Jade Marie Patek - Fusing her edgy Texas Country Soul with Southern Rock Influences

Jade Marie Patek

Texas Singer, Songwriter

Photo Credit: Stacy Tipton - Stringlights Photography

I just want to say, I'm a simple girl from Hallettsville, TX. Music has been a huge influence in my life, it defines me and I couldnt image a life any different.

I guess you can say my music genes come from generations past. My grandfather had a polka band that traveled and performed all over Texas: Joe Patek Orchestra. I was curious about them so I did some research and found that the band sold over a million albums! I grew up around their music and their dancehall performances so you could say I have a sweet spot for polka music but my dad raised us on many other genres of music so my music appreciation is pretty eclectic. It's for this reason that I truly believe that my own music is a reflection of the different genres I was raised on.

My heritage is mostly czechamerican; our last name "Patek" means Friday in Czech. I currently live in New Braunfels, TX, but my Texas roots span across the state with my mother from Moulton, TX, and my father from Shiner, TX. I have 2 sisters; an older (Kelsey) and a younger (Taylor). I'm the middle child. (And yes, I can attest that all those claims about the wild middle child are definitely true! Wink! Wink!)

My grandpa was my first musical influence, and then The Chicks, Spice Girls and Shania Twain were a close second. I had the best female artists to look up to. They were constantly proving to the world that women are kick ass. Sheryl Crow, Bonnie Raitt, Janis Joplin, Grace Potter, Beth Hart, Stevie Nicks, Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Bobbie Gentry, Susan Tedeschi are my current influences. They are some of the most talented and powerful women in music. They’ve paved and are continuing to pave the way for other strong, talented women to make a name for themselves. They were never afraid to sing about controversial topics and they fully embraced who they were and are as women. I've been told and it's interesting, when listening to my music, how you can pickup on the southern rock style I've developed in my own music and I truly attribute this to the many years of following these great artists.

While living in Texas and attending Texas State University, in San Marcos, TX, I became friends with fellow musicians Austin Garret, drummer Pat Green, and Michael Kelton (Michael also lives in New Braunfels) and they taught me a lot about songwriting and the recording process. They "produced" a song I wrote from a closet. It was my first recording experience ever and I'll never forget it! I also started playing more gigs in this area and became friends with a lot more musicians in the Texas Music Scene and that was the start of my journey in the music business.

Photo Credit: Kelby Rumfolo

I had the best female artists to look up to. They were constantly proving to the world that women are kick ass. Sheryl Crow, Bonnie Raitt, Janis Joplin, Grace Potter, Beth Hart, Stevie Nicks, Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Bobbie Gentry, Susan Tedeschi––have all been and still are my greatest influences.

Fun fact: I married on October 9, 2021 to Eric Starr of Boerne, TX. So my married name is Jade Starr. Pretty cool, right?

I was always the girl that would get in front of people and sing to them without feeling an ounce of shyness. I started playing actual gigs when I was 18 years old. After learning piano, teaching myself guitar and playing some talent shows, I decided to step it up and got my own PA system and started playing some gigs at the restaurant I also waitressed at. Fun times!

The “why” is that I’ve always loved singing and performing. My grandpa had a successful polka band, and he would tell his grandkids about how much he enjoyed it. I loved listening to his stories and I knew even then that I wanted to follow in his footsteps and be a musician someday too.

I also grew up in the best generation of female artists that taught young girls that they can do anything they set their mind to.

I love connecting with other people through music as well. I feel like myself the most when I’m strumming a guitar and singing, and I feel like other people see that and we are all in it together at that moment.

My soulful music is a glimpse into who I am, it’s when I feel most like myself and it’s the way I express myself. I cannot picture my life without playing music. It’s beautiful alone and it’s beautiful when collaborating with others. I still have so much of that to express to the world.

My advice to other musicians starting out is to find your authentic self and authentic sound. No one else can be you. Tap into that and grind hard. Show up to the open mics, write every week alone or collaborate. Be kind. Create great content. Support others. Good things will come your way if you work hard.

I have a 10 song album that released in June called "Song In My Head". I have a brand new single out to radio (KNBT) called "Hey Darlin" that's also off the album. "Hey Darlin" and another off the album "Just To Survive" are both available on all streaming platforms.

For more on my music, my website is: jademariemusic.com.

(L to R) JP Cuellar/Drums: Jade Marie Patek/Lead Singer-Rhythm Guitar Charles Cruz/Bass: Mike Correa/Lead Guitar

Instagram: @jademariepatek

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Photo Credit: Kelby Rumfolo