Real American Music Minute

March Madness indeed

2010-04-07T05:06:00.000-07:00

Wow! March was a whirlwind, buddy. Started the month on the road. Went to Australia for 2 weeks. Loved Australia. Hated the time change. Took me a few days to figure that out no matter how hard I tried to ignore the jet lag. Spring break wasn't really that. It was good but it was not a break. Hit the road with 10 acoustic motel tour dates. I love doing those shows. They take it out of you simply because I don't have the band to lean on. If the show's gonna work it's because I gotta. Ended the month and went into April with a much anticipated show at our favorite dance hall Gruene Dance Hall.

This week I'm gonna do my best to let Tiger Woods do all the work.

Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blog,

Jack

Acoutstic Shows and John Mayer pt. 2

2010-02-11T14:57:00.000-08:00

It just occured to me for not the first time that all of what I wrote b4, aside from the part about Acoustic shows, might be incredibly off base and full of s#t! I may have no idea where JM is coming from and have no personal experience about what he may or may not be trying to say in an interview that I had no part of and haven't even read yet! In fact that is probably the case! So either regard what I said or disregard or whatever you want to do. I will be good with all of it!

I am gonna read that article. And I do dig John Mayer's music and a lot of how he approaches this business. Whatever.

See you at the shows.

Keep on keepin' on...

Jack

Acoustic Shows and John Mayer

2010-02-11T10:26:00.000-08:00

I'm heading out and up into the blizzards of the great Midwest tomorrow! Got 3 "Acoustic Motel" shows starting in Green Bay Friday night! That should be an interesting one considering that I am playing at one of my favorite casinos BUT doing an acoustic show in the bar at Oneida will have some serious noise issues as I am trying to wax philosophical, tell stories about where and why I wrote particular songs and sing them all alone up there while there is literally a bar at the foot of the stage and betting machines built into the bar in front of the seats with bells and whistles and grandmas rattling the pull levers on the slots the whole time!!!! Should be funny... kind of like train wrecks are. Well I guess it's really not that serious... it's just a dude talking smack and singing some touchy feely love songs... actually nothing like a train wreck now that I think about it.

How bout John Mayer getting himself all over the "I already hated John Mayer" focus groups! I haven't read the Playboy interview yet but I will (Playboy loves all this) but I'm willing to bet that he's just trying to be outrageous and funny or something and he probably doesn't really realize just how much all his girly girl fans think of him as a sensitive, smart, Japanese speaking, sing me to sleep or make love kind of artist! Probably going to end up being a boundary definer for him I would guess. I dig the guy's music and the way he approaches the whole thing. Not taking up for anything insensitive that he said (again, I haven't read the article) but I'm going to bet he was not TRYING to offend anybody and probably was just trying to get noticed thinking that he has to because he's too close to his own career to see in the big picture that his name and career is like a blimp (among other big blimps) up there in the blue sky. That's my take. He'll say sorry and I bet he'll mean it.

twentyten is FREE

2010-01-12T08:45:00.000-08:00

Hey

I looked on my own website a few weeks ago and noticed that I had not updated this blog since July! I'm not great with math but I know that that is quite a few months ago, another world ago, a few million Taylor Swift sales ago, one thousand three hundred fourteen tweets ago, Jay Leno's experiment ago, Seeing Stars fly away ago, Christmas come and gone ago, sixteen songs I've written that you will never hear ago, two songs that I know will be on my next project ago, 63 great shows ago, 4 shows that sucked ago, 5 major temper tantrums ago, 784 mild irritations ago, 48 roundtrip business (music) trips to and from Austin (home) ago, 178 Bud Lights ago, 37 fights (arguments) with my wife ago, 38 makeup se... well, you know ago, 14 pairs of sun glasses bought and lost ago, 2 major golf tournaments that Tiger Woods didn't win ago, oh yeah and the other Tiger Woods thing ago, a whole ton of miles ago and a mess of perfectly unwound things that did and didn't happen in the not so perfect way that everything always keeps on turning out just exactly the way it should ago.... it's been a while.

If other things keep getting in the way of coming here and babbling on then I suppose it will be a while b4 I get back here again but if this blogging thing ends up sticking around, in the bigger picture kind of way, then I guess I'll be back in a few days or weeks and fill you in again on a lot of the nothingness and some of the somethingness that goes on in my world. We'll see...

At any rate, keep on keepin on...

Jack

Here we go...

2009-07-21T08:52:00.000-07:00

Just did a few interviews that focused solely on the new cd. It made me realize that this thing is about to happen for real! It's been such a long planning process and recording process that sometimes it becomes more of a dream than reality but it's coming into focus now. August 25. Don't know how many days that is (not into math, really) but I do know that the count down is on!

Video's Out- Summer is here- Big Dreams & High Hopes

2009-07-02T15:17:00.000-07:00

The video got delivered this week! It's on CMT.com or on my website. It will be on the channels next week. It was a ton of fun to do and went well... I dig it. Go check it out.

July 4 gig in Whitewater is going to be one of the best all summer for us... and we've got some good ones lined up and have had some good ones so far! But there's just something about being down on the Guadalupe River on July 4th that is just damn right!!!! I am almost scared I'm so looking forward to this show! Eli Young Band is on the bill and I love those guys. People coming off the river and ready to rock. It's gonna be good!!! And... Happy Birthday America!

Big Dreams & High Hopes is finally finished and ready to roll. The artwork is in progress and will be ready shortly. I really can't believe it and can't wait for you to hear it. It comes out on August 25! The single, of course, is already available and blah blah blah- (go get one!) but the record comes out in a month and a half! I've been listening to it all week just to make sure it's what I want it to be... IT IS...

Things are good- the video's out, summer is here and the record's coming...

Keep on keepin on...

Jack

Come To Austin and Get Barefoot And Crazy (For Real)

2009-06-06T08:35:00.000-07:00

Hey,

If you're reading this then that means you're in. That means you're a fan or quite possibly could be. It definitely means that something has gotten your attention. So now that I I have you...

How about coming to Austin, Texas next Fri., June 12 and shooting the video for "Barefoot And Crazy" at the Lakeway Resort and Spa above Lake Travis? We'll be playing a free show and shooting the video. The doors will open at 7pm and we will start the show at 9pm. It's going to be a ton of fun. It'll feel just like being in a really cool video for a big hit song and being on all the video channels for the rest of the summer!!!... that ain't so bad, is it?!

Check out http://www.dolce-lakeway-hotel.com/ to get directions. Go to my myspace page or check out all the info on the website.

We want everybody and anybody to come out to this thing. Young, old, inbetween... you know what I'm getting at.

This will be good.

Jack

It Still Matters... music

2009-04-24T13:05:00.000-07:00

I don't mean to be too dramatic or anything but I heard a song yesterday and it made my world stop for 3 1/2 minutes. When I was a little younger and a whole lot less busy with everything this used to happen all of the time... every time I heard Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain by Willie Nelson, Ellis Unit One by Steve Earle, This Is Where The Cowboy Rides Away by George Strait, American Girl by Tom Petty and I could go on and on and on and on it seemed like the rest of the world just stopped and the only thing that mattered was what was coming out of those speakers. It feels like love at first sight, like watching a perfect spiral, like hitting a home run, like... well, you get the picture... music does that for me. If you're reading this then it probably does that for you too.

I was listening to Rodney Crowell's "Obscenity Prayer" yesterday and it did that to me. It came on my ipod and all of a sudden the noise from the rest of the world was silenced. I live for those moments. A lot of people spend a lot of time trying to find that place and I got it from a song that I can turn on anytime I want to.

We need this stuff. It helps. In a world that provides plenty of disappointment to go around music is a place that we can go. That's a good thing. Use it. It matters.

That's it. I got a gig.

Jack

Strait Line...

2009-04-09T05:11:00.000-07:00

I had the opportunity to be included in "The ACM Artist Of The Decade Concert honoring George Strait" over the weekend while I was in Vegas! The show will be on CBS on May 27!

To say that it was an honor for me would be an understatement. I still am amazed that I was a part of it! I did "All My Ex's Live In Texas"... I changed the arrangement of the song up quite a bit. It's a pretty hard core, country, Western Swing kind of vibe and I thought it would be a sign of George's influence on my music if I changed the arrangement up to fit what I naturally do. That, after all, is what George has done his entire career... done songs exactly the way he sees fit! He has made a Hall Of Fame career out of just being himself... that, more than anything else, is how George Strait has influenced me and my music... just be yourself from start to finish... that way you don't have to "put on an act" every time you go to work!

Thanks to the ACM and to George Strait... it was fairly high cotton in the room and I am grateful to have been a part of it.

Keep On Keepin On...

Jack

Back to the grind.

2009-03-23T10:18:00.000-07:00

I showed up at the Austin airport this morning just like I always do... about an hour before my flight. MISTAKE!!!!!!

I am not sure that I have ever attempted to leave Austin on the morning after SxSW that also coincides with the end of Spring Rockin' Break! The airport was a mess!!!!!

Luckily I am only gone for two days this time so I had no bags to check (just my computer bag and my guitar (I am going to two different cities in two days so I won't see the same person twice and you know my rule about that right?))... if I had had to check anything I would have definitely been SOL!

I did notice one very cool thing though... usually I am at the airport early in the morning on the day of my departure and I only run into people that look very much NOT like other people who do roughly the same sort of thing that I do for a living. This morning was an exception to that! I looked around and through my sleep deprived eyes I couldn't help but notice a thousand other dudes carrying guitars and girls with guitars and people that looked like they probably did EXACTLY the same thing I did. It was very comforting. I took a moment to look at all the OTHER people in the airport and smiled... amused. I took another moment to look at one of the guys in a tie as if to say- "I wonder why he looks like THAT!" It was a simple pleasure and very much needed amidst the chaos!

I'm not sure how everybody else fared waiting in all of the tremendously long lines that did not seem to be moving. I'm not sure if anybody else trying to get out of Austin this morning actually did. I wish them luck. I am now sitting in the airport in Washington, D.C. waiting on my connection to Norfolk, VA and realizing that it is indeed Monday morning after a week of Spring Vacation and I, while lucky to be doing it, am back to the grind! I play music for free... I get paid to travel.

K O K O...

Jack

ADDICTION!

2009-03-13T18:35:00.000-07:00

Twitter alert!

I have not gotten into anything like this in a long time! I am officially addicted to this Twitter. I tweet!

You've got to come on there and be a "follower" of me... not in the way you are thinking like in high school you were either a follower or a leader... get over that... I'm still trying too! but in a way that means that I can figure out who you are and I can communicate with you directly... I'm not talking about just giving you tour dates (come see me on the road) or asking you to call your favorite radio station and request my song (which you should!!!!) or that I have a new album coming out soon called " Big Dreams and High Hopes " and you should get a lot of copies, some for yourself and others for people that need to have a copy (which I do and you should) BUT because it is really something that I am enjoying being a part of and it IS a great way to actually COMMUNICATE with people from my point of view! I am on there constantly updating what I am doing all day long and talking about music... usually not mine although I do like that subject as well. Seriously... it's Friday night and Mary's looking fancy and I'm on this blog talking about some new website called Twitter!

So do not pass go... go to Twitter.com and join up and then say that you want to follow "jackingrammusic" or @jackingrammusic... I don't normally recommend this kind of stuff... but what can I say... in the words of Radney Foster yet in a totally different kind of way... "I'm In"!

KOKO...
Jack

Twitter- Follow Me...

2009-03-12T07:09:00.000-07:00

Hey-
Ok, so I've been really getting into this new way of communicating with people called Twitter. I know that everybody is into Facebook right now and so am I BUT twittering is so easy to do from the road and I can access it and send messages from my phone while I'm walking through the airport or the woods or while I'm walking to the stage... from ANYWHERE! I send messages out continuously throughout the day and well into the night. I dig it.

If you're not familiar with Twitter- it is very easy to check out AND IT'S FREE! Just go to Twitter.com and click where it asks you to set up a new account. That part's real easy. Once you have your account set up just click on the "Find People" icon at the top of the page. My account is: jackingrammusic. Just type that in your search window and it will pop up. Click that you want to "follow" jackingrammusic and WE WILL BE CONNECTED! It's that simple! I should explain what being a "follower" means but I bet you already know... I've never really been a follower myself but I'm adapting to it very well... and, as you already know, I love to have followers so this part of it is going to work out nicely for all of us!

Here's the deal... I was watching Ellen on television (you must know that I'm a big fan of hers) and she was saying that she just found out about Twitter yesterday and signed up. She started with 9 followers yesterday and in one day already has 36,000! You might have read about Lance Armstrong and Barack Obama Tweeting (that's what it's called as an ACTION verb when you actually use Twitter to send a message!) from their various campaigns. They have 300,000 followers on Twitter!!!

I want to talk to you... but you need to sign up. I want to see how many people we can get going on this in the next few days. I have 312 people following me on Twitter as I write this this morning. I want to see how many people sign up by the end of the day. You sign up and if you know anybody that cares about what I'm up to then tell them about it and tell them to sign up too!

Unlike ALL of the other communication networks, Twitter is something that is real easy for me to do and I don't have to be sitting still to do it which makes it possible for me to stay in contact with everyone that follows me throughout the day.

Well, here we go.

KOKO...

Jack

What's in your ipod?

2009-03-10T20:13:00.000-07:00

As a lot of you know, I do a ton of interviews to promote upcoming shows, records, whims and/or otherwise! It seems like every time and interview gets a bit stalled out the guy/girl asks me "so, what's in your ipod?". That question always seems to stump me as my ipod is not there at the moment and I can NEVER seem to remember EXACTLY what is the last thing I was playing on my ipod when I took my headphones off not to mention the fact that the actual answer to the question is that "everything I ever owned, bought, stole or was given to me is on that damn thing because I have one of the big ones with 1 million gigs on it" so... well, you get my point! My point is this- with a little time to think about it mixed with the fact that I am home today, I have my ipod right here in front of me and I would like to answer the question posed with just a little bit of truth and not JUST rely on names that, during an interview, I think will add some cachet to my status in this world!! :)

Here's a few that I've been listening to lately...

Mike Farris- Salvation In Lights

This thing is FANTASTIC! This guy used to be (may still be) the singer for a band called The Screaming Cheetah Wheelies. I don't know anything about that band or about Mike BUT... this gospel cd is enough to make you never say that you "hate gospel music" again!!!!

Jason Isbell- And The 400 Unit

I first saw Jason when he was playing guitar in The Drive By Truckers. He looked like somebody's younger brother that got to sit in with the band. I remember thinking to myself that he looked like some dude that just kissed somebody else's girlfriend because the girl was drunk and mistakenly thought that he was her girlfriend... you know... that guy!

TURNS OUT I WAS WRONG!!! This guy is a BAD ASS! His songs are knowing, solid, melodic, tight and the list could go on and on. Jason Isbell is not the guy I thought he was... and makes me re-think what I thought I was! (that's a long story anyway and I am in therapy!) Get this cd.

I am interested in what you are listening to! Who's your favorite singer? Is it Tim McGraw? Keith Urban? Todd Snider? Pat Green? Tom Waits? Who?????????

If you want to start a dialogue with me... tell me who your favorite singer is. Go to iplaycountrymusic@gmail.com and give me your thoughts. It's my email that I just set up this evening because I'm interested in who you dig. I'm a fan of music and I want to know.

I look forward to talking with you.

K-O-K-O

Jack

First Week Of Toby Tour

2009-02-07T17:50:00.000-08:00

WOW! What a fantastic tour for us! We played in Asheville, North Carolina, Louisville, Kentucky and tonight in Pikeville, Kentucky. All three shows were sold out or close to it and all three nights Toby's audience acted like they were there to see the opener also... that's very nice of them and feels great! They stood for the hits and sang along with every song even if they didn't know the words ( you know how much I love that!!!!)!

It's been a good few weeks of touring for us... the shows in Texas were great, these shows were great, we have more TK shows coming up and the shows to start the year were a ton of fun... be careful here boys and girsl... I could get used to this!

I've been recording some songs for the cd that are really special to me... it's almost done. Should have some news on a release date soon.

Come see me out here.

Call your favorite radio station and tell em to play "That's A Man" or they're not one!!! (or woman if it's a girl that answers!!!!)!

KOKO...

Jack

That's A Man... The Linemen

2009-02-03T05:39:00.000-08:00

Hey,

How bout that Super Bowl?!!!! Congratulations to our mighty friends in Pittsburgh!

I was watching the game and thinking about the linemen. I've been thinking about the linemen more than usual these days because of the new song I have out, "That's A Man". When people ask me what this song is about I tell them that it is about a lot of things but one theme that runs throughout this song is that it is talking about "the linemen"... the guys that do the dirty work in the trenches without any question and without any fan fare. They are the guys that provide the protection and make the holes so that the running back looks good, the quarterback looks like a genius and the wide receiver can have time to get open. I don't think a lineman has ever received the MVP award at the big game and they all know that it ain't ever gonna happen... and they don't care! They take pride in doing their job the right way because that's what they do.

In many ways "That's A Man" is a song for "the lineman"! It's about getting up, going out and doing the right thing the right way because that's the way we do it.

So do me a favor... if you know anybody that fits the description of being a "lineman" then go up to them today and give them a hand... a handshake, a pat on the back, a attawaytogo. Look them (him or her) in the eye and say "Thanks."! Don't make too big a deal of it because they don't like all that fanfare! But I guarantee they'll appreciate it.

Do me another favor while you're at it... call up your favorite radio station and relay the message that you'd like to send one out to the people that just flat out get the job done... tell them to play "That's A Man" and tell them why!

That's it... That's A Man.

KOKO...

Jack

Happy, Happy...

2009-01-14T10:22:00.000-08:00

Are you happy now?!!!!

It's January 14 and it's the New Year! Has anything changed? Have you broken your resolutions yet? Me too!!!

I tried not to cuss... then I hit my head on the cabinet trying to get a remote control for the Wii! done.
I tried not to eat fried food... then I got in the car heading to a gig with 4 hours to drive and I was starving and in a hurry AND a KFC was right there in the truck stop where I was getting gasoline! done.

2 for 2! That sounds good! I'll go with that...

When somebody asks me, "Hey Jack, how's your New Year going?" I'll just reply... great, I'm 2 for 2!!!!!!!!

Happy New Year Everybody! I'm batting 1000%! How bout you?!

Keep on keepin' on...

Jack

Hey... Are you Jack Ingram?...

2008-12-30T11:52:00.000-08:00

So...

I told you about traveling without my ID or $$$$... which is a complete drag but doable.

So I finally got back to Austin after a long day of work that sent me through long security lines and shakedowns but after waiting on the runway 4 hours in Houston, Tx, of all places, for a de-icing of the wings I finally landed in Austin at 4:30 in the morning! Now the only thing to do was to get my truck out of parking and limp home. PARKING... you pay for that! I got to the desk to have the valet pull my car up and began to tell her my long tale of woe... she did not care! She looked at me and told me that she did not care if I knew my AMEX number by heart... she could not give me my car without a method of payment. I was at the end of my rope here... as I began to argue about how often I park there, etc... I heard a voice from behind me... "Hey man, are you Jack Ingram..." I turned around and said wearily, "Yes". This guy had a big smile on his face, the biggest smile at 4:30 AM I've ever seen outside of an after hours bar, and he stuck out his hand and said "My name is Rodney Dutton and I've been listening to your music for a long time... I really like what you do!... he then went on to say that he was sorry but that he had been eavesdropping on my conversation and couldn't help but hear that I didn't have a way to pay for my truck... he said "dude, let me pay for your parking!"!!!!!!!! I couldn't believe it... still can't really! He shoved $25 bucks down on the desk and told me not to worry about it. He shook my hand and walked away as I was telling him how grateful I was and what could I do and on and on and on...

Rodney Dutton is a good guy. If you see him on the street tell him I said thanks again. If you ever see somebody who needs a little something, something... give him a break. Merry Christmas, Happy New Year! See you out on the road. You can bet I'll have my ID and credit cards... don't rob me just know I got em!

Keep on keepin' on...

Jack

You Can Do It!

2008-12-16T17:03:00.000-08:00

I had a show in Kansas City last week. It was a great event sponsored by a radio station (KFKF) where I was playing for a group of bus drivers just outside of the city who had won a contest. They collected the most amount of toys in one of the school buses and won a performance at their bus barn by me (what a prize! :)) It was a ton of fun... but I am getting ahead of myself...

My flight was supposed to leave Austin that morning at 5:45 AM so I could make the show on time. That means that I had to get to the airport by 4:45 AM which means that my alarm was set for 4 AM! That's early (used to be anyway).

I got up on time, had a 5 hour energy shot and made it out the door on time, made it to the airport with time to spare... forgot my wallet! Uh-Oh!!!!!! I immediately checked every place that I usually put my wallet- cup holder, side of door, back pocket, jacket pocket... No Luck! I checked my phone to check the time... no way I can go home and get back in time! I decided to forge ahead and see what happens (kind of like a career!!!)

I got to the Continental ticket counter and started my usual routine when I've done something really stupid... I eased up to the counter and when she asked how I was I replied by saying that I was fine but how was she?!!!! She said fine and I said good. She said may I help you and I said OH Yes! You can help me like you wouldn't believe!

Just then a young kid who looked like he just rolled out of high school and bed and was working in luggage approached me and started telling me what a huge fan he is of mine... I told him that I was a huge fan of his and he looked confused but smiled... the ticket agent said "should I know you?" and I said well, no but you would if you listened to Country music OR IF I HAD MY ID!!!!!!

She smiled and said that she intended to take care of both of those problems this morning... she would look me up on the internet and she would she what she could do to get me through security!!!! I said... YES!!!!!

To make a long story short... she had to mark up my boarding pass with enough red ink it made my failing English papers from High School look passable and sent me with the head of security off to the metal detectors. When I got there they searched me up and down and in between, asked me such probing questions as "who else lives in your house?" and "what kind of car do you drive?"!!!!! I passed! They let me through! I made it to Kansas City! I played some songs for the bus drivers (God Bless Bus Drivers! Especially ones that still love kids enough after driving them around all year while they yell, scream and make their lives crazy to fill a bus full of toys for them!!!!!). And made it to the toy drive on top of the Wal-Mart!

If you ever forget your ID and wallet and need to fly remember this story. It's going to take you a long time in Security and you have to be really nice to the ticket agent and everyone else. You don't need to be a recording artist or anything else... just keep your cool and remember who you live with. You can do it! You can fly! You just can't buy a $5 coke or $6 magazine!

Oh, by the way... I made it back home to Austin too... but that's a whole 'nother story... to be continued...

K-O-K-O...

Jack

Do you remember that commercial?...

2008-11-19T15:57:00.000-08:00

When I was growing up there was this commercial that stuck in my head. It was about a shampoo called Faberge... the name is not important but the concept is. It seemed so obvious at the time (and I recall that I was very young at that time!)... The idea of the commercial was that this stuff was so good that the person using it was going to "Tell Two Friends then they'll "Tell Two Friends" then they'll "Tell Two Friends" and so on and so on...!

When I first got my music up and running that is exactly how it happened... I played a bar and a few people dug it and they told a couple of people and then the next week more people came to the bar to see me play and then the next week those people told a couple people and then the gig got bigger and so on and so on...

Then I made a cd and sold a couple copies... and those people dug it and told a couple of people and so on and so on...

You get the idea right!?

Well that concept never stops working. If you dig what I'm doing now then do me a favor... tell a couple of friends.

If you like the new song, "That's A Man" then tell a couple people about it.

If you dig seeing me play shows then tell a few folks about what you've seen.

Just keep it old school... "tell two friends and they'll tell two friends and so on and so on..."! Give it a shot.

Jack

A Lot Can Happen

2008-11-07T04:43:00.000-08:00

Wow! I just realized that I haven't visited with you here since October 4, 2008! Being that it is November 7, 2008... that's over a month (I'm pertty god at maht!!)!

A lot can happen in a month. It's fairly staggering if you think about the changes that can go on in your life in just over 30 days. Since the last time we spoke I released a single to Radio called "That's A Man". It is off to a fantastic start and people seem to like it as much as I do. If you haven't heard it then go to my website (jackingram.net) or go to itunes or, better yet, just call up your favorite country radio station and act appalled that you haven't heard it yet when everyone you know has! What else has happened? The University Of Texas Longhorns football team went from #5 to #1, stayed there a week and then lost a game and went back to the outside looking in on the BCS Championship game! That's been a rollercoaster since I live in Austin now and read about it in the papers constantly! The first freeze has come to Texas! Halloween came rolling by with ghosts and goblins and such! Scare me...! the economic crisis has come into our lives and i don't think anybody knows when it will even make eye contact with the door (notice my attempt to overplay the economic crisis by pretending to understate it with lower case letters :)). Saturday Night Live came screaming to the forefront for the first time in a few years with Tina Fey's (who doesn't even work there anymore) impression of Sarah Palin. Oh yeah... I guess we won't be seeing much of that impression anymore.

Kenny Chesney told us last year in that song not to blink (never thought I'd quote Kenny in this thing) and I must admit that the boy is right!! Don't do it. If you do this whole world will just get up and move on. It is fairly amazing to me all of the changes that can go on in just barely a month. Hadn't really thought of that before. Have you?

A lot can happen...

K-O-K-O

Jack

Yeah, I played that stage...

2008-10-04T12:59:00.001-07:00

Been traveling this country for a while now and have played many, many stages. Played the puppet stage at the Minnesota State Fair. Played the side stage in the food court at the Oregon State Fair. Played the stage outside of the parking lot in front of the arena where Garth Brooks played in Fresno, California. Played the same stage as the Rolling Stones at a club in Toronto, Canada. Played in the corner of the bar under the television set beside the jukebox at Adair's Saloon in Dallas, Texas. Played on a stage of dust (no actual stage) in the woods of Oklahoma for a frat party in the winter. Played a stage on the roof top of a camp in Texas (Camp Longhorn) for a bunch of kids at snack time. Played a stage on the roof of the BMI building in Nashville, Tennessee for the #1 party for "Wherever You Are". Played a makeshift stage in the ladies lingerie section of a Wal-Mart in Lubbock, Texas. Played on the stage of The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee. Played the big stage of Austin City Limits both the television show and the festival. Played the Nick in Birmingham, Alabama and jumped off the stage to two step with a fan in a bar that hadn't seen country music and didn't really want to! Played the stage inside the Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Played a flatbed trailer outside of a club 30 miles outside of Nacanowhere, Texas in the rain. Played a stage at 12 noon in Moorehead, North Carolina for the seafood festival called the Clam Jam Stage... that was today! From sea to shining sea... you might ask if I've played that stage before... odds are that... yeah, I've played that stage!

I'll see you out there on one of them soon.

Keep On Keepin' On...

Jack

Keep Austin Wierd... ACL Festival Collateral Damage!

2008-09-29T08:54:00.000-07:00

Awesome! I got to the airport this morning at 6am and was amazed... As you may or may not know, The Austin City Limits Festival was this past weekend and ended yesterday. I didn't play the festival this year but I got home yesterday from the road just in time to play private show at The Salt Lick BBQ and then turn around and head out this morning. The festival was a bit off of my radar until I got to the airport! I didn't think that I would see any festival leavers this early... I was wrong! I guess I did not take into account that a lot of the festival attendees would need to get home early on Monday to get back to work (while still a fair price, it is fairly expensive to travel and buy tickets and everything else that goes into it). I am on Southwest Airlines today and my first flight was to Phoenix. I think they might be the airline of choice for the festival!! For every everyday business, straight job traveler this morning there was a flip flop wearing, mail delivery bag toting, 3 days of no sleep hangover having, still high on the foo fighters festival leaver! It was a nice combination of folks to see hanging out in the gate area!!!!

I got on the very full flight with my carry on but had to check my guitar at the gate because there was no room in the overhead bins stuffed with back packs smelling of stale beer and what was left of whatever was there before it was smoked at the festival. I sat in the window seat of the exit row... that's why I love group A! I knew that someone would need to sit in the middle seat because the flight was completely full so I spent my time playing the game in my head called "please sit next to me/please don't sit next to me". It's a fun game. I practice it a lot but don't ever seem to get better. The reason for me to choose "please sit next to me" is really just practical... the smaller the person is- the more I want them to be in the middle seat... it just makes sense, right? Opposite sex and small body comp beats same sex and large body comp... you get it right?

Well I lost the game in that a dude sat down next to me. He had sunglasses on which is a sign for either being very tired and needing some sleep, blind or a jerk! This guy was definitely the first one. I noticed very early on that this guy was in serious need of a lot more than sleep... namely about 30 beers less than what he consumed in the past 12 hours!!!! His legs were twitching, his arms were around his head, his face was so white he looked like a ghost. He was desperately trying to pass out but he couldn't. He kept making sounds like a dying puppy would make. At one point he tried to take a sip of water... that was the end. He jumped out of his seat and scurried off to the lavatory like a ... well, like a hungover dude about to puke runs to a toilet! I felt bad for the guy but had to laugh. He repeated this process no less than 4 times during the flight. He even defied the flight attendant and got up to go puke as the plane was landing! Seriously, I felt bad for the guy but had to laugh! It reminded me of a time I was flying back to Dallas from Oklahoma City on a Sunday morning and... but that's another story.

It was quite a flight! Made me proud to be from Austin where Bob Weird is still the King!

I hear that ACL fest was one of the best yet! It sure as hell looked that way traveling out of the city.

Jack

Road, Road, Rough and Ready!

2008-09-27T15:26:00.000-07:00

Sitting in the back parking lot of the Nissan Pavilion in Bristow, VA. listening to the new Rodney Crowell project called "Sex and Gasoline"! It's a winner. That dude is good. This particular song is called "I Want You #35". Funny that it is a title with a number on the end just like that old Bob Dylan song "Rainy Day Woman #12 & #35... but not really like it... but a lot like it... It's damn good. I'll leave it at that. Check it out. You'll like it I promise.

A band from San Marcos, Texas is up here this weekend too. They played a gig at a bar called The IOTA Club last night and have the night off tonight. They are great friends with Kyle, our stage manager, so they came over to spend the aftenoon with us. Do you know who The Dedringers are? They are fantastic! Find out about them. Really, really good. They open up for James McMurtry a lot. Hayes Carll too. They opened a show or two for us as well. We like them. You will as well.

Lance Armstrong's gonna ride again! I know the outdoor channel is stoked! I am too.

Drove past the Lincoln Memorial this morning on the way to go the Walter Reed Memorial Hospital in Washington D.C.. We (me and the band and crew) went to the hospital to visit with wounded Military men and women. We brought some guitars and had a wonderful visit with some extremely courageous people! You wouldn't believe the spirit in that place. I don't care what your political view points are... and I hope you have some... it is awe inspiring to see the people that have been wounded fighting for our country and are layed up in a hospital bed without the things they left with when they went to fight except their spirit... which is bigger than ever. God Bless those men and women and may they learn to live with their wounds and have positive lives. It was a good visit. You should try it. You don't have to have a guitar or a reason...

That's it for now. Gonna play a show in a few minutes.

K-O-K-O

Jack

Who You Votin' 4?

2008-09-22T21:24:00.001-07:00

Well,
Do you know? Do you know?
Yeah, me neither...

I was thinking about voting 4 Sanjaya but that was soooooo 2 seasons ago.
Then I was thinking that John Rich would be a good choice but I realized that he was just a judge.
Carrie Underwood already won something.
Taylor Swift wasn't in a competition.
You can't vote on Football! Can you believe that? That sucks!
I was on a television show the other night where I got to pass judgment but I didn't get to vote... anti-climactic to say the least!
I buy music on itunes but that's not really a vote... that's just a purchase.
Can I vote 4 (texting has definitely become an issue) The Jonas Brothers? Don't know what 4 but somehow they have become not only a fan favorite but I really do like those boys! I don't think I can vote for them but I definitely want that out there. If there is going to be a boy band that is adored by millions including my daughter I really do appreciate that the boys are writing the songs, singing and playing instruments all at the same time while doing a damn good job of it!
So I guess I'm not really ready to vote yet but I am warming up to the idea. I am mulling the issues over and am getting ready to make a decision here... just looking for the right place and time! I am registered. Are you? Go do that.

KOKO,

Jack

Decision Time

2008-09-02T08:43:00.000-07:00

Flying to a show this morning and wanting to start using language that the airlines use when people ask me a question. My flight is delayed and the lady came over the pa and said that the flight is delayed until 11am (about an hour) but that 11am is not the new departure time... it is the new "Decision Time". I love that... I'll get back to you in an hour and at that time I will decide if we will have any further communication. I'm going to start answering questions that way. Here's how it will work:

Knock, Knock.
Who's there?
Hold on a minute.
Hold on a minute who?
I'll get back to you in a few minutes.
I'll get back to you in a few minutes who?
Wait, there's been a change in plans. I'll get back with you about when I'll get back to you in 30 minutes.
Wait, there's been a change in plans. I'll get back with you about when I'll get back to you in 30 minutes WHO?
I'm sorry there's been another delay. There will be a decision time about when I'll get back with you in 1 hour.
I'm sorry there's been another delay. There will be a decision time about when I'll get back with you in 1 hour WHO?

Time elapse of 1 hour...

I'm sorry this joke has been canceled due to a unspecified maintenance issue that I am not authorized to discuss. Please accept my apology for your inconvenience. We will be happy to book you on another joke that will get you a punch line about 18 hours after you needed to laugh.

You get my point?

I play music for free. I get paid to travel.

K-O-K-O...

Jack

Let's catch up here...

2008-08-25T11:38:00.000-07:00

Almost a month since I've checked in here... sorry about that but I've been a little busy and in places without the greatest bandwidth.

Anyway, quit bitching at me and let's get down to business.

Just got back from Jamaica where I went with The Lia Show and it was phenomenal. I took the whole damn family and we had a great time. We did a acoustic show down there with James Otto and Bucky Covington... that James Otto could sing the phonebook and sound great. What a voice. It was a good time. The 5 days down there was very nice. The Lia Show crew and Lia herself were fantastic. Thanks to them for the hospitality!

We went to Phoenix a few weeks back... Wow! I'm calling this the "Prove Your Love" Tour... we went to Green Bay in January and Phoenix in August!!!!! I think somebody decided that we should go to cities with extreme weather during the most extreme weather months! Martina calls it The Waking Up Laughing Tour... somebody's laughing that's for sure... the booking agents!!!

BUT... Jessi Colter came out to the show in Phoenix and we sang "Storms Never Last" together... do I need to explain how cool that was? I spent the whole afternoon watching a YouTube video of her and Waylon doing it and trying to learn Waylon's part. It was AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!! Love me some Jessi Colter. I had a dog in college that I named Jessi after her... I didn't tell her that because there's really no way to explain to a woman that you named a dog after her and have that woman understand how that is really a huge compliment... the dog was really beautiful and I loved her very much!!!

Been recording a bunch.

Playing some shows this weekend in the Southeast and then in Chicago (yes!) and then in Austin on Sunday night!!!!! Come see me!

Keep On Keepin' On...

Jack

Did I ever tell about the time...

2008-08-04T14:36:00.000-07:00

The Rolling Stones opened for me in Toronto, Canada?

If you've heard this one then sorry but if you haven't then check this out because it was one helluva night!

I had a gig at a place in Toronto, I think it was called The Horseshoe or something like that, and we pulled up to the club at our usual load in time. It was early in the afternoon. The owner of the club comes running out to our van and is very excited! He explained to us that something had come up that at the club and that no matter what happens he still wants us to play that night. Well that had me guessing... what the hell could be up that would possibly prevent us from playing that night but that the club owner would be very excited about and still want us to play?

Turns out that The Rolling Stones were in Toronto rehearsing for their upcoming tour and had been asked to drop by the club to present an award, via satellite, for the MTV Video Awards which were happening that night. They decided that they would not only show up to present the award but would also do an unannounced set at the club!!!!

I told the club owner that we did not have to play but could he just let us in to see the show! He insisted that we set up our gear on stage and be ready to play. I said we'll see and thought no way in hell are we going on tonight!

Late in the afternoon the club began filling up with people who had heard about the Stones being there for the awards ceremony. They had no idea about the plans for an impromptu set. The band and I stood separate from the crowd over by the stage knowing what was going to go down a little bit later. As soon as the band was done with the television thing they walked right over to the stage. They took their places and proceeded to rock the world for about 65 minutes! Me and the guys in the band (Pete had stood in front of the stage so long that because he wasn't willing to miss a note or lose his spot by the stage he actually "went" in an empty beer cup... he wouldn't want me telling that part so please keep that to yourself) were so close to the stage that I distinctly remember seeing Mick's sweat fly off of his face and land on mine! Keith was playing sloppy brilliance within hand reach of us... It was AWESOME!!!!!!

As soon as the Stones were done the club owner yells for us to get on stage! I actually climbed up on the stage from the audience position I was in. It took us about 5 minutes to plug in our guitars and get ready to go. The crowd wasn't sure what was going on and to be honest neither did I. I yelled "One, Two, Three, Four" and we plowed into "Dim Lights, Thick Smoke (and loud, loud music)" and were off to the races. We played as loud as we could for as long as we could and had a ball doing it. Pete drank Mike's Hard Lemonade and kept steady as long as he could!

At the end of the night we all agreed that the opening band was a pretty good outfit from over the pond and that if they kept it up they probably could make a go of it!!!!

By the way... we just watched that new documentary "Shine A Light" this weekend and it rocks! Check it out. The Rolling Stones are BAD ASS!

Me and the band are out on the West Coast with Martina and having a grand time.

See you out here...

Keep On Keepin' on...

Jack

Home again, home again, jiggity jog...

2008-07-01T11:58:00.000-07:00

That's what my Mom says when she's been on a trip and is pulling in the driveway ready to be home again. Not really sure when the last time she said that was but it's stuck in my head just like the way she used to come at me on school mornings with a wet rag or a cup of water when I refused to wake up and get out of bed... but I digress...

I'm just so damn happy to be coming home to Texas to play some shows on my home turf, in my wheelhouse! Playing Corpus Christi at Brewster Street Ice House on Thursday and then playing Gruene Hall on July 4th! Are you kidding me? THIS IS GOING TO ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I've had these shows circled on the calendar for a while. Me and the band have been learning some new songs to share with old fans and brushing up on some old songs that we don't get to play all the time with short sets out opening for Martina. I can't wait. You better be there!

We even started playing Red, White and Blues (4th of July) last weekend so we'd be certain to be ready for the parade! "What Parade?" you ask... the parade of coming home to Texas to play some bad ass shows at a few of my favorite old haunts!!!!!!!!! That parade!

See you out there.

K O K O...

Jack

Getting to know this place

2008-06-26T08:26:00.000-07:00

Hey,
Sitting in Chicago O'hare International Airport this morning. Got up at 4:30am in Austin and caught a flight on United. The security line was backed way out to the door and took forever! What the hell are all these idiots doing up so early and so eager about? I know what my problem is but what the hell is theirs?!!!

When I checked in last night on the computer I was not issued a seat. They told me to get my seat assignment when I got the gate so that's what I did. I went to the counter at the gate and nobody was their but I saw a ticket that had my name on it. I waited a few minutes and nobody showed up so I just grabbed my ticket. As soon as I grabbed my ticket a woman with a United Airlines uniform told me that that was very rude and I should wait. At this point I become conflicted... I know that she's probably right just because but I can't pinpoint why she's right and that always has perplexed me! I have never been able to understand why we should do things just because? My name is on the ticket, it's obviously mine, it's 5:25 in the morning and I just want to sit down and rest a bit while I am waiting on the plane to board. If I just grab my ticket and sit down then who's it going to hurt? It might not be the most polite thing to do- not letting the ticket hander outer hand me my ticket- but in a way I'm doing the woman a favor, right? Well she didn't think so! When my boarding group was called I handed her my pass and she curtly informed me that next time I should wait until she hands me my ticket and not touch her stuff! I kind of agreed with her. I am now in Chicago waiting for my connecting flight. Luckily for everybody involved, I was assigned a seat while in the comfort of my home last night and so I don't need to trigger any anxiety attacks here in Chicago!

I have been in this airport 45 times this year already. I used to think that if you were going to Hell you had to catch a connection in DFW. I still think that but if you're going to a gig I think you probably have to catch a connection in Chicago O'Hare.

Playing Oshkosh, Wisconsin this evening. Another great weekend up here where the weather is perfect! We've been playing some new songs in the set and I'm having a great time. It's a kick to play songs in front of people that we've all never heard live before! Pete, my drummer for you first timers, doesn't enjoy it as much as me but I think he underestimates his ability to play anything, anytime wonderfully! I think we'll learn another one at soundcheck today and put it into the set.

In Texas next weekend for the 3rd and 4th. Make your plans. These are going to be good!

About to board the plane. Flying to Milwaukee and then driving to Oshkosh. I'll need to buy a map.

Come see me,

Keep On Keepin' on...

Jack

What a weekend!

2008-06-23T13:10:00.000-07:00

I told you we were going to have fun this weekend. I don't lie to you. Chicago was killer! Joe's Bar is one of the best bars in the country. Period. They treat us great. They catered dinner in for us from this BBQ joint called "Smoke". It is as good as anything I've had and I have had BBQ from almost every joint in this country. It was great. And that says nothing about how much fun the show was... Chicago has always been known as a music town and it is not by mistake. They are fantastic fans. They filled the bar and we had a helluva show. Can't wait to get back there. We'll be back in Chicago with Martina McBride at the end of August.

The Mayfly Festival in Dundee, MI was a good one too. It's always fun to play a very small town at one of those little fairs/carnivals... I'm not sure what you call one of those when they don't have any rides? They had Elephant Ears though so I guess that makes it a fair! It was real cool. The whole town came out and sang along and had a great time. So did I.

We played Detroit on Sunday evening at a festival called "River Days". It was quite an experience. Our show was sandwiched between an incredible gospel show, I mean it was the real deal and I was blown away, and Brian McNight. Do you remember him? I remembered the name and know he had some major R&B success a few years ago. It doesn't matter... I caught most of his show and it was really solid. I'm not sure that the majority of the audience that came to see the Gospel show and Brian McNight were completely prepared for "My name is Jack Ingram... I play Country Music"! But I really did have a good time attempting to expand some horizons in Detroit Motor City!!! It was good. We met some really great artists at the festival and accidentally made some new friends. It was all good.

It's definitely summer time! The shows are rocking and people are ready to have a good time. I'm glad it's early in the season! Here comes July 3 and July 4 in Texas. We are going to blow it out. If you can make it to any of these shows... I'll see you there. It's going to be big!

See you out there.

Keep On Keepin' On...

Jack

Heading to the Midwest!

2008-06-18T11:16:00.000-07:00

Hey,

Been looking forward to this weekend for a while now! Getting back up to the Midwest for a few shows. I always look forward to going to Chicago and playing Joe's Pub. It's a killer venue and they treat us great! This Friday should be no exception. It's going to be a full house and a whole lot of fun. We're also playing up in Minnesota and Michigan. The weather is going to be great and the shows are going to be some nice, big festivals. You know how I love to play festivals outside in the summer! There's just something about hopping on stage in the late afternoon/early evening with the wind blowing and the crowd buzzing... it always feels like some kind of cool dream. It's just like what I dreamed about doing when I used to go to Willie Nelson's picnic down here. So, to make a long story short, I've had this weekend circled on the calendar for a while. It's going to be a good one. Come out and see me.

Making a new record. Should have some news for you soon.

Been listening to Hayes Carll's new cd. It's great! Go check it out.

That's it (not to be confused with "This Is It"!).

KOKO...

Jack

Vernon, Tx

2008-06-16T14:23:00.000-07:00

06/14/08

Vernon, Texas! We are sitting at a Rodeo arena in the middle of a 400,000 acre ranch just outside of Vernon, Texas. The show tonight is called Wolfe Dance. It is put on by the folks that I get my truck from and an old friend of mine named John Wolfe. This looks like a scene out of “Hud”, that old movie with Paul Newman or “The Last Picture Show”. I feel like any minute some dude with pressed dark denim Levi’s with the cuffs rolled up, a white t-shirt with the sleeves rolled up and a cool straw cowboy hat is going to walk up to buy a ticket for tonight’s show! It’s a cool scene. I think it’s going to be a good show.

Last night we played on a stage that was 30 feet off of the ground! It was the Crosby, Texas Fair and Rodeo. It was a really cool, small town fair. We had a great time! It was killer to be playing that high! The crowd filled the rodeo arena and it looked like they were having as good a time as us. It was good to be close to home. Crosby is about 30 miles from Houston.

Speaking of Houston…. I got invited to sing the national anthem before the Houston Astros game! It’s the second time they’ve asked me this year. It is so much fun to sing down on that baseball field! They were playing the New York Yankees. They lost 2 to 1. That’s a drag but they won the first won. I’m batting .500 which is better than most!

I almost forgot to mention the show in Ruston, LA at Rabb’s Steakhouse with Shooter Jennings…

Keep on keepin’ on…

Jack

Well, Well, Well...

2008-06-01T14:26:00.000-07:00

June 1, 2008

Well, well, well…

I told you we were going to have a good time in Gun Barrel City! We sure as hell did!
We went to a pre show party at Donnie Nelson’s (of the Dallas Mavericks) lake house. He had a bunch of folks over to celebrate us coming to town and playing our first show in Texas after the ACM award win. We had a great time. They’ve got a new drink they’re getting to market called VIB. It’s a gooder.

Then we went to Gator’s. What a show! It felt just like playing a packed bar by a lake in Texas in the dawn of summer!!! A whole lot of fun. Before the show Donnie Nelson presented me with a Dallas Maverick jersey! It’s #15, Brad Davis’s retired # and my favorite #. Very cool! Then the mayor of Gun Barrel City (yes, they have one!) presented me with the key to the city! I’ve never been presented with a key to a city. I’ve had a few keys taken away from me but that’s another story. I asked the cops and the mayor if the key would work at the city jail!!! They declined comment.

The show was a ton of fun. The band was tight. The crowd was loose.

Can’t wait to do it again.

Keep on keeping on…

Jack

Thank You.

2008-06-01T13:32:00.000-07:00

It's Friday Morning...

2008-05-30T14:29:00.000-07:00

May 30, 2008

It’s Friday morning and we’ve got a show in Gun Barrel City, Texas tonight. It’s a little town south of Dallas where they treat us real good and give us a discount at Whataburger! What’s not to love about that?!!!!! I think a few of the Dallas Cowboys and some of the Dallas Mavericks are coming to the show. That should be cool. There is a lake close by and a bunch of people from Big D have summer places there. Drunk lake rats in the summer, a bar close by and a bad ass band (that’s us)…. Sounds like something might happen tonight!!!!

I haven’t talked to you guys since the big night in Las Vegas at the Academy Of Country Music Awards… what a night!!!!!!

As you may or may not know, I won the Top New Male Vocalist award. It was thrilling! It has been quite a journey from Adair’s Saloon in Dallas, Texas to the stage in Vegas! Quite a good journey. If it took this long to get to what many consider to be the starting line then I am one lucky dude. I can only hope it takes just as long to get to the end!!!!

Thanks to everybody out there who has supported my career thus far. You are fantastic and I am eternally grateful! Let’s keep this thing moving.

Keep on keepin’ on…

Jack