On The Road With Chris Janson

On The Road With Chris Janson

By

Tracy Nightingale & Chuck Schultz

We had a chance this summer to catch up with one of the hottest singers in Country Music, Chris Janson. Here are some highlights.

Magazine of Country Music: You’re finally getting some airplay on radio with “Better I Don’t.”

Chris Janson: It’s a blessing, the song really is a great thing ‘cuz I wrote it with my life.

MCM: What is the update on your album.

CJ: Just finished recording all the songs, we need to choose what we want on it. I’ll just decide on a random whim probably what’s on it (laughs).

MCM: With all the road travel do you still get to do any co-writes?

CJ: Yeah I’ve actually had a chance to write with some of my buddies and actually did some songs with the Lo-Cash Cowboys and I wrote on “Make it Look Good,””Bumpin’ Tailgates,” and “Bouncing in The Back of My Truck.” They’re great guys, love working with them and it really has been a blessing to be able to share the success of “Truck Yeah” with those guys as well.

MCM: Yeti? On the Guitar, is that a cooler?

CJ: Oh man great question finally someone asks me about it. It’s a great travel cooler, I was too darn broke to buy one and one of the reps was at a show and said put a sticker on your guitar and we’ll work something out. Well of course I did and they are amazing, I use it for hunting and love their gear.

MCM: Justin Moore’s upcoming album Off The Beaten Path is a song you wrote. How does it feel to have your song not only cut but the title track on someone’s album?

CJ: Well the long and the short of it is I’m one of the dudes biggest fans out there, have been for years. Love what he does and it’s always an honor to get anybody to sing your music for one whether it be yours or something you wrote for somebody else. The fact that he recorded one of my songs is huge. I thought ok great, if it doesn’t even make the record, fine at least he’s heard it. Long story short is he’s made it the title track to his new record. It’s awesome, I’m thankful for it and it’s another stepping stone.

MCM: You’re first Opry show was in February, how many times does it make to date?

CJ:  11 times and every time it is the greatest event musically in my life, you just can’t duplicate the feeling, I’ve blessed everytime I take the stage.

MCM: What’s the major inspiration when you write?

CJ: My family. And just stories of the past, funny stories mostly, alot of humor; and then three just fans man. Being on the road and learning things everyday and seein new things, it just comes from everyday life. It all generally starts out with things in my family. “Holding Her,”ya know it’s about my wife and kids. They’re all just original songs.”

This guy is the real deal, a true soul and amazing talent. Check out more at chrisjanson.com

Photo Credit; Kelly E Schultz, Tracy Nightingale