1. Where were you born?
I was born in Jamestown, NY. When I was born, my folks initially named me Peter. They changed their minds after a couple days later and decided to call me Jackson. I still don’t really know why they chose that name for me.
2. Where do you currently live?
I live in Lakewood, OH on Cleveland’s west side.
3. What's the latest CD/download you've purchased?
The last CD that I bought was “The Foundation”, by The Zac Brown Band.
4. If you could tour with anyone right now, who would it be?
I would love to get on that Kenny Chesney/Keith Urban tour. They are both incredible entertainers and I think I’d learn a lot from them. Plus, I have a feeling that I would really be able to connect with their fans.
5. What's your favorite thing about singing country music?
It just feels so natural to me. I like to sing rock stuff, but to do that I sometimes really need to force my voice to do things it really does not want to do. Singing country songs just feels right to me and I love telling stories with music, which is what country music is all about.
6. When is the easiest/hardest time to write a song?
I need to have an idea first. It’s rare that I can just sit down and write a song with no clue what the topic will be beforehand. When I’m emotionally moved by something, the song seems to almost write itself. That’s when I have the most success. It’s hard for me to write a song about something that another person has in mind. Sometimes people give me lyrics and ask me to write a song using their words. That seems to work great or Elton John and Bernie Taupin, but I’ve had a hard time in the past trying to write that way.
7. Who's one songwriter that you admire?
Billy Joel is a heck of a writer and I love James Taylor, Don Henley, Garth Brooks, and Brad Paisley has written some funny stuff I get a kick out of. I also love lesser known writers like Jason White and Angie Aparo as well. Oh yeah, you asked for one. Sorry! There’s just too many that I love.
8. What's the coolest place you've visited in the world?
It’s no secret that my favorite place on earth that I’ve come across so far is Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. I’ve been there 8 times now and wrote one of my most well known songs about it called ”Rio”, of course. It’s the perfect vacation destination as far as I’m concerned.
9. What are 3 things you need at all times on the road?
I need cash, because I don’t have an ATM card. Is that weird? I also need my GPS because I’m bound to get lost without it. And I need my cell phone more than anything. I don’t know how I used to get by without one. I’m a wreck when I’m out of touch!
10. When you're not playing music, what do you like to do?
I grew up on a lake, so I love waterskiing, wakeboarding and just plain hanging out on the boat in the sun with a cooler full of beer. There’s nothing better in the summertime! I also love to travel abroad. I try to visit at least one new, foreign country each year. I read somewhere that only 10% of Americans have a passport. That’s a shame. I’ve learned so much about other people/cultures in my travels. It’s something that I think everyone should experience.
11. If your mp3 player was on random, what 5 songs might play?
Based on how many albums from each of these artists I have in there, it would probably hit songs by Ryan Adams, Counting Crows, Rascal Flatts, Guster and Keith Urban.
12. If you could play another instrument, what would it be?
I’d love to be able to play the piano well.
13. Based on all your travels, what is the best rest stop to stop at?
I know where all the cheap gas is on I-75 from Ohio through Georgia and on I-90 between Buffalo and Chicago. But when I need a good meal, I always hit Cracker Barrel. I never leave there unsatisfied!
14. What is your favorite city to visit?
As far as cities in the U.S., I love San Diego. I also love San Fran, New York, Chicago and of course, Nashville. Miami, Vegas and LA generally annoy me, because it’s all about the club scene there and that’s just not for me. New Orleans is a great time with a group of friends, but I always end up leaving town with a brutal hangover!
