We Sit Down With The ‘String King’ Spencer Hatcher
Spencer Hatcher sits down with CountryLine as we hear all about his brand new single On The Inside. Spencer also reveals how he got his nickname the ‘String King’ and shares his country career goals as he sets sights on the Grand Ole Opry and number one singles.
Countryline TV sat down in Nashville with rising traditional country artist Spencer Hatcher, a.k.a. the “String King”, to talk about his musical journey, recent releases, and viral success. Raised in Broadway, Virginia, just outside Harrisonburg, Spencer blends deep Southern values with a timeless country sound rooted in tradition and storytelling.
“It wasn’t a nickname I came up with, it was given to me in a hometown newspaper write-up. I just rolled with it.” – Spencer Hatcher on being called “The String King”
The Only Bluegrass Degree in the World Led Him to Tennessee
Spencer attended East Tennessee State University (ETSU) to study business, but what drew him most was the opportunity to minor in bluegrass and country music, a rare program that matched his lifelong passion.
“ETSU was the only school in the world offering a degree in bluegrass and country music. It was an amazing experience.”
“On the Inside”: Spencer’s New Single and His Sound
Hatcher’s new single, “On the Inside”, showcases everything that defines his musical style, traditional country, honky-tonk vibes, and honest storytelling.
“It’s something I can get on stage and replicate. I always ask myself, would my heroes sing this?”
Influences Behind the Music
When asked about his biggest country music influences, Spencer didn’t hesitate:
- Keith Whitley
- Elvis Presley
- Hank Williams Jr.
- George Jones
- Randy Travis
“All those guys from 1990 and back, that’s 100% my kind of country.”
The TikTok Moment That Changed Everything
In April 2020, during the height of the pandemic, Spencer turned to TikTok as a creative outlet when live shows weren’t possible. One of his early covers, Johnny Cash’s “Folsom Prison Blues”, went viral overnight, racking up 1.5 million views in just eight hours.
“I had 24 followers when I went to bed. I woke up with 10,000. That’s when I said, this is what I’m gonna do.”
Since then, Spencer has amassed 850,000+ social media followers, over 60 million total views, and has built a career performing live, all fueled by the power of content and connection.
Country Dreams and the Grand Ole Opry
Spencer recently achieved a personal milestone by appearing on WSM Radio, home of the legendary Grand Ole Opry, a stage that remains his ultimate goal.
“I’ve got two goals in life: play the Grand Ole Opry and have a #1 country hit. That’s it. I’d be complete.”
The Message Behind the Music
While Spencer takes pride in crafting solid country songs, he’s most passionate about sharing meaningful messages through his lyrics. His recent track “On the Inside” delivers one such message.
“It’s a song that hits you. The words carry a message beyond country music, it’s something people need to hear, whether they like country or not.”
Dream Collaborations? One Name Tops the List
When asked about who he’d love to collaborate with, Spencer’s answer was instant: George Strait.
“He’s not just a great artist, he’s an honorable man and someone to model a career after.”
He also gave shout-outs to Hank Jr. and the many talented artists currently dominating the country charts.
Who Is Spencer Hatcher?
Spencer Hatcher is a rising country music artist from Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, known for his traditional country sound, deep-rooted values, and unwavering faith. With a story that intertwines bluegrass heritage, a life-changing accident, and a viral social media rise, Spencer is quickly becoming a leading voice in real country music.
A Miraculous Journey: From Farm Boy to Record Deal
In 2024, Spencer experienced what he calls two miracles in one month: surviving a near-fatal two-story fall from his roof and signing a record deal with Stone Country Records. Raised in the shadows of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Spencer learned early the values of hard work, God, and grit, the very foundation of his music and life.
His miraculous recovery and determination to return to the stage just three weeks after breaking multiple bones speaks volumes about his character. “I don’t like to let people down,” Spencer says, echoing the old-school values that define his journey.
Bluegrass Beginnings: A Musical Family Legacy
Music runs in Spencer’s blood. He picked up the mandolin at 8, joined his family’s bluegrass band by 12, and grew up jamming with his younger brother Connor in The Hatcher Boys. Together, they played at community events, retirement homes, fairs, and churches, cementing Spencer’s love for music that brings people together.
Though bluegrass was his starting point, classic country legends like Johnny Cash, George Strait, and Keith Whitley called to him. “I was in bluegrass,” Spencer recalls, “but I was infatuated with country music. That’s what I call real country music.”
From Viral Success to Mountain Dew and More
In 2020, Spencer’s cover of Johnny Cash’s Folsom Prison Blues went viral on TikTok, rocketing him from 24 followers to 10,000 overnight. Since then, his social media following has grown to over 850,000 fans, with more than 60 million views across platforms.
This visibility led to a national campaign with Mountain Dew, for which Spencer co-wrote and performed a custom bluegrass jingle. He also earned the nickname “String King” from his local newspaper and began opening for country stars like Gene Watson, Tracy Byrd, and Rhonda Vincent.
Signing with Stone Country Records
In October 2024, Spencer signed his first record deal with Stone Country Records, fulfilling a lifelong dream. That same month, he released a debut collection of three traditional country songs, showcasing his signature style and deep respect for country’s roots.
Breakout Song: “Cold Beer and Common Sense”
The centerpiece of Spencer’s debut release is “Cold Beer and Common Sense”, a timely anthem calling for unity, neighborly values, and respectful disagreement. Written by acclaimed songwriters Michael Wilkes, Styles Haury, Jay Clementi, and Lance Miller, the song is a modern classic with a nostalgic soul.
Produced by Jason Sellers, Ilya Toshinskiy, and Mickey Jack Cones, the single channels traditional country with acoustic instrumentation and a front-porch feel. “We can agree to disagree,” Spencer sings, offering a hopeful message in divided times.
More New Music: Real Country with Heart
The EP also includes:
- “Leave This Town” – A romantic, rootsy song about love that makes a man stay.
- “Has Anybody Ever” – A playful, toe-tapping love song full of fiddle and charm.
Each track leans into Spencer’s mission to bring traditional country music back to the mainstream, with modern energy and timeless themes.
The Road Ahead: Spencer Hatcher in 2025 and Beyond
With a fast-growing fanbase, a powerful message, and support from Stone Country Records, Spencer Hatcher is quickly emerging as one of country music’s most exciting traditional voices. His blend of bluegrass skill, Southern charm, and faith-driven resilience positions him at the forefront of country’s return to its roots.
Spencer Hatcher: Real Country for a Real World
From humble beginnings in rural Virginia to national attention and major-label success, Spencer Hatcher is writing the next great chapter of American country music. With stories rooted in tradition, songs filled with truth, and a voice that echoes the greats, Spencer is bringing “real country music” back where it belongs, center stage.