An Interview With Jerry Adams

Last week we featured Jerry Adams as our MySpace Artist of the Week and I commented that there wasn’t much information available about him. Well, I contacted Jerry on MySpace and he agreed to answer a few questions. Below is the result of our correspondence.

Jerry is also releasing his first album in over ten years today. If you’re interested, you can pick his self titled album up at Amazon. Be sure to leave a comment here or on Jerry’s MySpace page if you like what he’s doing and check out the link to his press release after the interview for more information.

From what I can tell, it’s been a long time since your last album release, what have you been doing in the mean time?
Yes, it’s been way too long since my last CD. First one was released in 95, Outlaw Love. In 96, Straight At My Heart was released. That’s what brought me to Nashville and the wheels here can turn mighty slow on a new guy in town. I have spent the last ten years trying to get another record deal that worked out. In between that time I have had 2 that did not. I also built a really nice home and recording studio and a new tour bus and have still been touring all over and now we have a new CD. We will step up the touring for 07.

While digging around for information on you, I couldn’t help but notice there wasn’t much to be found, other than your MySpace page and your website. Are you planning on expanding your web presence to get the word out about your new album?
Yes it will hit 400 websites along with all retail outlets nation wide January 07, along with online radio, and XM radio, and independent radio stations all across the nation.

In the photo gallery on your website, I saw a wooden Indian in what I assume to be your house. Does he happen to have a name? A mistress, perhaps?
Yes your assumption is correct. That is my house and that is my wooden Indian, Colidya.

What are you hoping to achieve with the release of your new album?
I am hoping to get back to makin’ good country music and taking it to my fans touring and recording. I’m already working on CD number 4 and I hope to make better records every time. Writing is what I really want to improve on. The next one I will have wrote or cowrote all of it.

I think your sound is a little more rough/pure than what’s getting played on the radio. What do you think about the state of mainstream country music today?
Yes, I agree my sound is rough or pure. I call it honest music from an honest man and I think there should be more of that in other people’s music, but I am not the judge people are. Some don’t know the difference, that’s why the dishonest ones are still able to sell. It takes all kinds so I just hope there is still room for honest music. Thank God for those artists that still carry the torch and there are some really good ones and some that I don’t think even should be but they are and that’s ok too. Like I said, it takes all kinds.

Which artists, both past and present, are most influential to you?
Without a doubt, first and foremost, Merle Haggard, George Jones, Johnny Paycheck, Allan Jackson, Brad Paisley, John Anderson, and Joe Nichols to name a few.

Thanks for taking the time to answer these questions, Jerry. Is there anything you’d like to tell our readers or your fans?
Thank you for taking the time and the interest in me and my music. It’s appreciated.

Download the Jerry Adams Press Release (PDF) for his latest album, Jerry Adams.