Patterson Hood is an American singer-songwriter and co-founder of the band Drive-By Truckers, known for his prolific contributions to Southern rock and country rock. After co-founding Adam’s House Cat with Mike Cooley in 1985, Patterson Hood quickly established himself in the music scene, with the band winning Musician Magazine’s Best Unsigned Band competition in the late 1980s. Though their sole full-length album, ‘Town Burned Down,’ was not officially released until September 2018 by ATO Records, Hood’s collaboration with Cooley continued to flourish. This partnership led to the formation of the acclaimed Southern rock band Drive-By Truckers in 1996 in Athens, Georgia.
Hood’s production talents were showcased when he produced Bettye LaVette’s album ‘The Scene of the Crime’ in 2007. Further demonstrating his collaborative prowess, Drive-By Truckers notably backed Booker T. Jones on his album ‘Potato Hole,’ which went on to win a Grammy Award in 2010. In 2012, Hood assembled Patterson Hood and the Downtown 13, a collective featuring esteemed musicians like Mike Mills of R.E.M.
Patterson Hood continues to maintain his rigorous touring and songwriting schedule with Drive-By Truckers, cementing his legacy in Southern rock. Looking ahead, he is set to release his highly anticipated fourth solo album, ‘Exploding Trees & Airplane Screams,’ in 2025. Through decades of consistent output as a bandleader, solo artist, and producer, Hood remains a compelling and distinctive voice, continually exploring poignant storytelling and social commentary in his work.