A Conversation with Jerrod Niemann

We recently chatted with Jerrod Niemann about “Blue Bandana,” the lead single for his fourth album for Sea Gayle/Arista Nashville and more.

Jerrod Niemann’s last album may not have provided a string of huge hits but it did return him to the top of the charts with the Platinum-certified “Drink To That All Night.” While the new album will not likely match the sonic template of that hit or the Top 40 concert favorite “Donkey,” the forthcoming album does promise a lot of versatility as I got to hear when I chatted with Jerrod on the eve of the release of his brand new single “Blue Bandana.” Fans should get excited as “Blue Bandana” is just the tip of the iceberg for what Jerrod has in store for his forthcoming album for Sea Gayle/Arista Records.

RoughStock: So, “Blue Bandana” has hit radio and all the digital services. What can you tell us about it?

Jerrod Niemann: I’m excited to get a new tune out, because it’s been so long. I love the song and it reminds me of the wonderful faces we see out on the road. It’s a blast to play it live.

RoughStock: How have you been going about recording the material for the next record?

Jerrod: Working with Jimmy Lee Sloas again and finding some really, really cool tunes for this record. There’s been some great tunes being written (around Nashville) and I haven’t written a lot so It’s a blast taking these songs and making them our own in the studio.

RoughStock: Yeah, you get to be like a lot of the stars of the past and pick songs that get to you in some way....

Jerrod: Yeah, and you hear songs that you wish you’d written and "Blue Bandana" is one of those songs.

RoughStock: I always feel that way as a listener and then as a guy who writes too, I have a good idea and then hear someone else do the same thing/idea I had and it’s out there…

Jerrod: Yeah, you know that happens a lot. There’s a song I was writing years ago with a roommate of mine and we had a chorus we’d written that we hadn’t told anyone about because it wasn’t finished, Toby Keith had released an album with a song where the lyrics were the same and the melody was the same It was bizarre. And they certainly hadn’t taken it from us but because we’re all on the same few streets hearing the same jokes and stories and news, It’s a lot of the same thoughts. So, anytime that happens, I feel like we’re on the right track.

RoughStock: How has touring been for you?

Jerrod: Man it’s been good because the last five years on an average, including to team with radio for some things, we’ve done an average of 200 shows a year. My only complaint is that it flies by so quick. I guess it’s true about time flying so quickly. “Lover Lover” came out about five years ago so. This Time of year is my favorite because where I grew up, we’d get one concert a year, IF the people didn’t vote for a demolition derby instead and we had that for four years. So i was excited to get a show when they did come through. So this year, (playing fairs and festivals) It just reminds me of home.

RoughStock: You must be excited to get “Blue Bandana” out to the fans

Jerrod: Yeah, I just didn’t have the right songs until now. I didn’t want to put something out there just to put something out. Because I felt like it wouldn’t be right for the fans. But now we have one and I’m excited to hear what the fans think about “Blue Bandana.”

Blue Bandana is now available for download on iTunes and streaming services like Apple Music And Spotify. (embed below takes you to Spotify)

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