SPENCER HATCHER KNOWS HOW TO 'KEEP THE SAD PEOPLE HAPPY' WITH HIS LATEST TRACK, OUT TODAY (10/9)
The "String King" puts his signature twang on a classic country tune written by Tony Martin, Mark Nesler and Tom Shapiro
Hatcher Guest Stars on The Heartland Network's Current Episode of "Common Strings"
NASHVILLE, TN (October 9, 2026) — Spencer Hatcher is bringing a little more twang — and a whole lot of traditional country spirit — to his latest release, “Keep The Sad People Happy,” out today via QHMG /Stone Country Records. Written by acclaimed songwriters Tony Martin, Mark Nesler and Tom Shapiro, the track finds Hatcher digging even deeper into the much-lauded neo-traditional country sound that has earned him praise from Billboard, Country Swag, Good Country, Saving Country Music, Taste of Country and more.
Produced by Jason Sellers and Ilya Toshinskiy, “Keep The Sad People Happy” blends a guitar-twanging ditty with a touch of dive-bar swagger, pairing slower, laid-back verses with an infectious country groove. The result is a boot-scootin’ classic country earworm that feels both timeless and distinctly Spencer Hatcher.
STREAM "Keep The Sad People Happy" HERE.
WATCH the official visualizer HERE.
Raised on a farm in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, Hatcher was just 11 years old when he began playing five-string banjo in his family’s bluegrass band. His early musical influences — including both traditional country legend George Jones and bluegrass institution Seldom Scene — continue to shape his sound today. In fact, Hatcher’s bluegrass beginnings inspired the stacked harmonies that end-cap “Keep the Sad People Happy.”
Hatcher guest stars in the current episode of The Heartland Network’s “Common Strings” alongside legendary producer Keith Stegall and traditional country artist Mo Pitney. Fans are treated to an insider’s look at the trio’s conversation as they bridge generational gaps to discuss the past, present, and future of the classic, traditionalist sound. As one of the architects of the genre's golden era sits down with two artists helping lead its revival, they unpack what made '90s country so powerful, what today's artists can learn from it, and where the sound goes next.
The episode, “New School, Old School,” replays on The Heartland Network this weekend and can be watched on the free Heartland+ app.
About Spencer Hatcher
Stone Country Records’ Spencer Hatcher is a bluegrass-influenced country artist who was raised on a farm in the heartland of Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. By the age of 11, Hatcher was already playing his five-string banjo in his family’s bluegrass band. In 2020, he formed his own country band, backed by younger brother Connor Hatcher, a bass prodigy and “blood harmony” supporting vocalist.
Dubbed the “String King” by his hometown newspaper and quickly developing a reputation across Virginia and neighboring states as an exciting live performer, Hatcher self-booked and played more than 150 shows a year in both 2023 and 2024, often setting venue attendance records.
Hatcher has built a strong fan base, including nearly one million social media followers. On TikTok alone, the rising star has amassed over 72 million organic views and 8.7 million likes. This led to a high-profile partnership with PepsiCo, with Hatcher co-writing and performing a bluegrass jingle for a nationwide commercial for Mountain Dew Major Melon.
Hatcher’s debut EP, Honky Tonk Hideaway, features his steamy debut single, “When She Calls Me Cowboy,” which was a Top 10 Most Added Song at U.S. Country Radio (Mediabase) out-of-the-box. The single’s official music video reached No. 1 on Taste of Country’s fan-voted “Top 10 Video Countdown.” Saving Country Music has lauded the rising star as “one of the most promising up-and-coming voices in traditional country music.”
Hatcher’s most recent EP, Hot Weather, Cold Beer, captures the rising star’s signature appreciation for good friends, good times and living in the moment.
For more information, visit spencerhatchermusic.com and follow him on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
ABOUT QUARTZ HILL MUSIC GROUP
The Quartz Hill Music Group footprint includes BSB Management as well as Quartz Hill Records and Stone Country Records, both full-service country music labels. Quartz Hill Records, founded at the height of the pandemic in 2020, boasts an active roster comprised of chart-topping, Multi-Platinum neo-traditionalist Joe Nichols, rising, girl-next-door Lakelin Lemmings, soulful country pop duo 2 Lane Summer and viral, genre-blending singer-songwriter Matt Cooper. Stone Country Records, founded in 2021, possesses an active roster that includes celebrated country artist Annie Bosko, triple-threat singer, songwriter and guitarist Ben Gallaher, modern country traditionalist Spencer Hatcher and soulful country newcomer Dusty Black. The BSB Management artist roster is home to all the above. For more information, visit www.qhmusicgroup.com.