"Roll the Dice," Hewitt said, "is kind of about taking chances, I guess, and doing what you feel you want to do."
When it comes to pursuing a country music singing career, Hewitt has rolled his own dice and so far, he's pleased with where the game has taken him.
On Friday, March 27, Hewitt, a 2007 graduate of Nevada High School who is currently a sophomore at Iowa State University, will present a CD release concert at the Ames City Auditorium. On stage with Hewitt at this concert will be a group of Nashville musicians, who will join Hewitt to perform some of the songs off his "Roll the Dice" CD.
Other than a promotional-type CD he made at a small studio in Missouri when he was in high school, "Roll the Dice" is Hewitt's first official release.
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At the age of 12, Hewitt began taking guitar lessons, saying he had returned from a church camp where all the counselors played guitars and it sparked his interest. "I thought it was really cool, and I asked my parents if I could take lessons."
His first public performance was at an eighth-grade talent show at school. He admits he surprised a lot of people, because no one knew he could sing. "It worked out good, and from there I got more requests to play (and sing) around town at fairs and other events," Hewitt said.
As his performances grew, so did the number of people who knew about him, and finally word reached Wanda Baird, a longtime Nashville talent scout now living in Coralville.
Hewitt said Baird contacted him at the end of his freshman year at Iowa State. "She had heard of me from a friend and just wanted to help me out," he said. While the Hewitts didn't know anyone in Nashville, Baird did. "She pointed us in the right direction of people who were good to work with."
One of those people was Gary Sadker, president of Red Ridge Entertainment. "He's (Sadker) been in the business a long time as a piano player; he was with Billy Dean a long time. Now he produces a lot," Hewitt said.
Sadker liked Hewitt's "stuff," so they set out to make a record. Hewitt was in Nashville once in July of 2008, and then went back to finish his CD in November of 2008.
In the process, Hewitt and his parents have learned a lot about how the music industry works, and Hewitt has gotten to meet and play with some incredible musicians, like George Strait's drummer, who plays on "Roll the Dice."
"Studio musicians are the best musicians," Hewitt said of these people who make their living playing with the stars. "They're really nice, really down to earth. It was a great experience."
Making a CD for a newcomer is also an expensive experience. Hewitt thanks his parents and sponsors for helping him to make his dream come true.
His CD
Hewitt wrote two of the songs on his "Roll the Dice" CD. One of his songs is "Roll the Dice." The other is "Good Thing at a Bad Time."
There are eight other songs on his CD. "It's a whole new level when you go there, because you're working with publishers and songwriters who are the best ones down there. My producer knows Jenny Gill, Vince Gill's daughter, who works at a publishing company... She heard some of my stuff and liked it, so we got a couple songs from her publishing company on my CD."
Hewitt said he likes all the songs on his CD, but his favorite is "Rock Solid," which has been played on the radio lately. "That (song) was the most memorable in the studio. It actually got a little emotion out of the musicians, and they really had fun with that song."
Another song on the CD, "The Request," Hewitt said, got better reviews than "Rock Solid," and is another of his favorites.
Until the CD officially comes out, Hewitt said people can listen to a few of these songs on his Myspace page: www.myspace.com/neilhewittmusic. Some of his songs are also being played on Kix 101.1 out of Marshalltown, a country music station that Hewitt said has really helped promote his concert.
In talking with Hewitt, it's apparent that he's well-grounded in life and in music. He has not given up his college studies, which are currently in agriculture, though he admits he might change majors, and he's not taking his music career too fast. "At the pace I'm going, I can keep up with school and music," he said.
When it comes to his music, Hewitt, a soft-spoken young man, said it's fun to hear his music on the radio, and he hasn't shied away from radio interviews. "Meeting so many new people, you can't really be shy in this business. You kind of have to suck it up and talk to people."
Hewitt admits he's come a long way in learning to speak publicly and learning to accept his musical talent. He thanks the many people who have supported him with his singing, encouraging him to keep going. "No one ever said, 'Hey, go home and buy a tractor.' They've always just thought I had a lot of potential."
Hewitt will celebrate his CD release concert with a lot of family and friends, including his parents and step-parents: Sandy and Eric Gabrielson of Nevada and Joe and Deb Hewitt of Hot Springs, Ark.
Tickets for the concert are available by calling the Ames City Auditorium at 515-239-5350. Tickets can also be purchased at Nevada Lumber Company or from Nevada Kiwanis Club members.
