Country music star Jason Michael Carroll rose rapidly to fame after being discovered in a Raleigh talent show. Saturday May 29, Carroll returns to his origins, playing two shows in the area. He will perform at Cox’s Harley-Davidson in Asheboro at 2 p.m. free of charge and at The Country Corral in King at 11 p.m. for $10 a ticket.
Carroll’s fans can connect with his music emotionally and experientially as his songs are about universal feelings and familiar stories. The heartbreaking story of child abuse in “Alyssa Lies,” love and passion in “Livin’ Our Love Song,” and the joys and freedoms of youth in “I Can Sleep When I’m Dead,” have made these powerful songs the successes they are.
I was given the opportunity to interview Carroll and though I was initially intimidated to speak with this celebrated musician, his unpretentious manner assuaged my apprehensions. His genuineness and commitment to staying true to himself were what most impressed me. Committed to telling stories through music that are meaningful to him, Carroll’s relatability, good looks and genuine talent make for a promising future.
Technician: What has it been like the last couple of years with your rapid rise to fame?
JMC: I don’t really feel famous to be honest, but I think that it’s been fun. I’ve been playing music for over 14 years now so it’s been what I wanted to do, something that I feel confident doing. I also know that it can be a good way to make some good money to support your family but it’s a lot of hard work.
Technician: How has your career affected your family life?
JMC: It’s really tough; you try to maximize every second that you get, getting to see the kids whenever you’re in town, plan to see a movie or something like that. It sucks having to be away and missing things the kids like doing, but it teaches me a lesson in responsibility. I have to be here so we can all live comfortably.
Technician: Why do you think fans feel such a connection with your music?
JMC: I don’t know but I’m glad they do! I’ve always felt like I wasn’t too far separated from my fans, from the type of people who come to my shows and the troubles they go through at home. I try to write songs about things that I really can connect with and tell a story. I think fans want to know more about who I am. You can’t sing about something you don’t know or can’t talk about because if you do, your fans aren’t crazy. They’ll pick up on it, they can tell if someone’s “bs”ing you. It’s important to stay true to yourself, like they say, trueness to your songs and to yourself.
Technician: How does your second album differ from your first, and where do you want to go from here?
JMC: There are some people that thought it stepped down a bit. I’ve never understood critics – what is stepping down? Some critics dug a lot of stuff on the new record… it’s interesting to see where you’re heading. I’m already back in the studio recording some new songs so we’ll see exactly where we’re going real soon.
Technician: What has been your proudest achievement thus far in your career?
JMC: That’s difficult to answer, there are so many things, but definitely writing two top-five singles that fans are still connecting with. I also played at the Grand Ole Opry for about the 20th time not long ago and Little Jimmy Dickens wrote on his paper, like he does for every guest, a little about me and how he would introduce me. After the show I actually was given those notes and that’s the first time I’d ever gotten those so that was great.