Jade Eagleson - Country's Hottest New Talent

Jade Eagleson

Canada’s Top Emerging Country Music Artist

By Jay Cooper Contributor / Musican

Jade Eagleson is one of Canada’s top emerging Country music Artists. Jade is signed by Universal Music Canada, and has toured with Gord Bamford. His first single, Got Your Name on It, has had almost nine million views on YouTube. Winning Boots and Hearts Emerging Artist Showcase in 2017 propelled him into the fast lane. Jade is a true country boy at heart. This is Jay Cooper’s conversation with Jade.

A Taste of the Kawarthas (ATOTK): How are you, my friend? Jade Eagleson (JE): Really Good. And excited to be chatting with you.

ATOTK: Likewise. And yet another huge talent from the Kawarthas. You come from Bailieboro Ontario, and things are really taking off for you. JE: Yeah, it’s pretty crazy, man, it’s something I never really expected. It’s just been one step at a time and amazing things keep happening and I’m super grateful.

ATOTK: And you have DooDoo’s bakery right there near you. Best Butter Tarts in the Land. (laughs) JE: Oh heck yah, man! I go there whenever I can. Go for breakfast or lunch, which is fantastic. But the main reason is the Butter Tarts and Diane (owner) is just a sweetheart.

ATOTK: Looking at your video for “Got Your Name On It”, you have nearly 9 million views. JE: Really? I haven’t checked in awhile but that is crazy! (laughs)

ATOTK: I love the song and the video. Did you write or co-write the song? JE: I got to go down and write with some incredible writers like Travis Wood, Todd Clarke and Gavin Slate in Nashville, and we really lucked out, because the 3 songs we wrote all ended up on the EP and thought (the song) “Got Your Name on It” was the strongest. So we released it hoping to catch people’s attention. It’s been really, really amazing so far.

ATOTK: How did you get even the opportunity to go to Nashville and write with all of these other amazing songwriters ? JE: Well, I won the Boots and Hearts Emerging Artist Showcase. So I flew down as I’m with Universal Music and started working with them. We sat down and started working on “Got Your Name on It”, which we did in a day, and then made a demo which went back and forth. Yeah, it’s been pretty crazy.

“It’s still like a daydream, really. Very humbling and a super big honour.”

ATOTK: I loved the fact that you filmed the video on the farm, and your parents are both in it. JE: Yeah I know, and it was actually directed by a guy that went to Crestwood Secondary School too. His name is Ben Knechtel and he’s done most of the videos for my Label mates. And, both of us coming from Crestwood, the best high school football team in the area. (laughs) I can definitely attest to that, as I was super privileged to play for the Crestwood Mustangs. I played outside linebacker, defensive end and defensive halfback. And great coaching staff. Just really great Team building, and everyone is just like a family. Even when I see them now it’s still the same, just like when everyone was playing. Have to say definitely my favourite part of High School.

ATOTK: Your roots are Bailieboro, Millbrook and Peterborough. The whole area is totally awesome. JE: It totally is man! It’s such a beautiful place to be in, and so many different things to see and do. The blessing is you’re close to the city, and you also have so much country that you can literally walk out your door in Peterborough, drive 10 minutes and you’re in the country.

ATOTK: Do you find yourself adaptable to city life like Toronto? JE: I hate the city. (laughs) I can maybe stay there for like a day, then I get really tired of it. So I’m blessed to be in Millbrook here and be able to have piece and quiet, and go out and farm. It’s just a huge blessing for me.

ATOTK: Are you back home now? JE: Yeah, I actually just got home from the tour last night.

ATOTK: And where did your travels take you this time? JE: Well it was mostly in Ontario and a show in Montreal and Ottawa. So not too far but it was a ton of fun.

ATOTK: Did you start playing on an electric guitar? JE: I did, yeah. I started playing songs from Def Leppard and Van Halen. But I always went to the acoustic guitar when trying to write and sing songs, and found myself gravitating to Country Music all my life. I actually played the electric last night and it’s still a lot of fun.

ATOTK: Millbook is such a cool little town, and as you drive in Serena Ryder’s name is right underneath the sign. Maybe in the middle of the night you should go out there and put YOUR name under it? And in Bailieboro too, of course. (laughs) JE: (laughs) That would be funny, yeah. There is so

much amazing talent around here. Jimmy Bowskill, he’s a Bailieboro guy. He played with the Sheep Dogs and with Blue Rodeo.

ATOTK: So many talented musicians in our area. Quite unbelievable. JE: Yeah it’s like the Canadian version of Nashville almost.

ATOTK: Universal Music Canada is treating you well? JE: Absolutely. The whole label is just like you walk in and you instantly become friends with everyone. Everyone plays a huge part. Like plugging in numbers and designing the graphics, to the ones that are calling into radio. They are just an amazing team. Super grateful to have them.

ATOTK: In a musical landscape with very few labels now, you are one of the chosen ones. JE: It’s still like a daydream really. I can remember signing the papers with the lawyer and have to go through it all. And it’s a huge contract, and I just wanted to sign it. But in the end when I did, it was just a crazy, amazing moment with everything you worked so hard for and all your dreams coming true. Very humbling and a super big honour.

ATOTK: So you are dating a Super Model. JE: Yes I’m engaged to her, she finally said yes. She’s a big sweetheart. She’s in the video and she’s down here in Millbrook now. She drives to Toronto to work doing modeling stuff. So a lot of blessings have come into my life all at once. Super grateful for all and her.

ATOTK: There is a promo shot of you holding a Pabst Blue Ribbon can. So is that your beer of choice? JE: (laughs) No, I’m a Molson guy. That’s just what they bought for the shoot. And the sad part is, we didn’t even get to drink them. It was just a set up. And they poured them out, which was sad, because I hate to see good beer go to waste. (laughs)

ATOTK: So for all that don’t know, how did you get to where you are? JE: I started playing in different bars and at an open mic for a number of years in Peterborough. I’d go there and play and kind of get my chops up. Then I got involved with a guy named Clayton Yates, and he took me under his wing. He taught me how to work the stage and play with the rhythm better. It really was a huge help to me in my development. I played in a classic country band with him for 2 years. Then I got with some guys from Bobcaygeon, who were amazing musicians and great people. We went to Boots and Hearts and won that. Just super crazy. It was just supposed to be a single, but then I got into Universal and they offered me a full contract. Of course, I took it. This was my dream and it’s coming true.

ATOTK: Can people connect with you on social media? JE: Yeah, absolutely. Although I’m not very good at the internet thing. But I do try to respond when I get a chance on Facebook or Instragram or Twitter.

ATOTK: Best Gig you ever had? JE: I would have to say recent one in Peterborough. Everyone was singing along and knew the words. It was

quite emotional with all the wonderful people coming out to support. Very humbling, amazing experience really. It’s just this really cool thing.

ATOTK: Worst Gig you ever had? JE: Probably Port Hope. It was just an acoustic gig, and no one was there but 2 people that came in for dinner and left shortly afterwards. (laughs) But they fed me, so all was OK, really.

ATOTK: Five of your favourite Country Bands or Artsits and Five of your favourite Rock Bands? JE: Country wise, Keith Whitely, Randy Travis, Shania Twain, Garth Brooks and George Strait, for sure. On the Rock side, I love Def Leppard, Van Halen, White Lion. I loved those guys, Motley Crue and AC/DC.

ATOTK: What would you like to say to all your fans? JE: Thank you so much. The support I get is just really incredible. I’m extremely grateful for all your support.

Website: www.jadeeagleson.com Facebook: Jade Eagleson Twitter: @JadeEagleson Instagram: @jadeeaglesonmusic YouTube: Jade Eagleson