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Red-hot Randy Houser doesn’t always get noticed
By John Benson
When celebrities pop into stores and malls, who knows what’s going to go down? All bets are off if the public sniffs a TMZ photo in the waiting.
While country music’s Randy Houser is on quite a hot streak – his most recent Top 5 single, “Like A Cowboy,” was nominated for CMA Song of the Year in 2015 – the Mississippi native is still living in a gray area.
Houser is big enough that he’s headlining his first solo tour, which includes a Friday show at Akron Civic Theater, yet still retains enough anonymity to go to, say, a Walmart in Oklahoma without being recognized.
During a recent phone conversation from the nation’s largest retailer, the baritone singer enjoyed hanging out with his public, even though they might not know he’s there. Still, it’s a treat for the rising artist, who, if he continues on his hot streak, may one day need a security entourage to make such a stop.
“I got greeted at Walmart, of course,” said Houser, calling from Muskogee, Okla. “But I don’t think they recognized me. I’m rocking a beanie.”
Careerwise, Houser is rocking a slew of hits, including three consecutive No. 1 singles – “How Country Feels,” “Runnin’ Outta Moonlight” and “Goodnight Kiss.” Next for the performer is a follow-up to his 2013 effort “How Country Feels,” which previously Houser said was more of a modern-sounding album compared to his traditional-minded 2010 debut, “They Call Me Cadillac.”
“You know, stylistically this (new) album I’m working on is maybe a little bit more progressive for me,” Houser said. “Maybe not a whole lot, because if I’m singing, I can’t help but sound country. I definitely will never make a pop record. Also, the new album is a little bit more aggressive productionwise than the last record. I’m excited for people to get to hear it.”
Tentatively scheduled for a March release, Houser’s new album includes lead single “We Went,” which is already a top-20 hit. Houser said he’ll be playing that track, as well as midtempo unreleased song “Fired Up,” in Akron. The latter features a big chorus that he hopes will garner plenty of audience response in concert.
“During this album cycle, I really want to concentrate on growing our show,” Houser said. “Some of the songs we recorded on this album kind of fit for the live performance, if that makes sense. There are a lot of sing-along songs people can latch onto.”
Regarding his upcoming Rubber City visit, the show has all the hallmarks of being something special. Not only is it the tour’s last gig, which notoriously finds bands spreading their wings a bit, but it’s also Houser’s 40th birthday.
“It’s going to be crazy,” Houser said. “I don’t know if anybody has anything planned. I’m going to come out ready to have a good time and whatever happens, happens. Last show of the tour, man, who knows what’s going to go down.”