Artist Of The Day: Jerrod Niemann

• Singer/songwriter Jerrod Niemann has penned songs for Garth Brooks, Neal McCoy, Jamey Johnson and Zona Jones, among others. He has also built a strong fan base as a performer with his own material.
  
• Jerrod self-released the album “Long Hard Road” in 1999. The Kansas native moved to Nashville a year later and signed a development deal with Mercury in 2001. The deal didn’t produce much, although Niemann now had a band behind him and they began touring the club circuit.
  
• Niemann self-released a second album, “Jukebox of Hard Knocks,” in 2004, and then signed with Category 5 Records in 2006, releasing the single “I Love Women (My Mama Can’t Stand).” The label soon folded and a projected album, “Behind This Microphone,” never appeared.
  
• Niemann signed to Sea Gayle/Arista Nashville in 2009. His first album on a national label, “Judge Jerrod & the Hung Jury” toppled Lady Antebellum from their No.1 perch on Billboard’s country album chart – a position the band held for six months. The album also reached No. 7 on Billboard’s all-genre album chart. The album’s first single, “Lover, Lover,” hit the top of the charts and was certified gold. The set also included the Top 5 hit “What Do You Want.” The song features harmonies from Rachel Bradshaw, daughter of former NFL quarterback Terry Bradshaw.
  
• Niemann’s latest single, “One More Drinkin’ Song,” is inside the Top 20. He recently released the holiday version of the song. He has also joined the MDA’s new campaign “Make a Muscle, Make a Difference!”
  
• Jerrod nabbed five ACA nominations – Artist of the Year, New Artist, Single of the Year, Music Video of the Year, Music Video – Male, and Music Video – New Artist (all for “What Do You Want”). The ACAs air tonight on Fox.
  
• Official website: www.jerrodniemannofficial.com