Tim Hicks’ “The Pilot” Makes the Case for Going Somewhere Being His Best Yet

Tim Hicks has never been an artist who sits still, and Going Somewhere makes that pretty clear from the jump.

The five-time JUNO Award nominee and CCMA Award winner has spent over a decade building one of the most consistent catalogues in Canadian country, and his sixth studio album picks up right where the momentum left off. The title track climbed to #6 at Canadian country radio before the album even arrived, setting the table for a record rooted in Hicks’ signature sound: big guitars, hooks that stick, and a high-energy feel built for the stage.

“The Pilot” Sets the Tone

Leading the album campaign is “The Pilot,” and the hook does the heavy lifting here. “Let love be the pilot” is the kind of line that lands immediately and stays with you after the song ends. It’s radio-smart without feeling manufactured, which is exactly where Hicks tends to live.

The track has the feel of a summer live moment waiting to happen. If you’ve seen Hicks on stage before, you can already picture where this one fits in the set.

A Record With Range

Going Somewhere doesn’t settle into one gear, and that’s one of the more interesting things about it. The gritty title track sits alongside sun-soaked cuts like “Tequila Gold” and “Chasing the Sun,” while “Voodoo On It” brings some heavier energy into the mix. Then there are the more reflective moments, “Quits” and “I’m Not Ready,” which show a side of Hicks that doesn’t always get the spotlight.

Developed alongside collaborators Jeff Coplan, Deric Ruttan, Derek Hoffman, and Dave Thomson, the project pulls from a mix of perspectives while staying rooted in what Hicks does best. He also played piano on the record and tracked it with his live band in the studio, which gives it an energy that’s hard to fake.

Limited Edition Vinyl and a National Tour

For the collectors, Going Somewhere is getting a limited edition cherry red vinyl release alongside the digital rollout. Pre-orders are live now at timhicksmusic.com.

Hicks is also hitting the road for a national headline run, the Going Somewhere Tour, with special guests The Martin Boys. The dates span coast to coast, from British Columbia through the Maritimes.

Going Somewhere Tour Dates

May 2026
20 – Coquitlam, BC – Great Canadian Casino Vancouver
21 – Regina, SK – Casino Regina
22 – Calgary, AB – The Palace Theatre
23 – Winnipeg, MB – Club Regent Event Centre
24 – Thunder Bay, ON – Thunder Bay Community Auditorium

June 2026
11 – London, ON – London Music Hall
12 – Toronto, ON – The Opera House
13 – Montreal, QC – Theatre Fairmount
14 – Ottawa, ON – The Bronson
16 – Fredericton, NB – The Fredericton Playhouse
19 – Halifax, NS – Light House Arts Centre
20 – Moncton, NB – Casino New Brunswick
21 – Saint John, NB – Imperial Theatre

Tickets and VIP packages are available at timhicksmusic.com/tour.

If Going Somewhere delivers on what “The Pilot” is promising, this could be the record that reminds everyone exactly why Tim Hicks has been a mainstay in Canadian country for as long as he has.

Front Porch

In country music, the Front Porch has long been a place of reflection. A place where you can look at the life you have inside that front door. A place where time almost seems to stand still, where you can get away. It’s also a place where you can go to observe the world as it passes by you. To think about your place out there beyond the driveway.