On the Bus With Jake Owen
When an artist lets you onto his bus, he pretty much lets you into his life. At least, that's how I felt with Jake Owen.
He was in the Chicago area this weekend, and we had the chance to talk before his show. And since we had our interview on his bus, instead of inside the venue, we covered way more than just the music. He told me how he always drinks Aloe Vera Juice before a show, to stay healthy. We compared iPhone apps, and now I'm highly addicted to iHunt and the virtual harmonica. His manager showed me why you should never to stand too close to the windshield in case the bus has to stop fast (the wound on his forehead and the crack in said windshield). Then Owen gave me the scoop on what it was like growing up in Vero Beach, Fla., how his golf career was back-burnered and how much he loves his mom Mitzi. Those are things that don't usually come up in routine one-on-ones.
Eventually, though, we did get around to talking about Owen's music. Like his single "Don't Think I Can't Love You" and the laid back new video for it. How his new album is coming out early next year. How he just spent some time writing songs with Dierks Bentley. And what his live show was going to be like later that night. "This kind of crowd is my crowd. I sat on a barstool for so long playing everything, Lionel Richie, Merle, Prince," he said. "This is where I thrive. And my job tonight is to make sure the fans want to come back, so I keep it spontaneous." (The word is, Owen did just that, showing off a couple of tunes from the new album and throwing in some oddball covers like "Purple Rain.")
Even though our talk proved to me that Owen has more going on in his life than the music, the music is undoubtedly what matters the most. "I live and breathe this, " he said. "This will always be part of me."
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Kim says:
Jake! I love you Jake!
funny stuff…don’t stand at the front if you value consciousness….lol
can’t wait for the new album!
Nichole says:
When will this interview air?
LouAnn Posten says:
Great interview! My daughter and I are AVID Jake Owen fans. We have been to 14 shows in 2 years and have met him numerous times. He is an AWESOME guy, as well as a FANTASTIC artist, and it sounds like you saw that also. Thanx for writing such an positive article on him. Also, I hope Greg’s head is feeling better.
Carmella says:
I was at that show in Chicago and it was fantastic!
Super fun and energetic. Jake has so much talent and a great sense of humor. You could tell he totally loves what he is doing. Keep it up!!
Debbie says:
We had the pleasure of been on Jake’s bus on 8/20/08, in Gray, Tn. My mama had recentley been in the hospital and was really bad off. But she recovered and we made the trip to Gray. And Jake noticed us watching sound check and came over and gave us a hug and told mama he was sorry he didn’t get messages till she was out of the hospital but told her he was glad she was bettter and there. And we had prepared some food for Jake and his crew. And we also had a birthday cake for him and a gift me and a couple of people from his message board made for him. And he loved it. And we were invited on the bus to chat. And you are right you feel just like you are at home with him.
SO Jake Thankj you for being so kind to me and my mama and May God Bless you and We can’t wait for the new CD.
Debbie and Mama “Annette”