Waylon Hanel is a 24-year-old self-taught traditional country singer-songwriter and independent recording artist known for his textured vocals, vivid storytelling, and honest, straight-ahead delivery. Named after one of his biggest musical influences, country legend Waylon Jennings, Hanel has developed a signature style that blends outlaw country, blues, and southern rock into songwriting that is distinctly his own. The result is a vintage yet contemporary sound that resonates with longtime country fans while also connecting with listeners discovering the genre for the first time. Hanel’s recordings reflect a strong sense of artistic individuality and a commanding vocal presence that stands well beyond his years.

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The Millington, Michigan native has steadily built a loyal fan base with his down-to-earth personality and a natural ability to draw audiences in through confident live performances. Hanel’s growing reputation on stage has led to opportunities opening for a wide range of country artists including Trace Adkins, Travis Tritt, Ashley McBryde, Chris Cagle, Walker Hayes, Josh Turner, Jo Dee Messina, Ward Davis, Mitchell Tenpenny, Lonestar, Matt Stell, Elvie Shane, Jerrod Niemann, Uncle Kracker, Creed Fisher, Ray Scott, Colt Ford, and Chayce Beckham.

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Recording his songs in Nashville, Hanel made his formal debut in November 2022 with a self-titled five-song EP, led by the straightforward country track about a cowboy, “He Don’t Mind.” His sophomore release, New Old Outlaws, arrived in May 2023, with the EP’s title track, the history-minded “New Old Outlaws (Rewind),” reaching MusicRow’s CountryBreakout Radio Chart. In 2024, “Lighten That Load,” from his third EP Don’t Mess With My Country, also appeared on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart.

In 2024, Hanel was invited to perform the National Anthem for President Donald J. Trump in Flint, Michigan, as well as Vice President J.D. Vance in Saginaw, Michigan.

Hanel’s song “Blackberry Brandy” marked his first duet with country artist Madison Hughes, who also appeared on his 2024 EP.

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Throughout 2025, Hanel continued releasing a series of singles including “Talk About Crazy,” “When Waylon Came To Nashville,” “The Letter,” “Tow Truck Driver,” and “Red Bricks.” Those songs formed the foundation of his third studio album, When Waylon Came To Nashville, released in 2025. The project drew praise from Saving Country Music, which described Hanel as “a student, champion, and torch bearer for all the old Outlaw greats,” while outlets such as Cowboys & Indians and The Lonesome Highway also offered critical acclaim, noting that “the future looks exceptionally bright for Waylon Hanel.”

As his profile continued to grow among independent country artists, Hanel was named Male Country Artist of the Year at the 2025 Josie Music Awards. 

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In 2026, Hanel won his second Josie Music Award as Artist of the Year, and will close out the year with the release of his new EP, Price Of Smokes, produced by acclaimed Nashville producer Ken Royster (Luke Combs, Cowboy Troy). The project further establishes Hanel as part of the next generation of traditional and outlaw country artists carrying the genre’s classic sounds and storytelling traditions forward.