If there is any one Texas Music artist poised on the edge of super stardom, it’s Jon Wolfe. His new album, “Any Night In Texas” is already making noise on Billboard and Texas Music charts. The first single, “Boots On A Dance Floor” reached No. 1 on the Texas Regional Radio Report. Now, the second release, “Baby This and Baby That” is on track to do the same. It sure looks like Jon Wolfe is leading the Texas Music pack and he shows no sign of slowing down.
Lifestyle
Texas Music Spotlight: Jon Wolfe
Disperser
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Born in Oklahoma, Jon started singing at an early age in his local church. He was first drawn to classic pop music until his stepfather introduced him to country music. After graduating college with a degree in finance, Wolfe began his career as a commodities trader. In 2003, he transferred from Chicago to Houston where he roomed with Texas-born singer/songwriter Hayes Carll. One night, Jon was invited on the tour bus following an Alabama show. An impromptu jam session with Tedd Gentry and John Rich inspired Jon to take the leap into the Texas Music scene. He started making the rounds at local honky tonks throughout Texas and Oklahoma and landed a record deal with a Nashville recording company in 2006. Perhaps fortuitously, the company went out of business before the record was released and Jon returned to Texas to lick his wounds.
Reintroduction
Photo: Facebook/JonWolfeCountry
Over the next few years, Jon continued writing music and touring the Texas honky tonk circuit. A 2010 gig at South by Southwest in Austin landed him a new management team. He subsequently self-released “It All Happened in a Honky Tonk.” The album produced five top-ten singles, including “That Girl In Texas” and “I Don’t Dance”. When Wolfe signed with Warner Bros. in 2013, the album was re-released as a deluxe edition. It featured three bonus tracks: “I’ll Take My Chances,” “I Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” and “That’s Not Very Texas Of You.” The album collectively has sold over 25,000 units to date and firmly established Jon as a leader of the pack.
Natural Progression
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The year 2015 saw the release of “Natural Man,” an album that debuted at #13 on the iTunes charts and #25 on the Billboard Chart. Radio-friendly tunes such as “Smile On Mine” and “What Are You Doing Right Now” are reminiscent of classic George Strait hits but with a Jon Wolfe twist. “Outrun Her Memory,” though, is all Jon, who manages to make an old story new again with sharp lyrics and a haunting melody. It’s a song that makes you want to jump in your truck, roll the windows down, and just try to outrun that memory. It is a staple at Wolfe’s live shows and remains a fan favorite to this day.
Texas Nights
Photo: Sonia de la Rosa
In June of this year, Jon released his 4th original studio album “Any Night In Texas.” The album is throwback country for the modern times. It is Wolfe embracing who he is while staying true to his fans. Says Wolfe, “If you’re smart, the longer you’re in the business, the more you let them (the fans) peer into your life.” Jon certainly does that often on social media, even though he admits “it’s not the most natural thing (for me) to do.” But, he knows the importance of being approachable as an artist. His next single from the album will most likely be “Airport Kiss,” a song that received an immediate reaction from his fans. You can also expect “Drink For Two,” a duet with fellow Texas Music artist Sunny Sweeney to be a hit. The ballad was written by Ashley Monroe and Wolfe’s had it in his cache for well over seven years. “It originally wasn’t a duet,” he admits, “but I’m a huge Sunny Sweeney fan, so I reached out to her agent and we were able to set things up.” Other songs to look out for include Wolfe’s own “A Country Boy’s Life Well Lived” and of course, the title cut, “Any Night In Texas.”
El Lobo Leads On
Photo: Larry Pena
Jon Wolfe is nowhere near giving up his rank in Texas Country music. “I don’t assume success,” he says. “I go out and I work for it. I do my best to make every opportunity count.” He recently headlined a show on the outdoor stage at historic John T Floore’s Country Store in Helotes Texas. His loyal fans (blithely called “The Wolfepack”) showed up in droves that night and Jon did not disappoint. With sweat pouring down his face, through his shirt, and even on to his guitar, he owned that stage and his fans loved every minute of it. Lucky for you, Texas Hill Country, “The Wolfepack” is always accepting new members. Download your copy of “Any Night In Texas” and join the pack today!
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