‘Nashville Star’ a real Jewell

USA Network “Nashville Star” winner Buddy Jewell is back on top.

Jewell’s latest release, “Somebody Who Would Die for You,” reached No. 1 on the Power Source Christian Country Chart and Chart Country this spring. The song, penned by Mark Narmore and Adam Wheeler (longtime songwriters whose credits include “That’s What I Like About Sundays” for Craig Morgan), was released on Nashville-based ALL Entertainment and New Revolution label.

An “overnight success” 10 years in the making, Jewell catapulted to country fame in 2003 when the singing competition hit the TV airwaves. That inaugural cast included some music heavyweights, too: John Arthur Martinez and Miranda Lambert.

Jewell’s win would include a deal with Columbia Records, studio time with Clint Black, who produced the self-titled release, and back-to-back Top 5 hits in “Help Pour Out the Rain (Lacey’s Song)” and “Sweet Southern Comfort.”

The Lepanto, Ark., native is quick to give credit where it’s due – to God, “Nashville Star” and his loyal fans.

“I spent 10 years in Nashville singing demos before [the reality show] happened,” Jewell said by phone. “If it hadn’t been for that show, I would have never gotten a record deal.

“I certainly owe the folks who elected me the first ‘Nashville Star’ a huge debt of gratitude,” he added.

By his own estimation, Jewell recorded more than 5,000 demos, pitching songs – others’ and his own – to recording artists. He was the voice George Strait heard the first time singing “Write This Down.” Likewise, Jewell sang “A Little Past Little Rock,” which Lee Ann Womack recorded; “The One” for Gary Allen; and “You’re Beginning to Get to Me” for Clay Walker.

But prior to March 8, 2003, the powers-that-be in country music didn’t believe him to be a star.

His convincing “Nashville Star” win – show producers later said Jewell won by more than 1 million fan votes – changed everything.

“I’m proud to have been part of it,” Jewell said. “That first season was full of a lot of great talent, and I was thankful to be the first winner.”

“Help Pour Out the Rain,” a true story of a conversation Jewell had one day with his then-4-year-old daughter Lacey, ultimately garnered the singer/songwriter the votes to make the country industry take notice.

“That song was a blessing. My daughter just happened to ask me, when she got to heaven, could she help pour out the rain,” Jewell said. “I didn’t immediately think, ‘Wow, what a great song title.'”

Several months later, in the middle of the night, Jewell wrote the majority of the song in a couple of hours.

“But I never could get anybody to record it,” he added.

Shortly before “Nashville Star” was announced, Trace Adkins’ camp put the song on hold, intending eventually for Adkin’s to release it.

“I actually couldn’t sing that song initially because ‘Nashville Star’ doesn’t allow contestants to perform material that you’d written that was already recorded or was on hold,” Jewell said.

Right before the televised portion of the competition began, Adkins’ folks released the tune, opting to record a different “daddy-talking-to-daughter” song.

“I was able to perform it and, I guess you could say, the rest was history,” Jewell said.

Almost immediately, the singer and “Nashville Star’s” producers knew they had a hit on their hands.

“I knew about the response I’d been getting, especially with ‘Help Pour Out the Rain,'” Jewell said. “[Visiting fans] crashed my website right after I played that song.

“I thought, ‘Wow, maybe this is a hit.”

So did producer Black. The tune would be Jewell’s first chart hit.

“I have to give Clint Black the credit,” the artist said. “We got to talking about the songs we were getting ready to record (Jewell had similar success with another song he’d written titled “Abileen on Her Mind”), and Clint explained that if there were two songs to choose from, the label would fight over which one was released first.”

With only one song, Jewell was in control.

And after describing the response his original music garnered, Black had some advice. “He said, ‘Well, if it was left up to me, I would put out ‘Help Pour Out the Rain’ because of the response you’ve gotten on your website. Besides, it made my wife Lisa cry when she heard it.'”

Had the Columbia Records machine been left to decide, Jewell said the song might not have been the first to hit stores and could have meant an end to a brief ride.

“I believe God loves me … and you … and everybody else,” he said. “He loves me enough to put together a little show like ‘Nashville Star’ just to give me my break.”

Three CDs and two labels later, Jewell has found a way to say thanks – to God, to soldiers, to fans – in his latest song.

After several attempts to get labels to listen again, Jewell called on Namore to send demos of songs he liked. In the middle of the lineup was “Someone Who Would Die for You.”

“I was in tears the first time I heard it,” Jewell admitted. “I thought, ‘Wow, this song is incredible and deserves to be heard on a grander scale.

“About the time you think you’ve got this song figured out, it turns again,” he said. “That’s one of the things that makes a great song. And this is one of the best songs I have heard in a long time.”

Suddenly, Jewell is back on the charts – albeit Country Christian – but it’s a torch he’s humbly ready to carry, in the likes of Randy Travis and, to a lesser extent, Josh Turner.

For now, Jewell is remodeling the downstairs of his home with wife Tene, daughter Lacey and sons Buddy III and Joshua; in the middle of summer touring season, which includes stops in Japan; working with Compassion International, an organization that teams families with children in need in Third World countries; and readying for a gospel project.

“I’m open to wherever God leads me,” he said of his career path. “He’s been very good to me. All those things I only dreamed about earlier, I’m now getting to do. I’m very thankful to Him and to the people who support me.”

Editor’s Note: Buddy Jewell will perform Sept. 28 at the Morgan City Municipal Auditorium. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. To learn more about the artist, visit www.buddyjewell.com.

USA Network “Nashville Star” winner Buddy Jewell will perform Sept. 28 at the Morgan City Municipal Auditorium at 7:30 p.m.