Jason Childers

"When someone talks about music getting’ in your blood, I know exactly what they are talkin’ about, because that’s exactly what’s happen to me," says Jason Childers with a smile. "And I feel that that's pretty much what I was put here on earth to do. It's like Chet Atkins used to say when he talked about musicians and their instruments, that when they're not holding their instruments, they feel like a part of them is missing. There's a black hole there somewhere that can only be filled by that. And it's the same way for performing and all the creative process. When you're not making music and you're a musician, you really miss it." It's very apparent with Childers' new disc that his passion for music is set to propel his career from obscurity to celebrity. Born in Walnut, Mississippi, he grew up with a love for music, singing in a gospel youth choir, and playing in bluegrass, rock and country bands as a teenager. Encouraged to pursue a music career by a friend who had once given up his own dreams, he struggled through most of his college days before signing an indie label deal, with Severe Records in Nashville. Now, Childers is beginning to be known as a fiery entertainer with a talent for finding – or writing – perfect vehicles for his explosive injection of rhythm & blues and southern rock influences into a framework built on country traditions. "Hank Williams Jr. put it this way," he says, "you're either spiraling up or you're spiraling down, one of the two. It's never just flat. And that's what was going on for me." When Asphalt Prairie, his new offering of soulful country music, hits stores it's likely to be welcomed by listeners everywhere and across genre lines. From the opening of his debut, "I Believe In Love," with its acoustic guitar and ringing, autobiographically-tinged affirmation, to the subtle balladry of "Without The Rain." His music not only reflects his own life, but the common experiences that unite us. Childers has the voice of the common man, serving up observations on life as he puts words and music to his listeners’ thoughts, hopes and everyday life. His music is a barometer reflecting the resilience of the human spirit in such anthems as “You Can’t Find Love.” There is a mournful honesty in his voice as he croons "Somewhere In Heaven She’s Smiling Down.” That song displayed the honesty, integrity and strength mixed with vulnerability that might likely become cornerstones of Childers’ artistry. Overall, Asphalt Prairie reflects a new level of craftsmanship and emotional depth in Childers’ work, and it's matched by the rich yet organic feel of the music – much of it attributable to his hands-on approach to working with producer and co-writer Chris Sevier. "It's a joint effort," Childers says, "but I'm involved in every part of it – the selection of what studio we record in, what musicians we use to track with, what overdubs are done, all of that." That's an unusual approach to producing these days – but then again, Jason Childers is an unusual star. Tempering the fire and enthusiasm of his adolescent days with maturity and an ever-growing depth of artistry in his mid 20s, enlivening his adherence to country tradition with a bold, even raucous invitation to "get crazy," he has struck a balance between them that enhances both, blending the two into music that will never be mistaken for anyone else's. Tough yet tender, reverent as often as he is rowdy, Jason Childers leaves no doubt that he's about to go the distance – in music and in life – and his incredible album Asphalt Prairie is a “must have” for anyone remotely interested in country music!