March 28, 2024

Something Wonderful This Way Comes

Rising star Jason Brown to perform at Old Settlers Days

Up-and-coming country music recording artist Jason Brown is scheduled to perform on the stage on the square at Monroe Old Settlers Days on Saturday, Aug. 10, after the evening parade and awards (approximately 8 p.m.). He will perform on the stage on the square.

He has performed for hundreds of thousands of music fans over the past few years. Due to his fan’s continued support, as well as their dedication, and not a little bit because of his love for the music industry, he is considered among country music’s most promising, rising star.

Jason was born a stone’s throw — almost literally — from Monroe in Pella, and lived much of his youth in the country just outside of Pella, raised from a long line of blue-collar workers. Like many kids who grew up in the area, every Sunday the family would go into town for church.

The first two songs he ever performed for an audience were “It Is No Secret” and “I’ve Got a Mansion Just Over the Hilltop”. To this day, gospel and traditional country songs are among his favorites to sing.

“It takes me back to my family and the church members singing,” he said. “When I was younger there was always a gospel hymn or country song playing or being sung.”

And, in no small part, some of the credit for that belongs to his Grandma Ruth, who helped Jason develop his singing voice while sitting with him at the family piano after the farm chores were done. She started working with him when he was 4 years old, and by the time he was 6, he was singing whenever he could.

At 14, he moved to Corpus Christi, Texas, with his mother. It wasn’t too long before he was performing with his church youth group, which spent its summers touring through Texas, Arizona, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Georgia, and Florida.

After a few years, Jason returned to Iowa, living with his father in Pleasantville while he cut his teeth on the Midwest fair circuit with the help of Beth Hunter and the Jim Dandy Band. After a year spent learning the ropes, he fronted his first band, Country Persuasion.

Over the years since, he’s fronted other bands, including Harvest, Stormfront, Big Rig, and Red Rock.

“I’ll remember every single person I have been in a band with because I carry a small piece of every one of them with me,” he said. “Each one, in their own way — bad or good — helped me become the person I am today and helped me get to where I am.”

While he was still with Red Rock, Jason got his first real shot at his dream, which resulted in the release of his first solo album, the all-too-appropriately titled “Dream.” Several songs off the album were picked up by country music stations throughout the Midwest, which helped build a fan base that is both broad and loyal.

Jason’s “pure” vocal talent has opened doors to perform with many of country music’s top artists, including Blake Shelton, Trace Adkins and Alan Jackson. He also has performed with Gary Alan, Luke Bryan, The Band Perry, Chris Young, Lee Brice, Randy Houser, Easton Corbin, and Little Big Town.

This year, Jason has a new focus with his new single titled “Something Wonderful,” which will kick off a string of new songs he’s written and will be releasing this year. Performing his music so close to where it all began will be an added bonus, he said.

“This is an amazing journey that has brought me to an amazing place in my life,” he said. “I’ve found a respect for other artists I’ve never had before. I thank God for the talents and responsibilities he’s given me and the power of how a song can change a person’s life.”

Jason said he sees some of his friends winning awards, and he couldn’t be happier for them. And, if that were to one day happen for him, that would be great, but that’s no longer his motivation.

“To me, the best reward for what I do is finding that perfect song that says exactly how I’m feeling or says what I want to say,” he said. “It’s a lot of hard work with long hours and tremendous sacrifices at times, but it’s what I love. It’s who I am. As long as my wife, kids and fans keep singing along with me, I’ll keep singing with them.”

Daily News Editor Bob Eschliman may be contacted at (641) 792-3121, ext. 423, or at beschliman@newtondailynews.com.