Joe Hott & The Short Mountain Boys to perform at Ohnward Fine Arts Center

Striding confidently onto the 2017 Nashville music scene, Joe Hott is poised to become the next new “must see/must hear” artist in Music City.

A unique blend of retro-bluegrass, traditional country, gospel and original Appalachian Mountain music provides the mixture needed to make the Virginia native a rare treasure on today’s music scene.

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Recently named a 2017 National Brand Ambassador for top boot retailer Durango Boots, the 22-year-old artist is, in a word: authentic. His 6-foot-4-inch, lanky frame and handsome boyish resemblance to Hank Williams, Sr. were God’s gift to Hott. His gift to God is his music.

“I really cherish the family and spiritual values I grew up with,” said the minister’s son whom, at an early age, found a fascination with the tradition-steeped sounds native to his birthplace in Winchester, Virginia.

When Hott was a child, he moved to West Virginia and readily picked up a love for music from both his father and two uncles who played and sang traditional music. Hott’s youthful fascination with the blended soundtracks of Dr. Ralph Stanley, Bill Monroe, Flatt & Scruggs, and Hank Williams Sr. spun the fabric of his creative inspiration, formed his vocal and musical interpretations and set the foundation for his songwriting.

In 2012, Hott formed the “Short Mountain Brothers” trio — the group’s name a tribute to Short Mountain that sits just behind Hott’s boyhood home. The house itself is, in fact, the same home that his great-grandfather lived in when he moved to West Virginia back in the 1920s. Hott’s childhood surroundings richly contributed to his love of history, deep family heritage and the sounds that built American culture.

With the addition of a fourth musician, Hott now tours with his renamed “Short Mountain Boys,” featuring guitar, banjo, bass and mandolin. They have shared the stage with artists such as Rhonda Vincent and Vince Gill, connecting with new fans at each concert.

Hott’s latest release, “The Last Thing On My Mind,” leaves little doubt that all things old are new again. Featuring 11 songs, a selection of both self-penned tracks and traditional favorites, the album showcases his genuine authenticity and commitment to being true to both himself and his influences.

“People like what’s real — and that defines my music,” Hott said.