Easy does it: Jake Owen brings his rising star to FRY Fest

By Diana Nollen

The Gazette

 Jake Owen's a football fan, too, so he's primed to kick off Friday's FRY Fest concert in Coralville.

He's also no stranger to Iowa, having played the Linn County Fair in Central City and the U.S. Cellular Center in Cedar Rapids in 2007, as well as the Clayton County Fair near National in 2008.

“We always have a great turnout (in Iowa),” says the rising country star. “The folks are supportive to what we do.”

Owen, 28, who moved from Florida to Nashville about eight years ago, likes playing fairs and festivals.

“It's a real kind of event with a lot of families - kids from a younger age up to their grandparents,” he says by phone from a recent tour stop in Hamburg, N.Y. “It's awesome to be able to reach out and touch these folks, as opposed to arenas, where you have 30 minutes to play. (At festivals) you have an hour, hour and a half. This is where you build a lot of your fan base.”

His band will hit Friday's Iowa River Landing stage at 6:30 p.m., followed by The Outlaws at 8 p.m. and The Charlie Daniels Band at 9:30 p.m.

His band brings youth and “a lot of energy” to the lineup, he says.

“We go along perfectly with guys like Charlie Daniels. I'm from Florida and grew up listening to Southern rock,” he says. “... I definitely appeal to a younger crowd, but also a large crowd. Because I'm a younger guy, I have a new, modern sound. I listened to great old country music, so I'm not afraid to get up and play older songs, too, which appeals to parents and grandparents.”

He doesn't shy away from the opening slot, either.

“I love that,” he says. “I love being the first guy. It sets the bar way up for me to get out there. It would be tough to get up there and follow Charlie Daniels.”

He's opened for some of the biggest names in country, from Sugarland and Brad Paisley to Brooks & Dunn, and counts them among his mentors.

“They've all offered up a bit of advice I carry around with me. Kenny Chesney is a really good guy. He's been really helpful putting me out there in front of him. Randy Owen (no relation), Alabama - a lot of great people have given me a lot of great advice.”

It must be working, since he walked away with the Academy of Country Music's 2009 Top New Male Artist award. While that's his proudest achievement to date, it's not the only thing for which he's grateful.

“I'm also proud of how many fans we've made, how many come to our shows, drive hours and hours to see it and sing along to the songs. That's pretty cool,” he says.

“A lot of things every day remind me how lucky we are to be out here playing music. Every day I get to get up and do this.”

He grew up with his twin brother, Jarrod, in Vero Beach, Fla., and fell into his career path by accident.

“No one in my family plays music,” he says. “I found it my own way. Going off to college, I was going to play golf.” An accident and shoulder surgery put a halt to that plan.

“My neighbor had a guitar. I taught myself how to play, dropped out of college, moved to Nashville and said, ‘I'm going to try to do it.'”

He writes his own material, but doesn't approach songwriting in a methodical manner.

Instead, he says the ideas “just come to me. I don't ever sit down and say, ‘Today I'm going to write a song.' It's spur of the moment. It might take a year or a day or 20 minutes to write.”

He finds inspiration in his family and his life experiences.

“‘Don't Think I Can't Love You' is one of my favorite songs I've ever written. It's my highest charting hit at No. 2. Part of it was influenced by my folks. My dad always instilled in us that it's always about loving one another and taking care of each other, not about being materialistic. A lot of people can't afford to give their kids a lot but that doesn't mean they don't love them.”

FAST TAKE

What: FRY Fest concert

When: Friday, Sept. 4; concert area opens at 4 p.m., music begins at 6:30 p.m.

Stars: Jake Owen, 6:30 p.m.; The Outlaws, 8 p.m.; The Charlie Daniels Band, 9:30 p.m.

Where: Iowa River Landing, north of the Coralville Marriott, 300 E. Ninth St., Coralville

Tickets: $15, free ages 5 and under; cash or check only at the gate and in advance at University Box Office in the Iowa Memorial Union, Iowa City/Coralville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, Coral Ridge Mall Guest Welcome Center, Coralville City Hall, Iowa City and Coralville area Hy-Vee Food Stores

Extras: Bring blankets and lawn chairs; no coolers or outside food and beverage allowed in concert grounds

Information: www.fryfest.com