Hunter Brothers

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Hunter Brothers
Background information
OriginShaunavon, Saskatchewan, Canada
Genres
Years active2016–present
LabelsOpen Road
MembersLuke Hunter
J.J. Hunter
Ty Hunter
Brock Hunter
Dusty Hunter
Websitewww.hunterbrothers.com

Hunter Brothers is a Canadian country music group from Shaunavon, Saskatchewan[1][2] composed of brothers Luke, J.J., Ty, Brock and Dusty Hunter.[3][4] They signed with Open Road Recordings and released their debut single, "El Dorado", in February 2016.[5][6] It debuted on the Billboard Canada Country chart in March 2016.[7] The band earned their first Top 10 single at Canadian country radio with their hit "Born and Raised".[8] In 2019, their single "Lost" became their first #1 hit.[9]

Personal life[edit]

The Hunter Brothers are a Canadian country band consisting of 5 brothers from Shaunavon, Saskatchewan: Luke, J.J., Ty, Brock, and Dusty. Their parents are Lorne and Norma Hunter,[10] and their uncle Jim Hunter is a Canadian Olympic skier.[11]

These brothers grew up farming in the Canadian prairies. They spent their summers singing in churches across the country. In the Winter, they were heavily involved in the hockey community. Some of the brothers even played for some major league teams.

When the 5 brothers are at home working on the farm, they often pass the time in the field by re-writing well known songs with words that are relevant to farming culture, performing them over their CB radios. They often share these songs online through their various social media platforms.

Hockey Careers[edit]

Four of the five brothers played junior ice hockey and three played in the professional minor leagues. J.J., Dustin, and Luke each played forward, while Brock and Ty were defencemen. Ty played rep hockey before suffering a broken femur.[10] The remaining four brothers all sustained injuries of various kinds and returned home to continue farming with their parents on their family's 20,000 acre farm.[11]

J.J. Hunter played three seasons in Western Hockey League with the Kelowna Rockets and Prince Albert Raiders; he attended six NHL training camps (1999 Detroit Red Wings, 2001-2006 Edmonton Oilers) and was under contract with the Edmonton Oilers for 5 seasons playing NHL pre-season games and five years in their farm system. Altogether, he played 6 years of pro-hockey including parts of six seasons in the American Hockey League with the Hamilton Bulldogs, Toronto Roadrunners, Edmonton Road Runners, Toronto Marlies and Manitoba Moose; and parts of four season in the ECHL with the Toledo Storm and Columbus Cottonmouths.[12]

Dustin Hunter played junior hockey with the Melville Millionaires in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League, then one professional season split between the Oklahoma City Blazers and San Angelo Saints in the Central Hockey League before his career was abruptly ended due to a severe eye injury.[13]

Luke Hunter played five seasons in the WHL with the Swift Current Broncos, and one season each with the Wichita Thunder in the CHL, and the University of Calgary Dinos men's ice hockey team in the CIS.[14] His career also came to a halt due to an eye injury.

Brock Hunter played junior hockey in the AJHL with the Drumheller Dragons, and the Fort McMurray Oil Barons before finishing up his career with the Kindersley Klippers in the SJHL.[15]

All the brothers joined forces together when they returned home to play for the same hometown hockey team, the Shaunavon Badgers in the WMHL.

Music career[edit]

Early years[edit]

Music has always brought these 5 brothers together. When they were younger, they spent their time mirroring music videos from other artists, and learning to become performers. What emerged was an organic pop-country sound. The Hunter Brothers quickly became known for their harmonies[16] and stage presence.

2016–2018: Getaway[edit]

In 2016, the brothers started recording a collection of songs with their label Open Road Recordings. On February 5, 2016 they released their debut single “El Dorado” to country radio[17] which helped put this new band on the map within the Canadian country music industry. "El Dorado" was co-produced by Brad Rempel of Canadian country band High Valley[17] along with Seth Mosley and Mike "X" O'Connor

“El Dorado” debuted on the Billboard Canada Country charts in March 2016, and reach number 24 on the chart.[18]

In the Spring of 2017, the Hunter Brothers released their debut album Getaway. This album included two singles that earned them their first two songs that entered the top 10 on the Billboard charts: “Born and Raised”, and “Those Were the Nights”.

Their single "Born and Raised" from their Getaway album was selected as the official anthem for the 2018 IIHF World Junior Hockey Tournament.[19] “Born and Raised” also won Saskatchewan Music Award for Single of the Year.

After the release of “El Dorado”, the Hunter Brothers were nominated for four Saskatchewan Country Music Association Awards, and won for both Group of the Year, and Emerging Artist categories.[20]

2019–present: State of Mind and Been a Minute[edit]

In January 2019, they released their sophomore album State of Mind. The record showcases the brothers’ talent and growth. The first single from the record “Lost” has been certified Gold[21] in Canada and became their first #1 single at Canadian Country Radio. “Lost” was also awarded Single of the Year at the 2019 Saskatchewan Music Awards.[22] The album also included the singles, “Northern Lights” and “Silver Lining”.

In 2019, their album State of Mind was the number one selling country album in Canada for four consecutive weeks and has had over 10 million streams worldwide.[23] Earlier in 2019, the Hunter Brothers joined country superstars Paul Brandt, Jess Moskaluke and High Valley for The Journey Tour on 26 dates across Canada. They debuted at CMA Fest in Nashville, and also landed three CCMA Award nominations. The band was nominated for 2 JUNO Awards in 2020 for Country Album of the Year for their sophomore album State of Mind and Breakthrough Group of the Year.

On June 30, 2021, they released their third studio album Been a Minute, which included the singles "Hard Dirt" and "Been a Minute".[24]

On May 12, 2023, the Hunter Brothers released the extended play Burning Down the Barn, which they are supporting with the aptly-named "Burning Down the Barn Tour" across Canada in the fall of 2023.[25]

Tours[edit]

  • Burning Down the Barn Tour (2023)

Discography[edit]

Studio albums[edit]

Title Details Peak
positions
CAN
[26]
Getaway[27] —
State of Mind
  • Release date: January 25, 2019
  • Label: Open Road
 62
Been a Minute[24]
  • Release date: June 30, 2021
  • Label: Open Road
 —
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart.

Extended plays[edit]

Title Details
Burning Down the Barn
  • Release date: May 12, 2023
  • Label: Open Road

Singles[edit]

Year Single Peak
positions 		Certifications Album
CAN
Country
[7] 		CAN
[28]
2016 "El Dorado" 25 — Getaway
"Long Way to Love You" 40 —
2017 "Getaway" 31 —
"Born and Raised" 9 —
2018 "Those Were the Nights" 9 —
"Lost" 1 100 State of Mind
2019 "Northern Lights" 17 —
"Silver Lining" 11 —
2020 "Hard Dirt"[30] 17 — Been a Minute
2021 "Been a Minute" 12 —
"Diamonds" 40 —
2022 "Peace, Love & Country Music" 41 — Burning Down the Barn
"What Colour You Drive" 38 —
2023 "Burning Down the Barn" 46 —
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart.

Other charted songs[edit]

Year Single Peak
positions 		Album
CAN
Country
[7]
2017 "Joy to the World" 46 Non-album single

Music videos[edit]

Year Video Director
2017 "Getaway" The Edde Brothers
"Born and Raised" Gavin Michael Booth
2018 "Those Were the Nights"
"Lost" Ben Knechtel
2019 "Northern Lights" The Edde Brothers
"Silver Lining"
2020 "Hard Dirt" Sean Smith
2021 "Been a Minute" Sean Smith
2022 "Peace, Love & Country Music" Sean Smith
2022 "What Colour You Drive" Adler Irwin
2023 "Country State of Mind" Adler Irwin
2023 "Burning Down the Barn" Adler Irwin

Awards and nominations[edit]

Year Association Category Result Ref
2017 Canadian Country Music Association Interactive Artist of the Year Nominated [31]
Saskatchewan Country Music Association Group of the Year Won [20]
Emerging Artist Award Won
Fans’ Choice Entertainer of the Year Nominated
Single of the Year - "El Dorado" Nominated
2018 Canadian Country Music Association Group or Duo of the Year Nominated [32]
Rising Star Award Nominated
Interactive Artist of the Year Nominated
Saskatchewan Country Music Association Single of the Year - "Born and Raised" Nominated [33]
SaskMusic Single of the Year Won [34]
2019 Canadian Country Music Association Album of the Year - State of Mind Nominated [35]
Fans' Choice Award Nominated
Group or Duo of the Year Nominated
Saskatchewan Country Music Association Group of the Year Won [36]
Single of the Year - "Those Were The Nights" Won
Video of the Year - "Those Were The Nights" Won
Interactive Group of the Year Won
Fans’ Choice Entertainer of the Year Nominated
SaskMusic Awards Single of the Year - "Lost Won [22]
Country Album of the Year - State of Mind Won
Single of the Year - "Northern Lights" Nominated
Album of the Year - State of Mind Nominated
Western Canadian Music Awards Country Artist of the Year Nominated [37]
2020 Juno Awards Breakthrough Group of the Year Nominated [38]
Country Album of the Year - State of Mind Nominated
Saskatchewan Country Music Association Fans’ Choice Entertainer of the Year Won [39]
[40]
Group/Duo of the Year Won
Single of the Year - "Lost" Won
Single of the Year - "Northern Lights" Nominated
Album of the Year - State of Mind Won
Video of the Year - "Silver Lining" Nominated
Interactive Artist or Group of the Year Nominated
Canadian Country Music Association Fans’ Choice Award Nominated [41]
Group Or Duo Of The Year Nominated
Video Of The Year - "Silver Lining" Nominated
Western Canadian Music Awards Country Artist of the Year Nominated [42]
2021 Western Canadian Music Awards Country Artist of the Year Nominated [43]
2021 Canadian Country Music Awards Group or Duo of the Year Nominated [44]
[45]
[46]
Video of the Year - "Hard Dirt" Nominated
2023 2023 Canadian Country Music Awards Group or Duo of the Year Pending [47]
Innovative Campaign of the Year - "What Colour You Drive" Content and Fan Contest Pending

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Fresh Find: Hunter Brothers". Top Country. February 5, 2016. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
  2. ^ Dahlman, Ryan (February 17, 2016). "Brothers hunting for mainstream success, but won't forget their roots". Prairie Post. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
  3. ^ "From combine to recording studio: Sask.'s Hunter Brothers forge music career". CBC News. April 5, 2016. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
  4. ^ Park, Norm (February 24, 2016). "Hunter Brothers seeking traction on country and western circuit". Estevan Mercury. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
  5. ^ Jarrell, Beth (February 4, 2016). "Hunter Brothers ready to hit airwaves". Gull Lake Advance. Archived from the original on May 12, 2016. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
  6. ^ Schreiner, Penny (February 9, 2016). "New Single From The Hunter Brothers". Swift Current. Archived from the original on May 31, 2016. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
  7. ^ a b c "Hunter Brothers Chart History: Canada Country". Billboard. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
  8. ^ "Top Country Charts: Hunter Brothers Earn Their First Top 10". Top Country Music | Country Music News, Charts, Playlists, Videos. 2018-01-02. Retrieved 2018-01-10.
  9. ^ McNutt, Erin (April 9, 2019). "Saskatchewan's Hunter Brothers celebrate first No. 1 hit". Global News.
  10. ^ a b "Hunter Brothers seeking traction on country and western circuit". www.estevanmercury.ca. 2016-02-24. Retrieved 2017-10-31.
  11. ^ a b "Canadian's hockey dreams lead to Las Vegas". www.lasvegassun.com/. 2008-10-04. Retrieved 2017-10-31.
  12. ^ "J.J. Hunter hockey statistics and profile". www.hockeydb.com. Retrieved 2017-10-31.
  13. ^ "Dustin Hunter hockey statistics and profile". www.hockeydb.com. Retrieved 2017-10-31.
  14. ^ "Luke Hunter hockey statistics and profile". www.hockeydb.com. Retrieved 2017-10-31.
  15. ^ "Brock Hunter hockey statistics and profile". www.hockeydb.com. Retrieved 2017-10-31.
  16. ^ Park, Norm. "Hunter Brothers seeking traction on country and western circuit". Estevan Mercury. Retrieved 2020-04-02.
  17. ^ a b "Hunter Brothers – El Dorado – Open Road Recordings". Retrieved 2020-04-02.
  18. ^ "Hunter Brothers". Billboard. Retrieved 2020-04-02.
  19. ^ "Born and raised". www.hockeycanada.ca. Retrieved 2020-04-02.
  20. ^ a b "2017 SCMA Award Winners". Retrieved 2020-04-02.
  21. ^ "HUNTER BROTHERS' SMASH HIT, "LOST", CERTIFIED GOLD IN CANADA". RGK Entertainment Group. Retrieved 2020-04-02.
  22. ^ a b "The 2019 Saskatchewan Music Award Winners | News | News & Articles". www.saskmusic.org. Retrieved 2020-04-02.
  23. ^ "Hunter Brothers New Album, State of Mind – Open Road Recordings". Retrieved 2020-04-02.
  24. ^ a b "Hunter Brothers Drop New Album, Been A Minute June 30th". Top Country. June 30, 2021. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
  25. ^ "Hunter Brothers "Burning Down The Barn" Tour". Country93. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
  26. ^ "Hunter Brothers Chart History: Canadian Albums". Billboard. Retrieved December 1, 2021.
  27. ^ "Hunter Brothers Drop Full Album Getaway and Corresponding Single Just in Time for Spring Break". Open Road Recordings. February 16, 2017. Retrieved March 4, 2017.
  28. ^ "Hunter Brothers Chart History: Canadian Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved December 1, 2021.
  29. ^ a b c "Canadian singles certifications – Hunter Brothers". Music Canada.
  30. ^ "HUNTER BROTHERS DROP HIGHLY-ANTICIPATED NEW SINGLE "HARD DIRT" JUNE 12". Open Road Recordings. June 5, 2020. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
  31. ^ "2017 CCMA Award Nominees – Early Bird List - Canadian Country Music Association". www.ccma.org. Retrieved 17 August 2019.
  32. ^ "2018 CCMA Awards: full list of winners". CBC Music. Retrieved 17 August 2019.
  33. ^ Room, News. "Saskatchewan Country Music Association releases 2018 award nominees". 620 CKRM The Source | Country Music, News, Sports in Sask. Retrieved 2020-04-02. {{cite web}}: |first= has generic name (help)
  34. ^ Martin, Ashley (November 6, 2018). "First ever Sask. Music Awards winners were named Sunday in Regina". Regina Leader-Post. Retrieved July 11, 2021.
  35. ^ "2019 CCMA Award Nominees - Canadian Country Music Association". www.ccma.org. Archived from the original on 17 June 2020. Retrieved 17 August 2019.
  36. ^ "2019 SCMA Award Winners". Retrieved 2020-04-02.
  37. ^ "2019 Western Canadian Music Award Nominees Announced". BreakOut West. Retrieved 2020-04-02.
  38. ^ "2020 Juno Award Nominees". Retrieved 9 February 2020.
  39. ^ "2020 S.C.M.A. AWARDS NOMINEES". Retrieved 2020-04-02.
  40. ^ "2020 Saskatchewan Country Music Association Award Winners". Retrieved 2021-03-13.
  41. ^ "2020 CCMA Awards: The complete country music winners list". Global News. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
  42. ^ "Music Awards". BreakOut West. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
  43. ^ "Western Canadian Music Awards Unveils Its 2021 Nominees | Exclaim!". exclaim.ca. Retrieved 5 June 2021.
  44. ^ "2022 CCMA AWARD NOMINEES". Canadian Country Music Association. Archived from the original on September 13, 2022. Retrieved September 12, 2022.
  45. ^ "TENILLE TOWNES TAKES HOME FOUR WINS AT THE 2022 CCMA AWARDS PRESENTED BY TD". Canadian Country Music Association (Press release). Global News Wire. September 11, 2022. Archived from the original on September 12, 2022.
  46. ^ "CANADIAN COUNTRY MUSIC ASSOCIATION REVEALS FIRST ROUND OF 2022 AWARD WINNERS AT THE CCMA MUSIC INDUSTRY GALA DINNER & AWARDS". Canadian Country Music Association (Press release). Global News Wire. September 12, 2022. Archived from the original on September 12, 2022. Retrieved September 12, 2022.
  47. ^ "2023 CCMA Awards Nominees". Canadian Country Music Association. July 13, 2023. Archived from the original on July 14, 2023. Retrieved July 18, 2023.

External links[edit]

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