4 Jax

For the most part, people have stopped asking Jake Simpson what it feels like to be a star.
That's fine. He says he wouldn't know anyway, and didn't know what to say to those who asked.
"I felt like saying, 'I'm no star — I did one thing,'" he says, referring to his big win on "Star Search" in February. "Trying to become a star — that takes your whole life. I'm still trying to discover if I've got what it takes to get there."
What it's going to take, among other things, are some great original songs. Simpson knows that.
So do Justin Ward, Donnie Inman and Bart Kelley, the musicians who along with Simpson make up 4 Jax. The band has drawn hundreds of Springfield fans by playing late '70s and early '80s cover tunes.
Then Simpson moved to New York to pursue a singing career, auditioned for "Star Search," and was catapulted into the national spotlight when he won $100,000 and a recording contract singing covers of '70s soul music.
Simpson has since moved to Hollywood and plays with the Jax whenever he returns to the area. The Jax perform Saturday for Southwest Missouri State University's homecoming. They'll play a short set after the football game, then a full concert at 7 p.m. in McDonald Arena. Call 836-7678 for tickets.
They won't just be playing their usual set, songs that were hits for The Police, Journey, Stevie Wonder and Dexy's Midnight Runners.
Instead the set will include original songs penned by songwriters Simpson has met in Tinsel Town, and by the four band members.
"The stuff he's come back with has been pretty impressive, and I've been pretty pleased with the stuff that we've been coming up with as a group," says Jax guitarist Ward.
Ward admits playing the new material is a bit of a risk in a city where their reputation has been built on other people's songs.
"It's a little nerve-racking, but I'm really excited to get it out there and see what the reaction is," he says.
I hope the reaction is a positive one, but that depends on the songs. It also depends on local fans' openness to new material from a group that has essentially played the same 25 songs for four years.
Anyone who's been to a Jax show knows the vast talent these guys possess. In a way, it's been a shame for them to waste it on music that is not their own. This is the next logical step.
Of course, fans will still get their dose of "Come on Eileen." Expect the second set to be mostly the '80s tunes that are the group's bread and butter.
"In Springfield, people are always going to expect us to play certain songs," Ward says, "and to neglect those people would be the wrong thing to do, because it's all about making people happy."
Whether those songs could help the Jax as a whole rise to stardom is still up in the air. Their skills and passion are unquestioned, but Simpson is living on the West Coast and the other three live here. Any major-label recording Simpson does in the near future is likely to include studio musicians backing him up.
He'll have to keep the ball rolling a while longer in order to build up the clout he needs to bring Ward, Inman and Kelley into the bigger picture. If he gets there, that's exactly what he'll do. His loyalty to his old friends is as undeniable as their talent.
Right now, however, Simpson is essentially back at square one, though he does have some assets in his favor. He has a high-profile agent in Ken Kragen (who guided Kenny Rogers and Lionel Richie to stardom, among others). He has the exposure and the eight-song album afforded to him by his win on "Star Search."
But his contract with Sony was just for the one album and was really a contract with CBS more than a contract with Simpson.
The 28-year-old singer is trying to get Sony Records to pick up an option on the contract. In other words, he's trying to convince the label he's worthy of a shot at a real album.
"Star Search Winner: Jake Simpson" was well-produced and included five original songs, along with his three "Star Search" covers. But it wasn't an album that showcased Simpson's capabilities.
Simpson says he's happy with the songs he's already found, and wants his next album to say a little more about the world and about real life.
"Now is when the all the work starts," he says. "The last nine months have been a lot of fun mixed with a little bit of work. Now it's like, 'OK — time to prove yourself.' ... With the next record, that's what I really want to do."

- Springfield News-Leader

Could the next superstar the world's been searching for come from the Ozarks?

In the semi-finals of the star search competition Thursday night Crocker native Jake Simpson wowed judges, inching one step closer to sealing a record deal.

Fans, friends and members of his band The Four Jax watched him at the Springfield Brewing Company.

They were beside themselves with excitement. No one at the brewery watch party could stay in their seats when Jake showed the world what was going on, by singing the Marvin Gaye song "What's Going On?"

His friends say he never has an off night. And while he's living his dream, the men who usually sweat it out on stage with him had to sweat it out in Springfield.

Four jax drummer Bart Kelley says Jake is something special and deserves this shot at fame.

"His dream his whole life is to sing and make records and this will give him that chance," Kelley said.

Justin Ward plays guitar with Jake in the band. He says seeing his buddy rock Star Search is surreal.

"Watching him do a great job in front of millions.. this is the guy I had beef jerky fights with on road trips in Lake of the Ozarks... unbelievable."

Dozens of fans and friends piled in front of the big screen at the brewery... overjoyed with every note Jake nailed.

"When I saw him perform I had tears in my eyes," said fan Angie Curian. "I don't think I breathed he was the Jake we know and love and everybody got to see it."
Jake showed the judges he 'is' what's going on, and earned himself a perfect score bringing the judges to their feet. and at his stomping grounds in Springfield.

"Jake got up there and killed! A perfect score... it just speaks for itself," Justin said.

"It's like watching your best friend win the superbowl," Bart said.

Jake will compete in the finals next Thursday night on KOLR-10.

If he wins, he gets a record deal with Sony and a $100,000 dollars cash. The other band members say they are just cheering for Jake right now and they'll figure it all out later.
- Crocker Missouri Online