What inspired you to start playing music?
I grew up listening to music and traveling to shows with my mother, who followed Dwight Yoakam on tour for years when I was a child. I received a guitar for my 5th birthday and immediately started learning songs and it has been all I’ve done since. After starting violin in middle school by accident- thinking strings class would include guitar- I became the concertmaster of my local youth orchestra and became obsessed with learning every instrument I could get my hands on. This led me to eventually going to college for classical violin and then jazz guitar performance.
Who are some of your musical inspirations
I love all genres of music, but have a particular love for jazz and improvised music. My biggest inspirations are musicians like Allan Holdsworth, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Gilad Hekselman, Chick Corea, Miles Davis, Jaco Pastorius, Bubby Lewis, Louis Cole, Herbie Hancock, Wes Montgomery, all of my sweet friends and so many more.
What was the injury that brought you to MTF and how did the injury affect your music?
Funny story, I somehow shot myself with a BB gun 6 years ago through my hand and had a copper BB lodged in the bone of my middle finger. I played a gig that night and forgot about it mostly, with the bump in my finger a reminder of my foolishness and a funny story. Finally, after all of that time, it was knocked loose at work and lodged itself into my knuckle- causing my hand to lock up and swell with enormous pain leaving me unable to hold a guitar pick or play bass which was terrifying.
What was your experience with receiving care through MTF and your recovery afterward?
I luckily am good friends with Nick Adamo, who is a fellow musician who has been treated by and works for MTF. The day I reached out to Nick I was contacted by MTF and promptly scheduled for surgery to have the BB removed from my knuckle. Dr. Barron is the sweetest man alive and I am eternally grateful for him, Nick, and the rest of MTF for saving my hand. Ironically I played a gig the night I shot myself and I played a gig with Kind Keith just 4 hours after my surgery and healed completely within a week or so.
What’s coming up for you?
My band Mockjaw was nominated for an Austin Music Award in the Best Jazz Group category and we just performed January 5th at Cheer Up Charlies at 10pm for Red River Cultural District Free Week.
Mockjaw released its first single – Something in the Water – on January 19th with our single release at Radio East! It’s available on all streaming platforms.
Lots of songs I’ve written or recorded with Ariano Price, his son Sage Price, and Tony 22 will be coming out as well shortly after.
Where can people find out more about you and your music?
I am currently teaching guitar and bass at Lonestar Guitar Academy in Westlake and always posting and livestreaming gigs and music content on instagram: @hanner.toyt.
