Will Hitchell
Will Hitchell — Featured Performance
Before reading the individual Spotlight, hear the voice at the center of one of the biggest international stories of the Honky Tonk Music Association’s 2026 inaugural season.
One Voice — Many Musical Worlds
Will Hitchell is the lead voice of THE VINTAGE EXPLOSION of Glasgow, Scotland, but his 2026 Honky Tonk Music Association record also tells an individual story.
His voice moves between soul, country, blues, rock and roll and pop without losing the character that first caught the attention of listeners around the world.
That ability to cross musical boundaries is reflected directly in his HTMA recognition.
One performance can reach back toward classic soul. Another can move into country. Another can carry the energy of early rock and roll. Then an original song can bring that same voice into contemporary music.
For Honky Tonk Music Association, Will’s story represents an important part of “The New Old Way Forward.”
The goal is not to recreate yesterday note for note. It is to preserve the musicianship, emotion, warmth and identifiable voices that made those recordings matter — and allow those qualities to live again in new music.
A voice being heard today.
Will Hitchell’s 2026 record crosses soul, honky tonk, pop, rock and fan-voted recognition.
Will Hitchell — Awards & Nominations
Performance credits use the name Will Hitchell. Songwriting credits are recorded under William Hitchell.
2026 Royal Crown Choice Award
Some awards begin with a panel. This one began with the audience.
Fans selected Will Hitchell for the 2026 Royal Crown Choice Award and chose his performance of “Tryin’ To Get to You” as their #1 song.
HTMA’s earlier coverage documented the messages coming from listeners who praised his voice, sincerity, emotional delivery and the joy they found after discovering Will and THE VINTAGE EXPLOSION.
That response became an important part of the band’s international rise and of Will’s individual 2026 story.
Fan-selected recognition: the Royal Crown Choice Award represents the voice of the audience and their direct response to the music.
Will Hitchell & Anna — “Love Hurts”
One of Will Hitchell’s most personal pieces of the 2026 HTMA record is shared with his daughter, Anna.
Their performance of “Love Hurts” was recognized in the 2026 Best Father / Daughter Duet Award as a Best Pop/Rock Father/Daughter Duet.
The performance was first nominated and later won. Under HTMA’s registry rules, the nomination and win are part of the same award journey and are displayed together as “Nominated and Won.”
Among all the honors of an extraordinary inaugural season, this one tells a story that reaches beyond an individual performer and into family.
From Soul to Country to Original Songs
William Hitchell — Songwriter
Will’s Spotlight is not limited to interpreting the work of other songwriters.
Under the songwriting credit William Hitchell, his original material has also become part of the HTMA recognition record.
“Thinkin’ of You” received the 2026 Best New Pop Song Award, while “Take My Troubles Away” received recognition as a 2026 Best New Rock Song Award nominee.
His songwriting history also includes recognition outside HTMA. The International Songwriting Competition’s 2025 results placed William Hitchell second in its Christian category for “Lay In Your Arms.”
Will Hitchell & THE VINTAGE EXPLOSION
Will Hitchell’s individual Spotlight is only one half of the story.
He is the lead vocalist of THE VINTAGE EXPLOSION, the Glasgow-based band whose live musicianship and old-school musical energy have helped build a rapidly expanding international audience.
The band carries its own separate HTMA record, including 2026 Band of the Year and the 2026 Affinity Radio Lifetime Award.
Those band awards are intentionally not counted here as Will Hitchell’s individual awards.
The complete band story — including the musicians, performances, career milestones, international reach, concert information and additional recognition — remains in THE VINTAGE EXPLOSION’s full Spotlight.
More to Come
Additional performances, photographs, songwriting stories, career milestones, HTMA and Xcelsius Media coverage and new features will be added as this individual Spotlight continues to grow.
Will Hitchell’s individual page works alongside THE VINTAGE EXPLOSION Spotlight so that his personal awards and songwriting record can be preserved without duplicating the band’s separate honors.