Baldacci to sing praises of musician Former Baileyville guitarist to receive proclamation, day in his honor

Little did this mill town kid know when he was growing up that the governor would name a day after him and present him with a proclamation.

That is exactly what will happen in Augusta on Wednesday, Dec. 15, to Nashville musician Johnny Hiland.

Gov. John Baldacci plans to honor Hiland, 29, who grew up in Baileyville next to the former Georgia-Pacific pulp and paper mill.

Hiland’s manager, Mac Wilson, said Hiland was thrilled. “He is exceptionally excited,” Wilson said. “How many people get a proclamation in their own state?”

Hiland’s journey to Nashville began more than 20 years ago in Baileyville. His father, Tom, is a pipe fitter at the Domtar Inc. pulp and paper mill, and his mother, Grace, is a librarian and the town clerk in Princeton. He has two younger siblings, Jodi and Jerry.

Pronounced legally blind as an infant, Hiland attended Woodland elementary and high schools. He attended the University of Southern Maine, where he studied to become an elementary school teacher. But music was always his first love.

At 21, Hiland settled in Nashville, finding an apartment just up the road from the city’s country music hub. With his guitar under his arm, he went looking for work.

Although legally blind, Hiland can read sheet music if he holds it inches from his eyes. If he hears a song once, he can play it on his guitar. But most of his music comes from his head and his heart.

A gentle and soft-spoken fellow, Hiland got his first break at The World Famous Turf, where he walked in one night and asked if he could perform. He was told he could play only after the club regulars were finished. He wowed the audience.

As a child, Hiland had pledged to his mother that he one day would perform at the Grand Ole Opry. In 1999 Hiland did just that. He was in good company that evening with country stars Porter Wagoner and Ricky Skaggs.

Hiland appeared again as a solo artist at the Opry and has performed three times at the Ryman Auditorium.

After the governor presents Hiland with the state’s proclamation, the musician will travel to Hollowell, where he will perform at The Wharf.

He recently signed with Favored Nations Entertainment and has released his first CD, “Johnny Hiland.” “Johnny’s record is just blowing off the shelf,” Wilson said.

It has been a busy year for the young star. He has been on Fox Cable Channel and on National Public Radio. He has worked with some of the countries top musicians and cut tracks for Hank Williams III, Randy Travis and Toby Keith. “He has cut the title track for Ricky Skaggs’ new record and it has just been nominated for a Grammy,” Wilson said. “Ricky is Johnny’s biggest fan.”

In his free time, Hiland has written a children’s book called “Tuff.” “The book is designed to motivate handicapped children,” Wilson said. The book will be published in the near future.