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Last Updated: May 26th, 2010 - 17:07:52 |
From a young age, Jerrod Niemann's parents knew he was bound for something.
“My parents told me I would be the president or end up in prison,” said Niemann. “They knew I was creative and I was always getting in trouble. That was how they figured it, use the creativity for good or bad.”
Niemann went on to use his creativity in the musical arts. Last Monday, the first single off his latest country album was released, “One More Drinking Song.”
The 1997 Liberal High School graduate is using his creativity for good. He recently signed his third record deal with Sony Music Nashville and Sea Gayle Records.
“Being from Liberal, I grew up listening to George Strait and people like that,” said Niemann. “The last couple of years I’ve expanded. I have tried to listen to all types of music with an open mind. Our new album is acoustic driven, real percussion, a lot of hand drums and a lot of harmony.”
Niemann began the roots of his career in Liberal. He attended McKinley Elementary, West Middle School and LHS. Niemann says he was always involved in musical programs and enjoyed writing songs. Although, most were goofy.
After high school, Niemann left Liberal to attend South Plains College in Levelland, Texas. He enrolled in the Commercial Music Program, a well known program with county music graduates like Lee Ann Womack and Natalie Maines of the Dixie Chicks. Niemann said it was a great experience and taught him the business side of the country music.
In 2001, Niemann moved to Nashville, Tenn. and began his career as a country song writer. His talent with lyrics caught the eye of Sea Gayle Records, owned by singer Brad Paisley, Chris DuBois and Frank Rodgers. Niemann said his work can be heard through the voices of many country music legends, including Garth Brooks.
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| Jerrod Niemann |
“There are several ways to get a jump start in Nashville as far as American Idol and things like that,” said Niemann. “I went the traditional way in Nashville and there is a bit more respect for song writers. You can have success as a song writer and it registers around town. People take you serious and it is a good thing. That’s how I got my start.”
Niemann worked on his own vocal career while writing for Sea Gayle. The experience from a few unsuccessful recorded deals and the connection with Sea Gayle helped Niemann gain the third recorded deal, he said.
“I honestly wasn’t looking for a label,” said Niemann. “It is sort of like when you have a passion for something but you have some bad experiences. When you get that passion back, you don’t look for anything to happen. It gave me the freedom to do whatever I wanted because I wasn’t concentrating on a record deal.”
Niemann created the album with his band and a friend produced the album. Once completed, Niemann shared the album with Paisley, DuBois and Rodgers. The three asked if they could play the album to others and Niemann agreed.
Niemann was offered a deal with Sony Music Nashville and Sea Gayle Records.
The album, “Judge Jerrod and The Hung Jury” has not been released and no official date has been set. Niemann said the album reflects an interesting time in his life and is funny.
“The album is fun and just something you might want to take in on a Friday night before going out,” said Niemann.
Niemann said he is looking forward to the album's release but is currently concentrating on getting the single on the radio.
“The song just came out Monday and we have had some markets kind enough to play it,” said Niemann. “We have done some promotional things with radio stations. We’ve got a few things going on with Chevrolet and Wrangler. We are working on something. It is kind of a brainstorming period.”
Niemann has not heard “One More Drinking Song” playing on the radio unexpectedly.
“I haven’t heard it come on out of no where,” said Niemann. “I've known it was coming because of doing an interview at a station. That will be pretty cool. I imagine it will be kind of like when I had the opportunity to write some songs for Garth Brooks and I heard 'Good Ride Cowboy' and sometimes that would catch me. Sometimes when you have a big thing in your mind and your personal goals to accomplish, it is overwhelming. It really doesn’t sink.”
Once the single marks the charts Niemann has another goal he would like to accomplish, coming back to Liberal for a show. He said he has spoken to Joe Denoyer, host on 102.7 The Legend, and would like to do a show in the future.
“The most important thing for me is that whenever I go anywhere I am proud to be from Kansas,” said Niemann.
For full story please see Sunday's Times
© 2008 Southwest Times
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