11 October 2026 – Benny Hagerty Finds Open Roads and Personal History on Debut Album Hills and Highways

South Carolina singer-songwriter Benny Hagerty has received fresh independent critical attention for Hills & Highways, an eight-track debut album exploring travel, personal change and the emotional significance of familiar places.

Recorded at Sienna Studios on Nashville's Music Row with producer Jess Savio, the project combines traditional Americana arrangements with contemporary singer-songwriter storytelling. Hagerty's gravelly vocals provide a distinctive centre for compositions built around acoustic guitars and experienced session musicians. The album approaches movement as both a literal experience and a metaphor for personal development.

"Quittin Time" examines the difficult transition between established routines and uncertain new opportunities, while "Keowee Moon" draws inspiration from journeys through South Carolina and the emotional connection between travel and home. "Devils Creek" addresses addiction through imagery of dangerous water, introducing a darker perspective into an otherwise warmly arranged collection.

Hagerty has already performed material from the album across venues extending from South Carolina to New York, developing his reputation within the American roots-music circuit. Hills & Highways demonstrates that traditional songwriting forms can remain effective when supported by convincing personal detail. Sometimes the important question is whether the person telling the story has anything worth saying. Hagerty appears to have accumulated enough miles to provide several interesting answers.