Paul Hager
Music
Gallery
Video
Borderline
NOTE
Coming in February:
To all Music Directors / programmers
These songs will be available on the Play MPE System for your convenience to download and put into rotation.
Currently these two songs are on every AMI Jukebox in the United States and are being played on Internet Radio AirPlay in 98 countries.
BIOGRAPHY
I was raised in Oconto, Wisconsin, and subsequently relocated to Dubuque, Iowa, where I attended high school and initiated my music career by recording my first song, 'Broken Promises,' at Roland Studios. During my high school years, I also studied music theory and had the privilege of performing with Andy Williams in a packed 30,000-person arena. Following high school, I served in the Navy, Army, and Army Reserve for a total of 15 years. After my military service, I focused on refining my vocals and songwriting skills. Upon returning to Wisconsin after 30 years, I engaged a vocal instructor who helped me achieve professional vocal status within five years. When I began my new recording journey in Nashville Tennessee, I was fortunate to collaborate with the worlds best talent.
The team included:
Main vocals: Paul Hager
Background vocals: Tania Hanceroff who
Curently sings at the Grand Ole Opery and has worked with Carrie Underwood, Sheryl Crow, Reba McEntire, Toby Kieth
Players:
(Mark Becket) who curently is the house drummer at the Grand Ole Opery.
(Chris Leuzinger) who curently plays lead guitar for Garth Brooks.
(Michael rinne) who has played base guitar for Willy Nelson, Ronnie Milsap and many others.
(Pat Mcgrath) who has played acoustic for Allison krass, Randy Owen.
(Andy Ellison) who has played steel guitar for Capital Records, John Pardi.
(Billy Nobel) who has played keyboard for Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, CMT.
SONG REVIEW: Borderline
Overall Impression
Crafting a good cover is an art form in itself. It's a delicate balancing act where elements of the source material must not only be retained, but respected, and a clear level of distinction must be cultivated to warrant the need for a cover in the first places. I'm happy to say Paul Hager’s country reinvention of Madonna’s “Borderline” is exactly how you do it! What was once pop gloss becomes something earthier, dustier, and deeply human. Paul doesn’t just cover the song; he inhabits it, reshaping the originals DNA while preserving the melodic bones that made the original iconic. It’s a transformation that feels both reverent and boldly personal, the kind of artistic balancing act that’s far harder than it sounds—and here, it’s pulled off with effortless poise. It feels familiar enough to stir nostalgia, but fresh enough to be rediscovered. It honors the original while revealing new colors, textures, and stories within it—proof that, sometimes, crossing the borderline between genres brings a song not to a different place, but home.
Strongest Point(s)
A huge part of this success lies in the exceptional performances threaded throughout the track. Paul’s own vocal presence is warm, charming, and confident, imbued with the kind of gently rugged sincerity that country storytellers are known for. His phrasing doesn’t mimic Madonna’s delivery; instead, he leans into a more grounded register, letting the song breathe in a way that the country genre is known for. That charisma is met by the excellence of the session players he’s brought into the fold. Background vocalist Tania Hanceroff adds a silken glow that lifts the choruses with precision and ease, while guitarist Chris Leuzinger brings tasteful licks and understated firepower. The rhythmic foundation, held down by Michael Rinne has that seasoned steadiness only top-tier players can offer. These musicians (along with a few more high calibre session giants) whose résumés include work with towering figures like Carrie Underwood, Willie Nelson, and Garth Brooks, lend the track an unmistakable pedigree. Together, they form a band that feels less like hired hands and more like a fully developed group, one that boasts a striking amount of chemistry.
The arrangement is also excellent. It’s a masterclass in deft layering: warm acoustic strums, honeyed pedal-steel sighs, tasteful electric lines, and texture-filling backing vocals. Each layer contributes a small melodic charm of its own, creating a dynamic sound that remains breezy rather than crowded. The country textures never feel pasted on; instead, they settle into the song like they belonged there all along. That sense of naturalness—of sonic warmth radiating from every bar—gives the cover its heart. And then there’s the production and mix, which strike a rare balance: polished yet never sterile. Every instrument retains its timbral character—the woody resonance of the acoustic, the brushed velvet of the background vocals, the rounded thump of the bass. The track feels like it was captured in a room where people were smiling, listening, and reacting to each other in real time. It’s clean, but never clinical; detailed, but never over-processed. The warmth isn’t just tonal—it’s emotional.
Target Audience Appeal
Lovers of country will undoubtedly appreciate this lovingly crafted cover.
Artist target suggestions
Brooks & Dunn, Lainey Wilson, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, Keith Urban, Kenny Chesney, Reba McEntire, Tim McGraw, Loretta Lynn
About The Reviewer
Andre is a freelance session guitarist, composer, and sound engineer based in the U.K. Having studied music production and composition at a degree level, he has taken his passion for all things audio-related to a level that has allowed him to become both a competent musician and performer. Being a self-confessed "Guitar Nerd" Andre has been continually studying the guitar as well as teaching it, helping students learn the instrument, develop their songwriting, and become proficient in home recording.
Vocals: Strength
Lyrics: Strength
Instrumental Performance/Execution: Strength
Melody/Rhythm: Strength
Arrangement/Flow: Strength
Recording Quality/Overall Mix: Strength
SONG REVIEW: Only God Knows
Overall Impression
Country singer/songwriter Paul Hager paints a picture of a relationship in its twilight hour, on his release of “Only God Knows”. Backed by top shelf Nashville studio musicians, Hager delivers emotional lyrics in his distinctively expressive baritone, while guest vocalist Tania Hanceroff provides gorgeous harmonies that elevate this ballad of uncertainty to lofty new heights. Thoughtful and sensitive songwriting, along with a sleek contemporary sound, make Paul Hager’s “Only God Knows” an easy listening recommendation for both country and country-pop fans alike.
Strongest Point(s)
Outstanding production, great sounding mix. Nice contemporary country instrumentation and style that should have crossover appeal. Excellent song structure and arrangement. Band sounds amazing, across the board. I really like the vocal duet aspect, particularly given the subject matter. She does a phenomenal job as well. Your vocal performance is strong, with a great charismatic delivery style that will keep listeners engaged. Lyrics are raw and emotionally honest, contrasting the past, present, and future with a divine uncertainty. Really heartbreaking stuff, should resonate strongly with country-pop audiences. All in all, this is a fantastic bit of song craft and a great sounding contemporary country track. Very nice work, by everyone involved!
Target Audience Appeal
Fans of Country, Contemporary Country, Country-Pop
Artist target suggestions
Brothers Osborne, Eric Church, Jon Pardi, Sam Hunt, Big & Rich, Keith Urban, Tim McGraw, Walker Hayes, Thomas Rhett, Luke Bryan
About The Reviewer
Steven Azami is a multi-instrumentalist with over 25 years of experience in the music industry. Both as a touring/session player and as a producer, his career has spanned nearly every genre from bluegrass to jazz, from rock to reggae. In addition, his work as a music educator has allowed him to cultivate and foster talent within the next generation of musical
Vocals: Strength
Lyrics: Strength
Instrumental Performance/Execution: Strength
Melody/Rhythm: Strength
Arrangement/Flow: Strength
Recording Quality/Overall Mix: Strength
BIOGRAPHY
I was raised in Oconto, Wisconsin, and subsequently relocated to Dubuque, Iowa, where I attended high school and initiated my music career by recording my first song, 'Broken Promises,' at Roland Studios. During my high school years, I also studied music theory and had the privilege of performing with Andy Williams in a packed 30,000-person arena. Following high school, I served in the Navy, Army, and Army Reserve for a total of 15 years. After my military service, I focused on refining my vocals and songwriting skills. Upon returning to Wisconsin after 30 years, I engaged a vocal instructor who helped me achieve professional vocal status within five years. When I began my new recording journey in Nashville Tennessee, I was fortunate to collaborate with the worlds best talent.
The team included:
Main vocals: Paul Hager
Background vocals: Tania Hanceroff who
Curently sings at the Grand Ole Opery and has worked with Carrie Underwood, Sheryl Crow, Reba McEntire, Toby Kieth
Players:
(Mark Becket) who curently is the house drummer at the Grand Ole Opery.
(Chris Leuzinger) who curently plays lead guitar for Garth Brooks.
(Michael rinne) who has played base guitar for Willy Nelson, Ronnie Milsap and many others.
(Pat Mcgrath) who has played acoustic for Allison krass, Randy Owen.
(Andy Ellison) who has played steel guitar for Capital Records, John Pardi.
(Billy Nobel) who has played keyboard for Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, CMT.
SONG REVIEW: Borderline
Overall Impression
Crafting a good cover is an art form in itself. It's a delicate balancing act where elements of the source material must not only be retained, but respected, and a clear level of distinction must be cultivated to warrant the need for a cover in the first places. I'm happy to say Paul Hager’s country reinvention of Madonna’s “Borderline” is exactly how you do it! What was once pop gloss becomes something earthier, dustier, and deeply human. Paul doesn’t just cover the song; he inhabits it, reshaping the originals DNA while preserving the melodic bones that made the original iconic. It’s a transformation that feels both reverent and boldly personal, the kind of artistic balancing act that’s far harder than it sounds—and here, it’s pulled off with effortless poise. It feels familiar enough to stir nostalgia, but fresh enough to be rediscovered. It honors the original while revealing new colors, textures, and stories within it—proof that, sometimes, crossing the borderline between genres brings a song not to a different place, but home.
Strongest Point(s)
A huge part of this success lies in the exceptional performances threaded throughout the track. Paul’s own vocal presence is warm, charming, and confident, imbued with the kind of gently rugged sincerity that country storytellers are known for. His phrasing doesn’t mimic Madonna’s delivery; instead, he leans into a more grounded register, letting the song breathe in a way that the country genre is known for. That charisma is met by the excellence of the session players he’s brought into the fold. Background vocalist Tania Hanceroff adds a silken glow that lifts the choruses with precision and ease, while guitarist Chris Leuzinger brings tasteful licks and understated firepower. The rhythmic foundation, held down by Michael Rinne has that seasoned steadiness only top-tier players can offer. These musicians (along with a few more high calibre session giants) whose résumés include work with towering figures like Carrie Underwood, Willie Nelson, and Garth Brooks, lend the track an unmistakable pedigree. Together, they form a band that feels less like hired hands and more like a fully developed group, one that boasts a striking amount of chemistry.
The arrangement is also excellent. It’s a masterclass in deft layering: warm acoustic strums, honeyed pedal-steel sighs, tasteful electric lines, and texture-filling backing vocals. Each layer contributes a small melodic charm of its own, creating a dynamic sound that remains breezy rather than crowded. The country textures never feel pasted on; instead, they settle into the song like they belonged there all along. That sense of naturalness—of sonic warmth radiating from every bar—gives the cover its heart. And then there’s the production and mix, which strike a rare balance: polished yet never sterile. Every instrument retains its timbral character—the woody resonance of the acoustic, the brushed velvet of the background vocals, the rounded thump of the bass. The track feels like it was captured in a room where people were smiling, listening, and reacting to each other in real time. It’s clean, but never clinical; detailed, but never over-processed. The warmth isn’t just tonal—it’s emotional.
Target Audience Appeal
Lovers of country will undoubtedly appreciate this lovingly crafted cover.
Artist target suggestions
Brooks & Dunn, Lainey Wilson, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, Keith Urban, Kenny Chesney, Reba McEntire, Tim McGraw, Loretta Lynn
About The Reviewer
Andre is a freelance session guitarist, composer, and sound engineer based in the U.K. Having studied music production and composition at a degree level, he has taken his passion for all things audio-related to a level that has allowed him to become both a competent musician and performer. Being a self-confessed "Guitar Nerd" Andre has been continually studying the guitar as well as teaching it, helping students learn the instrument, develop their songwriting, and become proficient in home recording.
Vocals: Strength
Lyrics: Strength
Instrumental Performance/Execution: Strength
Melody/Rhythm: Strength
Arrangement/Flow: Strength
Recording Quality/Overall Mix: Strength
SONG REVIEW: Only God Knows
Overall Impression
Country singer/songwriter Paul Hager paints a picture of a relationship in its twilight hour, on his release of “Only God Knows”. Backed by top shelf Nashville studio musicians, Hager delivers emotional lyrics in his distinctively expressive baritone, while guest vocalist Tania Hanceroff provides gorgeous harmonies that elevate this ballad of uncertainty to lofty new heights. Thoughtful and sensitive songwriting, along with a sleek contemporary sound, make Paul Hager’s “Only God Knows” an easy listening recommendation for both country and country-pop fans alike.
Strongest Point(s)
Outstanding production, great sounding mix. Nice contemporary country instrumentation and style that should have crossover appeal. Excellent song structure and arrangement. Band sounds amazing, across the board. I really like the vocal duet aspect, particularly given the subject matter. She does a phenomenal job as well. Your vocal performance is strong, with a great charismatic delivery style that will keep listeners engaged. Lyrics are raw and emotionally honest, contrasting the past, present, and future with a divine uncertainty. Really heartbreaking stuff, should resonate strongly with country-pop audiences. All in all, this is a fantastic bit of song craft and a great sounding contemporary country track. Very nice work, by everyone involved!
Target Audience Appeal
Fans of Country, Contemporary Country, Country-Pop
Artist target suggestions
Brothers Osborne, Eric Church, Jon Pardi, Sam Hunt, Big & Rich, Keith Urban, Tim McGraw, Walker Hayes, Thomas Rhett, Luke Bryan
About The Reviewer
Steven Azami is a multi-instrumentalist with over 25 years of experience in the music industry. Both as a touring/session player and as a producer, his career has spanned nearly every genre from bluegrass to jazz, from rock to reggae. In addition, his work as a music educator has allowed him to cultivate and foster talent within the next generation of musical
Vocals: Strength
Lyrics: Strength
Instrumental Performance/Execution: Strength
Melody/Rhythm: Strength
Arrangement/Flow: Strength
Recording Quality/Overall Mix: Strength
Contact
For Questions Please Send Email