Jack Ingram: The Rewards And Cost Of Success

By Neil Haislop

Photo courtesy of Big Machine Records

Jack Ingram performs at the Los Angeles club Whisky A Go-Go
Photo by Neil Haislop

Jack Ingram performs at the Los Angeles club Whisky A Go-Go
Photo by Neil Haislop

August 16, 2006--Thanks to his first No. 1 hit, "Wherever You Are," and a fast-rising follow-up single, "Love You," Jack Ingram is a star. He's also a husband and father with a growing family. These days, the proud Texan is finding out that for every reward that national recognition brings, there is also a cost to be paid. GACTV.com recently sat down with Jack after a recent gig at the legendary Los Angeles club, Whisky A Go-Go, for a revealing chat about how he's handling fame and family--and how he's gearing up for the release of his new album early next year.

For the last decade or so, if you asked anybody that knows the Texas music scene who were the hottest performers around, high on their list would be singer-songwriter Jack Ingram. Many Texas-based singers have enormously successful careers on the southwest tour circuit with huge followings and respectable record sales without ever leaving the region. Some, like Jack, have tried to break out to a national audience--a difficult task since Texas-style music hasn’t always been embraced by mainstream country radio.

Jack thought he’d made it in 1997 when he was signed to a strong Nashville independent label, Rising Tide Records. When that label folded, he had another shot in ’99 with a new Columbia imprint, Lucky Dog Records. When that didn’t work, it was back to his home turf, where he continued his successful regional career and started a family with his wife, Amy.

"Amy and I have three children," says Jack. "Eva is my girl, she’s three and a half. Eli is my little boy, he’s two. Hudson is my youngest boy, he’s two and a half months old. The two-year-old, Eli, he’s a lot of fun. He’s just a little rascal, always smiling and coming up and pushing on me. And my daughter, she’s just the light of my life. I just love her dearly and we just like to hang out and snuggle."

When Jack’s career was based in the Texas region, balancing family and career was easier. He wasn’t so far away or gone a long time when he toured. But that all changed this year when "Wherever You Are" took off. Jack signed on to become the opening act for Sheryl Crow, toured with Gary Allan and is now on the Brooks & Dunn tour.

HANDLING THE COST OF SUCCESS
When a career like Jack’s shifts quickly into a higher gear, life changes fast. "Up until just a month ago, Amy care of the payroll and all the books," Jack says admiringly. "It’s a lot of work. She’s been very helpful throughout my career as far as that goes."

Of having someone he completely trusts doing the books, Jack quips, "Yeah, she’s good, and if she steals from me, well, she’s my wife. If she leaves me I figure my half would be just that much bigger!"

With three young kids at home, Amy doesn't have as much time to spend on Jack's career. But even this busy father has taken time for his family, from day one. "I’ve been there [in the delivery room] for all three kids," he says proudly. However, Jack does admit that Hudson's birth almost got the best of him. "I did get pretty light-headed when they were putting the epidural in my wife’s back [because] they messed it up!" he says. "I was feeling her pain and I kinda got sick and had to leave the room. But everything is alright."

No wonder then, when we caught Jack’s headlining show at the Whisky, his kids were on his mind. He dedicated a song to his son, Eli. He’d done the same thing at a recent show in San Diego, saying, "The good thing about my career right now is that it’s very successful. The bad thing is that I’m not at home with my daughter on her birthday."

As tough as it is being away from his wife and kids, Jack has the career/family balance in perspective.

"That’s kind of the price of admission, right?" he allows. "Every job’s got its drawbacks no matter what--even if you’re lucky enough to do what you love to do. Jack says he tries to compensate for the time and distance away.

"We talk all the time and when I’m done working, I don’t pass ‘Go,’ I go directly ‘Home.’ Wherever I am, I catch the next flight out," he points out.

NEW HOME, NEW SUCCESS
One thing about a growing family--when you go from no children to three children in less than four years, it’s time for a bigger house. So not surprisingly, the Ingrams recently moved into a big new home.

"It’s big enough to fit me and my wife and kids," says Jack. "We have it on an acre of land on the west side of Austin. My wife was in charge of having it built. She designed it and was pretty much in charge of everything," he brags.

As his personal life expands, Jack's professional world is also growing. He tells GACTV.com he's taking notes from everyone he's had the opportunity to tour with, including pop icon Sheryl Crow.

"Professionally I was inspired by her work ethic on the music," he says. "You know, we get so carried away with the music business, doing phoners, station visits, interviews and all that stuff during the course of the day that you can forget about taking care of the music. And Sheryl showed up at sound check every single day and played a good hour at her sound check. Not all people do. It was inspiring. And her stage was pretty impressive. The whole thing--her show and her band and everything about her crew--was just top notch."

Top-notch--a fitting description of Jack Ingram's year, personally and professionally.