Jason Aldean's song, "A Little More Summertime", came on the radio today while I was driving around Las Vegas, and it made me remember my last trip to Music City, USA and how I came so close - six times - in one visit, to hanging with the man himself. If anything, I am "well known" to his entourage and inner circle.
The picture that you see attached is the original chart for Jason's song, "A Little More Summertime". It was given to me at the studio where his band recorded the song earlier that day. This studio, by the way, is the same studio that Rowdy McCarran recorded his album, "Eyes Wide Open", which I was fortunate enough to be a part of. Now check this out, the guitar player on Rowdy's Album is none other than Jason's guitar player Adam Shoenfeld. Adam and I got along famously for about ten minutes one day, in the studio parking lot, chatting up a storm about music, life, and time on the road before he had to drive off to his next session.
On another day, again back in the studio, I was hanging out and listening to Montgomery Gentry cut their latest single. Next to the control room is the kitchen. And in the kitchen, there are windows where you can see through the control room and into the studio where the musicians are being recorded. Through that glass I see Jason's drummer, Rich Redmond, banging away and goofing off. As I go over to the window, trying to find the perfect angle to take a totally unobtrusive photo, I literally bump into Tully Kennedy, Jason's Aldean's bass player. I turn around, see him, apologize, and watch him roll his eyes as if to say..."fans, can't get away from them". Don't worry though, I talked him down off of that ledge. We are good!
So count them, so far, five instances where I am only one degree of separation away from Jason: the music chart, the studio, Adam Shoenfeld, Rich Redmond and Tully Kennedy.
Now the sixth instance, well... its more like five and a half, since I actually saw Jason in the flesh. I call it a half, because he/we didn't actually, technically...meet.
We were at Luke Bryan's home in Franklin, TN. No, really, we were, here is a picture of his mailbox:
I have his address memorized, but have been sworn to secrecy...and a promised beat down if I ever gave it out without permission.
Anyway, we are pulling out of the driveway and getting ready to make a left. As we look right, we see a big, I take that back...huge, black truck driving towards us on the road that you see above. There is honking and flashing lights as the vehicle begins to slow down and pull over. As the truck gets closer, you can see the tinted window open and out pops Jason himself. Waving, smiling, wearing his ball cap backwards, and hanging halfway out that window. One look at us though, he jumped back in, rolled up the window and took off. I think the peel out marks are still on that road. Pretty funny though, I now know exactly what kind of truck Luke Bryan owns. Jason made it pretty obvious by wanting to stop and say hi. He thought we were Luke! It's a great story. One day I hope I get to tell him in person.
And finally, the Coup de gras of all Coup de gras, the way in to finally meet him, hang with him and possibly even play with him. As many of you know, We (Rowdy McCarran) are sponsored by the folks over at Outlaw Energy. We are one of only two musical artists that are partnered with them. Guess, who the other is...yup, you are right, Jason Aldean.
Now tell me, how in the world can I still be only one degree away from him? It should have happened by now! He and I, buds. Exchanging Christmas cards. Prank phone calls. Family functions. The wives hanging out and shopping together. Being in each others music videos. Huntin', Fishin', and all that other stuff that goes along with it. I blame it all on the Chicago Cubs. Now that they have won the World Series, the famous "Wait 'til Next Year" slogan, is officially mine.
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