Archive for October 2009
Country singer with Maine roots making a name
October 25, 2009 | 
Author Country singer with Maine roots making a name
Article Date: 10/25/09
Source: Portland Press Herald – Portland, ME
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Growing up in the St. John River Valley in both Maine and Canada, Jason Rogers used to entertain house guests with his version of Glen Campbell’s “Rhinestone Cowboy.”
When he turned 18, he left his home in Wicklow, New Brunswick, and headed to Nashville with only a vague idea of becoming a musician. He only stayed about six months.
But the vague idea must have been deeply implanted in his brain because, after living in Chicago and Texas for several years, Rogers went back to Nashville six years ago for a second time.
Now 32, Rogers is making a name for himself on the country music scene. As of Oct. 19, his single “It Ain’t Braggin’ ” was number 29 on the Cashbox Magazine Top 40 country music singles chart.
His traditional country style has earned him comparisons to a young George Strait.
“I’ve always been into music, but I didn’t really think I’d make albums or anything until a few years ago,” said Rogers from his home in Nashville this week.
“I was actually working in the warehouse of a pool and spa company when things started to happen.”
That was in 2007, when Rogers decided to enter the international Song of the Year contest. His song, “Breathe Into Me,” won best song in the country category.
From there, Rogers released his debut self-titled CD, and the single, “It Ain’t Braggin’,” began getting recognition around the country music scene.
Rogers was born in Maine and lived in Washburn, near Presque Isle, until he was 3. He spent the rest of his childhood in New Brunswick, Canada, just across the border, mostly in the town of Wicklow.
He still comes back to Maine and New Brunswick often to visit family.
He has relatives in Portland, Bangor, the Presque Isle area and New Brunswick. He hopes to play some shows in Maine and New Brunswick sometime next year.
For more on Rogers and his budding career, go online at www.jasonrogerscountry.com.
Staff Writer Ray Routhier can be contacted at 791-6454 or at: rrouthier@pressherald.com
Copyright 2009 by The Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram. All rights reserved.
Country singer with Maine roots making a name
By RAY ROUTHIER, Staff Writer
October 25, 2009
Jason Rogers’ self-titled CD is generating buzz in the world of country music.
Posted in 
Rogers a rising star in country music industry
Rogers a rising star in country music industry
Article Date: 10/21/09
Source: Star Herald – Presque Isle, ME
PRESQUE ISLE — A rising Nashville star returned to his roots in the Star City recently, combining work with a trip north to visit extended family, before continuing his climb to stardom, via the country music scene.
Jason Rogers took time for an interview during his visit last month, joined by his dad, Lawrence Rogers, over lunch at the Irish Setter Pub in Presque Isle.
Born in Presque Isle and raised in New Brunswick, the musician now lives outside Nashville, Tenn., with his wife, Christie, and their 1-year-old daughter.
“Her name’s Isabella Grace. She just turned 1,” said Jason Rogers, smiling as he talked of his daughter. “She likes music.”
When asked if he’d support her, should she follow in his musical footsteps, the proud papa said it was up to her.
“I won’t push it, but I won’t stop her either. It’ll be up to Isabella and what she wants to pursue,” said Jason.
During his stay, he took time to promote his new single, “It Ain’t Braggin’.”
“I’ve signed with Cashbox Records. That’s a division of “Cashbox Magazine” and Cashbox Canada. I have dual citizenship — U.S. and Canada. I plan to take advantage of it to do some cross-border touring,” said the 32-year-old artist.
“I worked for McCains and Jason grew up in New Brunswick. We have family on both sides of the border,” added his dad, Lawrence Rogers.
His self-titled album, “Jason Rogers,” was released earlier this year and has received international air play in places ranging from the United States and Canada, to destinations as far away as India. With Cashbox, Jason expects his air time will grow. To make that happen, he’s already begun visiting stations, talking about his latest release and asking DJs to play it.
“I’m in the process of getting radio play. I’ve got over a dozen stations interested already. I just went out to the Dakotas — got one station out there that reaches six states that said they’ll play my music,” Jason said.
Plans included starting in the center of the U.S. and working out from there in both directions.
“I’m starting with radio play. You need that before you can pack a stadium. I’d like to do USO tours. I’ve been in country music magazines in the Scandinavian countries, so I’d like to build an audience in Sweden, Finland, maybe get some European fans in places like France,” he said. “Before the end of the year, I’ll be covered in 19 countries. I’ve already done 17.”
“I’ve been in ‘Country Music People Magazine,’ which covers the United Kingdom. I’ve been in Scotland’s ‘CMDS’ magazine (‘Country Music and Dance in Scotland’), which covers Scotland and Ireland — their June/July issue,” Jason continued.
Accolades include being listed as a Rising Star in the June issue of “Country Weekly” magazine.
“Those three magazines cover quite an area,” he said. “It’s about getting your name out there. I’m actually getting air play in 15 countries, including India. I’ve had newspaper articles from Maine to Oregon. I’ve even been on the front page of the Chicago Daily Herald.”
He gave his father credit for being so supportive over the years.
“I’ve spent five or six years seriously pursuing a music career. I’ve given dad a few headaches financially, but he’s always been very supportive,” said Jason.
The songwriter credits his roots for the themes in many of his songs.
“Where I was born, where I was raised, your word’s still like your handshake. That’s what forms who you become. That’s important to me and I try to incorporate such values into my music,” said Jason. “If you have a good heart and sound good, folks will listen. I’ve helped several musicians over the years, given them advice and help with songs. It’s just who I am.”
Since signing with Cashbox — a popular publication that folded in 1996 but is now making a comeback under President Bruce Elrod — life has definitely speeded up for the young musician.
“Nothing in life comes quickly; you’ve gotta work slow. Things are picking up for me now that I’ve signed a contract with Cashbox. I’ll probably be twice as busy in coming months. Plans for touring and appearances will take a couple months to organize, due to working with stations, setting up shows,” said Jason.
Cashbox is looking to get its products — music and the magazine — back in stores, including places like Wal-Mart, according to Jason.
“Cashbox is putting me on Wal-Mart’s MP3 downloads. I’ll be available on their Web site,” he explained.
One of the things that attracted him to the deal with Cashbox is the company’s willingness to allow him to make decisions for himself.
“Before I agreed to sign, I requested full creative control. Officials at Cashbox actually encourage performers in that way,” said Jason.
His songs come from the heart —based on situations in his own life and the lives of others.
“I’m a strong believer in family values. That’s the way I was brought up. I had a good father and grandfathers to straighten me out when I needed it. I incorporate those values in my music,” said Jason.
“We (the family) have a strong belief system — spiritual beliefs. He performs from the heart,” said Lawrence. “It’s a tough industry. In most genres, it’s difficult to maintain sincerity and realism. But I think he does a good job at it.”
“God’s important in my life. It’s about preparing yourself for whatever happens. My music reflects what life hands you — love, loss, pleasure and pain. It’s a mixture,” said Jason.
Jason joins some major names on the Cashbox Country Countdown the week of Oct. 19, with “It Ain’t Braggin’” coming in at number 29, Rascal Flatts’ “Why” listed at number 21, Taylor Swift’s “15” is number 9 and leading the lineup at number 1 is Toby Keith, with “American Ride.”
“It’s an honor and such a pleasure to be listed with stars of such distinction. If you’d told me I’d be on a list like that a few years ago, I wouldn’t have believed it. I’m living my dream,” said Jason.
For more information on Jason Rogers and his music, visit: www.cowboyjason.com or www.jasonrogerscountry.com. For more information on Cashbox, visit: www.cashboxrecords.com, www.cashboxmagazine.com or www.cashboxcanada.ca.
Rogers a rising star in country music industry
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
COUNTRY MUSICIAN JASON ROGERS visited family and promoted his album, “Jason Rogers,” in Aroostook County and New Brunswick in September, joined by his dad, Lawrence Rogers. Here, the pair stopped for a bite to eat at the Irish Setter Pub in Presque Isle, then moved on to an afternoon of interviews with various media agencies, promoting the Nashville recording artist’s single, “It Ain’t Braggin.’”
County native has country music hit – Jason Rogers finds success in Nashville
From New Brunswick to Nashville
Music: Folk-country traditions of St. John River Valley shaped singer’s first album
Published Tuesday October 6th, 2009
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Benjamin Shingler
Telegraph-Journal
At age two, Jason Rogers was already performing Rhinestone Cowboy for his parents and guests in their St. John River Valley home.
Country singer Jason Rogers has relatives in New Brunswick and was recently back to visit.
He played just about anything he could get his hands on – piano, guitar, drums.
“There’s a lot of musical people over there,” says Rogers, who was born in Presque Ile, Maine, but moved across the border as a toddler.
“We had two TV channels, and we didn’t have a lot of action growing up, so you kind of lean towards music.”
His father, who worked at McCain Foods, regularly played piano at the Wesleyan church in
Bristol, where Rogers and his two siblings attended service.
“I grew up with a big, big family, which led us to have more music, too. I wouldn’t even want to guess how
many relatives I had.”
Now 32 and living in Nashville, Tenn., the budding country star released his first full-length solo album earlier this year.
He says the folk-country traditions of the St. John River Valley, and visits to the region’s
Baptist and Wesleyan churches, shaped the gospel-country sound on his album.
“There’s a lot of storytellers up there,” Rogers said by phone from his Nashville home. “Good tales of hunting and fishing.”
Rogers moved to Illinois with his parents at 17, his father was transferred to a post with McCain and spent his early 20s in the outskirts of Chicago and places like Forth Worth, Texas.
Although he continued to play music, Rogers says he grew frustrated after a difficult stretch of band break-ups.
Finally, he decided, “I’m done with this. I don’t want to be the piano player and the singer piano in some other person’s band.”
“That’s when I started sitting down and thinking I would be the singer,” he recalls.
“I decided to just be Jason Rogers and I started writing my own songs.”
At 25, Rogers made the move to the world’s country music capital to pursue a career as a solo artist.
The mentality in Nashville is far different, he says, than back in New Brunswick.
“I have never seen so many singers and writers in my life,” he says.
“You could just about throw a stone and hit a dozen of them.”
Rogers, who married in 2004, still visits family in New Brunswick and was in the province earlier this month to visit his grandparents, with whom he remains close.
“The one thing I can say is that in Nashville you can say you are a musician – no one will even look at you once,” he says.
“Tell that to your uncles that work in the woods and work at McCain, they would look at you like you were a UFO pilot.”
His self-titled album is slowly gaining traction in New Brunswick and beyond but Rogers has greater aspirations.
“It’s putting food on the table and making the car and house payments,” Rogers says of the album.
“I’m hoping to tour everywhere, Canada, the United States, Europe, and play for the soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq.”