Country music is in good hands if Jason Michael Carroll, performing Saturday in Baltimore, continues to progress from rookie headliner to full-blown megastar.
Baltimore is the last stop for Carroll?s Raisin? the Bar Tour, which he co-headlines with “American Idol” contestant Bucky Covington.
Carroll?s debut and follow-up albums have both claimed the No. 1 spot on Billboard?s country charts. His singles “Alyssa Lies” and “Livin? Our Love Song” were Top-Five hits.
His chart-topping singles, striking baritone voice and songwriting talents are as impressive as his history of onstage partners such as Alan Jackson, Kenny Chesney and Gretchen Wilson.
Q: A karaoke competition set your career in motion. What song did you sing?
A: “Another You,” which is very cool because one of my very first major concerts was opening for Brad Paisley, who wrote “Another You.” And now Brad and I are on the same label. It?s an interesting cycle.
Q: Winning a karaoke contest led to you fronting a band that eventually fired you. Did you think your career was over then before it really even began?
A: I did. I was scared to death that I wouldn?t have the chance to play my music anymore. I thought, ?This band fired me. Nobody will have me.?
Q: But you found success with two No. 1 albums. How do you decide which songs your albums will include?
A: A lot of time, people love an artist but never get to meet him or her in their lifetime. The only chance they have to know anything about an artist is through the artist?s music. One of biggest things I thought about [while working on the album] was putting together an accurate interpretation of who I am. [On the album,] there is a softer side, partying and hell-raising songs, and darker stuff that I love to write.
Q: What?s the best part of a night performing?
A: One of the coolest moments is having people singing along to all our songs ? not only the top-five songs, but the album cuts too.
Q: Where?s the sound of country headed?
A: Country has always been consistent. People might argue with me on that, ?It?s become contemporary or traditional.? But if you really look at it and what the writing has been about, you see country music has grown but hasn?t changed. It?s always been about true stories and still is. The best songs are songs everyone can relate to. Country music tells everybody?s story.
IF YOU GO
Raisin? the Bar Tour with Bucky Covington, Jason Michael Carroll and Cole Deggs and The Lonesome
» Where: Rams Head Live, 20 Market Place, Baltimore
» When: Saturday, 7 p.m.
» Tickets: $20 advance, $25 day of the show
» Info: 410-244-1131
