02.18.12
Beebe, AR
Jeff Bates gets more personal third time around- Hattiesburg American Review
MELINDA NORRIS | Special to Hattiesburg American
BUNKER HILL NATIVE JEFF BATES recently released his third album, "Jeff Bates," on Tuesday
When Bunker Hill native Jeff Bates came on to the country music scene in 2002, he never would've imagined the kind of success he would have at this point in his career.
Bates' third album, which is self-titled, was released on Tuesday and has had seven charted singles: "The Love Song," "Rainbow Man," "I Wanna Make You Cry," "Long, Slow Kisses," "Good People" and "No Shame and One Second Chance."
He is known for being emotional honest with his lyrics, and this time around there is no difference. For his latest album, he collaborated with Jimmy Nichols, Kenny Beard and Mickey Jack Cones, among others.
"Working with Kenny Beard was like a dream come true for me," Bates said. "We come from similar backgrounds. He is a very gifted musician and I consider him a mentor. Working with him was kinda like working with myself."
Another difference with this new album is that he is with a new label, Black River Music Group. Bates is their flagship artist.
He was released from his label deal with RCA Records in 2006. Since then, he balanced his time between touring and song writing and explored a different direction this time around - a little rougher around the edges and a little more progressive. The music captured the ear of Black River Music Group, and they signed him immediately.
"Being with Black River Music Group is wonderful. There was no-middle man this time around. They let me go in, write and record everything myself. I co-wrote 10 of the 13 tracks on the new album," he said.
During the past year, Bates took time off to marry his girlfriend of four years, Kelly. Bates said that the time apart that the music business brings helps their relationship.
"Kelly is everything I've ever wanted," he said. "I wanted to take my time and wanted it to be right. The times when I am away from her helps our relationship. When I am home, we have a lot to talk about and we don't get sick of being around each other."
Bates said it's hard to compare Bunker Hill and Columbia to Nashville, Tenn.
"I miss the people where I am from," he said. "Columbia is such a laid-back place. Even the red lights are slow."
Bates has been touring to promote his new album since the beginning of this year and hasn't stopped except to do signings. Bates loves meeting his fans and appreciates anything they say to him.
"My fans are so polite, and I'm polite right back. I cannot imagine not giving a fan an autograph. I'm where I'm at because of my fans."
Bates claims that he had a fan ask him one time when meeting him in a grocery store why he bought his own groceries. He says that's one of the funniest questions he had ever been asked.
The first single off of "Jeff Bates" is "Don't Hate Me For Loving You" and the video for the song will be released some time this week. He is expecting his next single to be "One Thing."
"If you like 'Rainbow Man' and 'The Love Song,' you'll like 'One Thing,' " he said.
You'll find him on the Internet at www.jeffbates.net.
BUNKER HILL NATIVE JEFF BATES recently released his third album, "Jeff Bates," on Tuesday
When Bunker Hill native Jeff Bates came on to the country music scene in 2002, he never would've imagined the kind of success he would have at this point in his career.
Bates' third album, which is self-titled, was released on Tuesday and has had seven charted singles: "The Love Song," "Rainbow Man," "I Wanna Make You Cry," "Long, Slow Kisses," "Good People" and "No Shame and One Second Chance."
He is known for being emotional honest with his lyrics, and this time around there is no difference. For his latest album, he collaborated with Jimmy Nichols, Kenny Beard and Mickey Jack Cones, among others.
"Working with Kenny Beard was like a dream come true for me," Bates said. "We come from similar backgrounds. He is a very gifted musician and I consider him a mentor. Working with him was kinda like working with myself."
Another difference with this new album is that he is with a new label, Black River Music Group. Bates is their flagship artist.
He was released from his label deal with RCA Records in 2006. Since then, he balanced his time between touring and song writing and explored a different direction this time around - a little rougher around the edges and a little more progressive. The music captured the ear of Black River Music Group, and they signed him immediately.
"Being with Black River Music Group is wonderful. There was no-middle man this time around. They let me go in, write and record everything myself. I co-wrote 10 of the 13 tracks on the new album," he said.
During the past year, Bates took time off to marry his girlfriend of four years, Kelly. Bates said that the time apart that the music business brings helps their relationship.
"Kelly is everything I've ever wanted," he said. "I wanted to take my time and wanted it to be right. The times when I am away from her helps our relationship. When I am home, we have a lot to talk about and we don't get sick of being around each other."
Bates said it's hard to compare Bunker Hill and Columbia to Nashville, Tenn.
"I miss the people where I am from," he said. "Columbia is such a laid-back place. Even the red lights are slow."
Bates has been touring to promote his new album since the beginning of this year and hasn't stopped except to do signings. Bates loves meeting his fans and appreciates anything they say to him.
"My fans are so polite, and I'm polite right back. I cannot imagine not giving a fan an autograph. I'm where I'm at because of my fans."
Bates claims that he had a fan ask him one time when meeting him in a grocery store why he bought his own groceries. He says that's one of the funniest questions he had ever been asked.
The first single off of "Jeff Bates" is "Don't Hate Me For Loving You" and the video for the song will be released some time this week. He is expecting his next single to be "One Thing."
"If you like 'Rainbow Man' and 'The Love Song,' you'll like 'One Thing,' " he said.
You'll find him on the Internet at www.jeffbates.net.
