Speaking of keys, it’s his dad that Jordan credits as being key to shaping his musical influences. “My dad was a huge Country music fan – Kenny Rogers, Alan Jackson, Travis Tritt, John Michael Montgomery, Tracy Lawrence. All the guys from that ‘90s era have always been big influences for me as well.”
Jordan picked up the guitar at 15, aided by a deal with his father. "If he saw me with the guitar in my hands every day when he came home from work, I didn't have to do any chores that summer. I was like, 'Deal!' Of course, I had no idea how hard it would be to learn. I'm completely self-taught. Watched a few YouTube videos and from there it was simply trial and error. I started writing songs about the same time and they were god-awful." Jordan’s first gig was a county fair where he played four of his favorite covers for a crowd of 50. “When I got offstage I walked up to my mom and said, 'That was fun. I want to do that forever.'"
Easier said than done as a high school student, but Jordan’s competitive drive found a way – with a little help from his family. "Most places you had to be 18 to even get in," Jordan says. "My mom would call to talk the manager into it. She'd walk me in, sit in the front row and walk me out. It was, 'Don't touch anything. Don't talk to anyone. Don't take anything from anyone. Just play and slip out.'"
Barry Williams, Jason Aldean's father, came on board at this time. "We met through a mutual friend from playing county fairs," Jordan says. "He booked shows, set up meetings and got songwriting appointments when I was about 17 or 18. That was my first connection to Nashville.”
In 2013, after years of playing the club scene, frat parties and college bars - while also traveling to Nashville for a week each month to write - Jordan received a call from Jeremy Stover, producer for Justin Moore and Craig Campbell, among others. The #1 charting producer was looking for an acoustic opener for Justin Moore’s Off the Beaten Path Tour and thought Jordan was the perfect fit.
Jumping onto a fast-moving national tour was a prodigious leap. The young artist held his own, playing acoustically between seasoned veterans and #1 hit makers Randy Houser and Moore. It also proved to be an invaluable education. "The biggest thing I learned offstage was how to treat people. Justin and his crew were always patient when stuff didn’t go right. Onstage, I learned how to interact with a crowd. For the first month of that tour, I’d play my set, run all my stuff back to the bus, then sit front-of-house for Justin’s whole show. I would just watch and learn everything I could. What does he do during different songs? How does he talk to the crowd? What does he do if something goes wrong? It was really great to see that at a young age. I learned so much about how to carry yourself on and off stage.”
Rager spent fall of 2013 through the first half of 2014 on the tour. He signed a joint management deal with Barry Williams and Peter Hartung (Justin Moore/ Dustin Lynch) and signed with Broken Bow Records the following September. Shortly after landing his record deal, he went back on tour with Justin Moore – this time with a full band.
On stage, Jordan’s competitive drive, instilled in him at such a young age, immediately shines through. There are moments at the plate where one must stand and deliver – and Jordan, unflinchingly, does. "When I go to a show, I want to be entertained just like everybody else. So when it's me onstage, I try to give the crowd what I would want to see. When the groove is going, the band is rocking and I'm rocking, then the crowd starts giving it back - that's as good as it gets."
Southern Boy
Jordan Rager Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Seasons change, dashboard stays covered in red clay dust
Southern boy, you never been scared to fight
Your family name, there's a lot of things you just don't compromise
Keep singing them songs
Keep carrying on, yeah
Keep stealing those kisses from your southern belle
Keep loving those Friday nights
Keep rolling with your buddies, raising a little hell
Just don't cross the line
We all know there ain't nothing like the feeling
The way you grew up, Sunday kneeling
Like glass bags popping you keep making that noise
Southern boy
Southern sky, watching over you
Looking down on your little town and the hearts that hold your roots
Southern boy
When the road starts getting rough
The wheels you're on will get you home, no matter how deep the mud
So keeping them songs
Keep carrying on
Keep stealing those kisses from your southern belle
Keep loving those Friday nights
Keep rolling with your buddies, raising a little hell
Just don't cross the line
We all know there ain't nothing like the feeling
The way you grew up, Sunday kneeling
Like glass bags popping you keep making that noise
Southern boy
Keep telling your story
So you'll never be gone
Keep carrying on
Just keep carrying on
Keep stealing those kisses from your southern belle
Keep loving those Friday nights
Keep rolling with your buddies, raising a little hell
Just don't cross the line
We all know there ain't nothing like the feeling
The way you grew up, Sunday kneeling
Like glass bags popping you keep making that noise
Southern boy
Yeah, good ol' southern boy
The lyrics of Jordan Rager's "Southern Boy" celebrate the life and values of a young man from the South, who embodies the traits that are typically associated with Southern culture. The song paints a picture of a person who loves his roots, his truck, his family, and his friends, and is not afraid to stand up for what he believes in. The lyrics talk about the simple pleasures of life that are important to this young man - stealing kisses from his Southern belle, partying with his buddies on Friday nights, and getting dirty in the mud with his pickup truck. Through all of this, the song emphasizes the importance of staying true to oneself and one's values, and never compromising on what matters most.
The song captures the essence of the Southern lifestyle and its values. It portrays a culture where family, tradition, and loyalty are highly valued, and where individuals derive a sense of identity and pride from their community and its heritage. The song also touches upon the challenges and struggles that this young man might face in life, such as rough roads and difficult times, but emphasizes that he will always have the support of his community and his roots to fall back on.
One possible interpretation of this song is that it is a tribute to the resilience and perseverance of the people of the South, who have faced adversity and hardship throughout history but have always managed to find strength and hope through their faith and their communities. The lyrics suggest that this young man represents the best of Southern culture and is a testament to the enduring appeal and influence of the South on American life and culture.
Line by Line Meaning
Southern boy, in your pickup truck
A boy from the southern US, often associated with rural life, driving a pick-up truck as a common form of transportation.
Seasons change, dashboard stays covered in red clay dust
The passage of time doesn't change the evidence of the boy's rural lifestyle, as seen by the red clay dust on his dashboard.
Southern boy, you never been scared to fight
The boy embodies traits of strength and bravery, not shying away from physical confrontation.
Your family name, there's a lot of things you just don't compromise
The boy and his family have a strong sense of identity and personal values, with certain principles that can't be sacrificed.
Keep singing them songs
The boy's love of music and storytelling is important to him and should continue.
Keep carrying on, yeah
Despite challenges or obstacles, it's important to persevere and continue on one's path.
Keep stealing those kisses from your southern belle
The boy should continue to express his love and affection to his Southern girlfriend in their usual romantic way.
Keep loving those Friday nights
The boy should continue to enjoy the leisure time and social activities typical of Southern lifestyle on weekends.
Keep rolling with your buddies, raising a little hell
The boy should continue to have fun and make memories with his friends, while also pushing the limits a bit.
Just don't cross the line
The boy and his friends should still operate within the boundaries of acceptable behavior in Southern culture.
We all know there ain't nothing like the feeling
The sense of pride and joy in being a Southern boy is unique and difficult to replicate elsewhere.
The way you grew up, Sunday kneeling
The boy's upbringing and the importance of religion and faith in Southern life.
Like glass bags popping you keep making that noise
The boy's enthusiasm and energy are like the sound of breaking glass, and he should keep that spirit alive.
Southern sky, watching over you
The boy is connected to his roots and the region in which he lives, symbolized by the expansive Southern sky.
Looking down on your little town and the hearts that hold your roots
The boy's hometown and the people who live there are an integral part of his identity and heritage.
When the road starts getting rough
During tough times or challenges, the boy should remember his roots and persevere.
The wheels you're on will get you home, no matter how deep the mud
The boy's sense of identity and guidance from his roots will help him overcome obstacles and find a sense of home.
Keep telling your story
The boy should continue to share his experiences and unique perspective on Southern life with others.
So you'll never be gone
By sharing his story, the boy's legacy and impact will live on beyond his lifetime.
Yeah, good ol' southern boy
A simple phrase encapsulating the boy's identity, pride, and connection to Southern culture.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: BERNARD JAMES FREEMAN, BRYAN WILLIAMS, BYRON O. THOMAS, DWAYNE CARTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind