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Jameson Rodgers – ‘In It For The Money’ EP review

Mississippi-born Country music singer-songwriter Jameson Rodgers moved to Nashville in 2010 with his eye on pursuing a career as an artist. In 2019 he signed a record deal with River House Artists/Columbia Nashville and his debut single ā€˜Some Girlsā€™ reached number one on the US Country Airplay chart. Rodgers teamed up with Luke Combs for second single ā€˜Cold Beer Calling My Nameā€™ in 2020 and that song has been steadily working its way up the charts too. Today Rodgers releases his EP ā€˜In It For The Moneyā€™, which features both songs along with five other tracks.

With a gritty twang to his voice, Rodgers hits the current Country music trend of harking back to more traditional influences rather than embracing the fading bro-Country era that has long-dominated the genre. EP opener ā€˜Cold Beer Calling My Nameā€™ is the perfect opener, pairing Rodgers with the juggernaut that is Luke Combs, whom he more than holds his own against. Lyrically it may not be anything ground-breaking but itā€™s a fun song with a summer groove thatā€™s perfect for Country radio.

ā€˜Some Girlsā€™, Rodgersā€™ first number one, is more indicative of his talents as he drawls over distant electric guitars singing about how women handle breakups differently before opening up the chorus into something altogether more urgent and powerful. That gritty rock influence in his voice marks him out from his contemporaries and for me, itā€™s his most powerful weapon.

Across the 7-tracks on the EP, Rodgers manages to showcase all sides of his artistry. The twangy and moody title track, ā€˜In It For The Moneyā€™ allows Rodgers to really showcase his vocals as he sings about pursuing his career for the love of it rather than the money he might make. ā€˜Rolling Rock, Rolling Stonesā€™ has a looser funkier groove than the other tracks here, and I can imagine it translating well to a live show. Rodgersā€™ drawl keeps it strictly in Country but the instrumentation draws on Southern Rock with influences from funk.

The two highlights on the EP are the wistful ā€˜When You Think Of Mississippiā€™ and the very emotional ā€˜Good Dogsā€™. ā€˜When You Think Of Mississippiā€™ finds Rodgers reflecting on his home state and a past heartbreak, and it shows that heā€™s capable of pulling off a ballad convincingly. On ā€˜Good Dogsā€™, Rodgers appeals to the animal lover in us all as he tugs at the heart strings and laments the cruelly short life span of manā€™s best friend. This song hit my right in the heart and truth be told, I struggle to make it all the way through.

The EP draws to a close with ā€˜Desertā€™, a song that pushes Rodgersā€™ vocals forward in the mix so you can hear that grit over a lazy groove. Itā€™s one of the more downtempo moments on the EP and a fitting end to a solid introduction to an artist with plenty of promise.

Based on the evidence of ā€˜In It For The Moneyā€™, Jameson Rodgers is a Country artist who could very well explode and become the next big thing. All the early signs have been good and the seven songs on this EP are varied and interesting. I canā€™t wait until he can come over to the UK to play live and we can get a real chance to see what heā€™s capable of, but until then Iā€™m content listening to this release over and over.

Jameson Rodgers - In It For the Money
Credit: Columbia Nashville / River House Artists

Track listing: 1. Cold Beer Calling My Name (feat. Luke Combs) 2. Good Dogs 3. Some Girls 4. In It For The Money 5. Rolling Rock, Rolling Stones 6. When You Think Of Mississippi 7. Desert Record label: Columbia Nashville Release date: 23rd April 2021 Buy ā€˜In It For The Moneyā€™ EP now

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Pip Ellwood-Hughes
Pip Ellwood-Hughes
Pip is the owner and Editor of Entertainment Focus, and the Managing Director of PiƱata Media. With over 19 years of journalism experience, Pip has interviewed some of the biggest stars in the entertainment world. He is also a qualified digital marketing expert with over 20 years of experience.

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