Hal Newman is principal writer and front man for The Mystics of Time, the brassy horn band he founded in Nashville in 1985 and named for a Mobile Mardi Gras society. The Mystics have performed all over the Southeast and as far north as Minnesota and south as Universal Studios, Orlando, FL. They have recorded their unique brand of coastal rock, rhythm and blues in Nashville since 1987 beginning with their classic vinyl LP "Rock and Roll Mountain", followed by the aptly named "Cosmic Coast", through the rolling "Riverboat Rhythm and Blues" to their 4CD collection, "America's Party Band." Their latest project "Live! at Studio 19" recorded in 2021 showcases the mature artistry of this musical powerhouse.
Born in Mobile, AL on the leading edge of the Baby Boom, Newman was playing piano in bands by his early teens, emulating his New Orleans heroes, Ray Charles, Fats Domino and Ernie K. Doe.
After graduating from Livingston University he embarked on a conventional career teaching high school choruses in Georgia and Florida. In 1970, Newman moved to Memphis with musical companions Jim and Jill Lancaster with whom he performed as "Friends of Myne".
In Memphis, they recorded one project for legendary producer Willie Mitchel's Hi Records and fell into the rowdy, rocking crowd that included blue-eyed soulman, Dan Penn and producer/piano pounder, Jim Dickinson. The music would never be the same.
In 1975 he returned to Mobile and to teaching. By 1980 he was ready to rejoin the music world, this time in Nashville with soulmate and songwriting spouse, Rachel. They found early success with their southern, contemporary and r&b gospel which was recorded by artists as diverse as The Happy Goodman Family, Ben Moore and Shirley Caesar.
As the decade progressed, so did the Newmans, raising a daughter, Marisa and a son, Cody and signing writer deals with Aaron Brown's Prime Time Music. Here they scored cuts with artists ranging from bluesman Lonnie Brooks to country superstar George Strait and country/pop diva, Shania Twain.
As Asst. Professor in MTSU's Recording Industry program, Newman was instrumental in the creation of the commercial songwriting program. He brought partnerships with NSAI and ASCAP to campus giving student writers the opportunity to connect with Nashville pros. He was also host for 40 episodes of "Songspeak: Conversations on The Art and Craft of Songwriting" a nationally distributed television series produced by ASCAP and MTSU.
In 2011 the Newmans began operating their business, Windy Holler Music, full time, writing and recording with gifted artist, Aaron Vance and, of course, making music with The Mystics of Time!