Texas Icon & Country Star, Jack Ingram, Will Release His 1st New Album In Seven Years

Jack Ingram

Texas Icon and Country star, Jack Ingram has announced he will be releasing his first album in 7 years. It is his first new album after departing from Big Machine and what “should” follow mulitiple #1’s on Country radio and an ACM win for Best New Male Vocalist in 2008 .

Emerging 7 years later on Rounder Records, he has made a hand shake deal with himself …“Don’t write a song that you wouldn’t sing.” His new album “Midnight Motel” is a Texas-tinged, “guided meditation” through liquor-fueled melancholy. It is good, it is pure, it is messy, it is Jack Ingram to the core.

Imagine a night at the bar with Jack on the stage…songs, shots, spoken riffs, etc. He lets the audience pick their poison because in the end we are all drinking alone anyway. His job just makes it sound a little better…he’s the “underdog” who’s had way too much success in his career to be called an underdog. When asked “what was up with the seven year disappearance?” his self-inflicted scars show up. It’s the stuff of great stories…

When discussing his new album “Midnight Motel”, what makes good music, his fans, mainstream country music and what’s next for him…we are certain that he is on the right path…and thankful for the breath of fresh air his new music is giving us. He is genuine, salt of the earth and loves his fans, his music and his giving us a new album that is straight from his heart.

JackIngram_MM_cover_RGBCountry Music Pride: “Midnight Motel” sounds great and has quite an Americana sentiment to it. That fact coupled with signing to Rounder Records makes me think that behind the scenes your taste has evolved, or should I say return to roots or that you have gone full circle… Can you give us a glimpse to what is going on here behind the scenes?

Jack Ingram: I had heard the record in my head way before it was ever made…it reflects on troubled yet lasting relationships, something we can all relate to. It has a common theme that is portrayed through the music, the talking…it all flows together. As an artist it is important to make a record that is truly authentic…not something that was made for the “masses”, letting the music find its audience, hoping that it is a step in the right direction while having its own leg to stand on.

Country Music Pride: How does an artist either re-invent himself (even when there is no need to as far as “success” is concerned)? Because I feel like that’s what we are seeing here…

Jack Ingram: All artists go through different phases of their career…from the college band to the country bar band to mainstream bands have all been left for dead and have been coming back with some great work. Now is the time in my career for me to do the same…

Seeing what’s happening in mainstream country music these days, I would watch the award shows and there was a lot of ass shaking and I didn’t want to be that…I wanted more depth put into my music and not limiting my fan base. It’s about great work that gives an artist the longevity, even through his/her lifetime and hopefully beyond.

Country Music Pride: What other artists out there are you finding yourself resonate with these days?

Jack Ingram: Americana used to be the “underground” and has now expanded so much…Sturgill Simpson, Jason Isbell, John Moreland just to name a few are getting great work out there that’s being heard and accepted by fans. By doing this they have given me a launching pad to do what I have been wanting to do…giving me the format and letting me follow my heart steps.

Country Music Pride: How do you think ears will receive your new music especially in the context of live concerts?

Jack Ingram: People who like me will like me…they are supportive and encouraging of whatever I do because they love me and are proud of me.

Country Music Pride: Biggest perk thus far for being involved with Country music?

Jack Ingram: Being able to make a living making music…being able to pay my bills doing something that I love. Let’s face it, in the end we all have bills to pay and doing what you love and making a living doing it is so rewarding.

I have an early audience who has always believed in me and what I do, Country fans stick to you…look at Tim McGraw, he’s been around for a long time, Garth Brooks, he took a ten-year hiatus and is back and performing to sold out crowds. It just proves to me to stay true to who you are and your fans will be there right by your side. They may not have always loved everything you’ve ever put out there but they are loyal and stick with you to the end.

Country Music Pride: Who has been the funnest band or artist you’ve performed with?

Jack Ingram: Oh man…I have played with so many great artists its hard to narrow it down to just one. I would have to say Todd Snider, who has become one of my closest friends, I think because it was my first real tour it was so much fun. All of the tours I have been on with different artists have all had a different element to them that have all be so special.

I have to say that Toby Keith was also a lot of fun and very entertaining…he definitely lets his flag fly! He’s actually pretty funny.

Country Music Pride: What’s next for Jack Ingram?

Jack Ingram: Obviously the new album which drops on August 26th…and everything that goes along with that…a tour…promoting etc. I actually already have another album already in the can. So if all goes well just keep putting out new music, touring and so on and so on.

Country Music Pride: What is one fun fact about you your fans may not know?

Jack Ingram: Some of you may not know that I started the “MJM” Charity Event with Mac Brown (former American college football coach) and Matthew McConaughey (you may know him as the shirtless guy in the car adds, ha ha) about four years ago. The event takes place in Austin, TX and has raised 5 million dollars for children’s charities in the US.

I truly believe you get back ten times what you put in…it’s true what you learned back in Sunday School that what you give…you will get back.

We couldn’t agree more and hope that we continue to see more and more from Jack Ingram in the years to come, don’t ever stop doing what you are doing!

For a complete list of tour dates and more information on Jack, visit his website and follow him on Facebook and Twitter.

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