Jason Savory Band stops in Emporia during Midwest tour

Courtesy of Jason Savory Band

The Jason Savory Band will be performing at 10 p.m. at Desperado’s on May 24th as part of their tour of the Midwest.

Stillwater, Okla.’s Jason Savory Band released their latest record ‘Game of Life’ last December and have been steadily touring the Midwest ever since.

Savory’s latest single “One Horse Town” made its radio debut in April and later this month the band will be stopping in Emporia. Here Savory talks about his new album, his music and his life on the road.

How did you get started playing music?

My older brother started singing first. It was at one of his shows that my family pooled their money together and offered me about $30 to get up and sing a song. I sang “Seminole Wind” by John Anderson. After that I was hooked

What first drew you to country music?

I grew up on country music. My dad was a country music fan. I grew up to George Jones, George Strait, Merle Haggard, Gene Watson, all the greats.

How do you describe your music to other people?

I would say it is country with an edge. The albums are more traditional country but when we play it live, It is a little more ‘edgy.’

Who are some of your musical influences?

The ones I grew up on, George Jones, George Strait, Merle Haggard. Those got me started and then I grew to some of the later artists like Gary Allan, Tracy Lawrence, Dierks Bentley. I also like other types of music as well. I am Seven Mary Three and Pearl Jam fan just to name a couple.

Tell me about your ‘Game of Life’ album...

‘Game of Life’ is my second album. Both albums are songs that really relate to my life. They are mostly true stories of my life that I put into songs.

What’s your favorite song on the record?

My favorite song on the album is a cover song that I put on the album. It is actually a Chris Knight song called “Becky’s Bible.” I am a huge outdoors man and it talks about hunting and fishing, but there is a great story in the song about a guy who gets into an argument at a card game with some guys and ends up shooting one of them and is now on the run from the law. All he can think about is his girl, Becky, who is waiting at home for him and hopes that her Bible is still in his glove box, cause “He is sure going to need it if that boy dies.”

If I had to pick my favorite of the album that I wrote, it would have to be “One Horse Town” it is an upbeat song about chasing your dreams. It is actually the first single off the album. It released to radio on April 1st.

What’s the best thing about being in a band?

I would have to say playing live is the best thing about being in a band. There is so much energy on stage when there is a crowd and they are real responsive.

What’s the worst?

When no one comes to the show or the ones that do seem like they aren’t even paying attention. It’s hard to get motivated when it’s like that.

What can people expect at your live show?

You will hear stuff off of both albums, some new stuff that might make the next album and a number of cover songs that you probably know and love. We are pretty energized as long as your energized.

What do you hope to accomplish as an artist?

I have accomplished many things that I had wanted to do when I first started this thing. I have had four songs on country radio, I have had two albums and working on a third. I have shared stages with some of the greatest artist in country music history. I now want to go to the next level. I want to be with a major record label, major distribution of albums, a major booking agent, major management, and a tour big enough to support a bus so that we don’t have to cram into vans and pickup trucks anymore. Is that too much to ask?

Craziest thing you’ve seen on the road?

I have seen some crazy stuff. I don’t know if it is the craziest but it is pretty funny and it has happened more than once. Sometimes toward the end of the night we would play “Luckenbach Texas” by Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson but we play it a little different where the song just gets faster and faster as we play it. The song as you may know is pretty slow, so when everybody has had a few to drink and start out dancing slow and all of the sudden the song is heading toward 90mph. People start falling down and tripping over each other and it usually ends up that we are laughing so hard that we can’t finish the song. I could go on and on about crazy things I have seen especially from when I was just starting out and would play anywhere anybody would let me play but I will save those for another day.

Future plans for Jason Savory?

We will see where this single, “One Horse Town” takes us, then release a second single. I would like to release four singles off of this album. That will get us through the first of the year. Then put out a live album before we start working on the fourth album. We play mainly Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas and some in Nashville right now. Hopefully, eventually someone will take a chance but for now we will just keep on keepin’ on!

The Jason Savory Band is scheduled to play at 10 p.m. on May 24th at Desperado’s. Check out his new single “One Horse Town” and three other songs at http://www.myspace.com/jasonsavoryband.