Ingram was born in Houston, Texas. He started writing songs and performing while studying psychology at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, where he was member of Alpha Tau Omega.
Jack Ingram began his music career singing at a privately owned bar near the TCU campus of Fort Worth, Texas, which was owned by his friend John Clay Wolfe. Later, during the early 1990s, Jack toured the state of Texas opening for Mark Chesnutt and other acts. His first release was his self-titled album in 1995 via the Rhythmic label, followed by 1995's Lonesome Questions. Warner Bros. Records eventually signed him and released a live album entitled Live at Adair's, and re-issued his first two indie albums.
In 1997 he had his first and only time on the 22nd season of Austin City Limits. That same year, he released Livin' or Dyin' via Rising Tide Records, which produced his first chart single in the No. 51-peaking "Flutter". Two years later came Hey You via Lucky Dog, a division of Epic Records, which accounted for a No. 64 country single in "How Many Days". In 2000, he collaborated with Charlie Robison and Bruce Robison for the live album Unleashed Live.
Electric, his second album for Lucky Dog, was also his first album to enter Top Country Albums, despite not producing a chart single. This album was supplemented a year later by an EP entitled Electric: Extra Volts before he left Lucky Dog. Two more live albums followed before he signed to Columbia Records for the release of Young Man in 2004, which accounted for no singles. Another live album, Acoustic Motel, was issued in 2005.
On Sunday, February 3, 2013, H-E-B premiered their 'Texas Myths' Super Bowl commercial featuring Jack Ingram.
In 2005, Ingram signed to the independent record label Big Machine Records. Under the Big Machine banner, Ingram released a predominantly live album entitled Live: Wherever You Are. His first single release on that record label, "Wherever You Are", became Ingram's first top 40, and later his first Number One single on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, as well as the first Number One for the Big Machine label. "Love You", the only other studio track on Live: Wherever You Are, was also released as a single, peaking at No. 12 on the charts. This song was also recorded by Trent Summar & the New Row Mob (whose frontman, Trent Summar, co-wrote it) on their 2005 album Horseshoes & Hand Grenades. This is also where he met famous country music artist Taylor Swift. Jack stated they were developing a relationship though she wasn't interested.
In late 2006, Ingram released a cover of Hinder's song "Lips of an Angel". Ingram's cover peaked at No. 16 on the country charts "Lips of an Angel" was the lead-off single to This Is It, his second album for Big Machine. This album also produced the No. 18 "Measure of a Man" (a Radney Foster co-write) and the No. 24 "Maybe She'll Get Lonely".
In 2008, Ingram appeared at the Argyle Education Foundation Black Diamond Affiar.
He won the Academy of Country Music award for top new male vocalist on May 19, 2008. Ingram also filled in for radio host Bob Kingsley on the countdown show "Bob Kingsley's Country Top 40" for the week of September 20–21, 2008.
According to CMT, Ingram's Big Dreams & High Hopes album has "more guts" and Ellis Paul's "The World Ain't Slowing Down" may be the song that takes Ingram to the "next level". Ingram says "It'll be fun for me to expose people to a fantastic song from an artist who's had a 20-year career of being a very successful folk artist." The song was cut from the album. Its lead-off single "That's a Man" charted in the Top 20, followed by "Barefoot and Crazy," which became his second Top 10 hit. The album's next three singles all failed to enter the Top 40: "Seeing Stars" (a duet with Patty Griffin), "Free" and a re-recording of "Barbie Doll" with guest vocals from Dierks Bentley.
On August 26, 2009, Ingram set a Guinness record for the most radio interviews in one day, when he was interviewed 215 times.
Ingram and Big Machine amicably parted ways in late 2011.
As a sideline, Ingram does voice imaging for a number of country stations, including KRYS-FM Corpus Christi; WSIX-FM Nashville; WMIL-FM Milwaukee; KWJJ-FM Portland, Ore.; and KSCS Dallas.
In 2013, Jack teamed up with actor Matthew McConaughey and University of Texas at Austin football coach Mack Brown to create a fundraiser for their favorite children's charities. Dubbed Mack, Jack & McConaughey, the affair was held April 11–12 at Austin's ACL Live at the Moody Theater and featured a gala, golf tournament, fashion show and two nights of music. Mack, Jack & McConaughey returned in 2014.
Hold On
Jack Ingram Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Running circles 'round this house
Tripping over memories
Trying to figure things out
It's been a few years and I miss you still
Get your picture on the window sill
Been thinking of ways, I got days to fill
I don't think I ever will
Hold on to things you can't explain
Hold on dancing in the rain
Hold on to kisses on the lips
Savor every sweet moment, cause baby this is it
And hold on
Hold on
I've been cleaning up this mess
Found a metal box with some black and white photographs
A little faded but baby you sure do look good in that old dress, oh yes
Didn't we wish we were superstars?
Sign our names in the dust on your family car
We'd be waving to the crowd
You be the diva
And I'll play guitar
Hold on to things you wanna be
Hold on to friends and family
Hold on to burning summer sun
It makes a difference, every one
Hold on
Hold on
Thinking that we'd say the same
But we didn't know that the world would change
Yeah it just keeps on spinning
And we just keep on holding on
Hold on to things can't explain
Hold on to dancing in the rain
Hold on to kisses on the lips
Savor every sweet moment, cause baby this is it
And hold on to things you wanna be
Hold on to friends and family
Hold on to burning summer sun
It makes a difference, every one
Hold on
Hold on
Hold on
Hold on
In Jack Ingram's song "Hold On," the singer reflects on his past and the memories he shared with someone who is no longer there. He describes how he has been following the ghost of that person as he tries to understand his own emotions and figure things out. He speaks about missing the person, and how he has their picture on the window sill but hasn't been able to move on. The song then goes on to tell listeners to hold onto things they cannot explain, to dance in the rain and savor every sweet moment, including kisses on the lips. The singer encourages the audience to hold onto the things they want to be, friends and family, and the burning summer sun because they make a difference. The chorus repeats the phrase "hold on" to emphasize the importance of cherishing and valuing life before it slips away.
The song's lyrics are poignant and melancholic, suggesting that we should hold onto what we have before it's too late. The removal of someone dear to the singer has made him realize the importance of savoring and cherishing every moment. Indeed, the song carries a message of hope and resilience that can be applied to most aspects of life. It teaches listeners to remain optimistic and find joy in small pleasures despite the challenges and uncertainties of life. The song is a reminder to hold onto the good things and try to let go of the bad, to focus on gratitude and the beauty of the world around us.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been following your ghost
I've been trying to reconnect with the memories of you that still linger around this place.
Running circles 'round this house
I find myself wandering aimlessly around our old home, trying to make sense of my feelings.
Tripping over memories
The memories of our time together keep popping up unexpectedly and affecting my emotions.
Trying to figure things out
I'm attempting to make sense of the past and understand how it's affecting my present.
It's been a few years and I miss you still
Even though time has passed, I still long for you and the connection we once shared.
Get your picture on the window sill
I still keep a photo of you visible in the house, as a reminder of the love we shared.
Been thinking of ways, I got days to fill
I've been searching for ways to fill the emptiness that remains since you left.
I don't think I ever will
I don't believe I'll ever fully move on from the pain of losing you.
Hold on to things you can't explain
Embrace the mysteries of life and cherish the unexplainable moments that make it worth living.
Hold on dancing in the rain
Enjoy the simple pleasures of life, like dancing in the rain, and hold onto those happy moments.
Hold on to kisses on the lips
Cherish the intimate moments shared with loved ones, as they are fleeting and precious.
Savor every sweet moment, cause baby this is it
Appreciate every joyful moment life has to offer, because each one is a gift.
And hold on
Continue to persevere through life's challenges and hold onto hope for brighter days.
I've been cleaning up this mess
I have been working to heal and move forward from our past, to clean up the emotional mess that remains.
Found a metal box with some black and white photographs
While sorting through our memories, I discovered a box containing old photographs of us.
A little faded but baby you sure do look good in that old dress, oh yes
The photographs may be old, but you still look beautiful to me and bring back many happy memories.
Didn't we wish we were superstars?
Reminiscing on our old dreams for the future and the excitement we shared about what was to come.
Sign our names in the dust on your family car
We left our mark on the world by leaving behind our names on your family's car, an innocent and joyous memory of our time together.
We'd be waving to the crowd
Imagining what it would have been like to achieve our dreams and perform in front of others, together as a team.
You be the diva
Imagining the talent and charisma that you possess and how it would have elevated your performance.
And I'll play guitar
Imagining the talent and passion I have for music and how it would have contributed to our future success.
Hold on to things you wanna be
Don't let go of your dreams or the person you aspire to become.
Hold on to friends and family
Hold onto the people who support and love you, for they will be the ones who help you through life's challenges.
Hold on to burning summer sun
Hold onto the warmth and light of life, which can be found in moments of joy and positivity.
It makes a difference, every one
Each positive moment in life can have a major impact on our overall happiness and outlook on life.
Thinking that we'd say the same
Assuming that we would still be in sync with our feelings and aspirations after all this time.
But we didn't know that the world would change
We didn't anticipate the various ways that life would impact us and change our paths moving forward.
Yeah it just keeps on spinning
Life goes on, despite the challenges and changes we may face.
And we just keep on holding on
Despite these challenges, we hold onto hope and continue to persevere through whatever obstacles may come our way.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Blu Sanders
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind