Artist Spotlight

Mar 262 min read

Good Time Machine and Somewhere Better to Be, from Jake Bush

Jake Bush is a renowned Texas artist with 6 songs hitting number 1 on the Texas Radio Chart since 2020. Jake successfully released Gravity and You as his 1st single off his album titled 7 in October 2020, followed by Better By Beer securing his 2nd number 1 hit. Where 90s Meets Now was the 2nd album that dropped a few more hits for Jake in 2022, including Cowgirl.

Jake Bush grew up in Pasadena, Texas as the youngest of 5, and served in the United States Army Reserves after completing high school. He grew up on 90s country and is determined to continue making music dedicated to traditional country music. Jake has kicked off 2024 with Good Time Machine written by Dan Alley, Dan Hutson, and Dan Sheroky. Good Time Machine is a walk down memory lane reminiscing with 90’s country music from Alan Jackson, Brooks and Dunn, and Reba playing on the jukebox.

Jake’s second release is Somewhere Better to Be written by Don Alley, Tim Nichols, and Greg Bates. The song paints a picture that was "too close to my story not to cut the song", explained Jake, newly married and celebrating almost 3 years of sobriety. The lyrics of Somewhere Better to Be highlight the switch from drinking days to sobriety and the shift in importance and priorities.

"I was the king of the bar

I was a friend of the band

I never went too long with an empty can in my hand

I shut the neon down ‘round two or three

Had some of the best times of my life

Till I had somewhere better to be

She’s got me checking my phone

She’s got me burning the road up

Fast as my truck can get to her place…”

Jake Bush started writing songs about sobriety before he was sober or even trying to be and thinks that it helped him with his sobriety. Jake said he gets song ideas from conversations, movie scenes, and random things that most people probably don’t pay attention to. Jake doesn’t stop tweaking songs until they are recorded, that is when he has to be 'completely finished' with them.

There is a plan to release a few more songs with a full album possibly out in the fall. Until then, check Jake Bush's website for tour updates!

Thank you, Jake, for your time and fun conversation, it was nice to meet you, In A Country Minute.

Mar 113 min read

Spotlight on local Artist - Alexander Craig

For the last few months, I have seen advertisements for a local musician playing close to my salon, where I work full-time. I became curious and decided to touch base with him to get his story and introduce a whole new group of people to him who may not otherwise hear or see him. He is a blues artist who has a great back story.

Alexander Craig has lived in the northern suburbs of Minneapolis to some degree his whole life, growing a good half-hour drive from his current residence. Alexander was the frontman for his past band Crankshaft and after closing on that chapter in his life, he now performs under his given name. The switch took him out of music and lyrics of a non-fiction state and shifted him into an authentic storyteller and songwriter. Bringing in the element of authenticity was a positive change for Alexander Craig and brought out a whole new level of creativity in his songwriting. He writes music from a lived-in perspective, writing from inspiration, and introspection, as a journaling type of creativity. Living and performing in the metro area for the last 16+ years has given Alexander a close connection to the community, restaurants, and bars. He also performs at private events, weddings, and corporate parties.

Alexander Craig's first performance was at a middle school talent show with his brother as the drummer in their 3-piece band. Alexander remembered the cue of the music playing for the act who performed before their band and the jitters and panic bubbling up knowing they were on next. He said for a long time that he would hear that song playing and immediately relive that moment of nervousness. Alexander performed at a fundraiser for another artist, singing their songs and after personalizing their music to his style, realizing he was changing their music at their benefit show in their central area, he panicked. Alexander played the songs in his style and was reassured by the attendees that it was a great performance. Alexander is a great example of stepping outside the box and having the confidence to do your art, your way.

Alexander is a fan of the underdog bands and one of his favorites is Left Lane Cruiser from Fort Wayne, Indiana. He describes them as metal, rock, and blues band with a lot of talent and variety. Another favorite band of his is Southern Culture on the Skids from Chapel Hill, South Carolina, which has music and songs in a variety of genres.

He is a fan of local musicians but highlighted Jeremy Johnson and Jason Medeiros as a couple of his favorite local talents.

Alexander Craig has not only been writing, recording, and performing his music, but he is also directing and producing his music videos. His latest video was recently released spotlighting the local Anoka Food Truck event for the song The More We Can Do.

Thank you Alexander Craig for sharing your talents with me and of course your conversation. I will catch a show in Anoka before your residency is over at 201 Tavern. Congratulations on your sobriety!

Catch Alexander Craig’s shows listed on his website and take a look at his videos while you are there. Links to his music pages are highlighted throughout the article.

Alexander's Latest release - Every Day And Every Night

Alexander Craig Facebook

Alexander Craig Instagram

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inacountryminute

Mar 42 min read

Aaron Carter makes his debut with a 24-song album- This Town

Aaron Carter- photo by Emily Morgan Photography

Let me introduce you to Aaron Carter . Aaron is a singer and songwriter making his mark as an emerging artist and quickly becoming one to watch. This didn't start out as a review piece, but I have listened to This Town many times and am impressed with the quality and raw talent Aaron has in his vocals and songwriting. I met Aaron through a mutual friend a few years ago after they had written a few songs together. Aaron Carter is also an avid fisherman, and catfishing is his favorite pastime. Showing his dedication to his musical craft, he recently sold his fishing kayak to invest in new sound equipment.

His songwriting talent has been escalated by the cowriters in his debut project, This Town, a 24-song album released in mid-February. Aaron Carter seems a much more seasoned artist than he is. Let me discuss some of the songs on this album and give a shout-out to the talent shown in this debut. In this collection, each song paints a visible picture, some of where and how he grew up in Rockwood, Tennessee, starting with the title track, This Town. Then some songs are more about the life he leads, the hobbies he likes, and the lessons he learned in this small town living (Homegrown Country, Hit Rewind). Aaron co-wrote 5th Generation Redneck about his family with Jesse Scarbrough. My Friend, Fairytale Kind of Love and Love Me Tonight are the handiwork of a collaboration with Jeremy Neely @neelymusic. Neely and Carter also worked together on filming the acoustic video for Love Me Tonight in Manchester, TN. After hearing Aaron singing on social media several years ago, Jeremy Neely encouraged Aaron to write and release music, introducing him to his producer, Jake O’Neill @jakeoneillvocal.

Aaron is playing nearly 60 shows per year and focusing on college towns in the southern and southeastern states. Shows in states including North Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, West Virginia, Florida, and Texas are in the works for 2024. The tour list is available on his website. Aaron Carter won the Country Rising Star and Song of the Year ( for Fairy Tale Kind of Love) from Who's Hoo: Independent Country Music Countdown. Aaron's ultimate goal is to move into music full-time and retire from his duties as the driver for the ambulance. Thankfully his schedule has worked well with his music career.

Thank you Aaron Carter for sharing your stories, and music and letting me get to know you a little better. It was my pleasure to chat with you In A Country Minute!