My love of music of all kinds was influenced by people very dear to me...my grandfather, my uncles, and my mom. They all played their part in helping me find bits and pieces from many different genres that I could connect to and enjoy. Through the years I have gone from Willie Nelson, Crystal Gayle to Bryan Adams, TOTO, The Eagles, AC/DC, Def Leppard, Buck Cherry, Nickelback, Hinder, Hank Williams, George Strait and of course the Great Chris LeDoux (just to mention a few). Although I love good solid Rock N Roll, Country has always been at the heart of things for me. One artist in particular really struck a chord....

Chris LeDoux was about as down to earth, genuine, sincere and solid as a man comes. I have been asked many times why I "idolize" him and my response is simple - I Don't. I respect what he did and how he did it. I respect the way he held true to his roots for better or worse. His music was about the simple life of a real cowboy in an era where he possibly was one of the "Last of a Dyin' Breed". He didn't sing about cheating and most of his songs put a smile on your face when you were down. There was nothing more soothing and peaceful than listening to "Powder River Home" or "Western Skies" as you sat around the campfire with your friends and family on a deer hunt in

the high Uintah Mountains just East of Heber City, Utah. He had a tremendous influence on me so the music I choose to write and record I can only hope reflects that.

I have tried my hand at many different parts of the music industry - producing, arranging, writing, engineering, promoting, booking, but nothing can compare to the feeling of performing live and connecting with friends who feel the way you do about things. One of the biggest thrills I have ever experienced was the first time I looked down and saw a grinning face singing along with every word of a song that I had written and was performing, I lost my place and totally forgot my lyrics - WHAT A RUSH!

I've had the opportunity to share the stage with some of the great names in country music including: Toby Keith, Miranda Lambert, Diamond Rio, Sawyer Brown, Restless Heart, Phil Vassar, Deanna Carter, Little Texas, Gary Allan, The Little River Band, Brian White, Earl Thomas Conley, Highway 101, Ryan Shuppe, .38 Special to name a few. It has been a good ride so far.

After some serious time off I'm beyond excited to be back at it working on the new Project "Black & Blue" and I can't wait to reveal some of the new material!

Best Wishes,

J.

mp3hugger is one of the original indie music blogs, established in 2005 and based off the coast of Ireland.

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