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.
Make A Wish
Jack Ingram Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Start the car and call the road your friend
Tell the girls and the Lord above
You'll think fondly and call back now and then
Head out of the city
Go find what they brought you down here for
Take that shiny penny
And make a wish that dreams come true
Go on sail the ocean blue
Ride a highway like the wind
Drink the good times down like sin
Go on, take that car and drive so far
It looks like you're comin' home again
Stare at the moonlight
And threaten every star it won't be long
You tell 'em this is the very last night
I look to you to make sense of it all
Then head into the city
Electric lights that shine from dusk till dawn
Take that rusty penny
Throw it in the air and then move along
And make a wish that dreams come true
Go on sail the ocean blue
Ride a highway like the wind
Drink the good times down like sin
Go on, take that car and drive so far
It looks like you're comin' home again
You can't go back but you can't come back 'round
Let the world know as you roll through town
Make a wish that dreams come true
Go on sail the ocean blue
Ride a highway like the wind
Drink the good times down like sin
Go on, take that car and drive so far
It looks like you're comin' home again
Yeah, take that car and drive so far
It looks like you're comin' home again
In Jack Ingram's Make A Wish, the lyrics tell of a journey of self-discovery and the search for one's purpose in life. The song encourages the listener to escape the monotony of everyday life and to embark on an adventure to find meaning and purpose.
The first verse talks about leaving behind the predictable routine and embracing the unknown by starting a journey on the open road with only the hopes of fulfilling one's dreams. All the while, the singer must also remember where they came from while they move towards their future.
The second verse talks about being lost and afraid while looking for guidance by reflective stargazing. Afterward, the singer comes back to the city full of bright lights and new opportunities to start a new chapter in their life, letting go of their past while taking what they have learned with them.
Overall, the song Make a Wish is about taking risks, following dreams, and embracing a bright new future while remembering where you came from.
Line by Line Meaning
Stare out at the horizon
Look out into the distance and ponder on your future
Start the car and call the road your friend
Get in your car and embrace the open road for adventure
Tell the girls and the Lord above
Share with loved ones and God your plans for the journey ahead
You'll think fondly and call back now and then
Reflect on past memories and stay in touch with loved ones
Head out of the city
Leave your current environment and explore new places
Go find what they brought you down here for
Discover your purpose in life and pursue it with passion
Take that shiny penny
Take advantage of the resources you have been given
That daddy gave you from the day that you were born
Be grateful for the guidance and support of your parents
And make a wish that dreams come true
Hope for success and fulfillment in your endeavors
Go on sail the ocean blue
Take risks and explore new opportunities
Ride a highway like the wind
Embrace the freedom and excitement of the journey
Drink the good times down like sin
Enjoy and savor every moment of the journey
Go on, take that car and drive so far
Drive towards your dreams and aspirations with determination
It looks like you're comin' home again
Despite wandering far, never forget where you came from
Stare at the moonlight
Reflect on the beauty of the world and your place in it
And threaten every star it won't be long
Assert your resolve and determination to succeed
You tell 'em this is the very last night
Declare that tonight is the beginning of something greater
I look to you to make sense of it all
Rely on a higher power to guide and make sense of your journey
Then head into the city
Return to your previous environment with newfound wisdom and experience
Electric lights that shine from dusk till dawn
Be inspired by the hustle and bustle of city life
Take that rusty penny
Make the most of what little resources you have
Throw it in the air and then move along
Take risks and embrace change with courage
You can't go back but you can't come back 'round
The journey changes you, but you can't undo what's already been done
Let the world know as you roll through town
Share your experience and wisdom with those around you
Yeah, take that car and drive so far
Continue pursuing your dreams, even if it means driving into the unknown
It looks like you're comin' home again
Despite the changes, you always come back to where you belong
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: TY STEVENS, MINDI ABAIR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind