Daily Discovery: Jason Springs, “What it Means to be a Man”

Videos by American Songwriter

SONG: “What it Means to be a Man”

HOMETOWN: Danville, Virginia

AMBITIONS: To record an album of songs that I’m absolutely confident in as an artist.

TURN-OFFS: People who go to concerts and don’t show the artists the respect they deserve.

TURN-ONS: Honest lyrics and solid, tight harmonies.

DREAM GIG: Opening for Jason Isbell

FAVORITE LYRIC: “…outside the show drinking Nyquil and honey trying to conjure up some rock n roll.” – Sad Baptist Rain, John Moreland

SONG I WISH I WROTE: “High Road” by John Fullbright

5 PEOPLE I’D MOST LIKE TO HAVE DINNER WITH: David Ramirez, John Moreland, Jason Isbell, Ryan Adams, & BJ Barham.

MY FAVORITE CONCERT EXPERIENCE: American Aquarium’s “Wolves” cd release show (night 2) this year at The Lincoln Theatre in Raleigh, NC. John Moreland and Turnpike Troubadours opened. Three of my favorite artists, awesome night of music.

I WROTE THIS SONG BECAUSE…Maybe it’s somewhat political, maybe it’s not. The song kind of sprung from conversations with my wife. Those, and just overall interest in society’s stereotypes of people. As a man these days, you’re expected to be and do different things… Be loud. Drink a lot. Lift weights. Scream “’Merica” every chance you get, and fly in to work every morning on a machine-gun-toting bald eagle. I got married this past year and have a kid on the way in the next month. It all just got me thinking. What really matters? I guess I criticize all of the stereotypes, but the bridge of the song brings it back together. I just write songs and play guitar. They’re different, but one isn’t better than the other. We all just have to figure out what’s important in our own way.