“At heart, it’s all about being a great singer and storyteller.”
As is stated on his website, that is exactly what Jon Wolfe is. The Oklahoma native tells his stories his way, while staying true to the traditional veins of Country Music. Playing venues across the country, especially in his native Oklahoma, his adoptive homestate of Texas and of course Nashville, Wolfe’s lyrics, voice and live presence gives a universal aura that the audience (whether they are dancing around in a honky-tonk or listening while sitting in their living rooms) can attach to. It’s a talent that only the few possess.
We caught up with the “Feels Like Country Music” singer to talk about his love for songwriting, his latest video and tequila!
CN: For our readers who may not be familiar with you, can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
JW: I’m a traditional country singer based in Austin, Texas and I’ve been touring for over a decade all over the country. I’ve been blessed to have had 9 consecutive no.1 singles on Billboard’s Texas Regional Radio Chart and 15 Top Ten hits so far that have come from 4 studio albums and 2 live albums.
CN: With everything that’s going on in the world in regards to COVID-19, we hope everyone in your circle is safe and healthy. How are you holding up?
JW: We’re hanging in there. Just like anyone else, it’s tough to be cooped up for this long. It’s pretty difficult to not do what you love – being on the road, performing, and engaging with fans – but I’ve been able to catch up on things I’ve put off for a while and found creative ways to connect with our fans on social media.
CN: Do you remember the moment that you discovered music? When did you know that this was your calling?
JW: As a teenager, I became obsessed with guys like Frank Sinatra and Harry Connick, Jr – The Crooners. Naturally, that evolved into guys like George Strait and Merle Haggard. I saw Garth Brooks perform in Tulsa and was immediately hooked – I knew this was something I just had to pursue.
CN: What was the first album you ever owned?
JW: Blue Light Red Light by Harry Connick Jr.
CN: You cite some of Country’s best singer/songwriters as influences, including George Strait, Garth Brooks, Clint Black, Merle Haggard, Alan Jackson and Dwight Yoakam. Are there specific details about each that caught your attention? Songwriting style, performance, musicianship?
JW: It was always about the lyrical strength of their songs combined with their vocal delivery that drew me to them as my musical influencers early on.
CN: Last year you released your EP Feels Like Country Music and the title track is your current single. The song, and the EP in its entirety, truly represent what country music feels like – very classic, traditional – very you – which given some of mainstream country today is a breath of fresh air. What was your inspiration behind the track?
JW: The project in its entirety was the first album that I was able to work on with an outside producer, Dave Brainard. Dave is known to produce very rich, organic, true sounding records, so when we were in the song selection process, I felt that “Feels Like Country Music” defined the entire project. Lyrically, the song describes my love for the pure form of the Country music genre. I feel like the song accurately puts into words how I feel about the country music genre, the feeling, the patriotism – It’s almost an anthem for me.
CN: The music video for “Feels Like Country Music” was just released and it centers around a day in the life of touring moment by moment – from the setup of the stage, to a meet and greet, to the performance. Given how there are no scheduled shows for a while due to COVID—19, the video has not only a nostalgic feel but also one of hope – especially if you love live music as a fan and as a performer. Did you decide to put this video together in the concert documentary style before the pandemic, or in response to it?
JW: It was put together prior to the pandemic. My goal was to show a day in the life of me and my band on the road, what our fans mean to us, and highlight moments that most of our fans don’t often get to see. It was a lot of fun to cut that video in one of my favorite Texas markets – Corpus Christi!
CN: As a storyteller, can you take us through your songwriting process? Do you rely on personal experiences, or situations that you have no connection to? What inspires you?
JW: Typically, my projects have a theme. It’s really more about a feeling I’m having at the time rather than a situation or even personal experience. It always starts with a batch of songs that I’ve either written or received from outside songwriters and the project begins to take shape from there. Ultimately, it comes down to “how does this album make me feel?” or “How do I think this album will make my fans feel”?
CN: Let’s talk about your live album Live At The Legendary Gruene Hall. Was this show recorded with the intent of being released? What does it mean to you to perform not only on such a legendary stage, but to perform where some of the greats including Merle Haggard and George Strait have?
JW: The show was recorded at a two-night stay in November 2018, and, yes, it was recorded with the intent to be released as an album. With everything we had going on in 2018/2019, with the release of my EP, the launch of my tequila company, and I got married, it delayed the release of my live album. But, we took our time making sure the songs were just right, the aesthetic of the album itself captured the feeling of that night at Gruene Hall, and we’re really happy with how it turned out. As for the feeling of performing at such a legendary venue, I’ve been touring and releasing music now for 10 years as an artist, but I can remember 15 years ago going to Gruene Hall on Tuesday nights to see Two Tons of Steel. I was always blown away by the feeling of great history in that venue and dreamed that someday I might be able to perform there too. To have had the opportunity to perform there several times in my career and now record a live album was a dream come true.
CN: You are also in the tequila business. Can you tell us a little bit about your brand?
JW: The name, Juan Lobo Tequila, originated over 8 years ago. My south Texas fans affectionately gave me that nickname, Juan Lobo, and it kind of took on its own persona. As my affinity for tequila grew over the years, I decided to launch a passion project. I began working on my own tequila brand a little over 3 years ago now, and it just launched last July in Texas. It’s now available across Central and south Texas, and as of last week, it’s available on a national level with our newest online retail partner, Great American Craft Spirits. It’s 100% blue agave tequila sourced from the highlands of Jalisco, Mexico. We have three expressions: Blanco, Reposado, and Añejo… it’s delicious stuff! For more information, head to juanlobotequila.com
CN: What makes your tequila different from others on the market?
JW: There are quite a few differentiators for Juan Lobo Tequila. My vision for Juan Lobo Tequila is essentially a premium/ultra premium product at an entry-level tequila aficionado price point. Initially, we’ve really utilized my touring fan base to get the word out about Juan Lobo Tequila. It’s a very down to earth face to face process for us vs. some of the larger brands that throw marketing dollars out there, but never make a personal connection. Today’s consumer loves to connect to a person, story, or cause – Juan Lobo Tequila allows consumers to really sink their teeth into the story of Juan Lobo and I’m a very active founder that fans can feel connected to. Many of my shows include the option to enjoy an educational Tequila tasting or a local bottle signing. It’s not just “hey drink our Tequila because it tastes good or looks cool”…it’s more like “Hey let’s hang out and talk about 100% blue agave Tequila and country music”.
CN: If you could collaborate with any one artist, who would it be?
JW: I’m a huge George Strait junkie – Of course I’d have to choose The King himself!
CN: What was the first concert you ever attended?
JW: Garth Brooks. I was a teenager and I saw Garth Brooks at Driller Stadium in Tulsa, Oklahoma. That changed my life forever.
CN: If you could describe yourself in one word, what would it be and why?
JW: Relentless. I don’t know what it is inside of me, but once I have a vision in my head, there is nothing that can stop me from making it come true. No matter how long the road or how difficult the path, I always forge ahead. Not sure if that makes me driven or crazy, but that’s just how I’ve always been!
CN: What’s next on the horizon for you?
JW: I’m working on a new record this year. We just released the short film for my tequila brand, so we’re working hard within the Juan Lobo Tequila business and making new music all the while!
For more information on Jon Wolfe, visit his website at www.jonwolfecountry.com and follow him on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
For more information on Juan Lobo Tequila visit juanlobotequila.com and for Juan Lobo Fest, click here.