Another dose of Texas music comes this way
By BRYAN RUSSELL,
[email protected] or 659-8264
April 11, 2006
As a psychology student at Southern Methodist University, Jack Ingram studied Freud and Jung. Pretty soon, though, he replaced his textbooks with a guitar and began studying Waylon and Willie.
Through the years, Ingram has established himself as a seminal voice of a new generation of Texas country music stars. His days as a psychology major are far from behind him.
He simply traded the therapist's couch for a stage, and patients for fans.
Psychology and music ''really go hand in hand for me,'' Ingram said in a telephone interview from Dallas. ''Music is my way of figuring out the world. Life imitates art, or art imitates life. ... Either way, music helps me explain things.''
Ingram will administer a dose of his musical therapy at Graham Central Station on Wednesday. The concert comes after the release of his latest album, ''Live - Wherever You Are,'' and before he goes on tour with Sheryl Crow.
Ingram has been a staple of Texas country music since he released his self-titled debut album in 1993, but until recently, the mainstream eluded him. However, during a time when the country mainstream included ubiquitous carbon-copy urban cowboys, Ingram felt more at home on the fringe.
''I've been outside the mainstream of country music almost all my career,'' he said. ''Of course I want to be successful, but I want my songs to keep some kind of integrity. The fact that country is coming back around makes it easier for me as a businessman. It makes me part of the mainstream.''
With mainstream status, comes new opportunities and new friends. Ingram recently finished a writing session with country singer Toby Keith, with whom he wrote ''Good Days,'' a song he is sure will be a hit.
Ingram's single ''Wherever You Are'' hit No. 9 on the Billboard country chart last week. His highest standing on the chart before the new single was No. 51.The mainstream standing and top-10 single, however, pale in comparison to what Ingram refers to as his most-validating moment - when his idol, the late Waylon Jennings, called him ''an incredible talent.''
''That was very cool,'' Ingram said.
After his tour with Sheryl Crow wraps up, Ingram is going to open a few shows with Brooks & Dunn and play with Gary Allan. He'll also go back to the studio to work on a new album. (Please come out soon!!)
What's next is anyone's guess.
''Who knows at that point?'' Ingram said. ''It's going to be a quick-moving year.''