04/21/2025
Meet a few of the writers performing at the Surfside Writer's Round, coming to the Ozarks Amphitheater on May 8th!
Chloe Hoecker Music, Emmitt Rickey Music, Evan Carter Band
Chloe Hoecker- Hardworking tendencies, honest lyrics, powerful vocals, energetic performances, and a sweet (yet sometimes sassy) disposition make this Missouri girl the entire package. Chloe Hoecker, sometimes called “Missouri’s Country Sweetheart,” has been making the rounds, performing hundreds of acoustic-country shows throughout her home state since the age of ten. Before entering her twenties, however, she began to hone-in on the art of songwriting to create lyrics and melodies that were deeply personal to her, yet bore such a sweetness and truth that they could be received universally. As she is currently in-and-out of studio recording sessions in Nashville, Chloe plans to continue rolling out singles throughout 2025 to find her target audience.
While she doesn’t feel defined to one sub-genre of the ever-changing country music scene, more than anything, Chloe wants to release and perform original music that makes her AND her audience feel something; whether that be judgment, pain, nostalgia, or pride.
Two things are for sure with this gal: she’s not afraid to speak her mind (politely, of course), and there’s gonna be a gosh darn fiddle in her band.
Emmitt Rickey- Country music singer/songwriter Emmitt Rickey calls Bates City, MO his hometown. The youngest of four brothers, Emmitt was born into the family asphalt paving business, Bates City Asphalt. He furthered his education with a degree in Business Administration from Avila University, Kansas City, MO. Hard work and country music have always influenced the Rickey family. Emmitt displays these characteristics in his devotion to his family business and by serving as an Alderman for the City of Bates City. In the evenings or on the weekends, Emmitt spends most of his time performing in local, family-owned restaurants as their live entertainment. He can also be found performing for private events or picking his guitar and singing with his family around the kitchen table of his childhood home. Emmitt’s music style is heavily influenced by the old-time country music artists such as Hank Williams, Lefty Frizzell, Merle Haggard, and Alan Jackson. The Classic twang, yet smooth sound of these artists are what Emmitt strives to replicate in his own musical style. He prides himself in carrying on the classic country sound with a repertoire of his original songs combined with classic and modern red dirt country hits.
Evan Carter- A singer-songwriter from Sweet Springs, Missouri, known for crafting heartfelt songs that reflect the highs and lows of everyday life. Drawing inspiration from artists like Eric Church, Evan Felker, and Willie Nelson, Evan blends authenticity with storytelling in a style rooted in country and red dirt traditions.
A devoted husband and father of three boys, Evan channels his life experiences into his music, aiming to create songs that resonate deeply with listeners and shine a light on the beauty found in both the struggles and triumphs of life.