Auburn Singer-Songwriter Releases First Full-Length Album

On May 17, 2024, River House Artists’ Southern Rock-inspired singer-songwriter Reid Haughton (Nu–Auburn ’17) released his debut album, Higher Than 9, available everywhere now. Built on a punchy, edgy mix of Southern rock, country, blues, and soul, the album features nine tracks produced by Sadler Vaden (the Grammy-winning guitarist for Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit and producer of Haughton’s self-titled EP). The songs have a down-home feel, pulling Haughton’s soulful twang front and center. Exuding swampy country rock energy, this project exemplifies the sound synonymous with Haughton’s name. Haughton also dropped an eye-catching visualizer for the title track in celebration of the album.

Listen here!

“All of the songs on Higher Than 9 reflect my journey, heavily influenced by experiences on the road and built for live performances,” says Haughton. “I think there is something for everyone on this record, ranging from barn burners to love songs. We poured our hearts into these tunes and hope they bring you as much joy as they do us.”

Last year, Haughton released his self-titled debut EP, which included the previously released singles “Day You Don’t,” “She Is,” and “Can’t Please ‘Em All.” Hailing from small-town Haleyville, Alabama, just an hour from Muscle Shoals, he is steeped in the area’s musical history. He mixes contemporary Country melodies with modern Southern rock-inspired vocals. Shaped by his father’s vast taste in music, Haughton’s influences include everyone from Lynyrd Skynyrd to the Grateful Dead. Using powerful vocals and inspiring guitar work, Haughton’s sound appeals to Southern rockers and country fans alike

Higher Than 9 Track Listing:

1. Higher Than 9 (Reid Haughton, Dan Fernandez, Faren Rachels)
2. It Don’t Hurt (Reid Haughton, Andrew Petroff, Kendall Marvell)
3. Man Made Money (Reid Haughton, Adam Hood)
4. Don’t Get Wet (Reid Haughton, Justin Johnson, Autumn Buysse)
5. Got To Give (Reid Haughton, Joe Clemmons, Lukas Klingensmith)
6. Flicker (Reid Haughton, Ben Goldsmith, Luke Preston, Dan Couch)
7. Mendoza Line (Reid Haughton, Rollie Gaalswyk, Luke Preston)
8. Long-Haired Country Boy (Charlie Daniels)
9. The Crow (Nicolette Hayford, Aaron Eshuis, Scott Stepakoff)

Album Title Track

This spring, Haughton is opening dates with Whiskey Myers, 49 Winchester, and Southall. For tickets and more information, visit reidhaughton.com and keep up with him on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook.

Occupying the creative crossroads where country, rock, and soul collide, River House Artists’ Reid Haughton is a pure frontman raised on the stage and steeped in rock ‘n’ roll, and a Nashville singer-songwriter working to put gritty live-show magic back where it belongs. A native of Haleyville, Alabama, (just south of Muscle Shoals), Haughton’s guitar-slinging approach was inspired early on by swaggering, soulful acts like Lynyrd Skynyrd, Wilson Pickett, The Rolling Stones, Hank Williams Jr., and Jimi Hendrix. Cutting his teeth in the bar scene of Auburn University, he developed a reputation as a fiery frontman and built a grassroots following all over the South, releasing a series of independently successful heartland anthems like “Make You Mine,” “Ain’t Close to Anywhere,” “Gettin’ Over Her” and “Got the Girl.” After moving to Nashville in 2020, Haughton embarked on a new, edgier chapter with his self-titled EP debut, produced by Sadler Vaden (Grammy-winning guitarist for Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, producer to Morgan Wade, and more). Mixing the momentum of rock, the heart behind Southern soul, and the songwriting tradition of country, tracks like “Day You Don’t” and “Cuttin’ Me Loose” take the electrifying energy of the stage and crank it up to 11, while others like “She Is” capture the tender glow of true love and “Can’t Please ‘Em All” serves as a true-to-yourself anthem. Releasing his first full-length project in May of this year titled Higher Than 9, Haughton will tour on dates with Whiskey Myers and 49 Winchester through this spring and will be playing the Hard Rock Stage at this year’s CMA Fest. Check his official website for more information and complete tour details.