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."
Small Town Talkin'
Jordan Rager Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't you think it needs some shaking, baby
It wouldn't hurt my feelings girl if you and me get
That main street rumor mill going crazy
Chorus
Girl let's take these street lights
Turn 'em into spot lights
I don't care who's watching (watching)
There ain't no doubt
Word is gonna get around
Might not ever live it down
The way we're rockin'
Let's get this small town talkin'
Let's get this small town talkin'
That map dot paparazzi's gonna get a good show
When they see that red light kiss holding up the whole road
They're gonna lose their minds when they catch wind
Of the parking lot slow dance we did
We'll be famous by the time I get you home
Chorus
Yeah girl the night is calling calling
As long as you're still falling girl I'm all in
Let's get this small town talkin'
Chorus
Yeah girl the night is calling calling
As long as you're still falling girl I'm all in
Let's get this small town talkin'
In the song "Small Town Talkin'" by Jordan Rager, the lyrics speak of a desire to create some excitement and gossip in a small town. The singer wants to shake things up by starting rumors and making people talk with their actions. The need for drama is so strong that the singer suggests that they create a scene in public, causing people to stop and watch, which would lead to rumors.
The lyrics about the "grapevine" being too quiet showcases the small-town culture of gossip and how the singer wants to liven up that culture. The mention of the "map dot paparazzi" highlights the attention that small-town celebrities get from the town's people. The singer is aware of the town's dynamics and is using them to their advantage.
The chorus emphasizes the singer's plan to create a commotion and that they are not afraid of people talking. They want to make a memory that will be the talk of the town for a long time. The mention of "spotlights" and "getting famous" highlights the hope that they will be remembered for this moment.
Overall, the song talks about how small towns can have a culture of gossip and how people can use it to their advantage by creating a "buzz". The lyrics suggest that people should not be afraid to be themselves and that they should not worry about what others say. The song speaks to the need for excitement and drama in small towns.
Line by Line Meaning
That grapevine's been a little too quiet lately
The local gossip isn't as active as usual and we should stir things up.
Don't you think it needs some shaking, baby
Let's start some rumors and chatter together, shall we?
It wouldn't hurt my feelings girl if you and me get
I won't be upset if you and I start some gossip and rumors in this town.
That main street rumor mill going crazy
Let's get the town talking with some exciting news and events.
Girl let's take these street lights
Let's make the whole town notice us and put on a show.
Turn 'em into spot lights
We can turn ordinary things into something special and memorable.
Baby I'ma love you like
I want to show you my affection and care for you.
I don't care who's watching (watching)
I will love you openly and without concern for anyone's judgment or opinions.
There ain't no doubt
There is no question that people will be talking about us.
Word is gonna get around
Our actions and behavior will be talked about and spread throughout this small town.
Might not ever live it down
People will remember what we did for a long time.
The way we're rockin'
Our relationship is strong and exciting, and everyone will see that.
Let's get this small town talkin'
Let's create a buzz in this town and get people talking about us.
That map dot paparazzi's gonna get a good show
Even the small-town media will be excited to hear about what we did.
When they see that red light kiss holding up the whole road
The epic kiss we shared will be memorable and will have stopped the whole town.
They're gonna lose their minds when they catch wind
People will be shocked and thrilled when they hear about what we did.
Of the parking lot slow dance we did
Our slow dance in the parking lot will be a romantic moment that people will remember.
We'll be famous by the time I get you home
By the time we get home, word will have spread about our exciting night and we will have become famous in the town.
Yeah girl the night is calling calling
The night is full of possibilities and excitement.
As long as you're still falling girl I'm all in
As long as you're still interested and excited, I'm all in for creating more memorable moments.
Let's get this small town talkin'
Let's continue to create buzz and excitement in this small town and make everyone talk about us.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BEN HAYSLIP, CHRIS STEVENS, JORDAN RAGER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Cash Money
Lyrics
Well that grapevine's been a little too quiet lately
Don't you think it needs a bit of shakin', baby
Aw it wouldn't hurt my feelings, if you and me get
That main street rumor-mill goin' crazy
Girl, let's turn these street lights, turn 'em into spot lights
Baby I'ma love you like, I don't care who's watching
Yeah, there ain't no doubt word is gonna get around
Might not ever live it down when we're rocking
Let's get this small town talkin' (talkin', talkin', talkin')
Let's get this small town talkin' (talkin', talkin', talkin')
That map-dot paparazzi's gonna get a good show, ha
When they see that red-lip kiss holdin' up the whole show
Yeah, they're gonna lose their mind when they
Catch wind, of that parkin' lot slow-dance we did
And we'll be famous before I get you home
Girl, let's turn these street lights, turn 'em into spot lights
Baby I'ma love you like, I don't care who's watching
Yeah, there ain't no doubt word is gonna get around
Might not ever live it down when we're rocking
Let's get this small town talkin', talkin', talkin'
Yeah, girl the night is callin', callin', callin'
As long as you're still fallin', girl I'm, all in
Let's get this small town talkin', talkin', talkin', talkin', yeah!
Girl, let's turn these street lights, turn 'em into spot lights
Baby I'ma love you like, I don't care who's watching
Yeah, there ain't no doubt word is gonna get around
Might not ever live it down when we're rocking
Let's get this small town talkin' (talkin', talkin', talkin')
Let's get this small town talkin' (talkin', talkin', talkin')
Let's get this small town talkin' (talkin', talkin', talkin')
(Let's get this small town talkin', talkin', talkin')
(Let's get this small town talkin', talkin', talkin')
Jordan Rager
Thanks for all the love and support y'all! More coming soon...
Crystal Katz
Look good in this video
Terryboy
Love ur music man big fan keep up the hard work yeehaww
Ali Barari
i love your voice so much
Dude Drover
Jordan Rager hey I don’t know if u will reply but I listen to ur music on the way to and from work! Love it 100% ur biggest fan🤙🏽
Kaden Poe
First bank
Area
Jeremy Johnston
Man, you always kill it, and have such great music. Keep up the great job man!
Jordan Rager
thanks Jeremy!
Veronica Whisenant
I absolutely love it! You always kill it, I can't wait for more new music to be released. 😍
Jordan Rager
oh it's coming!!