Win Tickets & 5GB With Jessta James; Playing Vinyl, Jan. 15th

[ 0 ] January 14, 2013 | eileen +

Jessta James may not be from the South, but the Montana native surely knows what country is. “Out here it’s about the cowboy way, ranching and rodeos,” country’s innovative new up and comer says. With the release of his album, Time To Get Right, the rest of America will soon know how Jessta’s unique blend of country, rock and hip hop honors his country roots while advancing the genre to places just recently discovered. He joined us for our 5GB series before his residency at Vinyl.

What’s the first gig you ever attended?

The first concert I went to was The Offspring in Massachusetts. I was 11 years old and crowd surfed… it was awesome!

What is the best gig that you ever played/performed?

My favorite show of mine was at the House Of Blues in Hollywood, CA… opening up for Bone Thugz and Harmony. It was a gangster/rap show, and here I show up with my big belt buckle and cowboy boots. You could hear a pin drop when I came out on stage, but the crowd was going crazy by the time I left. I’ll never forget it!

What is the best gig you have ever seen?

One of the best shows I’ve ever had the pleasure to witness was The Time Jumpers featuring Vince Gill at a place called the Station Inn in Nashville, TN. The venue is pretty small, so they’re literally playing within’ arms reach from you. It makes for an intimate concert. Every musician on stage was incredible… it was very inspiring!

What is the gig you would most like to play?

I’ve been on stage at the Staples Center with another artist in front of 35,000 people and felt the rush that a venue that size can bring, but I’d have to say that I’d love to play in front of a much smaller crowd at the famous Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN just as much… simply to be a part of that tradition.

What would be the lineup for your dream gig?

There are so many amazing artists I’d love to see perform and share the stage with. I grew up listening to outlaw country since before I could see over the dashboard in my dad’s pickup, so I’d love to perform with Hank Jr.. I also have a lot of respect for Kid Rock and the way he has broken the barriers between genres, creating a truly diverse fan base. To share a bill with those two iconic artists would be a dream come true for me.

Catch Jessta James Tuesday, Jan. 15th at Vinyl