BETHLEHEM, PA (Starcity Recording Company) - Mecca for aspiring singer-songwriters of all brands and bents, Nashville attracts talented young men like Nathan Lee Jackson every day. Every day they roll into town with a beat-up guitar and dreams of stardom. Yet it is not every day—not by a long shot—that an unknown young artist and one of rock music’s most legendary producers find inspiration in one another, using their musical symbiosis to create a timeless country-rock sound. And that is exactly what happened when Jeff Glixman, the famed producer of 1970’s progressive rock band Kansas, whose projects boast combined record sales of over 30 million units, invited Nathan Lee Jackson to make an album at his and partner Jim Gentile’s StarCity Recording Company in Bethlehem, PA.
“For a new, ‘undiscovered’ artist, the chance to work with a ‘rock star’ producer doesn’t come along every day,” Nathan Lee Jackson says. “I’d always admired the musical collaboration of Mutt Lange and Shania Twain, a rock producer with a country artist, so I thought that working with Jeff could turn out to be a pretty cool deal. We made a great personal connection, and I came to trust him as a collaborator, a business partner, and now it’s my pleasure to call Jeff a friend.”
Jackson thrived under the guidance and encouragement of Glixman, who describes the collaboration as one of the best experiences of his professional life. “Everyone who contributed to this project became enthused” he says, “with the genuineness and realism of Nathan Lee and his music.” Signed early on to Creative Artists Agency by Jeff Hill for booking, and managed by Kansas drummer and veteran manager Phil Ehart, Nathan Lee Jackson is backed by a solid team that bespeaks his considerable promise as a rising star in country music.
Hailing from Winchester, in the heart of Kentucky bluegrass country, Nathan Lee Jackson came of age during country music’s new wave of the late 80’s and early 90’s. The Jackson family wore out cassettes like Garth Brooks’s Ropin’ The Wind and the Alabama classic American Pride. Jackson was also exposed to a tasty hash of oldies and Motown on Dad’s favorite radio station and contemporary Christian songs in church. With what would become a rich baritone honed on hymns sung on the front porch with Grandma, and a grounding in classic country picked up singing with central Kentucky’s “jamboree” bands, Nathan Lee Jackson developed an eclectic sensibility that’s brightly reflected in his debut self-titled album.
Having recognized his calling in music, Jackson began writing songs as a young teenager. His father also picked up the craft in an “if I can do it—you can do it” show of support, only to give it up when he realized his son had a talent that far surpassed his own. Having traveled to Nashville for a showcase where he was singled out by the judges as a promising talent, Jackson made the move to Nashville shortly after his high school graduation.
His search for an inspiring space to live and write in Music City led him to a pair of unlikely roommates—two middle-aged women, one of whom had been married to Billy Strange, who had written several hit songs for Elvis Presley and had worked with Frank Sinatra, among other giants. She took an interest in Jackson’s career, introducing him to a network of songwriters, musicians and industry folks who became like a second family to the young singer-songwriter.
Jackson developed his songwriting talent during these years, looking inward for inspiration. “I only want to write what’s in my heart,” he explains. “I’m a Christian and I’m from a small town, and so I try to make sure that my lyrics reflect that. Both of my parents were from rural Kentucky families, so I try not to forget where I came from. I have a strong desire to give people hope, so I want that to come across as well.”
When all these points converged in his intensely emotional ballad, “Powerful,” Nathan Lee Jackson’s career turned a corner. Inspired by his high school sweetheart, the song struck a chord not only with her (she eventually became his wife, walking down the aisle to the song and providing background vocals on the album recording), but with friends, family, and music professionals alike. The song found its way into Jeff Glixman’s hands, causing him to turn his ear towards Nathan Lee Jackson for the first time.
“The first thing that struck me about Nathan was his voice—but the first time I got a real feel for him as an artist was when I heard ‘Powerful.’ That demo had such personality, such great intensity—he was really living the song—that I immediately got on a plane to go meet him. It is just one of those songs, that if you can write one or two in your career, you’ve really achieved something.”
“Everything just sort of opened up from there,” Jackson explains. “Up to that point, every time I’d tried to promote myself or push my music, I would hit a wall. When Jeff entered the picture, everything just fell into place and felt exactly right.”
In the studio, Glixman and co-producer Zak Rizvi encouraged Jackson’s creative input, allowing him wide reign in terms of song selection and sound. “The recording process of my album was the kind that every artist dreams about,” Jackson says. “Jeff told me up front that neither producers nor artists often get to make the album that they want to make, but we had an opportunity at StarCity to do just that.”
“I found myself wanting to protect Nathan, protect his creativity,” Glixman explains. He told Jackson not to worry about following any Nashville clichés, just to worry about expressing himself. “It comes down to knowing when to get your hands on something, and when to leave them off,” he concludes.
Nathan Lee Jackson plays piano on the recording and had a hand in writing each of the 13 songs on the album, including the upbeat lead single “Small Town Rain.” The song’s driving rhythm and energetic vocals mask the bittersweet overtones the song eventually took on. “We included the line ‘Mrs. Jackson’s daffodils’ as a tribute to my mom, not realizing the meaning it would have for me later on,” Nathan Lee recalls. When his mother passed away during the recording of the album, Nathan Lee was grateful that her memory had been etched into the song.
The album reflects all of Nathan Lee Jackson’s musical roots and branches, bridging effortlessly from his country-rock core on songs like “Small Town Rain,” “Carolina,” and “Desperate Man,” to the a cappella hymn, “Store Up Your Treasures in Heaven,” and the Hoagy Carmichael-esque “Kentucky Breeze.” Backed by a lush thirty-piece orchestra, “Kentucky Breeze” showcases Nathan Lee’s vocal and stylistic range while perfectly juxtaposing rural simplicity with a sophisticated, classic sound. The effect is one of timelessness, one that reflects the vision held by Nathan Lee Jackson and Jeff Glixman.
“We didn’t really worry about what ‘kind’ of album we wanted to make,” Jackson says. “We just wanted to make magic—the kind of album we’d still love listening to in thirty years.”
Hey Nathan Just wanted to let you know I was thinking about you and the whole family!!! I guess I will see you tonight or tomorrow. I had a friend just yesterday who preached about faith and how God never puts on us more than he knows we can handle. Just a little thought for us!! RIP Papa Clyde!! Take care and be safe on your trip here.
Hey Nathan, you have one awesome voice God truly Blessed you with. keep your faith because you are going to be on top very soon with your voice wow you have what it takes my wonderful friend.. Hope you had a good Thanksgiving we did we was so blessed..hope you also have a fun weekend..its nice to be new friends with you
hey nathan. how's the music career going for you? heard your cd released? is that true? if so you should mail me a copy. :). would be greatly appreciated. can't wait to hear the songs. i haven't heard any yet.
Hi Nathan Lee Jackson! I Hope you and yours are doing great. My album "Out of Jail" is available for download on all the best online music store! Check it out!! :)
