MORE ABOUT JASON WHITED

Jason Whited Country Singer, Songwriter

A Crooner From The Heartland

By Dennis C. Martin

Murfreesboro, TN - Country singer-songwriter Jason Whited, who recently released his debut full-length CD Album titled Scarecrow King, was born in a small rural town in northwest Ohio. The youngest of three talented brothers, Jason watched from an early age as his older brothers preceded him in playing the guitar and singing in front of audiences. Music ran deep in the family roots through their Irish mother, who was born in the rolling hills of North Carolina and raised on Southern Gospel, Bluegrass, and Country Standards. She encouraged the boys to practice and play in those musical genres and her choice of music
dominated their singing sessions. Lucky for the boys that they listened to their mother’s advice, especially young Jason, for it was only a matter of a short time before he found himself taking to the center stage.

When he was a young teenager, Whited’s family moved to eastern Ohio, and then a few years later to the lush hills of Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania. It was in Belle Vernon that the young Whited began to bloom in academics, sports, and his love of singing and performing. In the eighth grade, his performance in a talent show was applauded by a standing ovation. “I was surprised by the crowd’s reaction,” Whited remembers, “but I also knew after that first taste of playing and singing on stage that I had ‘the bug.’”

The next two years were pivotal in the young man’s singing career—and it had to do with choices. “I listened to a lot of Billy Joel back then, and I really liked the sounds of the Imperials with Russ Taff,” reflects Whited. But once again, his mother’s musical influence would set him back on course. “When I was in the tenth grade my mother suggested that I listen closely to the songs by Elvis Presley, since he had such a major impact on the music world,” notes Whited. Having fallen under the spell of Elvis, young Whited listened to and studied not only the style of ‘The King’ but also other rock-n-roll Icons from the 50’s and 60’s, such as Buddy Holly and Ricky Nelson.

Stylistically, it wasn’t that far of a leap from singing country standard and southern gospel to the crooning ways of Elvis and Nelson. Whited quickly realized that his core singing style was a natural fit for the “Golden Oldies.” He was soon to find out that not only was he good at his new craft but that there was a strong demand for the nostalgia songs from that era in time. “The day I started singing ‘Oldies,’” says Whited, “was a major turning point in my carrier. I soon found that there was a large audience in and around the Pittsburgh area who loved to hear ‘Oldies’ music if it was sung by a crooner--which I just happened to be.”

When he was sixteen, Whited recorded four songs on his first demo tape. Over the next several months he recorded eight more songs and titled the twelve-song collection, “The Cover Zone: A collection of standard ballads and classical oldies from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s.” At first he used the tape for acquiring singing gigs, but then a number of fans began requesting copies. Whited felt that he might be on to something and then, on a whim, he entered his recording of B.B. King’s “Stand by Me” in the Music City Song Festival Awards of Nashville, which is an annual singing contest. “I sent it in a few days before the contest deadline and kind of forgot about it,” Whited recalls. Two weeks later his memory was jogged when a Certificate of Honorable Mention arrived in the mail and a notice of finishing in the top ten-percent nationally.

“I was really impressed with his presence and charisma. Jason proved he can hold his own with the best of them.”

Ed Salamon, CRB Executive Director

Flushed with his award and feeling more confident in his singing abilities, Whited took the demo tape to a local radio station and asked the disc jockey if he would give it a listen. A couple days later as Whited was getting ready to go out, he heard his song being played on the radio. People began calling his house and many others called the radio station to request his song. Whited’s local popularity began to soar with additional airplay and soon thereafter the station

program director invited him to perform at numerous live remotes and charity events. In the summer of 1988, Whited was introduced to Joe Rock, veteran manager of several Pittsburgh-based artists, including Jimmy Beaumont and the Skyliners. Over the next few years Rock offered Whited important career advice and the two began exchanging letters. In 1990 Whited recorded another demo and sent it off to Rock. Three days later Rock was on the phone. “This tape knocked me out,” he exclaimed. Then Rock said: “Would you consider singing Country?” Whited’s reply was that he had been singing country since he was a child.

Already well into his freshman year of college, Whited decided to postpone his education to pursue his singing career. While under Joe Rock’s management, Whited performed in the Pittsburgh area and traveled to New York, Ocean City, Maryland and Tennessee for radio and television appearances. His path was soon to cross that of Ed Salamon, an influential person in the music industry and at that time the President/Programming of The Unistar Radio Network. Salamon invited Whited to perform during the Country Radio Seminar at the Opryland Hotel, where he was showcased in Unistar’s suite as a hot newcomer. Whited shared the stage with notable country stars such as Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood and Pam Tillis. Salamon was so impressed with Whited’s performance that he invited him back for the next year. “I was really impressed with his presence and charisma.” Salamon remarked. “Jason proved he can hold his own with the best of them.”

Even though Whited received exceptional reviews from his peers and the media, breaking into the Nashville scene with a contract from a major record label company seemed to evade him. He pounded the sidewalks of Music Row day after day, and soon the sound of his boots hitting concrete grew weary to him. He also was hearing time tick away on his life, a life that lately had been filled with too many highs and lows. “At that time I needed to get off the roller coaster,” says Whited. Mindful of the future, he returned to the world of college and academics. And three years later he received his Bachelors of Arts degree, majoring in Spanish Education. While in college, Whited formed an acoustic duo act called J.T. Country that performed in dance halls and nightclubs throughout Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia. Country music fans in the tri-state area called J.T. Country “one of the hottest acts in the region.”

A teaching job in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina beckoned, so Whited took his degree and his guitar and headed south. After his first year of teaching Whited was itching to perform again. He became a crowd-pleaser that summer in a resort stage production called High Steppin’ Country. The next summer, performing a solo act, he became a favorite performer at many of the Surfside Beach venues. His reputation as a notable performer escalated along the Grand Strand. But Nashville was still on Whited’s mind, and when a teaching position came open in middle Tennessee it gave him the opportunity to be closer to the country music scene. Whited settled in Murfreesboro and accumulated a suitcase full of teaching credentials and awards, including “Who’s Who Among American Teachers.”

Over the last five years Whited has achieved nearly all of his educational goals and has recently acquired his master’s degree. Now he is also more focused on his singing career and is spending more time on doing what he set out to do years ago.

With the recent release of his first full-length debut CD album, Scarecrow King, and the completion of the artist’s website, Whited’s patience and dedication to a craft that he loves has finally bore him fruit.

If, like many others who listen to music, you’re wondering “Whatever happened to the ‘Crooners’? You know – the mellow, smooth-voiced guys.” Well, there are a few still out there performing, and Jason Whited, that crooner from the Heartland, is among the best. While he is presently booked at venues in the middle Tennessee area, Whited may be coming to your town soon as his future plans for the next year include touring stops in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Virginia, and South Carolina.

Feature article written by Dennis C. Martin, who lives in his home near Marietta, Georgia, and has won numerous national writing awards. Dennis’ writing credits include feature articles and short stories published in several national publications. He can be reached at:
dennismartin67@comcast.net