He began his professional career in 2000 with a trumpet/cornet position in “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band in Washington, D.C. He released Trumpet Call, his first solo album, in 2011. Hooten, along with his wife Jennifer Marotta, edited the most recent version of Arban’s Complete Conservatory Method for Trumpet, one of the most widely used étude books for trumpet students and players, published by Carl Fischer.

Hooten is currently on the faculty at the University of Southern California, and he also serves on the faculty for the Aspen Music Festival, acting as a guest artist and teacher. While in Atlanta, he taught trumpet at Kennesaw State University.

Hooten travels across the world as a soloist and clinician, and he is active in the Los Angeles studio scene. A native of Tampa, FL, he earned his Bachelor of Music degree from the University of South Florida and his Master of Music degree from Rice University. His primary trumpet teachers have included Armando Ghitalla, John Hagstrom, and Don Owen.

Hooten is a Yamaha performing artist.