Nathan Lee Jackson, an unknown young artist, and one of rock music’s most legendary producers found inspiration in one another, using their musical symbiosis to create a timeless country-rock sound. And that is exactly what happened when Jeff Glixman, the famed producer of 1970’s progressive rock band Kansas, whose projects boast combined record sales of over 30 million units, invited Nathan Lee Jackson to make an album at his and partner Jim Gentile’s StarCity Recording Company in Bethlehem, PA.“For a new, ‘undiscovered’ artist, the chance to work with a ‘rock star’ producer doesn’t come along every day,” Nathan Lee Jackson says. “I’d always admired the musical collaboration of Mutt Lange and Shania Twain, a rock producer with a country artist, so I thought that working with Jeff could turn out to be a pretty cool deal. We made a great personal connection, and I came to trust him as a collaborator, a business partner, and now it’s my pleasure to call Jeff a friend.”
Hailing from Winchester, in the heart of Kentucky bluegrass country, Nathan Lee Jackson came of age during country music’s new wave of the late 80’s and early 90’s. The Jackson family wore out cassettes like Garth Brooks’s Ropin’ The Wind and the Alabama classic American Pride. Jackson was also exposed to a tasty hash of oldies and Motown on Dad’s favorite radio station and contemporary Christian songs in church. With what would become a rich baritone honed on hymns sung on the front porch with Grandma, and a grounding in classic country picked up singing with central Kentucky’s “jamboree” bands, Nathan Lee Jackson developed an eclectic sensibility that’s brightly reflected in his debut self-titled album.
“I only want to write what’s in my heart,” he explains. “I’m a Christian and I’m from a small town, and so I try to make sure that my lyrics reflect that. Both of my parents were from rural Kentucky families, so I try not to forget where I came from. I have a strong desire to give people hope, so I want that to come across as well.” When all these points converged in his intensely emotional ballad, “Powerful,” Nathan Lee Jackson’s career turned a corner. Inspired by his high school sweetheart, the song struck a chord not only with her (she eventually became his wife, walking down the aisle to the song and providing background vocals on the album recording), but with friends, family, and music professionals alike. The song found its way into Jeff Glixman’s hands, causing him to turn his ear towards Nathan Lee Jackson for the first time. “The first thing that struck me about Nathan was his voice—but the first time I got a real feel for him as an artist was when I heard ‘Powerful.’ That demo had such personality, such great intensity—he was really living the song—that I immediately got on a plane to go meet him."
That Nashville Sound- What brought you to music in the first place?
Nathan Lee Jackson- I’d say my Grandma Jackson’s love for music rubbed off on me. She used to sing around her house all the time, and at every opportunity, she’d sing with her church choir. Grandma loved music so much that it used to be fun to see how pretty I could sing a song, to see if I could make her cry! Though Grandma and Grandpa Jackson lived an hour and a half away from where we lived, I wound up spending a lot of time there during my summer breaks as a kid. It was memories of and the love for singing country hymns on her front porch with her, looking over a large valley in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, that inspired me to write the acapella hymn “Store Up Your Treasures,” which we ended the album with.
TNS- Describe your music- what's the mission behind the music?
NLJ- The goal of my music is to make people cry… Just kidding! I’d describe my music as having a classy country/classic rock core, along the lines of Alabama or Vince Gill. In addition to that my writing tends to have an eclectic sensibility, from a background of many, varied musical influences, and when I stray from the norm, you never know what you’re gonna get! For instance, we recorded a big-band jazz ballad, “Kentucky Breeze,” on my debut album, Complicated Hearts, with an orchestra full of Philadelphia Symphony players and all! Like a lot of performers/writers, as Kenny Rogers said, I’d like to think “I could change the world with my little songs.” I try to view life through a lens of hope, and through the prism of my faith and upbringing in Kentucky, which, I’d say, wasn’t so bad. Those things can’t help but be injected into my music and lyrics, and I hope that maybe that’s a positive message that will ring true with listeners.
TNS- What might people be surprised to find out about you?
NLJ- I read C.S. Lewis’s theological books on plane rides and watch Spongebob Squarepants at every opportunity. For fear of tearing a hole in the universe, I try to not do both at the same time…
TNS- What kind of music are you listening to? What's in your iPod?
NLJ- I’ve been listening to Native Window’s debut album, a KANSAS band side-project, admittedly on my label! I wish more people were making music that has this much heart, not to mention their awesome musicianship. My friend/road guitarist, Keith Ridenour, wrote one of the best songs on it, “Still,” a tune that I can’t get out of my head for a week after each time I hear it!
TNS- If you had a crystal ball and looked forward five years, what do you see for yourself?
NLJ- My most honest answer… If you’d asked me this question five years ago, I would have given you an answer that was nowhere close to how it’s turned out. So, let’s just say I’m open to each new day and what the Lord entrusts me with as I go along. I do have A LOT of big dreams and visions, but I tend to keep those to myself until they’ve been realized.
TNS- Any nickname for your guitar or other instruments?
NLJ- My main keyboard is a beat-up, lightweight one with speakers, perfect for throwing in the car to go to a writing session. I’ve had it for years. It goes by the name “$200 ‘Best Buy’ Keyboard.”
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