Opry introduction included debut single “What I Wanna Be” + “James Brown”
Shot on location in Louisiana, “What I Wanna Be” Music Video
Premieres with CMT Today (6/27)
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Black River Entertainment’s Jacob Davis
achieved a career dream Friday night as he made his debut on the most
revered stage in country music, The Grand Ole Opry. With a live show
that has led Country Living to dub him “a bona fide star,” and Taste of Country
raving “a showman, appropriate for someone raised where the Louisiana
Hayride broadcasts still echo,” Davis stood confidently in “the circle”
surrounded by friends and family who made the drive up from his hometown
of Shreveport for this once-in-a-lifetime music moment performing “What
I Wanna Be,” a song he wrote with Forest Glen Whitehead and Adam
Hambrick that Whitehead produced (Kelsea Ballerini), as well as “James
Brown,” lending to the “funk and soul” monikers that permeate his songs (Taste of Country).
“This floor is literally cracking underneath my feet, and you have no
clue how incredible this feels,” he said standing in the Opry circle in
his weathered Tony Llama boots. Stumbling over words from anticipation
of that first note, the Shreveport-native introduced the audience to
“What I Wanna Be” simply saying, “I think… this is what a guy oughta
say to a girl…”
Written with Scott Stepakoff and Jason Gantt, Davis had some surprise
accompaniment join him for his second song, “James Brown.” “I was raised
on 90’s country, and a little soul, a little funk, just a great mixed
bag of music… I figured Elvis brought a little funk when he played
here, so…,” and with that he brought out two horn players to accompany
him.
“What I Wanna Be” is the first taste of what’s to come from Jacob Davis’
full-length album on Black River Entertainment, and the
Louisiana-native recently returned to the Bayou state to film its music
video. Directed by Josh Kranich, the backdrop for the performance driven
music video is set in popular New Orleans’ live music venue Bamboula’s.
With CMT’s “Summer of Music” underway and Jacob Davis as one
of their 17 in 2017, he joined Cody Alan to talk about family,
songwriting and life on the road. Check out the video for “What I Wanna
Be” HERE.
About Jacob Davis
Songwriter/artist Jacob Davis has been named one of CMT’s “17 Artists to Watch in 2017” and Taste of Country’s
“RISERS.” Loving music from an early age, Jacob Davis learned how to
play guitar at 15-years old and began performing publicly while he was
in college. Upon graduation from LSU with a degree in environmental
science, the Shreveport, Louisiana native spent a year working before
realizing that his true calling was music. Soon after, he made the move
to Nashville. In May of 2016, Jacob Davis signed a deal with Black River
Publishing. Exactly one month later, he also signed a recording
contract with Black River Entertainment.
Having already shared the stage with artists including Lady Antebellum,
Hunter Hayes, Sam Hunt, Billy Currington and Kelsea Ballerini, fans have
had a taste of his forthcoming album with the release of his debut
single, “What I Wanna Be,” digitally available now. For more info on
Jacob Davis please follow him on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and at jacobdavismusic.com.
Photo Credit: Chris Hollo
L to R ID: Black River Entertainment’s CEO Gordon Kerr and Executive
Vice President of Black River Records Rick Froio; Jacob Davis; and
Senior Vice President of Programming and Artist Relations for Opry
Entertainment and General Manager of the Grand Ole Opry Sally Williams
Photo Credit: Chris Hollo