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.
Wherever You Are
Jack Ingram Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
God I'm missin' you
Been runnin' blind under a broken sky
With regrets I was sorting through
But lesson learned baby
I've made the turn
[Chorus]
No matter how far
Girl I'm gonna find my way to you
Through rivers of rain
Over mountains of pain
Do whatever on earth I've gotta do
I'll follow the dream I'll follow my heart
Girl I've gotta be
Wherever you are
So many miles to where we said goodbye
To the street of shattered dreams
I'm prayin' hard you didn't start a life
With someone who's not me
And if you're just gone
Girl I'll be movin' on
[Chorus]
Let the sunrise find me searchin'
Let the west wind carry my plea
Give this changed man one more last chance
Open your arms to me
Wherever you are
Through rivers of rain
Over mountains of pain
Do whatever on earth I've gotta do
I'll follow the dream I'll follow my heart
Girl I've gotta be
Wherever you are
Wherever you are
Wherever you are
Wherever you are.
In the first verse of Jack Ingram's song "Wherever You Are," the singer is lamenting the desert wind burning his face as he desperately misses someone he cares about deeply. He's been "running blind under a broken sky" while sorting through some regrets he has. However, he has "made the turn," suggesting that he is ready to move forward and reconcile with the person he is missing.
The chorus continues the theme of determination to reach this person "wherever they are." It seems that distance and time may have come between them, as the singer sings that he will make his way through "rivers of rain" and "mountains of pain" to reach her. He will "follow the dream" and his heart to be with her once again.
The final verse finds the singer praying that he still has a chance with the woman he misses. He asks that she open her arms to him once more, promising that he has changed and that he won't let her down. Throughout the song, there is a sense of longing mixed with determination, as if the singer will do anything to be with this person he loves.
Line by Line Meaning
This desert wind is burnin' my face again
The harsh conditions of my surroundings remind me of the pain and longing I feel for you.
God I'm missin' you
I am in deep sorrow and pain as I yearn for your presence and love.
Been runnin' blind under a broken sky
I have been struggling and suffering without direction or purpose, feeling lost and alone.
With regrets I was sorting through
I have been dealing with my own mistakes and shortcomings, trying to find a way to move forward and make things right.
But lesson learned baby
Through my struggles, I have gained wisdom and understanding, and I am ready to take action.
I've made the turn
I have changed my ways and mindset, and I am now on a path towards hope and redemption.
Wherever you are
No matter where you may be, I am committed to finding you and rekindling our love.
No matter how far
Even if you are miles and miles away, I am determined to reach you and restore our bond.
Girl I'm gonna find my way to you
I am confident in my ability to overcome any obstacle and make my way back to you.
Through rivers of rain
Even if life throws its toughest challenges and obstacles in my path, I will keep moving forward and never lose sight of my goal.
Over mountains of pain
I am prepared to face any amount of pain and hardship as long as it brings me closer to you.
Do whatever on earth I've gotta do
I am willing to do anything and everything necessary, no matter how difficult or daunting, to be reunited with you.
I'll follow the dream I'll follow my heart
I trust in my own intuition and heart, and I know that they will guide me towards the right path and decisions.
Girl I've gotta be
My love for you is so strong and enduring that I cannot bear the thought of living without you.
To the street of shattered dreams
The place where we parted ways was a site of heartbreak and despair, where all of our hopes and aspirations seemed to crumble.
I'm prayin' hard you didn't start a life
I hope that you haven't moved on with someone else and are still open to the possibility of being with me again.
With someone who's not me
I am afraid of the thought that you may have already found happiness with someone else and that I have lost you forever.
And if you're just gone
If you have truly moved on and don't want me back in your life, I will respect your decision and try to move on as well.
Girl I'll be movin' on
I will do my best to heal and let go of the past, even if it means letting go of my love for you.
Let the sunrise find me searchin'
I will not rest until I find you and make things right between us, and I am ready to start a new day on this journey.
Let the west wind carry my plea
I am calling out to the universe to help me reach you and to let my voice and love be heard by you.
Give this changed man one more last chance
I hope that you can see the growth and transformation I have undergone, and that you will give me the opportunity to prove my love to you once more.
Open your arms to me
I am ready to be embraced by your love and to feel the warmth and comfort of your arms around me once again.
Wherever you are
No matter where you may be, I am committed to finding you and rekindling our love.
Wherever you are
My love for you transcends all boundaries and obstacles, and I will follow it wherever it may lead me.
Wherever you are
I will never stop searching or giving up on our love, no matter how difficult or impossible it may seem.
Wherever you are.
I will always carry the memory and hope of our love with me, no matter where our paths may take us.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: JEREMY S. STOVER, STEVE BOGARD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Courtney B
One of the most under rated musicians in our generation, even his music is sadly not noticed by many. Such travisty
Larry Morris
This is a great song!
nemesisgenius
Jack Ingram scored his first and only #1 Billboard country hit with this masterpiece on May 20, 2006. Too bad country radio has forgotten this song ever existed.
Michael Smith
I have six of his albums, and they're good--glad he putting out great videos and more songs. He won a CMA award about five years ago--he earned it.
Dallas Alexander
Jack has several great songs! Talented singer, most people sadly don't know who he is.
darlene dodge
AMAZING song!!!! this song will always be special to me because it's the first song of jack's i ever heard. i see him in concert next month for the 15th time, he is the best!!!!:-)
Mariah W.
He made some damn good songs! Miss the good old days of listening to these on the country music station at my grandma’s house.
J.R. Lobinsky
One of my favorite songs growing up and still is today
Apu Baker Al Puff Daddy
This song brings me back to my high school days when it first came out in late 2005 and early 2006!
promisedeyes
Saw this live! Wow, he is a natural performer! :-D