Jason Michael Carroll photo by David Bean, courtesy of Sony Music Nashville.
To be a female celebrity is to undergo a constant evaluation of the latest hair style. Kellie Pickler’s shift from blonde to red and back to blonde? All over the ‘Net. Carrie Underwood’s new ‘do on the CMAs? Lots of folks registered opinions. Taylor Swift’s newly straightened locks? In some quarters, it gets more hits than stories about health care.
Hair is sort of a thing with male singer Jason Michael Carroll these days. When he came to prominence with a mop that wasn’t all that different from, say, a 1988 version of Motley Crue’s Vince Neil, Jason’s rock-star image — enhanced by the Steven Tyler-bred scarves hanging from his mic stand — cut a unique figure in country circles.
With the release of his Growing Up Is Getting Old album earlier this year, he’d mowed it all to a more manageable level. But when he hit the stage at Nashville’s Exit/In on Thursday, Jason evinced an even leaner cut. The back of his hair barely brushes the bottom of his collar, and the worldly soul patch is completely buzzed. The new JMC is cleaner, less brooding and… well, if you didn’t know he was born in 1978, you’d swear he was only 22.
Adding an extra significance, the younger look makes the experienced manliness of his big-as-Texas voice stand out even more through contrast. That voice comes out of that guy!?
Yup, it does. Nothing has changed there. In his 15-song set, Jason mined the lower reaches of his baritone frequently, showing off a sonic basement that’s been dug perhaps as deeply as Trace Adkins’ and Josh Turner’s similarly resonances. He enhances it with a dangerous growl that owes something to Tracy Lawrence. But what’s most striking about Jason’s tone is his ability to hit the high notes. He ranges farther up than any of those guys, and — as he demonstrated on a particularly rangy cover of George Jones’ “He Stopped Loving Her Today” — he has nearly as much power and clarity at his vocal ceiling as he maintains at the foundation.
Paul Overstreet was seen working the Exit/In crowd a bit, and maybe that’s a good omen. Paul wrote a couple of monster classics for Randy Travis, “On The Other Hand” and “Forever And Ever, Amen.” Randy’s skill at stretching outside the typical range of frequencies is similar to Jason’s, and he did very well with those Overstreet songs.
In delivering “Alyssa Lies,” “Hurry Home” and “Livin’ Our Love Song,” among others, Jason noted that he’d had five Top 20 hits in a row. That’s nothing to sneeze at, but it’s a little different than a bunch of Top 10 or No. 1 records, and it’d be nice to see him hit that plateau. It’s a great voice, he’s set a nice table so far with his material. Now he just needs one really undeniable title to get to that next level.
Then folks will really be talking big-time about the hair.
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he's still smokin hott
Love the new "do", the old ones were great but he looks amazing. Hope Jason comes bcak to do Guitars and Stars agian in Scranton, PA
His new look is great. He looks good no matter what he does… His music is the best I've heard in a very long time. He can sing like no one else out there right now. He's amazing.
jason is awesome in concert . i love his voice , his attitude is great, and he is also a doll. chatt, tn. loves jmc long hair,short hair or no hair at all he's the best. sally
Too bad the haircut doesn't improve his horrible voice.
tell u what buddy….get ur happy butt up there and show us what u got. Jason kicks ass and if u dont understand that, then u don't deserve to hear his wonderful voice
you have got to be kiddin!!!!!!!!
You obviously don't know what you are talking about. He has one of the best voices in country music today!
mama always said if you can not say something nice then do not say anything at all. Jason has a great voice .
He looks so much better with the new do and that wierd hair he had on his face is gone. He looks more like a guy now than a woman. He was just as pretty as some women with the long hair. Now if he will just take off some of that jewelry he wears. He gets played a lot on my station in Atlanta.
FYI: Vince Neil was the lead singer of Motley Crue…..Bret Michaels was Poison.
I have seen JMC in concert several times. He is an awesome performer and deserves all the recognition he has received….plus a whole lot more! I am excited for Jason to see his career continuously reaching new heights!
As an added note….your bit on Paul Overstreet sounds as if working with him is something Jason could only hope for. If you take a closer look at Jason’s sophomore album Growing Up Is Getting Old, you will see that writing with Paul Overstreet is a honor Jason has already received! And…’That’s All I Know’!
Jason is a amazing singer. I do like Jason's new hair cut.
Jason is an amazing performer and I hope he starts to get recognized on award shows and on the radio.
Jason Michael Carroll has a great voice and great stage presence. He lets you know that fans are VERY important to him. His songs need to be played more often on the radio. He has fans of all ages, from teens to great grandmothers, and great grandfathers. I am 65 year old great grandmother. I have seen two of his concerts when he was in Georgia. HE IS GREAT.
For a writer of music reviews, you would think you could at least get your bands streight!
I for one like Jason's new haircut ! and if your going to compare him to people please at least get your facts straight
Vince Neil sings for Motley Crue. Moron…
my sentiments exactly!!!!
So, he made a mistake in one reference. Big deal. It's been corrected. Nobody died. There's no reason to get uppity and rude.
Here's some constructive criticism:
You and Heather need to learn some manners. And Heather, please work on your spelling.