Jacob Reynolds

Hey Nashville,

We have a new artist to introduce you to, Jacob Reynolds. This soulful pop singer / songwriter is currently recording his album "Victim Of A Small Town" with us, and we thought you'd like to meet him!  But first, hear his story: 

Jacob Reynolds story begins at the end of a dirt road in the deep south, on the Tennessee Alabama border. Early on, he was a one of those kids that just couldn’t put down his instrument. Although growing up that instrument was actually a baseball. Jacob was a standout All-State baseball player who skipped fully paid college scholarships to enter the Major League Baseball Draft. Immediately after graduating from Giles County High School, Jacob was drafted by The Cleveland Indians and, in a whirlwind, he was a professional getting paid spending his days playing baseball. It was during this extra free time, while all his friends were at work or off to college, that Jacob decided to borrow the guitar of a childhood friend who wouldn’t be needing it since he had recently joined the military.

During the offseason and while recovering from injury, Jacob would practice for hours a day refining his guitar playing skills. Eventually he began spending his days making up songs that were in the form of narrating every mundane daily activity. It was while discovering his love of the guitar that Jacob also began to notice the range in his unique voice. His voice has drawn comparisons to some legendary singers. Familiar names such as Stevie Wonder and Vince Gill among others.

His baseball career was disrupted due to multiple unavoidable injuries. Eventually he came to the realization that his career as a baseball player was over and it was now time to begin searching for a new passion to pour his heart into. After taking just one year of college courses at the University of Tennessee, Jacob decided college wasn’t for him. Instead he would take a chance and chase his dreams of getting paid to sing in Music City, Nashville Tennessee. Since 2005, Jacob has become increasingly immersed in the music culture of Nashville. He has spent the last decade traveling the country as the lead singer for successful bands such as Goodchild, Jacob and the Bear, and most recently, The Jacob Reynolds Band.

Now officially a solo act, Jacob Reynolds is showcasing a unique sound that blends his early influences of R&B and hip hop through his older brother’s musical preferences, with his exposure to poverty through his deep south upbringing. Idolizing southern rock gods The Allman Brothers Band, Jacob has created a sound that is best described as southern soul music. It has jazz, rock, folk, as well as popular music influences. Jacob will soon be releasing his first solo album “Victim of a Small Town”, a collection of 10 original songs. Demo versions of each song can be found on his official Youtube page.

Last week, we sat down with him during a recording session and picked his brain a bit to give you some insight to him as an artist and his creative process. 

Where did you grow up?  Ardmore, TN

What is your first musical memory?  Pretending to play piano to Vince Gill's "When I Call Your Name" when I was 4. 

What was your first song about?  Love

Where did you perform your first concert?  Tin Roof

What first inspired you to write music?  In 1998, my good friend Andy Abernathy loaned me his guitar when he joined the army, and I haven't looked back. 

Does anyone else in your family play music? Did they inspire you?  My brother plays guitar, and my dad is a good singer. They've inspired me everyday. 

What was the first instrument you learned to play? Guitar

What instruments do you play? Guitar, piano, bass

Who are some of your favorite performers?  John Mayer,Gavin DeGraw,James Brown,Brian McKnight, Jason Isbell, Maroon 5 to mention a few. 

What is your musical background?  Started playing out in 2006. I picked up cover gigs to supplement income. 

Where/what did you first record in a studio?  A rock album with a band called Goodchild. 

What themes do you find yourself writing about the most?  Love

Describe your writing process for me.  I rely on feeling. I hear a melody or a guitar lick or a certain sound and it sparks an idea, at least that's my process now. 

Do you have a specific audience in mind when you write your music?  Everyone. 

How would you describe your live performance?  Intimate,raw,entertaining, positive

What emotions are you trying to make listeners feel when they heard your music?Happiness. 

What’s the greatest compliment you have received about your music?  The greatest compliment I get is when people tell me they love my music.

We're so excited that Jacob Reynolds has been recording with us in the past few weeks and can't wait to share his music with you! To keep up with him, follow him on Twitter, like him on Facebook, or follow him on Instagram.  For some of his previously recorded music check out his artist website as well. 

Until Next Time,

Launch Pad Production

www.launchpadproduction.com