Hayes Carll is in town for The Southern Fork Americana Fest is returning for 2016 and hosted at the intimate surroundings of The Tuning Fork between October 7-16.

The Texan singer songwriter takes the stage this Saturday night with special guest, The Eastern’s, Adam McGrath. We fired some questions Hayes was ahead of his show.

Who were your early influences?

Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, Kris Kristofferson,

How did you get into learning music in general?

I'm not sure I ever really "learned" it. It was just something that was always a part of my life as a listener and one day I got a guitar so that I could make some of my own. I grabbed a chord book and taught myself just enough to be able to play the songs I loved and write a few of my own. If there was a test on musical theory I would fail it, but that wasn't what was important to me. What moved me was the writing, the lyrics, and how they made me feel.

Do you remember your first performance?

My first musical performance was at a drag beauty contest in Conway, Arkansas. I played "No Woman No Cry".

You released your latest album Lovers And Leavers this year, Where did you record it?

I recorded it in Los Angeles, CA. with the wonderful Joe Henry.

How long did the process take?

Five days. We knocked it out pretty quickly.  Sometimes that's the best way.

You’re in New Zealand as part of the AmericanaFest. Have you been here before?

This is my first time in New Zealand.

Following the NZ show, what are your plans for the rest of the year and heading into 2017?

I'll head to Australia after these shows and then back to the states. I'm slowing down for the rest of the year. I'll have three big shows in Texas around Thanksgiving and then I'll do a short run in the Northeast after Christmas. I've been hitting the road pretty hard this year so it will be good to unplug for a bit.

What current artists are getting high rotation on your playlists?

John Fullbright, Jason Isbell, Robert Ellis, John Evans, Corb Lund.

Americana Fest 2016

7 October: Skyscraper Stan and The Commission Flats (AUS/NZ) w/ Ravens (NZ)
8 October: Hayes Carll (USA) w/ Adam McGrath (NZ)
12 October: Robert Ellis (USA) + Joe Pug (USA)
13 October: Josh Rennie-Hynes (AUS) + Liam Gerner (AUS)
14 October: Lindi Ortega (CAN) + The Cactus Blossoms (USA)
16 October: ‘The Shape I’m In’ featuring Ebony Lamb (NZ), Tom Cunliffe (NZ), Hopetoun Brown (NZ) and more.

All ticket information via www.southernfork.co.nz