Jerrods road to Nashville began as a trip back in time has he started to explore the roots of country music and came under the spell of artists such as Lefty Frizzell, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, and George Jones. He realized the new traditionalists like Randy Travis, Keith Whitley, and Alan Jackson had drawn upon the wealthy inheritance of those who had come before them. It was also about this time Jerrod discovered Liner Notes and subsequently the wonderful songs penned by Whitey Shafer, Dean Dillon, Paul Overstreet, and Aaron Barker. These were some of the men who would become his heroes, and his dream became not only that he would become a recording artist, but that other artists would record his songs as well. Writing songs since the age of eight, Jerrods material exhibits a refined musical maturity that extends well beyond his years. Whether listening to his lamented words drenched in a tremendous, heartbroken refrain or to one of his loud rollicking honky-tonk stories delivered with sheer, unabashed delight, its not hard to imagine his heroes nodding their approval. In fact, one of Jerrods first co-writers upon arriving in Nashville was one of those he had so admired, Whitey Shafer. Since then, the young songwriter has had the opportunity to collaborate with Dean Dillon, Paul Overstreet, Aaron Barker, Larry Cordle, and Garth Brooks among others writers who personify what Jerrod believes is the true heart of country music. Over the five year span Jerrod has resided in Nashville, he has accomplished a several dreams but sets his sites for greater goals. He signed a developmental deal with Mercury Records in 2003, toured over half the country with his band “The Saloonitics” (opening for several major label artists) and has been a staff writer for three different publishing companies on music row. He has penned songs for Neal McCoy, Julie Roberts, Jamey Johnson, John Anderson, and Garth Brooks. He scored his first …1 hit song with Garth Brooks in 2005 with “Good Ride Cowboy”, a tribute to Chris LeDoux. Jerrod now is back working on his own album, his first album in two years. “Yellow Brick Road” packed with brand new songs, and a couple you may recognize. |
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