Jason Meadows - 100% Cowboy 
Interview/Album Review By: Brianna Nightingale, CSO Staff Journalist
4/15/08

When asked to describe himself to interviewers on Nashville Star, Jason Meadows said he is “a cowboy, country as a dirt clod.” After talking with him and listening to his album, 100% Cowboy, I believe it.

Jason Meadows grew up in southern Oklahoma, falling deeper and deeper in love with music throughout his earlier years. As a result of his parents’ divorce when Meadows was four years old, his childhood summers were spent sitting on the porch of his grandpa’s place, learning to play the guitar from his cousin Coley. His grandfather taught him to play the harmonica and fiddle, and he even played around on the keyboard a bit at his Uncle Bob’s house. When he got older he took music in high school, but the aforementioned experiences weren’t the only major parts of Meadows’ musical background.

“I started playing honky tonks when I was sixteen; I grew a full beard, a moustache and had big, dark glasses on like Hank used to have,” he said. Although he was playing in bars at such a young age, he appeared older than he actually was, so nobody ever bothered him for an ID.

One night at a show in Kansas City, members of Starstruck Entertainment saw Meadows’ show and told Reba about it. One thing led to another, and Reba and her husband eventually ended up leaving a key under the floor mat of an apartment for Meadows. He went to Nashville, found himself a job as a superintendent for a big construction company and continued working on his musical journey.

When he moved to Nashville thirteen years ago, he started taking vocal lessons and doing other things he knew he needed to do. He eventually left the construction company because it was taking up too much of his time with music, cut a record after earning a publishing deal, participated on Nashville Star and followed the path that ultimately led him to a record deal with his current label, Baccerstick Records.

“I’ve got eight out of ten cuts on my first record; I love to write,” he said, mentioning that he began writing songs about six years ago. Knowing that an idea sometimes pops into his head at two o’clock in the morning, he’s always prepared to save it on a small digital voice recorder.

Meadows’ second single, “Where Did My Dirt Road Go,” was recently released to radio in the beginning of April. Referring to what it’s like to have a song on the radio, Meadows says it’s a great feeling, “especially when you put as much time and effort into something as I have; I’ve sacrificed so many things in my lifetime.”

When Meadows said he was “a cowboy, country as a dirt clod,” he was being truthful. The first song on the album, “100% Cowboy,” describes him exactly as he appears, creased Wranglers and all. “Country As a Dirt Clod” and “Farm Girl” are made up of humorous lyrics while “Fever” is an alluring love song, quite different from the other songs on the album. Wishing to propose and leave San Antone with his girlfriend, in “San Antone Alone,” Meadows ends up with the girl he wants, but her little brother as well as her parents decide to tag along.

“Big Shot” finds Meadows feeling good about himself thanks to his female counterpart, however “Just Pray” is intended for those who feel as if they are alone and there’s nothing left to do but give up.

A brilliant idea by the wife of Baccerstick Records producer, Nick Pellegrino, led to making a video of fallen soldiers’ families out of “18 Video Tapes.” The video was put on YouTube and pitched to CMT. It was immediately put into play and nominated for tearjerker of the year on CMT. It made it to the top 8 and gained great recognition for Helping Unite Gold Star Families (HUGGS).

Through songs such as “18 Video Tapes,” Meadows enjoys sharing his experiences and talent with other people. “If there’s any way I can use my music or my background to give back to the people I think that’s a very important thing, especially the troops and the soldiers and their families that are left behind,” he said.

Meadows says he likes to write songs that are real; he knows that when he writes about things his fans have or will experienced, he can connect with them better. He did that well on all of these songs.

One of Meadows’ favorites on the album is his life story, “Here I Come.” As the last song on the album, this one sums him up well. Describing the rodeo life he gave up for country music (although he still does ride) the lyrics are true and revealing.

“I gave up the rodeo living
‘Cause country music got the best of me
Back in ’95 I loaded up the family
Headed east for Tennessee.”

Meadows has worked hard to get where he is today. “I’ve been told straight up that I’d never make it as an artist and that I couldn’t sing, but here I am,” he said. “Those are things that make me try harder because I know in my heart what I can do.”

He is ready to see his singles climb the charts while continuing to go out on stage and get the rush of seeing all his fans in the audience. We will be hearing from this cowboy for a long time. “We’re building a career,” he said. “Something that we can look back on in thirty years and think ‘wow, that was a heck of a ride.’”

 
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