Jason Michael Carroll Finds New Gauge for Success

Jason Michael Carroll performs at the Nightly Concert on the Vault Concert Stage LP Field Saturday, June 7 in Downtown Nashville during the 2008 CMA Music Festival. Photographer: John Russell / CMA

March 25, 2009 — There are plenty of ways to measure the success of a recording career: chart position, ticket sales or album sales are the traditional methods.

Jason Michael Carroll has grown to appreciate a rather unscientific gauge: the length of time it takes to get in and out of Wal-Mart.

"I leave Wendy and the kids in the truck and tell them, ‘I only need a few things, I’ll be right back,’" he told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "If I’m not back in 10 minutes now, one of the kids usually pipes up and says, ‘Daddy’s signing autographs again!’ But they’re real understanding about it."

Signing autographs might delay the family, but it’s a good indication that people are recognizing Jason and that his music has begun to mean something to them. They certainly connected with his first two hits — the tear-jerker "Alyssa Lies" and the relationship affirmation "Livin’ Our Love Song." Now fans are beginning to relate to his new single, "Where I’m From," in which an Armani-dresssed businessman embraces his down-to-earth roots.

"I wanted to play it live and record it from the moment I heard it," Jason Michael said, of the song. "I’ve sat on that wooden pew in my Baptist preacher daddy’s church, and I grew up on a tobacco farm and watched those deals go down out in the field. I knew what that song was about."

"Where I’m From" is currently ranked at No. 19 on the USA Today Mediabase country chart. It’s the first single from Jason’s sophomore album, Growing Up Is Getting Old. The CD is set for release April 28.