Written by Lauriston Brewster
Multiple chart-topping singer, songwriter Jake Owen is not your archetypal Country music crooner at first glance. His clothes are trendy and fitted and his hair is buoyant and meticulously coiffed. But its his effortless charm combined with jaunty guitar ballads that keeps country music aficionados pleasantly entertained.
(Photo: Frank Nguyen/Bayou Current)
Jake’s origin story is an interesting one. The Florida-native had all intentions of becoming a professional golf player until an unfortunate wake-boarding accident left him unable to swing. He switched the nine-iron club for a guitar and the rest, as they say, is history.
And perhaps Country music is all the better for it. Since launching his career with 2006’s debut album “Startin’ With Me,” he’s enjoyed some spots near the top of the charts thanks to bops like “Barefoot Blue Jean Night” (his first chart-topper) “I Was Jack (You Were Diane)” and “Down to the Honkytonk,” a song which earned him an ACM Award nomination for Single of the Year just this year.
His show at The Rustic Houston on Thursday evening was part of a roster of intimate music performances at iconic hotels/music venues across the globe known as the Hilton Honors Concert Series.
(Photo: Frank Nguyen/Bayou Current)
In addition to the live performance, this evening also featured craft brews and curated cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and complimentary food that was locally-sourced. At the Rustic, we were able to sample some of the fare and it was exceptional.
While on the topic of The Rustic, Houston’s latest music hall, it should be noted that Jake Owen’s affable nature played very well to the strengths of this venue’s amenities, such as its sizable outdoor stage, located near an very expansive backyard patio with VIP areas on either side.
(Photo: Frank Nguyen/Bayou Current)
This environment was perfect for the crowd, which nearly packed the 25,000-square-foot space, to comfortably mingle and chat while waiting for Jake to take the stage and serenade with dulcet country tunes.
Overall, the Country Music Hall of Fame doesn’t beckon just yet, but locals say Jake Owen’s a legend on Friday nights; and honestly that might be just as good.
#YeeHaw
BAYOU CURRENT 