"When someone talks about music getting’ in your blood, I know exactly what they are talkin’ about, because that’s exactly what’s happened to me," says Jason Childers with a smile. "And I feel that that's pretty much what I was put here on earth to do. It's like Chet Atkins used to say when he talked about musicians and their instruments, that when they're not holding their instruments, they feel like a part of them's missing. There's a black hole there somewhere that can only be filled by that. And it's the same way for performing and all the creative process. When you're not making music and you're a musician, you really miss it."It's very apparent with Childers' new disc that his passion for music is set to propel his career from obscurity to celebrity. Born in Walnut, Mississippi, he grew up with a love for music, singing in a gospel youth choir, and playing in bluegrass, rock and country bands as a teenager. Encouraged to pursue a music career by a friend who had once given up his own dreams, he struggled through most of his college days before signing an indie label deal, with Severe Records in Nashville. Now, Childers is beginning to be known as a fiery entertainer with a talent for finding – or writing – perfect vehicles for his explosive injection of rhythm & blues and southern rock influences into a framework built on country traditions. "Hank Williams Jr put it this way," he says, "you're either spiraling up or you're spiraling down, one of the two. It's never just flat. And that's what was going on for me." When Asphalt Prairie, his new offering of soulful country music, hits stores it's likely to be welcomed by listeners everywhere and across genre lines. From the opening of his debut, "I Believe In Love," with its acoustic guitar and ringing, autobiographically-tinged affirmation, to the subtle balladry of "Without The Rain." His music not only reflects his own life, but the common experiences that unite us. Childers has the voice of the common man, serving up observations on life as he puts words and music to his listeners thoughts, hopes and everyday life. His music is barometer reflecting the resilience of the human spirit in such anthems as “You Can’t Find Love.” There is a mournful honesty in his voice as he croons "Somewhere In Heaven She’s Smiling Down.” That song displayed the honesty, integrity and strength mixed with vulnerability that might likely become cornerstones of Childers’ artistry. Overall, Asphalt Prairie reflects a new level of craftsmanship and emotional depth in Childers’ work, and it's matched by the rich yet organic feel of the music – much of it attributable to his hands-on approach to working with producer and co-writer Chris Sevier. "It's a joint effort," Childers says, "but I'm involved in every part of it – the selection of what studio we record in, what musicians we use to track with, what overdubs are done, all of that." Yet he's also quick to give Sevier much of the credit. "There is really a lot to be said for a guy who is a musician and songwriter, who is accepted and respected by the musicians who are in the studio. When we get ready to track, Sevier does not sit behind the glass, he gets right in the middle of everything. Sometimes he'll pick up a guitar and sometimes he won't, he'll just sit there and listen to it, but he's feeling the warmth of the room at the same level that those guys do, and I think that's really, really cool. And you can tell the respect level that he has for those musicians, and his ability to let them do their thing, is really, really good. One thing I've learned from watching Sevier work with these musicians is that if you give them a general overview of what you're looking for, and then let them work it over in their head, these guys are talented enough that you're usually going to get your best stuff out of them in either the first or second take."That's an unusual approach to producing these days – but then, Jason Childers is an unusual star. Tempering the fire and enthusiasm of his adolescent days with maturity and an ever-growing depth of artistry in his mid 20s, enlivening his adherence to country tradition with a bold, even raucous invitation to "get crazy," he has struck a balance between them that enhances both, blending the two into music that will never be mistaken for anyone else's. Tough yet tender, reverent as often as he's rowdy, Jason Childers leaves no doubt that he's about to go the distance – in music and in life – and his incredible album Asphalt Prairie is a “must have” for anyone remotely interested in country music!
Heard your cover of Chris Knight's "It Ain't Easy Being Me" on another website and had to immediately find you here on Myspace. What a fantastic job you did and it doesn't surprise me that everything else sounds just as great. Glad to be in your virtual circle of friends.
Glad to see you back on hun = ) We have missed you. Congrats on the new cd, can't wait to check it out. Hope you have a wonderful Holiday season *muahhh*
We are finally ready to start promoting my 'I Surrender' single with my album, 'Ella Trip' coming right after -yey!! What d'ya think to the video teaser?
I think you get a amazing future in front of you with your music and you have real good and amazing songs and I wish you all the best with your music and your future with music in years forward:)
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