Americana Music Association Lifetime Achievement Award-winning punk roots singer-songwriter, performer, and barnstorming force of nature... “The Godfather of Americana" - Mojo
Career Overview
Jason Ringenberg was born and raised on an Illinois hog farm that bordered the Rock Island Line Railroad. He left for Nashville on July 4, 1981, to pursue his dream of “making a band that could kick American roots music into the modern age!” Little did he know just how far the kick would travel. He immediately formed Jason and the Scorchers and never looked back. Throughout the 1980s and 90s they tore up venues across the planet and became known as one of the most exciting live bands in music. On classic LPs like Fervor and Lost and Found they “single-handedly rewrote the history of rock ‘n roll in the South” (Rolling Stone). Their instinctive ability to combine traditional country music with high-energy punk rock has not been surpassed to this day. In 2008 they were awarded the Americana Music Association Lifetime Achievement Award for Performance. The band has an exhibit in the Country Music Hall of Fame.
But Ringenberg’s story does not stop there. In 1992 the “Godfather of Americana” (Mojo) decided to go solo. He has released seven records, with everyone from the BBC to USA TODAY lauding his songwriting. Touring the world relentlessly as a solo barnstormer, The Times (UK) called him “one of the most exciting performers of his generation.” In 2002 he created a children’s music character called Farmer Jason, winning an Emmy Award for his PBS program.
In 2017 the U.S. National Park Service invited him to be their Artist-in-Residence at Sequoia Kings Canyon National Park. He spent a month hiking the mountains and writing songs. That explosion of creativity yielded two career-defining records: Stand Tall in 2018 and now his newest release, Rhinestoned.
So don’t go to his concerts expecting to see a sensitive singer-songwriter sitting on a stool. With his acoustic guitar and high-energy charisma, he WILL rock the house!
Notable Quotes
“The Godfather of Americana… the spirit of Woody Guthrie rocks on in Daddy Ringenberg’s boy.”
- Mojo (UK)
“One of the most overlooked country rock pioneers in the business… Ringenberg has gained the reputation as one of the most dynamic live performers of his generation.”
– The Times (UK)
“Although Gram Parsons and Uncle Tupelo have elicited more reverence as country-rock avatars, Jason’s musical imprint remains more vital than either’s.”
- No Depression
“…one of America’s proudest rebels, it is hard to imagine the current Americana scene without his pioneering work…”
- Rolling Stone
“He still has an unbelievable energy level...high kicking around the stage like the 20 something he once was, well still is really. There are few better and none more entertaining.”
- Americana UK
“Jason Ringenberg is Nashville’s most electrifying performer, but his most enduring attribute, his songwriting, is also his most criminally overlooked. “
– USA TODAY
“possesses a ready wit and an insightful attitude that’s made each of his offerings well worth attaining. “
– American Songwriter
Accolades & Career Highlights
2023
Jason hits the road and undertakes his first extensive overseas visit since before the pandemic. In April, May and June he plays shows in The Netherlands, UK, Spain and Belgium, before crossing the Atlantic again in September for dates in Norway, Denmark, Sweden and Finland. The concerts are a mix of solo performances and shows with his (European) Barnstormers. Many of the dates are sold out.
2022
Jason headlines a sold-out show at the venerable Exit/In, Nashvilles most historic nightclub. His concert there is one of its final nights before closing. For the show, he debuts his new band Jason Ringenberg & The Barnstormers consisting of some of Nashville's finest country rock 'n' roll musicians: Fats Kaplin, Steve Ebe, Mark Andrew Miller, and Ricky Dover Jr.
2021
Rhinestoned is released to universally positive acclaim ultimately leading to Jason’s first appearance on The Grand Ole Opry. His inspired performances of “John the Baptist Was a Real Humdinger” and “Keep that Promise” brings the house down.
2020
During the Covid pandemic, economic downturn, and political upheaval Jason records his Rhinestoned album. He funds the ambitious project with a crowdfunding campaign that generates $32,000
2019
Stand Tall continues to expand Jason's audience and prestige as a solo artist. With Chuck Mead and Jim Lauderdale, he does a full US tour as The Cosmic Honky Tonk Review, culminating with a show atop the Rocky Mountains on the Santa Fe Railroad excursion train. Later that fall Jason does a full European tour called "Seven Countries in Seven Weeks." One European critic calls his revamped solo show "part vaudeville, part spoken word, part singer-songwriter, part acoustic punk, and ALL mesmerizing."
2018
Jason & The Scorchers perform on the Outlaw Country Cruise to unanimous kudos. Jason guests at the Tom Petty Tribute singing ‘I Need To Know’ and receives the only standing ovation of the night.
2017
Jason is commissioned by the National Park Service to participate in their Artist In Residency program at Sequoia National Park. He spends a month in the Giant Sequoia Groves and Sierra Nevada mountains writing songs and performing shows at the park. Those songs will become the basis for his Stand Tall record.
2016
Jason & The Scorchers headline the Americana Stage at the prestigious Rambin’ Man festival in the UK.
2015
Bowen-McCauley Dance Company and Jason & The Scorchers team up for two full shows at the Kennedy Center using the live music of the band combined with the choreography of BMDC. The event is a huge success.
2014
Jason performs Far Behind at the Kennedy Center to the choreography of the Bowen McCauley Dance Company.
2013
Jason hosts and performs on the PBS affiliated TV show Music City Roots which goes into syndication.
2012
The UK ’s prestigious Classic Rock Magazine calls Jason & The Scorchers LOST AND FOUND record one of the most influential releases of its day.
2011
The NFL uses songs written and recorded by Jason Ringenberg with Warner Hodges and friend Joe Blanton in team promotions for the Green Bay Packers and Carolina Panthers.
2010
Jason & The Scorchers release HALCYON TIMES to universal acclaim, many critics considering it their best record yet. Vintage Guitar calls it “CD of the Year.”
2009
Farmer Jason’s IT’S A FARMER JASON! PBS interstitial video program wins the Emmy Award for Best Children’s Program Mid-South Region at the 23rd Annual Mid-South Regional Emmy Awards on January 24. Given that the competition were well funded, established programs, this was definitely a delightful surprise for all those pulling for Farmer Jason. Jason himself had not even prepared an acceptance speech, but he thought one up quick enough.
2008
Jason & The Scorchers are honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award for Performance by the Americana Music Association on September 18. The original band get together to accept the award and play two songs at the awards ceremony. It is the first time that the original line-up has played together since 1996. The double CD of Jason’s best songs and rarities BEST TRACKS AND SIDE TRACKS 1979-2008 is released and the story goes on. The Jason & The Scorchers Perry Baggs Benefit reunion show is named by THE TENNESSEAN as the HIGH POINT OF 2007 saying: “With drummer Perry Baggs ailing, the greatest rock band in Nashville history got back together for an electrifying, exhausting and brilliant night of music on June 2 at Exit/In. Being there to witness the whirl and snarl, the twang and the churn of that band . . . well, it was like watching Secretariat rise from the grave and whip every 2-year-old horse at Churchill Downs.”
2007
At the prestigious STAGECOACH FESTIVAL, headlined by the biggest stars in Country and Americana music (Brooks & Dunn, Alan Jackson, Emmylou Harris etc.) USA TODAY singles out the Farmer Jason show as one of the highlights of the concert.
2006
Rhino Records and Lionsgate Music sign Farmer Jason to recording and publishing deals and release ROCKIN’ IN THE FOREST WITH FARMER JASON as a joint venture.
2004
Remarking about his EMPIRE BUILDER’s CD, MOJO says of Ringenberg: ”Woody Guthrie’s spirit rocks on in Daddy Ringenberg’s boy.” Robert K. Oermann says in MUSIC ROW MAGAZINE: “No act has ever blended punk rock intensity with a country swagger better than Jason Ringenberg and his bandmates The Scorchers… the band and Ringenberg are the closest things Nashville has to rock’n’roll legends.”
2003
Jason launches his children’s music character FARMER JASON with the release of his cd A DAY A THE FARM WITH FARMER JASON.
The character takes on a life of its own, to everyone’s surprise, and delight. Disney’s FAMILY FUN magazine named it one of the Top 5 Best Children’s CDs of 2003. Ringenberg begins performing children’s shows in the daytime, as well as ‘grown-up’ shows at night.
2002
ALL OVER CREATION, a duets CD with artists ranging from Steve Earle to England’s Wildhearts, is released to universal praise around the world including earning AMERICANA CD OF THE MONTH in MOJO and feature reviews in publications as varied as the UK’s UNCUT, Sweden’s OSTERSUND, USA TODAY, the UK’s COUNTRY MUSIC PEOPLE and Dave Marsh’s NOW AIN’T THE TIME FOR YOUR TEARS broadside. HONKY TONK MANIAC FROM MARS is used as the main closing credits song on the movie THE BIG EMPTY. “ALL OVER CREATION marks a spectacular return to form by one of the most overlooked country-rock pioneers still in the business… Ringenberg has gained the reputation as one of the most dynamic performers of his generation!” - THE TIMES (UK)
2001
John Peel plays THE LAST RIDE on his prestigious BBC Radio show which launches Jason’s UK solo career. The CHICAGO SUN TIMES names Jason’s solo show at Shubas BEST SOLO SHOW OF THE YEAR. MILES OF MUSIC writer Dave Purcell writes of Jason’s legendary barnstorming solo shows: “Jason Ringenberg may call himself a folksinger, but if so he is the rockinest folk singer that ever lived!”
2000
The ASSOCIATED PRESS names Jason’s A POCKETFUL OF SOUL album one of the ten best country CDs of 2000. The CD makes Top 10 on the Americana Radio charts.
1998
The Scorchers appearance on Conan O’Brien is generally considered the most explosive live TV performance of their career.
1996
THE COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME creates and unveils a feature exhibit of Jason & The Scorchers.
1993
ROLLING STONE declares Jason & The Scorchers “one of the great rock bands of the 1980s!” in a review of their ESSENTIAL JASON AND THE SCORCHERS VOLUME 1 CD
1992
ONE FOOT IN THE HONKY TONK from Ringenberg’s solo Capitol CD of the same name is added to heavy rotation on CMT.
1986
GOLDEN BALL AND CHAIN, from the album STILL STANDING, reaches the Top 15 on the USA Rock Radio charts. The band performs at FARM AID II and brings the house down.
1985
LOST AND FOUND is released to universal praise from publications ranging from CREEM to MELODY MAKER (UK). SHOP IT AROUND makes the Top 40 charts in the UK. WHITE LIES is a Rock Radio hit in the USA.
1984
FERVOR is re-released on EMI America. The video for ABSOLUTELY SWEET MARIE ends up on MTV rotation and the record is a hit on college radio. The NEW MUSICAL EXPRESS says of their London show: “Anyone lucky enough to get into the Jason & The Scorchers show at the Marquee Club saw one of the Top 5 gigs of all time.”
1983
The first Jason & The Nashville Scorchers album FERVOR garners the NEW YORK TIMES EP of the Year award, makes the VILLAGE VOICE critics poll (number three), and gets a 4 Star review in ROLLING STONE, one of the only independent releases that year to earn such status.