Country Singer Talks Career After Topping the Charts
A local musician is preparing for his next act.
Well-known in Central Wisconsin and beyond, country singer Jerry Schmitt is in the beginning stages of his fourth album, which he said will release late 2018 or early 2019 and will include all original material. Schmitt has previously released 100 Miles in 2008, Say a Prayer for You in 2013 and Wishful Thinking in 2016. His song “I Don’t Hurt As Much As I Used To” hit No.1 on the Country Roots chart in 2015, while his first album, 100 Miles, reached No. 2.
His band’s signature sound is traditional country with a rockabilly influence. “We’re staying true to country but also putting a little edge on it,” said Schmitt, 38. “The thing I stress with our band is that we stay versatile. We love getting the crowd rocking and rolling just as much as any other band.” Its seven members come from all over the state and Minneapolis, though its base is in Stratford.
Schmitt’s yet-untitled work will stay true to his traditional country style. “I’m not a huge fan of pop country, so what people can expect on this next album is very similar to what 100 Miles was like,” said Schmitt. “There’s some elements of traditional country. I like to mix it up so every song doesn’t sound exactly the same.”
Creating a new album is a long process, but it’s exciting to work on new material. “I kind of stumbled on a process that seems to work,” he said. “Basically what I do is get the songs picked out, and then I go down to Nashville.”
Schmitt feels at home in the recording studio ToneSlinger, which allows him to bring in his chosen musicians, including some who helped form his last album, Wishful Thinking. The recorded instrumentation is then taken back digitally to the state-of-the-art studio at Whitehouse Productions in Wausau for mastering and final touches.
In the meantime, the band enjoys a busy line-up at festivals, bars, weddings, beer tents, fairs, casinos, rodeos, and competitions. They travel across the Midwest and perform at legendary venues in Nashville to stay close to the scene.
Their efforts may be surprising to those who expected fame and fortune for Schmitt after his single hit the charts, but he said keeping a foot in the industry is a constant work in process.
“It gave us credibility,” he explained about the effect of his No.1 hit. “It’s helped put us on the map and the radar screen of some of these executives.”
Even so, Schmitt’s inner drive isn’t directed toward big name recognition. “For me, my definition of success is not necessarily fame and fortune,” he said. “I look at some of these superstars like Alan Jackson and Keith Urban—that’s not the goal. It is truly the love of music.”
Schmitt’s day job has been in the legal department at United Health Care for the past fifteen years. Music acts as his second career, and maybe one day, his primary one.
“My goal is to make music a full-time occupation,” he said. “I would love to take my music to new audiences, even around the world. Again, money-wise, as long as we’re making enough to pay the bills and put a little aside for retirement, I’ll be a happy camper.”
The band’s lineup includes local stops like the Stratford Community Days in July and the McMillian Fire Department Annual Street Dance in September, and can be checked out online.
“We enjoy what we’re doing, and hope the crowds keep coming out!” said Schmitt.
