With of a love of the mountains, lakes, rivers, and oceans, Jarod Grubb‘s passion for life is contagious. Taking a page from idols like Chesney and Buffett, Jarod is always ready for a good time – especially if there is a Tiki Bar! – and he shares that “look on the bright side” attitude through his music. Today, the Montana native releases his island-shore influenced single “Tiki Bar On The Beach” just in time for the summer heat to kick in to full gear.
We caught up with Jarod to talk about his musical journey from Montana to Nashville, his new single and more.
CN: For our readers who may not be familiar with you, can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
JG: Yes! I’m originally from Montana. I grew up fly-fishing, playing baseball and playing music – the holy trinity! I also love being on the water either sailing, rafting, tubing or boating. I’ve always been in music. My mom had me in piano lessons from the age of 6. I picked up the saxophone in middle school and the guitar in college while playing college baseball. I started writing songs when I picked up the guitar just for the fun of it and had an absolute blast playing in dorms, before, during, and after parties; anytime I could really. I always thought writing a (good) song was just the ultimate thing to do. I started my first band in Boise, Idaho about 5 years ago, which led me to Nashville to try and get some of my songs published.
CN: Which artists have influenced you both personally and as an artist?
JG: There are so many. When I lived in Texas, Pat Green and the Red Dirt crew really had an impact. I was in college then, so I learned all the songs for jam sessions with friends. Texans love their music! Crash by Dave Matthews was a song that was too good not to learn. Kenny Chesney and Jimmy Buffett have so many songs I love and have heard over and over. I absolutely love and respect the pure songwriters like Dave and Pat, Paul Simon, Jason Mraz, John Mayer, James Taylor, Jack Johnson, Willie Nelson and John Denver. Recently, Old Dominion has been a big influence. They are a full team of strong songwriters.
CN: When you moved to Nashville you started playing at Tootsies, 4 Corners Marina on Percy Priest Lake and Margaritaville Hotel. Being brand new to the city, what was it like to perform in front of Music City’s locals? Did you have to pinch yourself – “Wow I’m playing in Nashville and at Tootsies!”?
JG: I had to pinch myself for sure after I strolled into the country epicenter, Tootsies, auditioned on a Saturday and immediately got hired. All of a sudden, I was playing 5-7 days a week in Music City. It was and still is very exciting. I played the Tootsies ‘circuit’ for 3 or 4 years. I had a great gig at Tootsies in the airport for 2 of those years. I transitioned to Margaritaville on Broadway and Margaritaville Hotel only a year ago and it’s been the perfect fit so I can play all my beach tunes including ‘Tiki Bar on the Beach.’ I took the gig down at 4 Corners just to get out of Nashville for a minute and get some lake time – plus they have a sweet Tiki Bar! (Yes, I’m obsessed with Tiki Bars).
CN: Can you take us through your songwriting process?
JG: I start with gathering ideas, which I record in my voice memos or notepad in my phone. It could be a response to a song I heard, a random thought, a cool part in a song I heard or one that just pops in my head. I’ll also take screenshots of songs on my phone that could spark song ideas. These flow best when I’m mowing the lawn, so it takes me forever to. After that I sit down, set the timer for 20 minutes and start with one of my ideas. When I come up with a full chorus or verse, I save it and move on to the next one. I do this 20-50 times over, pick my favorites and finish writing them.
CN: How did you and Gary Tackett cross paths? What have you been able to learn from him and how has he played a part in furthering your career?
JG: Gary has played a HUGE role. I’m forever grateful for his guidance and friendship. He was hosting a Nashville style songwriter’s showcase in Boise, Idaho when I met him. After I played about 4 songs, he looked at me and told me to get my butt to Nashville and start producing and selling songs. So, I packed up my car and drove here (Nash) 3 weeks later. He connected me up with a bunch of his pals in the music biz. Gary was Billy Currington’s first lead guitar player and tour manager, so his insight is invaluable.
CN: Growing up near Glacier National Park, you were surrounded by all kinds of nature, which heavily inspire the music you create – totally placing you in the same laid-back niche as your influencers Kenny Chesney, Jimmy Buffett, Jack Johnson and Jake Owen. Your new single “Tiki Bar on the Beach” – available today – is a perfect example of this. What can you share about the new track?
JG: ‘Tiki Bar on the Beach’ was the very first song I wrote after moving to Nashville, so it’s special that we chose it to be my first significant release (over the songs I’ve written since then). It was really just a songwriting exercise. I was doing a lyric flow drill, answering the question, ‘what would I do if I didn’t have to worry about money?’ to get back in the writing swing after moving. It’s kind of like Chris Jansen’s, ‘Buy Me a Boat.’ For me, though, I would have a beach house and you could frequently find me hangin’ out at the nearest Tiki Bar, quite possibly sippin’ on a mai tai and shooting the breeze. Having just moved to Nashville to chase the dream, it was fresh on my mind, so it flowed out nice and easy. I didn’t think much of it until I played it out at Tootsies, and my gig-mates thought it was really good! One of them, the amazing TJ Carter, ended up singing back-up vocals on it too.
CN: The single was produced by Ron Cornelius who is known for his work with two songwriting legends: Leonard Cohen and Bob Dylan. That had to be an incredible experience. What did you learn from Ron both production specific and personally?
JG: It was a huge confidence builder to gain Ron’s trust in making musical decisions in the studio. To have an absolute legend at that high of caliber actually listen to my ideas and work them out definitely brought me up a few levels. There are so many little things I have learned from him during the production process. I think the biggest one is not being intimidated by all the A-list studio musicians and how to direct them to get the desired result. And so many musical things to make a song more listenable with melodic feels, subtle chord changes, ‘passing’ chords, turnaround lengths, etc. I think there’s so much that I’ve learned from him that I don’t even realize. I feel like I’ve had a master teacher to introduce me to Nashville production.
CN: If you could collaborate with any one artist, who would it be?
JG: Definitely Kenny Chesney. I have the same target audience as the ‘No Shoes Nation.’
CN: What was the first concert you ever attended?
JG: First concert was Pat Green in Texas during college.
CN: If you could describe yourself in one word, what would it be and why?
JG: Chill. My whole life all those around me have commented on how laid back I am. I get asked if I ever get mad at anything at all haha. I am very stress free, which I think is the result of having a strong faith and having grown up surrounded by all kinds of nature. There’s something about the grandeur of the mountains that makes you feel so insignificant, yet so alive and important! The same is true with the ocean. And that laid back Kenny Chesney, Jack Johnson, Jimmy Buffet niche rings true in my life and songwriting – like in ‘Tiki Bar on the Beach.’
CN: What’s next on the horizon for you?
JG: On the near horizon, I’m dialed in on promoting ‘Tiki Bar On The Beach.’ Then, I will be working on releasing my next single, ‘What She’s Drinkin’ On.’ I have so much material to get out into the world, so in between that I will be getting out acoustic tracks and videos. Maybe I’ll spark up a ‘Tiki Tour’ this summer!
“Tiki Bar on the Beach” is available for streaming/download here.
For more information on Jarod Grubb, visit his website www.jarodgrubbmusic.com and follow him on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.