Growing up in a town of about 1200 in Oklahoma, Jared Deck worked in the fields as well as the town grocery owned by his parents. When his parent's business saw hard times, he found employment on an oil rig to help pay for school and then worked in a factory. He started a business that was hit hard by the recession and even ran for political office. Needing to supplement his income, Deck ended up becoming the pianist at a gospel church for six years which ultimately became his musical education. It’s this true middle American life lived that informs the song-craft on his self-titled debut releasing May 6th. Produced by Wes Sharon, the personal eleven song set kicks off on a raucous note with the rollicking “17 Miles” on which Deck’s unique, yet incredibly familiar, voice captures your soul. That same voice turns intimate and subdued on “Grace” where he sings “I have lived with a lot of things that I hope God can make right.” Deck uncannily channels John Mayer on “Wrong Side of the Night” a tale of a man chasing his dreams while leaving loved ones disappointed, wondering if he lives for the wrong side of the night, “Say my name for future reference/I need a memory to regret.” Echoes of John Mellencamp can be found on “The American Dream” which chronicles the frank realities and uphill battles of achieving that sometimes elusive dream, “Save the trouble of deciding yourself what in hell is this all for/Harder than it seems, it’s the American dream.” While a bluesy guitar conveys the message of fighting the good fight to make a relationship last on “Fight.” “Love ain’t a game we rise and fall the same and don’t go quiet in the night….so just hold onto me and fight.” Deck’s intense, soulful vocals soar on “Sweet Breath,” “Wait For You” maintains a romantic hopefulness through years of separation and “Unusually Blessed” details the story of a family man who “never stuck around,” yet loved the ones he hurt. The album is rounded out by the Springsteen-esque rocker, “Hope KS,” the rockabilly good time of “Heel On Wheels” and thoughtful and incredibly real, “Song You Can Use.” The life of a man, a troubadour - with hurt, struggle and ultimately strength - is delivered on Deck’s debut, a stellar offering of heartland rock heavy on intimacy, truth and heart.
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