Jason Meadows

Music and rodeo have been Jason Meadows’ two favorite passions. Many country music artists haven’t had the pleasure or talent to excel both on stage and on horseback, but that’s what sets this handsome Oklahoman apart from his fellow singers. But now we’re glad to say that Jason has decided to pursue his love of music and make it the center stage of his life. The impressive national debut of his CD 100% COWBOY expresses his overwhelming pride of his deep country roots, and even impressed country music legend Reba McEntire, who made it her business to bring him from Calera all the way up to Nashville. Not only was Reba impressed by Meadows’ star-quality and gifted voice, but he also blew away the audience and judges of the hit USA Network “Nashville Star” TV series. His rugged good looks and bigger-than-life persona earned him the place as first runner-up in the third season series. Drawing on every bit of his background—the strength, vision and perseverance in the face of huge odds—aided in his journey to national acclaim. His CD’s debut single, “100% Cowboy,” is the perfect calling card, a powerhouse of a song with an unblinking, real-life look at what is to be a modern-day cowboy who’s leisure-time consists of fast horses and even faster dirt bikes. The CD provides any number of hit songs of which he wrote 8 out of the 10 himself that touch the heart and soul of all variations of country music fans. “Where Did My Dirt Road Go” brings a special poignancy to the all-too-common loss of rural land to development. “Just Pray” expresses how faith and togetherness are needed in the face of some of life’s biggest challenges. “18 Video Tapes” is a powerful country song about a father’s love that’s recorded for a son he’ll never see grow up. “Big Shot” is music as brightly polished story that conveys confidence born of talent rather than empty bravado. The autobiographical “Here I Come” draws upon Jason’s own struggles to sketch out the parameters of his life, approach and goals, painting an indelible portrait of a one-of-a-kind performer who has an electric presence that lights up the stage and who wears his cowboy credentials naturally and genuinely. Raised in Calera, Oklahoma with his brother and two sisters, Jason discovered the guitar at the early age of six, and ever since then his passion for music grew and blossomed into what is has become today. “Me and my sisters would listen to old records by Hand Sr. and Jr., Conway Twitty and George Jones,” he says. “I sang along and they began to realize I could really sing.” Jason would visit his grandfather's place every summer, honing those musical skills and making memories he still treasures. "I couldn't wait to get there," he says, "because my cousin played guitar and grandpa played harmonica and fiddle. I would try to learn as much picking as I could." Jason followed his interest into every music class he could take, riding his talent and training to statewide medals in music competitions. By high school, he was singing at fairs, round-ups, street festivals and other events. Meanwhile, he was developing an interest in animals nurtured since he was young as well. "Growing up," he says, "we learned to rope and ride, and we took part in rodeos pretty much every weekend. I spent a lot of my time in the Vo-Ag building and with the FFA (Future Farmers of America), learning about animals." He took part in the Oklahoma Youth Rodeo Association, honing his skills as a calf-roper. "I played basketball in high school," he says, "but sometime around my senior year, I was making more money team roping than playing basketball." The next decision, though, was the big one. He was 16 when he tried out for a band and got hired, debuting at a local dance next to the rodeo arena. "I had the biggest time," he says. "I was just ate up with it because I got such a response from the crowd. It really lit a fuse in me." Soon he was playing several nights a week, and not long after that he left for a bigger band called Heart Talk. Although music and riding would both remain passionate pursuit - he can still be found roping at many charity rodeo events - music had taken a front seat when it came to earning a living. Not long afterward, Reba McEntire heard about the band's talented singer and sent representatives to hear him at Twister's in Pittsburg, Kansas. Jason was soon meeting with Reba, who helped him get on his feet once he made the move to Nashville. "I flew to Nashville, found a job as a construction worker, and told the man I'd be back in a month's time," he says. "I went back home, loaded up everything I had, and hitched a ride with a friend hauling a horse trailer to Knoxville." He moved from a three-bedroom brick home to a two-bedroom apartment with twice the rent, and went to work at construction and singing demos. Although he began making publishing and other contacts, the road was a long one and he contemplated a move back to Oklahoma. Then, while he played at a party, he met Kerry Bay, who recognized his talent and began writing and recording with him. When producer Nick Pellegrino came into the picture, the pieces all came together. "We let him listen to what we had," Jason says, "Nick heard the potential and took it to the next level. Thank God he did." They began shopping the demos to labels and almost immediately heard suggestions that Jason try out for "Nashville Star." He resisted at first, but says, "Finally I just took the shot, and I'm glad I did. I was hoping to get into third or fourth place and get some exposure, but I just kept pushing and wound up in one of the show's top two slots." Meadows was the season three "Nashville Star" first runner-up. Jason captivated the show's judges and audiences with his silver screen good looks, his singing talent and his songwriting skills, and proved to be a seasoned, versatile and compelling performer. He quickly earned a fan base so big that when he did a hometown concert at the Choctaw Coliseum, he drew a venue-record crowd of nearly 7,000. Since the tour that followed "Nashville Star," both Jason and his fans have been eagerly awaiting the release of 100% COWBOY and Jason's return to touring. "I was born to do this," he says. "When I step out on that stage, it's kind of like stepping up to the edge of the Grand Canyon. You look out and it takes your breath away."