Artist Of The Day: Jake Owen

• Jake Owen enrolled at Florida State University and later started singing in a campus bar, eventually forming the Yee Haw Junction band. With just nine credit hours of college left to earn his degree, he left for Nashville to continue his songwriting. One of his songs, “Ghost,” was almost cut by Kenny Chesney, which brought Jake to the attention of RCA Records. The track would later be included on his debut album.
  
• Owen signed to RCA two years after moving to Nashville and released his debut album, “Startin’ with Me,” in July 2006. He wrote or co-wrote all of the songs on the album including his three hits – “Startin’ With Me,” “Yee Haw” and “Something About A Woman.” Jake was one of the top-selling new male artists of 2006.
  
• Jake released his second studio album, “Easy Does It,” in February 2009. The album debuted at No. 2. The lead single, “Don’t Think I Can’t Love You,” became his first Top 5 hit, reaching No. 2. The second single, “Eight Second Ride,” peaked at No. 11. “Tell Me” hit the Top 40.
  
• Jake won a BMI Songwriter Award for “Don’t Think I Can’t Love You” as well as a 2009 Academy of Country Music award for New Male Artist.
  
• Jake Owen topped the Billboard Country Albums chart for the first time with his latest project, “Barefoot Blue Jean Night.” “Barefoot” also debuted on the Billboard 200 at No. 6, marking his highest-ever position on that chart. The album’s title track is already a No. 1 smash and has his latest hit, “Alone With You,” well on its way to becoming another chart-topper.
  
• Jake will hit the road with Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney on their “Brothers of the Sun Tour,” kicking off June 2, 2012 in Tampa.
  
• Official Web site: www.jakeowen.net