Rock On Together

Featured Artist: Jason Sever
Ray Charles once said, “What is a soul? It’s like electricity – we don’t really know what it is, but it’s a force that can light a room.”
A songwriter’s music is his or her soul in audio form. The truly great singer/songwriters need only their voices and an instrument to positively alter the lives of those who hear the songs. Almost two years ago on a summer night in Music City, one of those souls was revealed.
Jason Sever sat in the middle of a writer’s round that night and owned it. Every song was meaningful, real and extremely personal. It was oddly apparent the Texas native had some insight into the lives of the people listening to him play. The music was that relatable.
I know for a fact I will be a miserable failure at truly capturing what makes Jason great at what he does. There are not words to express what his music feels like to an unsuspecting listener. However, I will do my best to give you a small sense of what the lyrics, music and voice achieve.
In the course of a song like “One of Those Moments,” a person feels the agony of lost opportunity, the pain of a loved one’s passing and the heartbreak of losing true love. The lyrics in the chorus tie each situation together.
“I just let it slip right by. I just let it slide right past. ‘Cause I didn’t know at the time it was one of them things I was gonna want back. If I had only seen back then what I see now, then I’d have been there. I’d have owned it. If I’d only known it was one of those moments.”
It was only the second song I heard out of Jason. However, that tune was enough to know I wanted to hear as much as he had to offer.
The piano-based music to a song like “To Love Or Not To Love Me” brings a listener to his or her knees in the course of just under four minutes. The power ballad builds and crashes and haunts. The despair is felt throughout the song and leaves the story oddly unfinished, but final. It is artfully written.
A song like “Break Me Twice” showcases the voice that flows from this talented singer. It is full, layered and does not just sing the song. If the words were taken out of this tune and Jason was left with only his vocal prowess, it would not matter. It’s HOW he sings it. The phrasing, volume, build and feeling behind each note does the trick. His voice alone could tell the story of longing without words.
The ability to hold a crowd’s attention with just a song and his voice is the result of singing in front of people for many years. He made a choice at a young age to be immersed in music. Singing and songwriting isn’t just something Jason does, it is an integral part of who he is.
It has been eight years since Jason moved from Colorado to Nashville to pursue music. Those years have allowed him to build an amazing catalogue of songs. Listening to those soon-to-be hits is like being the kid who gets to play with every toy at Toys R Us.
I could go on and on about Jason, but that would rob you of the ability to listen to his music. If you don’t go listen to Jason Sever , you will miss the opportunity to make your day a little brighter. Jason does not sit in unlit rooms. That is an impossibility when it comes to the musical light this soul creates.
Jason Says Quiz
1. Write or Perform:
WRITE.
2. “Scooby Doo” or “Tom and Jerry”:
“TOM & JERRY.” HOWEVER, ONLY THE OLDER ONES.
3. John Mayer or Jason Mraz:
JOHN MAYER.
4. Ice Cream or Cake:
ICE CREAM. I HATE ICING.
5. Snow Ski or Water Ski:
BOTH. THESE DAYS, IT’S WATER SKI.
6. iPod or Cell Phone:
iPOD. I COULD GO DAYS WITHOUT HEARING THE CELL PHONE RING.
7. Lake or Ocean:
OCEAN.
8. Ray Charles or Elvis?:
THAT’S NOT FAIR! ELVIS. WAIT! RAYVIS PRESLEY.
9. G.I. Joe or Transformers:
G.I. Joe.
10. Eagles or Chicago:
EAGLES.
11. Colorado or Texas:
TEXAS.
12. Chocolate or Pizza:
PIZZA.
If one song were to describe your lives, what song would it be?
I LIKE “THE DANCE” BY TONY ARATA. IT WAS THE FIRST SONG I EVER SANG IN FRONT OF PEOPLE.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, which song would you choose?
“THAT’S WHAT I LOVE ABOUT THE RAIN” BY TOM KIMMEL SUNG BY CELESTE KRENZ.
If you could arrange a concert with any three musicians or groups to play on the same bill (living or dead), who would you invite?
RAY CHARLES, ELVIS PRESLEY AND MUDDY WATERS.
If you could have personally witnessed one event in history, what would you want to have seen?
THE INVENTION OF THE LIGHT BULB…THE SECOND THE LIGHT BULB CAME ON. THOMAS EDISON ONCE SAID, “I HAVE NOT FAILED. I HAVE JUST FOUND 10,000 WAYS THAT WON’T WORK.”
If you could ask God one question, what would it be?
WHY?
If you could have composed any single piece of music that already exists, which would you choose?
I WISH I WOULD HAVE WRITTEN “GEORGIA.”
If you could go back in time to a specific year, what year would you pick and why?
1950…THE BIRTH OF MODERN MUSIC.
If you could have a starring role in any film already made, what film would it be?
“COOL HAND LUKE.”
If you had to choose the most valuable thing you’ve ever learned, what would it be?
TO REALLY LISTEN.
If you could own one prop from one film already made, what prop would you own?
THE LAST EGG PAUL NEWMAN ATE BEFORE HE ATE IT IN “COOL HAND LUKE.”
If you could learn the total number of hours you have spent in your life doing one thing, what would it be?
MAKING MISTAKES.
Nashville is music city due to a wide variety of musical stylings and extreme amounts of talent. This MySpace Page and eventual website is meant to point you in the direction of up-and-coming artists of all genres. You won't read anything negative here. If I don't like it, I don't write about it.
There will be a featured artist each month with a couple of my favorite songs for you to test. Please go check out these artists' pages to hear everything they have to offer.
There will also be a music blog posted each week about shows around the country. If you want to be on the mailing list, let me know. I welcome feedback and opinions...all of your glorious opinions. Hope you enjoy.
Remember...Rock On Together! There's no other way to roll.