With six records to his credit and fine songs he's written for himself and others, Adam Hood has plenty of material for a live show.
The country singer and Alabama native possesses genuine charm and a true knack for songwriting, both of which should be on display Saturday night at Scottie's Grill here in Texarkana. Opening for Hood's concert is one of Texarkana's strongest live acts, The Moss Brothers.
Hood's most recent album is "Welcome to the Big World," the title track of which addresses his teenage daughter and persevering through life's changes. "It's an awkward time for a teenager or a kid, in general," said the songwriter, who appreciates his family and makes time to stay at home with them.
As a songwriter, he wanted to sit back and write from his perspective as a grownup who doesn't want to grow up and see a kid who doesn't want to grow up. But growing up has to happen, he says.
"I kind of wrote her a little shoulder-to-cry-on tune," said Hood, who respects songwriters like the legendary John Prine, who has the ability to put humor in songs where there's not a humorous context, making light, in a sense, of dire situations. "At the same time, still explain the subject that he's talking about," Hood says.
It's a brilliant ability, says the younger songwriter. "I think the fact that Prine's music is probably the best example of the song being conversational," Hood said about what impresses him in Prine's songs.
Hood himself has worked with songwriter Pat McLaughlin, who's played mandolin for Prine. In fact, the last four singles Hood's released have been written with him, he says, and so it's been a welcome partnership to work with this Nashville great. "I'm able to sit down and write with him a ton," Hood said.
His predecessor to "Welcome to the Big World" is the 2011 album "The Shape of Things." He's toured with Willie Nelson and Leon Russell.
He first got the inspiration to pick up a guitar around the age of 10 or 12, he recalls, and by the time he was in high school he was getting paid to perform. Writing his own songs was just part of it all.
"I've always been writing since I've been playing, really. I think you always pick up the guitar with that intention in the back of your mind somewhere," Hood said.
And as a professional songwriter for Nashville, he's always looking to keep his catalog current, so his writing process is a little different than it might be for others.
"I don't necessarily write for albums," Hood says. And then he'll find songs that are Adam Hood songs, which is how these last two albums came about. In his travels and touring, he'll get the feeling that it's time to cut a record of his own.
"It just sort of happens organically like that," Hood says.
He's always touring, but he generally makes it out Thursday through Saturdays for concerts rather than staying out on the road for weeks at a time. This allows him to get back to his family. "I try to keep it mixed up pretty well," Hood says, so expect to hear songs across his repertoire of releases.
For his Scottie's Grill gig, Hood's coming to town with his bassist and drummer. "We kind of run as a power trio," he says. With that format as his live gig approach, the focus is on the songs themselves.
"I think handling a three piece like that allows the theatrics to get out of the way and let the songs do the talking," Hood said.
(Tickets: $10 cover at the door. Scottie's Grill is located at 8400 W. 7th St. More info: 903-838-4745 or scottiesgrill.net.)