Rogers a rising star in country

By Kathy McCarty  
Staff Writer
    PRESQUE ISLE — A rising Nashville star returned to his roots in the Star City recently, combining work with a trip north to visit extended family, before continuing his climb to stardom, via the country music scene.
    Jason Rogers took time for an interview during his visit last month, joined by his dad, Lawrence Rogers, over lunch at the Irish Setter Pub in Presque Isle.
    Born in Presque Isle and raised in New Brunswick, the musician now lives outside Nashville, Tenn., with  his wife, Christie, and their 1-year-old daughter.
    “Her name’s Isabelle Grace. She just turned 1,” said Jason Rogers, smiling as he talked of his daughter. “She likes music.”
    When asked if he’d support her, should she follow in his musical footsteps, the proud papa said it was up to her.
    “I won’t push it, but I won’t stop her either. It’ll be up to Isabelle and what she wants to pursue,” said Jason.
    During his stay, he took time to promote his new single, “It Ain’t Braggin.’”
    “I’ve signed with Cashbox Records. That’s a division of “Cashbox Magazine” and Cashbox Canada. I have dual citizenship — U.S. and Canada. I plan to take advantage of it to do some cross-border touring,” said the 32-year-old artist.
    “I worked for McCains and Jason grew up in New Brunswick. We have family on both sides of the border,” added his dad, Lawrence Rogers.
    His self-titled album, “Jason Rogers,” was released earlier this year and has received international air play, in places ranging from the United States and Canada, to destinations as far away as India. With Cashbox, Jason expects his air time will grow. To make that happen, he’s already begun visiting stations, talking about his latest release and asking DJs to play it.
    “I’m in the process of getting radio play. I’ve got over a dozen stations interested already. I just went out to the Dakotas — got one station out there that reaches six states that said they’ll play my music,” Jason said.
    Plans included starting in the center of the U.S. and work out from there in both directions.
    “I’m starting with radio play. You need that before you can pack a stadium. I’d like to do USO tours. I’ve been in country music magazines in the Scandinavian countries, so I’d like to build an audience in Sweden, Finland, maybe get some European fans in places like France,” he said. “Before the end of the year, I’ll be covered in 19 countries. I’ve already done 17.”
    “I’ve been in ‘Country Music People Magazine,’ which covers the United Kingdom. I’ve been in Scotland’s ‘CMDS’ magazine (‘Country Music and Dance in Scotland’), which covers Scotland and Ireland — their June/July issue,” Jason continued.
    Accolades include being listed as a Rising Star in the June issue of “Country Weekly” magazine.
    “Those three magazines cover quite an area,” he said. “It’s about getting your name out there. I’m actually getting air play in 15 countries, including India. I’ve had newspaper articles from Maine to Oregon. I’ve even been on the front page of the Chicago Daily.”
    For more information on Jason Rogers and his music, visit: www.cowboyjason.com or jasonrogersecountry.com.