Hi all-

As promised, “Heading for America” is here! Here's the link to the video and the  official press release (that's sort of an avatar of me in the middle as Jacob, the character in the song):

New single and video from NorVille, “Heading for America”, releases worldwide on September 1, 2026, via CMR Nashville.

In 2011, Ottar “Big Hand” Johanssen, Tore Andersen, and Joe Sun, performing as NorVille, released the single “Take Me Back” honoring the deep cultural and historical connection between Norway and America through the lens of a shared love of Nashville country music. NorVille debuted the song at the opening of the Nashville lodge of Sons of Norway, the Music City Vikings.

Sadly, Tore and Joe have passed on.

Now, Ottar has partnered with two of Nashville’s honorary Vikings, Brent Moyer (also sometime member of the first NorVille), and Hugh Moffatt, to write and record a new NorVille release titled “Heading for America”. 

“Heading for America” describes the beginning of the Norwegian migration to America with the 1825 voyage of the sloop Restauration from Stavanger, Norway, to New York City, USA, as recalled by the ship’s cabin boy, Jacob Slauvig, only 15 years old at the time and now a settled farmer near the end of his life.

“Heading for America” is a wonderful new tribute to the pioneers who unified our two nations.

Have fun with this!

See you down the road!

• ------ Hugh