The Georgia-bred songwriter brings a unique perspective to a genre that has often been reduced to the mention of whiskey and the spiral of unrequited love. J.R. is decidedly more poet and Prine than crooner and Cash. His humble songs are chocked full of conversational lyrics—often humorous, other times gut-wrenching but always delivered honestly. Loaded for bear with his band and new LP, J.R.’s knocking on Americana’s Palace door. But he doesn’t need to be the new King in the castle, he’s happy to be the Jester with a heart of gold.

In 2022 J.R. popped the cork on his most ambitious musical project to date. He whittled away at a group of songs, painstakingly piecing together the puzzle that would become his first full-length release, From Where I’m Sittin’. J.R. recalls the process of making the record with Caleb Neff at Juniper Recordings as “organic and raw”. With a mix of classic-leaning country, folk, and rock and roll, this session would produce 10 sonically diverse small plates, thoughtfully prepared and perfectly seasoned with his trademark ‘I don’t take myself too seriously’ aesthetic. Sometimes sad and sometimes sweet but always with tongue planted firmly in cheek, From Where I’m Sittin’ is an infectious new addition to the burgeoning country-roots scene.