Jordan Rainer on the Straight Shot Tour

Jordan Rainer is on the Straight Shot Tour following her latest release Straight Shot.

I talked with her after her first night on this headlining tour. Her first stop was at the Mars Music Hall in Huntsville, Alabama. Jordan had brought one guitar pick with her on stage and for the first time, she dropped it just before the chorus of Straight Shot. She had to try to spot it on the stage and paused while the band continued to play. The timing of that pause increased the energy in the crowd and they started screaming in response, now she said they would add a pause on purpose during that part of the song.

Jordan Rainer - Photo by Dave Bjerke/NBC

Jordan Rainer became a household name during the 24th season of The Voice after landing on Reba McEntire’s team from a four-chair turn. "Reba was an amazing coach, humble and genuine, exactly how you have imagined her to be." Jordan Rainer gained a lot of attention during the competition, not only for her talent but also for her wardrobe of all black. Fans gave her the nickname "The Woman in Black". Jordan said her wardrobe is primarily black, even her loungewear. Jordan and her team prepared for the influx of fans from the show while waiting for the airing of the recorded episodes of The Voice after the tapings were completed. Jordan has a style unlike anyone else in country music, she's tough and raw which shows off her roots in Texas and Oklahoma. She believes music should reflect the audience it was designed to represent, and will hold herself to those standards while writing and performing music.

Jordan Rainer photo courtesy of Brickshore Media

Jordan Rainer held an interest in music from the toddler stage trying to play on their family piano. Jordan received her first guitar as a Christmas gift at 12 years old and began playing with the help of her dad and a few chords. Jordan was born in Oklahoma and lived in both Oklahoma and Texas until moving to Nashville. Nashville is proving its reputation to her as The 10-year town, paying her dues as an artist. The persistence and confidence Jordan brought with her to Nashville from her roots in Texas and Oklahoma mixed with the discipline that the music scene taught her in Nashville has developed her into an incredible writer and performer. Jordan Rainer recently had her first #1 with Straight Shot on the Texas Regional Radio Chart. Jordan Rainer took home the New Female Vocalist of the Year and the New Faces of Texas Country Award at the Texas Country Music Awards in 2023. Jordan co-wrote Three People making it a #1 song for Sundance Head. Jordan currently has songs on hold for some of country music’s top artists.

 Jordan Rainer enjoys performing shows and prefers to play in a seated theater setting where she can mix in a little bit of stand-up comedy and talk about the stories behind the music.

The Straight Shot Tour kicked off in January and has some dates that Jordan will coheadline and collaborate with other artists who competed alongside her on The Voice.

Jordan and I talked about all of the aspects of music, writing, touring, and performing, but also how she deals with the negative sides of it all. Some of the toughest obstacles for her were being told 'no', remaining confident in herself, and patiently waiting for the right person to hear her. Jordan is a confident performer and it is hard to see her as a person who has had to deal with stage fright or anxiety, but like most people, she certainly has. During an episode on the Voice, she had to deal with it and afterward, Reba (and Rex) gave her some pointers to use for any future situations. They started by telling her the names of a few well-known artists who also deal with stage fright. She has learned that you can reset your brain by using your other senses and moving your focus away from what is putting your thoughts into hyperfocus. Look around, find 3 things to look for in a specific color, touch and feel something and focus on the details of that, switch to scents, and pay attention to what you can smell. Jordan said she has learned a few more tricks and they worked for her.

Catch Jordan Rainer on tour with dates added continuously on her website https://www.jordanrainerofficial.com/

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Thank you, Jordan Rainer for sharing your stories with me In A Country Minute!

Emmet Stevens Jr. collaboration with Craig Campbell on "Dunn With You"

Emmet Stevens Jr.- Courtesy of AristoMedia

I was recently talking with Emmet Stevens Jr. about his introduction to the country music scene. Emmet took a break from college pursuits to begin his musical career after his dad had to take leave from his job for surgery. Emmet has been playing an average of 200 shows per year, mainly across his home state of Florida. Emmet grew up singing and playing guitar in church leading worship alongside his sister and mother. Emmet’s dad pastors their church and is also a bodyguard and tour manager for Emmet. 

Emmet Stephens Jr. has opened for so many artists including the Bellamy Brothers, Craig Campbell, Clay Walker, Josh Turner, The Frontmen, Billy Dean, LOCASH, Tyler Farr, and more. Emmet explained what influences these artists had on him as we were recapping them. Emmet noticed LOCASH played a unique show each time and that they had remarkable interaction with their crowd. Chris Lucas and Preston Brust (LOCASH) invited Emmet to a private show they were performing, giving him a unique experience behind the scenes. Emmet found their authenticity and genuine kindness to be inspiring.

After opening for Craig Campbell a few times, Craig became a mentor to Emmet. Craig's humor and humility connected them as instant friends. Craig Campbell collaborated with and produced Emmet's debut song "Dunn With You". In this break-up song, Emmet gave a nod to songs that have influenced him from Morgan Wallen, Brooks and Dunn, Midland, and Luke Combs, the songs that helped him get through and see the silver lining after a break-up. 

Emmet Stevens Jr. has had great experiences writing and collaborating with other artists. Recently Emmet has been in writing sessions with Sara Brice. Emmet said Sara can "create a line from a single word in seconds" and has enjoyed learning more skills of writing from her. Growing in his craft surrounded by A-listers has Emmmet Stevens Jr on the path to success. He is writing relatable songs that will have a positive message intertwined. Dunn With You is a good representation of Emmet's personality and positive nature. Emmet is currently adding shows in other states in the south and southwest for 2024.

Thank you Emmet Stevens Jr. for sharing such fun stories and I look forward to your next release, In A Country Minute.

Malachi Jaggers reminds us what's important in 'Too Soon'

Meet Malachi Jaggers, a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Indiana. Too Soon (written by Malachi Jaggers and Scott Greeson) was recently released in an acoustic version on the heels of the original version and music video. The video for Too Soon was created in the lyrical sequence of the song at Perdue University using the green screen by Jared Pike.  Too Soon's lyrics are a reminder of what happens much too often, especially on social media from some of the 'keyboard warriors' giving rude comments. Apparently, they weren't raised on the sayings that Malachi (and I) grew up on, “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.” Malachi described Too Soon as a perception of life and to “Focus on the present, life’s too short not to be yourself and have authentic thoughts.” Malachi has made a point to pay attention to the positive side of things, even when life has challenges. Too Soon has an upbeat, dance-along energy that Malachi described as a ‘toe-tapper’. Malachi Jaggers hopes to “reach people for a positive purpose” with his music.

Too Soon Lyrics

“There’s a storm of thundering through my brain,

Windy words are blowin’;

Like a hallelujah hurricane

Written in sand, opinions of man,

Wash out to sea

Friends, say what they feel;

I keep it real

Not sure what to believe

No great philosophy

Or words that haven’t been said

No need to calculate

Thoughts, running through my head

I’m not the smartest guy in the room

I gotta say, it’s okay; if you sing a different tune

Life comes and goes too soon”

Malachi Jaggers and I also talked about life in Indiana, growing up in a farming community, family dynamics, and his family history. Malachi has prior releases discussing some of these things. In 2021, he released the single American Hero showing honor to his grandfather and his military service during World War II, complete with a video filmed at the Nickel Plate Railyard where his grandfather worked post-war. Malachi Jaggers also wrote Wilma Jean and included it on the Fearless EP. The song is about his grandmother and her tough childhood, marrying his grandfather, and parenting their 8 children on a farm in Indiana. His Grandmother was the fastest runner in her class and nicknamed Wilma Jean Flying Machine. Malachi learned that from his grandfather when his grandmother was close to the end of her life. Hearing the stories behind these songs makes them a beautiful tribute to his grandparents. 

Malachi Jaggers - courtesy of Brickshore Media

Malachi Jaggers grew up in a musical household. His dad was a musician who played in bands and his mom was also a singer. Malachi's father taught Malachi guitar chords and songs at a young age. His musical influences were mainly 60’s and 70’s music, from the Beatles and Tom Petty to Neil Young. Today he is influenced by creative writers and musicians like Keith Urban and Vince Gill. While Malachi and his wife Leah were vacationing in Tennesee, Leah pursued an open mic night for Malachi. He was granted a slot at the Bluebird Cafe (watch it here) and then another local Nashville bar.  

Malachi Jaggers is a full-time musician playing shows anywhere from coffee houses, and wineries to fairs, festivals, and opera houses. Keep up with him on his website and social media pages linked below. Thank you Malachi for such great conversation In A Country Minute!

Malachi Jaggers Instagram

Malachi Jaggers X

Malachi Jaggers Facebook

Malachi Jaggers YouTube