Artist description Edgy, guitar-driven pop-Americana, snapshot-of-life poetry and an earthy voice reminiscent of Tom Waits, Springsteen and Adam Duritz (Counting Crows).

Music Style pop-Americana

Musical Influences Nanci Griffith, Lyle Lovett, John Prine, Tom Waits, Bluegrass, early country

Similar Artists Old 97s, Springsteen, Counting Crows, Mark Cohn, Steve Earle, Lyle Lovett, Tom Waits

Artist History With the release of his first CD “gathering rust,” (1999) Jackson defined his acoustic/Americana/folk/rock sound with a percussive guitar style, snapshot-of-life poetry and an earthy voice reminiscent of Tom Waits, Springsteen and Adam Duritz (Counting Crows). After touring the country's college, club & coffeehouse circuit for the past 4 years, Jackson developed an edgier act than the one magnetized on "Gathering Rust." He finally documented his matured, grittier approach on his second record "Boxfan." (2001) The guitar-driven album finds him taking a more intense route, collaborating with The Leavers (including Chad Barger, (Cravin' Melon) Eddie Walker (Ben Folds & Evan Olson) & Steve Graham (Evan Olson)) for a sonically-rounded, pop-Americana extravaganza.  He mixes rock, folk, bluegrass and rockabilly to create the intimate, yet highly-energetic backdrops for his stories. Jackson's characters are both disarming and endearing - enlightening dark situations, lending charm to the taboo and giving the mundane a vibrance all its own. And with his slightly southern vocals and cordial humor he manages to introduce new songs as old friends.

Group Members Steven Jackson (vocals, acoustic & electric guitars, harmonica)* Rob Seals (electric & acoustic guitars, dobro, strange noises, backing vocals) * Steve Graham (bass, backing vocals) * Eddie Walker (drums, percussion) * Chad Barger (organ, piano)

Instruments acoustic & electric guitars, Hammond B3 organ, drums, bass, dobro, piano

Albums Boxfan 2001, Gathering Rust 1999

Press Reviews "His voice...!!! Steven Jackson could sing me his "to-do" list and I'd be hanging on every word. These are smart songs delivered with energy and punch. My stereo just digs in when I put 'Boxfan' on--This guy is destined to be big. This is one of those, tell-a-friend CD's BEFORE you hear him on radio or on a soundtrack." “... the kind of performer who makes people sit up taller, leaning forward to catch each nuanced lyric and note ... [his voice is] an expressive instrument that can trumpet its intentions or drop to an agonized whisper in the space of a single song, or even a single line.” (Kevin Oliver, Performer Magazine) “... the best DIY project we've heard in a very long time. His vocals and song construction are simply amazing ... a sonically-varied masterpiece.” (PasteMusic.com) “... an eclectic style that draws from folk, country, pop, punk and rockabilly ... emotive, grit-and-gravel baritone and high-energy guitar playing.” (Steven Uhles, The Augusta Chronicle)  “Seasoned and weathered beyond his 25 years ... Rough-edged, strong, passionate and intense ... with an incredibly wide-ranging list of influences, his pen and guitar can tug at your heart like no other .” (Les Reynolds, Indie-Music.Com) Gritty, gutsy, and wise beyond its years. Wish we'd released it! Reviewer: One Good Tern Records This is by far the best CD we DIDN'T release in 2001. Exactly the kind of record the nation needs right now: sincere but not sentimental, brave but not boastful. These dozen songs demand to be heard on a large scale. 'Boxfan' is like a marvelous piece of glass you find during a morning's walk along a beach. It is polished smooth by the surf, but it still has a jagged edge. And looking through it reveals a whole new world. Jackson has come into his own as writer and performer, blending the polish of his songcraft with the jagged edges of his electrifying stage sets . This record captures the kinetic energy of real musicians making important music together in a room while leaving the lyrics space to breathe. Stunning. Produced by our own Rob Seals, we wish we had released this record, but we're just glad it's out there. Steven Jackson will prove important. You need to own this record. Beautiful! the song "changes" is my favorite, "if this was a western" is a fucking bronco of a literary piece. a pulsating knot of tension with teeth grinding rodeo funk with a bit of old school appilachian front porch stomp to it.. his music is gathering energy......spinning out metaphors faster than beats per minute, which dumbfounds the average poetry digestive tract into a backup... “Great gravely vocals that spill a bit of purity in every note ... a ton of substance and beauty.” (Michael Allison, TheGlobalMuse.com) “For anyone who’s still waiting for a return to form from the Counting Crows, and it could be a while yet, this is your prescribed tonic.” (M. Whitfield, Americana-UK) "his voice gathers and swells like a summer storm, his weathered baritone marvelous and rough. ... brawny and heartfelt as Springsteen's" (ESPMagazine)

Location Nashville, Tennessee - USA

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