Music
Press
One thing that Shawnee, OK singer/songwriter JC Hopkins values is honesty. His newly released 5-song EP, Fly On, is a testament to that value. JC’s style is pretty straightforward. He writes songs without pretense or grandiose verbosity. He likes to get straight to the point. The opening track “Main Street”, an energetic, modern country tinged ode to barroom romance, is a perfect example of his approach. The song begins with wailing electric guitars playing a melody line over a bouncing, tight rhythm section, and just as in real life, JC wastes no time going after the girl of his dreams who just walked through the door. He sings “I had a good line and a little bit of time, one last shot to ease my mind” as he works up the courage to talk to her. JC’s singing style is reminiscent of Cody Canada of Cross Canadian Ragweed and his writing style is undeniably catchy. He has a good ear for sing-along hooks and “Main Street” is definitely good for getting people to hit the dance floor. A couple other stand outs on the album are the honky-tonk shuffler “Grief and Whisky” and “Fly On,” a train-beat driven, heartfelt tribute to JC’s late brother-in-law, Micah McLain and late friend/ bass player, Ryan Page. While the rest of the album treads ground that is familiar to most country music listeners- love, loss, drinking- the production and execution of the songs are outstanding. The EP was recorded at Flatland Studios in Stillwater with Tony Pearce engineering and producing. This combination of artist and studio was a good choice as the recordings are the best of any of JC’s efforts. With help from notable Oklahoma musicians taking part on the album such as John Knudson (The Damn Quails), Joey Trevino (No Justice, Ryan Reid), Eric Hoffman (Left Foot Sally and the occasional Mike McClure gig), the musicianship is exceptional across the board and really allows the listener to focus on JC’s words and melodies.Fly On is definitely the best that Hopkins has sounded on record. And although he has a tendency to over sing at times, this is forgivable as he seems as if he is truly involved in the emotion and messages of his songs. This emotional honesty coupled with truly inspired musical contributions from area musicians has resulted in a truthfully solid EP that represents JC Hopkins style well.
JC Hopkins Fly On is available on iTunes, Amazon, and CDbaby. Check it out! - Norman Weekender
Discography
Fly On - 2012
Photos
Bio
Jc Hopkins has been making a strong mark on the Oklahoma and Texas music scene for the last 5 years with his own brand of red dirt country and southern rock. With a live show that includes his own original music and covers, Jc has spent the last 7 years honing his on stage skills and craft. He has quickly become in demand around the region, and has a growing legion of fans.
Jc was born in Pocahontas, Arkansas and raised in Rockford, Illinois. “I grew up around music. My dad was always my number one influence. He taught me to play guitar when I was 13.” But music wasn’t Jc’s first calling. Like his musical hero, Chris Ledoux, Jc was drawn into the rodeo life, and spent 15 years riding saddle bronc horses.
Jc started playing solo bar gigs in 2005. “I had always played guitar and sang as a past time. Then after I quit rodeoing, a friend called me and said a local bar wanted someone to come play, so I went down, played 4 hours, and that’s how it all started.” In 2006, a friend from Oklahoma invited Jc down to the Grape Ranch Red Dirt Music Festival in Okemah. That weekend trip helped to shape his future. After returning to Okemah in 2007, and before a crowd of fans and with a backstage crowded with names like Jason Boland, Stoney Larue, the Red Dirt Rangers, Bob Childers and Tom Skinner, Jc won the open mic song writers competition.
Inspired by the red dirt scene and sound, Jc moved to Oklahoma and set out to become a part of the local scene in 2007. It wasn’t easy becoming accepted as the “yankee” moving in. However in a short time, Jc had made his mark and was turning heads as one of THE singer/song writers in the scene. His first band, Jc Hopkins and The Dead CowBoys, won the fan based voting competition, Oklahoma Rising Star in 2008, and sky rocketed to popularity getting to open for such names as Jason Boland, Mike McClure, Jackson Taylor. They also received calls to open for such Nashville acts as Lady Antebellum, Luke Bryan, and Lorrie Morgan.
The band has since spilt, and Jc finds himself out on his own as a solo artist, and picking up right where they had left off. His songs are pure life, raw, emotional and remiscent. With an acoustic show that’ll have you laughing, crying, two stepping and moshing all in one show, he lays it all out in front of you. Honestly.
- Cliff Doyle
Links
