaded Woman." Although the race has been on for a long time, this new release proves that Hill has the talent and stamina needed to outrun the pack. In fact, fans are already hailing "That Redheaded Woman" as a sure bet.

At age three or four, Hill recalls laying on the floor many nights in
front of his dad's amp, listening to the sounds made by a '57 Telecaster. Classic tunes like "Walking the Floor Over You," "Window Up Above," and "Folsom Prison Blues" serenaded young Hill to sleep and left an indelible impression that is still evident in his work. Actually, it was his stepfather, but Hill says, "He's always been "Pop." "I would listen to him and just float in between those licks. It was so warm and relaxing that I'd fall asleep."

Those sounds planted the seed for his unique style, although it didn't start to bloom until after he left Westport High School, where he had focused mostly on football. "There were no more organized sports and there was no more high school sweetheart. There was a big void in my life so a friend suggested I start playing guitar. I asked him to bring his guitar over the next weekend and he did."

The void Hill had felt was filled in less than 48 hours. He'd found his new calling -- to write hit songs. Not just songs, he says, "hit songs." "I knew I could be good at it. I loved the challenge. I related the new gift to what I had worked on and lived for years -- football."

Hill proudly pointed out that the longest he's ever been without a guitar since that weekend was eight weeks. "I had been playing only about two years and was very in love with my new passion. It seemed like an eternity (those eight weeks without a guitar) and it was heaven when I got to hold her and play G, C and D again."

Hill's roots are planted deep in country music. That strong foundation has nurtured his style of writing and singing, which is often compared to the songs and styles of the 60s and 70s. "I was doing my own thing...straight ahead country around town, just being myself. I always played different places than the other country bands. I was playing in rock 'n roll clubs in rotation with the hot rock bands. One night they'd get Van Morrison and Rod Stewart, the next night they'd get the Beattles and Crosby Stills Nash & Young, and Thurday nights they'd get Hugh Hill, Haggard and Jones. Still today, people come up to me and say, "I don't like country music much, but I like your style and your songs."

Hill's songwriting is the force that drives him and he claims he doesn't need the performing in his life. In fact, for almost four years in the mid 90s, Hill stepped away from the spotlights to concentrate solely on his writing. The result: two hot CDs - "Strong Roots," released in 2000, and "That Redheaded Woman," which hits the shelves November 2001.

"I spent those years writing and developing what I sat out to do -- to write a hit song. I would mention to a friend that so-and-so could sing this song or that song that I had written. My friend looked at me and said, "People want to hear you sing those songs, Hugh." So, I started doing shows again."

Since 1998, he's been back on the track. In 2000 alone, he opened shows for Merle Haggard, Joe Diffie, Hal Ketchum, Andy Griggs, Hank Williams III and Trent Summer. In addition, he headlined dozens of his own shows. Hill's performances have garnered praised from fans and noted critics, including Courier-Journal music editor Jeffrey Lee Puckett. Following Hill's performance during a special Fourth of July concert, Puckett wrote in a July 5 column that "Hill's songs captured the spirit of the 1960s country, but it was his voice that communicated his roots most strongly. His heart sure is in the right place." Other journalists, fellow musicians and fans have also praised Hill for his strong songwriting skills. In a review in Louisville Music News, writer Tom Flood credited Hill with proving that authentic country music is definitely not out of style. "With his release Strong Roots, Hugh Hill has proven there can be a place in today's market for the neo-traditional country artist," Flood stated. "Hugh Hill is giving the listeners something the recording industry is unwilling to do at this time -- new music that nurtures the traditional country music fan. Perhaps, in time, the industry will recognize the need for cowboys like Hugh Hill, men who know where their roots are."

With the success of "Strong Roots," Hill is building on that momentum. "I think this new CD - "That Redheaded Woman" - is going to change a lot of things," Hill said. "I've worked for a lot of years on this. One of the things that makes this a really strong release is that I just called a bunch of my friends that I feel are the best at what they do and we cut it, basically live." Noted musicians on the new CD include:
• Jeff Guernsey, who has played fiddle for Patty Loveless, Vince Gill and Steve Warnier.
• Tom Killen, whose steel guitar has accompanied George Jones on tour for 21 years.
• Martin Parker, who has served as drummer for Vince Gill, Vern Gosdin and others.
• Tim Krekel, a well-known songwriter and guitarist who also toured with Jimmy Buffet.
With such an eclectic and impressive array of talent, no wonder Hill is proud of his new CD and feels it is time for his music to win its place and show. He sums himself up with quotes from songs off "Strong Roots." From "I Wouldn't Change a Damn Thing, Even If I Could," he says: "I'll be wearin' my own kid of hat. I'm always looking forward. You'll never catch me looking back." And from "I'm a Racehorse," he smiles as he says: "I'm a racehorse. My knees are strong and the glory days are on." With that kind of drive, Hill is heading fast down the home stretch. And he's excited to see the finish line. "I have a lot of family and friends that have stuck by me for a long time. It woul be nice to take them to the Winner's Circle and share that moment with them."