HELL IN HIGH WATER
Written by Mike Thomas
Acoustic Guitar & Vocal - Mike Thomas
Tres Sasser - Bass
Weston Woodford - Vocal
Donald Bright - Electric Guitar
Sten Nisswandt - Drums
Steven Bowman - Fiddle
Produced by Tres Sasser
Engineered & Mixed by Joe Costa
Mastered by Pete Lyman
Graphic Design by Ashley L. Evans
Photographs by Hunter Simpson
Recorded at Tresland Studios - Franklin, TN
©℗ 2024 Diamond Hill Music / H.E. Jones Publishing (BMI)
In late September, my wife and I visited the Smoky Mountains in East Tennessee. We spent a couple of rain-soaked days in the region before returning to Nashville on September 26th. Helene reached Tennessee on the 27th and in the hours that followed, she brought catastrophic flooding, death, and destruction the likes of which the region had never seen…
We watched as families in East TN, The Carolinas, and Southwest VA lost homes, farms, businesses, loved ones, everything... The stories and images were heartbreaking. I spoke with several friends in the area who shared stories of destruction and devastation that were unfathomable.
For generations, my family has called East Tennessee home and although I have lived in Nashville for 20 years, I will always be an East Tennessean. Watching the aftermath of Helene unfold affected me deeply. I couldn’t stop thinking about those families. I couldn’t get those heartbreaking stories and images out of my mind…
I started writing “Hell In High Water” on October 4th and finished it on October 6th. I played it for some close friends and family who urged me to record and release it as soon as possible. I sent it to my producer, Tres Sasser, and my bandmates. Everyone dropped what they had planned to record the track on October 17th. There was a sense of urgency and purpose to get the song done and to get it done right.
Our hope is that this song helps bring increased awareness of the tragic devastation left behind by Helene. It will take YEARS for the region to recover, and many communities will never be the same. The individuals and families impacted by this tragedy should not be forgotten. They need our help and our prayers now and they will need them for the long haul.
In the end, “Hell in High Water” is just a song, but I hope it captures the stern resolve and deep faith of the people of the region. I pray that it reaches thousands of listeners and inspires them to help in any way they are able.
From the hollers to the hills, we take care of our own…
MT
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All proceeds from “Hell in High Water” support Relief & Recovery Efforts in East Tennessee, Western North Carolina, the greater Appalachian region - providing ongoing assistance to the victims of Hurricane Helene flooding. For more info, visit: https://mtnways.org
Watch the official video:
Premiered Feb 12, 2025
Videographer - Cecil Scarbrough
Photos contributed by Hunter Simpson & Dean Roberts
MIKE THOMAS
A dedicated songwriter and entrepreneur based in Nashville, TN, Thomas has never taken the conventional path—he’s taken the one that felt true. A devoted family man and small business owner, Thomas continues to prioritize his passion for music, steadily building a loyal fanbase on his own terms.
Originally from Knoxville, TN, Thomas moved to Nashville in 2004 with aspirations of pursuing a career as a songwriter. But the industry didn’t match his vision. Disillusioned, he stepped away from music for over a decade to raise a family and launch a business. “I didn’t listen to the popular country music of the day,” Thomas recalls. “I had no frame of reference for what publishers and artists were looking for. I was naive and learned some tough lessons in those early days.”
In 2018, a chance meeting with producer Tres Sasser reignited his creative fire. The two quickly formed a friendship, and Sasser encouraged Thomas to return to writing and recording. Together, they released two albums: Three Reasons (2020, self-released) and Diamonds (2023, Electric 3 Records), both recorded in Franklin, TN with members of Thomas’ band and special guests. His music has been described as “the grit of Americana storytelling with the undeniable catchy groove of country radio” – The Boot.
Known for his heartfelt lyrics and commanding voice, Thomas has received praise from outlets such as Wide Open Country, Americana Highways, Saving Country Music, The Bluegrass Situation, and Glide Magazine. His songs have also been featured on primetime TV programs on CBS and NBC.
Thomas has drawn comparisons to legends like Rodney Crowell, John Mellencamp, Tom Petty, Joe Ely, Guy Clark, and Townes Van Zandt—artists whose writing is raw, real, and rooted in place. That same spirit drives his own work, especially on the breakout single “Hell in High Water.”
Written in response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina and East Tennessee—a region his family has called home for generations—the song became a lightning rod for connection. “I was heartbroken for my people,” he says. “The stories haunted me. I had to write something that gave voice to their loss.”
Released quickly and without traditional promotion, “Hell in High Water” went viral on TikTok within 48 hours, amassing over 4 million streams in six months. “I didn’t even have a TikTok account,” Thomas laughs. “The response blew me away. This song reminded me why I write—to connect, to heal, to shine a light.”
Now, reinvigorated and focused, Thomas shows no signs of slowing down. His next single, “A Different Story,” is a gospel-tinged tribute to faith, redemption, and perseverance. With more new music on the way, fans can expect a prolific new chapter from a writer who’s rediscovered his purpose—and plans to stay the course.
THE MIKE THOMAS BAND
The MT Band has developed a reputation for its live shows. Known for delivering a heavy dose of MT's original tunes alongside classic country, rock and blues covers, the band is a must see for fans of roots music. They’ve been playing together for years and bring a continuity and energy to the stage that is contagious.
Band Members: Mark Huhta (Pedal Steel), Donald Bright (Guitar), Weston Woodford (Guitar, Vocals), Tres Sasser (Bass, Vocals), Sten Nisswandt (Drums).
