Local country singer invited to big awards show in Texas

KEMPTONIAN and country singer Jason Bradley (34) has been invited to perform at this year’s Texas Sounds International Country Music Awards in America in November.

“It has always been a dream of mine to perform at a major award show in America, so when I received the email from East Texas Performing Arts last year, saying they loved my music and they wanted me to be part of the awards, I was very excited,” said Jason.

Jason told EXPRESS how his journey as a modern country singer started in 2005 with a forgotten Brad Paisley CD in the first car he bought.

Ever since the four-year-old Jason picked up his first guitar his dad bought him, he was hooked and his passion for music grew stronger as the years progressed.

Not only is he an excellent guitarist and singer but he also plays the drums, piano, base, trumpet and accordion.

“I had my first band in Grade Six when I was the drummer of a Nirvana tribute band. We progressed to a Metallica tribute band when I was in Grade Eight. By the time I was in Grade Nine I was breaking girls’ hearts at talent competitions all over the Free State – or so I hope,” laughed Jason, who grew up in Ficksburg.

After matriculating in 2001 his parents moved to Benoni and he was off to the UK for two years. He lived in Peterborough for six months and later moved to London where he fell in love with his wife, Tina.

“My father always believed great men went to the army, so he sentenced us to two years in the UK. I did numerous jobs like delivering mail, building trucks, cooking in a restaurant as well as cleaning apartments.

In my spare time or whenever I got a chance, I went down to the local pub to perform a few songs. I was very much into Matchbox 20 and Watershed those days.”

The couple returned to South Africa in 2003 and Jason began his music career as a cover artist.

“I wasn’t quite sure what I wanted to do with my music, so I stuck to the hits – until I bought my first car in 2005 – in Ficksburg where I grew up.

“On my way back I had a four-hour drive ahead of me.The guy I bought the car from left a Brad Paisley CD in the car. So, when I arrived home I was a true country fan and I knew exactly what had to be done,” he said.

In 2007 Jason’s career sky rocketed after he met country superstar Lance James who performed at the Goodies for Gardens Restaurant on Vlei Street in Glen Marais. He went on to release his first two albums called We Danced and Katy brought my guitar back today.

“Lance fell in love with my music and since then we have done many shows together. It’s always a privilege to be on stage with him,” he said.

In 2008 and 2009 Jason was part of the all-star line-up of the Country Legends and Friends show at Carnival City and was invited to perform with Tommy Dell on a KykNet country television show with Juanita du Plessis. He also released his third album, Wish you were here.

In 2010 Jason was invited to perform in Nashville, Tennessee, by Curb Records where he met Kenny Rogers and Keith Urban.

In 2011 he won the award for Best Newcomer at the Country Music Awards with his first hit album, Tequila makes her clothes fall off.

In 2012 he launched his best selling album, This is country music and received a country gospel award for Three wooden crosses.

Jason is currently signed by Vonk Musiek and one of the highlights in his career was in 2014 when his son Keagan (8), who was five at the time, joined him on stage at the Country Legends and Friends Show in front of 3 500 people and performed one of his songs, I’ve been watching you.

“I have had an incredible journey as a full-time musician. God has been so good to me and my family, especially my wife and two children, Keagan and Jasmine (10). There hasn’t been a day that I’ve thought of getting another full-time job because we have been so blessed,” he said.

On August 18, Jason and his band will host an event at Kempton Park City Hall to raise funds for the airfare and accommodation costs for their trip to Texas.

The awards tour will consist of a four-day event from November 2-5 which will give artists the opportunity to meet each other and perform twice a day.

The last day will be the big awards night where artists stand the chance to win various titles.

“I will travel with my band, Bruce Wallace and Travis Johnston, as well as my wife/manager. We are looking forward to flying the South African flag high,” he said.

For more information contact Jason on jason@vonk.co.za. Also visit www.jasonbradley.co.za.