Today we’d like to introduce you to Josh Hoganson.
Josh, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Josh “Tater” Hoganson of Tater and the Tokers didn’t set out to start a band again. In fact, music had been sitting quietly in the background of his life for years.
Back in the 90s, Josh was deeply involved in music. Like a lot of musicians chasing songs and stages during that era, music was part of who he was. But life shifted. He became a father, responsibilities grew, and eventually the guitars were set down so he could focus on raising his kids and building a life for his family.
For a long time, music stayed mostly in the memories.
Then came his grandson.
Wanting to leave something meaningful behind and share a part of himself with the next generation, Josh started casually playing music again for his grandson. He created a small YouTube channel so his grandson could watch Grandpa play songs anytime he wanted. There was no grand plan. No marketing strategy. No dream of festivals or crowds. Just a grandfather playing music from the heart.
But something unexpected happened.
People started finding the videos.
Friends, strangers, and fellow musicians began encouraging him to keep going. They connected with the honesty and authenticity of the songs and performances. Before long, people were telling him he should record an album.
So he did.
Josh recorded a solo album, simply following the momentum and seeing where the road would lead. Once again, the response surprised him. Listeners connected with the music and began pushing him toward the next step: playing live shows again.
With encouragement building, Josh submitted a couple applications to perform at local events. One of them was for “The Road to Country Thunder” in Florence.
He got accepted.
What he didn’t realize at first was that it wasn’t just another show, it was a battle of the bands competition where the winner would earn the opportunity to play at Country Thunder, one of the biggest country music festivals in the United States.
There was only one problem:
He didn’t actually have a full band yet.
So Josh scrambled together a ragtag group of musicians, talented players from different backgrounds, personalities, and influences, all coming together under a shared belief that something special might be happening.
What started as a simple YouTube channel for a grandson suddenly became a band with a real opportunity standing in front of them.
And they ran with it.
From that moment forward, the momentum never stopped. The chemistry, the energy, and the connection with audiences kept growing. What began as an unexpected second chapter turned into something bigger than anyone imagined.
Today, Tater and the Tokers continues building on that momentum, proving that sometimes the best stories don’t begin with a carefully crafted plan. Sometimes they begin with family, a guitar, and one person brave enough to start playing again.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
People see the stage lights, the guitars, the crowds, and the fun side of being in Tater and the Tokers. What they usually do not see is everything behind the scenes.
The road has not been smooth. Building a band means managing different personalities, schedules, expectations, and challenges that come with working closely with musicians. Venues can be difficult, equipment breaks, shows fall through, and every room requires different sound and setup adjustments.
What looks like a four hour performance is really countless hours of booking shows, marketing online, designing flyers, loading gear, setting up 90 pound speakers, running sound, tearing down late at night, and driving home exhausted.
And through all of it, real life is still happening.
There are wives, kids, grandkids, jobs, bills, family responsibilities, and everyday struggles that do not pause just because there is a show on Friday night. Musicians carry all of that with them while still trying to create something meaningful on stage.
But despite the hard work, the stress, and the long nights, the connection with the audience makes it worth it. That is the part people remember, and that is what keeps us going.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
At the heart of Tater and the Tokers is a simple mission: help people celebrate life. Whether it is a packed dance floor, a small hometown bar, a festival crowd, or a family event, the goal has always been to create moments where people can forget their stress, connect with each other, and simply enjoy being alive.
Musically, the band has developed a sound that is difficult to place into one category. Evan, the founder of Spotlite Live Holdings, once described the band’s style as “Voodoo Country,” a name that immediately stuck. It captures the gritty, soulful blend of outlaw country, southern rock, blues, and raw energy that sets Tater and the Tokers apart artistically from other bands. It is not polished Nashville country. It is something darker, deeper, and more alive, a sound built from real life, real struggle, and real connection.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
What I love most about Phoenix is the diversity. You can experience so many different cultures, backgrounds, foods, music styles, and perspectives all in one city. That diversity creates a unique energy and makes Phoenix feel alive and constantly evolving.
What I like least? The summer weather. There is just no way around it, Arizona summers can be brutal. When it feels like you are walking into a hair dryer every time you step outside, even lifelong locals start questioning their life choices a little bit.
Pricing:
- Upon Request, we provide custom experiences!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://taterandthetokers.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taterandthetokers/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tater.and.the.tokers
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@taterandthetokers
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/tater-and-the-tokers-phoenix
- Other: https://www.reverbnation.com/taterandthetokers
