Jamie Richards - Drive (2007)

Born and raised in Shawnee, Oklahoma, Jamie grew up on a working dairy farm owned by his family. He cut his teeth on gospel music singing with his mother while she played the piano. “I got my talent and love of music from my mother and my bulldog mentality for never giving up from my dad,” says Jamie.

After eight years of getting his musical education in Oklahoma honky-tonks, Jamie ventured out East to Music City. With little more than a couple hundred dollars and a lot of pride, he rolled into Nashville but found that the city doesn’t always welcome real country singers with open arms. Everyday Jamie watched great singers leave town, discouraged by the corporate nature of Music Row and the pop-influenced sound that was being made mainstream. Unaffected by the manufactured nature of Nashville, his bulldog mentality and perseverance paid off. His mastery of the songwriting craft caught the attention of Curb Records who offered him a position as a staff writer.

For almost five years, Jamie played the part of prolific staff songwriter for the mega publishing company, securing cuts with major label artists and several motion pictures. During his tenure, he was offered several record deals. All of the opportunities started out with the same promise but ended with the fear that Jamie was “too country.” Never one to compromise his beliefs, he dismissed their ideas of turning him into another cookie cutter country hat act.

“I feel I understand what country music is; it’s not just a passing fad for me. I don't do what I do because I'm trying to be like anyone else. I do it because it’s all I know, and I love it. My singing and writing reflect that. I never just woke up one day and decided to be a country singer.”

At the same time that Nashville was turning up its nose at traditional country music, a legendary record label in Texas, D Records, was looking for the next voice to bring back the roots of country. In 2000, Wes Daily reactivated the label, hoping to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps. “Pappy" Daily, founder of D Records, was famous for launching the career of George Jones. Jamie fit what Wes was looking for to a “T;” straight-up, life-telling, soul stirring country music.

Finally, after the years of struggle and disappointment, Jamie has found a place that craves the art he creates. He may not be at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, but he’s played the Opry in Texas they call Gruene Hall. It’s a refreshing change of scenery from the cut throat trenches he’s lived through. He may have taken a longer detour than most to get here, but this Oklahoma story teller’s music finally found a home.

With two successful albums under his belt, a slew of top 10 hits, and tens of thousands of touring miles logged, Oklahoma native Jamie Richards returns with "Drive", his most compelling work yet. The third CD from this seasoned singer/songwriter includes 14 new tracks, with 12 written or co-written by Richards. He remains fiercely independent, true to his roots, and boldly committed to preserving what he calls "real country music."

Tracklist:

01. Any Way You Want Me To
02. She Remains
03. Drive
04. You Don't Know Jack
05. She Hates This Place
06. Back To Bein' Me
07. Whiskey Nights
08. Country Song Waitin' To Happen
09. I Just Can't Love You Anymore
10. Leavin' Her Leavin' Behind
11. Windy Day
12. Turn It Up
13. Peace Love And Hard Liquor
14. Julia's Table