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Country crooner’s best move was to go to Cracker Barrel Cracker’s Carroll
By John Benson
Literally the first thing country crooner Jason Michael Carroll did when he left Arista Records was go to Cracker Barrel.
He said it had been on his to-do list for years but for some reason his previous label wouldn’t allow it. This is the point where it should probably be noted that Cracker Barrel the restaurant has over the past few years also become Cracker Barrel the record label, releasing artists’ material exclusively at its stores nationwide.
“I’ll be honest, it was kind of my own selfish want,” said Carroll, calling from Wake Forest, N.C. “I used to work there years ago and I saw their music selection growing tremendously while I was there. So while I was at Arista one of the things I asked them for was to get a Cracker Barrel record. All of my label mates were having them and they’d tell me, ‘No, this isn’t the right time for you.’”
Well, as a musical free agent, time was of the essence for Carroll who let it be known in that early meeting with Cracker Barrel about his employment history with the down-home restaurant chain. That pretty much sealed the deal for the successful country artist, known for top 20 hits “Alyssa Lies,” “Livin’ Our Love Song,” “Where I’m From” and “Hurry Home,” to release his third studio effort “Numbers” last summer.
Carroll said the album afforded him the chance to not only stay in the public eye but also spread his creative wings in a format that so far he had been unable to do at Arista. It may sound clich d, but the 33-year-old singer wanted to record a broader album that captured his stage show.
“It’s kind of reinventing yourself,” Carroll said. “I’m very grateful for the songs we had on the radio but I always felt my music was more edgy. That’s where ‘Numbers’ for me kind of redefines who I am. Being able to try to translate our live show, that energy that we have on stage, to a CD was part of my challenge to myself on this record. I wanted everybody to understand what I want to do live, and what I’m looking to do for my career. I think I’ve successfully done that.”
As odd as it may sound, Carroll said he was influenced by the rocking nature of Aerosmith to put together an album that flowed more like a setlist so “people could get highs and lows.” One of those highs is his upcoming single “Meet Me in the Barn,” which Carroll said he wrote and shot a long-form music video la Michael Jackon’s famous video “Thriller.” The plot revolves around a vampire, so you know the kids will dig it.
Now that he’s tasted the acting bug, don’t be surprised if the naturally good-looking Carroll starts dabbling with a career in Hollywood. However, for now the artist is touring, including a return to the Dusty Armadillo Saturday in Rootstown. He’s sold out his last two shows there and has done so again for this weekend’s performance.
Finally, seeing that Carroll is going to be playing the field of sorts regarding whether to jump back into the label system or go independent, in many ways he’s one of the Music City’s hottest free agents on the market. So does he feel like an Albert Pujols or soon to be Dwight Howard?
“You know what, I don’t know about that,” Carroll laughed. “I’m not belittling what I can do, but there are a lot of talented people out there. And I will say, I think I have a lot to offer in this business.”