Jefferson Ross + Support : David Doddington & Jeffrey Steinhardt
Inspired by the people who are devoted to quality and putting in the love, experience and special stuff that sets them apart from the pack, Jefferson, aspiring to inspire has created an album in Azalea that says I’m a southern boy who loves to travel and experience all the world has to offer, but I’m home where the dogwoods and azaleas bloom.
By 16 Jefferson was touring with various Gospel acts. It was during this time he landed a band position with Jimmy Swaggart. He was told, “You’re hired. Get a passport. We’re leaving for Australia next week.” Although gaining invaluable experience as a stage musician, Jefferson identified himself as a songwriter. He’d been writing songs for his church band so it seemed fitting when Jimmy Swaggart cut “Unworthy of The Blood”. “When I found out that people actually make money writing songs, that was it for me!”
Inspired by his Grandaddy’s 8 tracks of Johnny Cash and Merle Haggard, and his own rootsy musical collection, Jefferson set his sights on Music City. He admits the genre has changed quite a bit since he moved to Nashville but its hard not to love an “excellent lyric married to an organic melody.”
Jeff and his Martin D-18 spent the early part of the 90’s living in Berlin, Germany. “The wall had just come down and the East and West were in a honeymoon period. I have a piece of The Wall I chiseled off myself and it sits on my bookshelf at home.” A few years later he toured with Sam and Annie Tate, Mark Ortmann (of the Bottle Rockets), and Gene Rabbai through Czechoslovakia as Foot Hill Train.
After a cut on Bryan White’s Between Now and Forever album, (On Any Given Night), Jefferson headed out on a weekend gig with Grand Ole Opry member Terri Clark that lasted 10 years and gave him the opportunity to share the stage with Reba, George Strait, Brooks and Dunn, and Toby Keith.
Jefferson came off the road in 2005 to commit to writing full time and give voice to all these stories. Within a few months he landed a staff writing contract with Curb Publishing and 300 songs later is debuting his first studio album, Azalea.
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