You may not know singer/songwriter Jason Boots just yet, but chances are you will very soon. With an entertainment background and debut album currently in the works, he seems a sure shot for stardom. Not bad for someone who never picked up a guitar until his 27th birthday. From heartfelt ballads such as "Anymore", to the Dylan inspired "All I Got", to the poppy, guitar "Rap Tune", his creative songs and songwriting reach out, grab onto you, and never let go. His music takes us from the mississippi rivertown in which he grew up, to the Hollywood strip. From heartache and pain, to effortless joy, and everywhere inbetween. "Sometimes you're high, sometimes you're low. It's a long road, and music is the soundtrack." It's been especially long for Boots, who embarked on his journey soon after high school. Growing up in Minnesota, he was an all state athlete in three sports, but decided to turn down scholarship opportunities, and instead set his sights on Hollywood. "It always intrigued me. An opportunity arose, and I went for it.". Boots had one contact out there, a struggling actor named Seann William Scott. Boots and Scott rented an apartment in Studio City, and a year later Scott got his break, landing the role of "Steve Stiffler" in "American Pie". "It was something great to be a part of, and just goes to show you anything can happen." Boots was finding his own success as an actor on a smaller scale, landing bit parts in film and television, including a reoccuring role on the television show "Clueless", but the music in him was just beginning to come out. "Seann and I went backpacking in Austrailia after he finished filming "Roadtrip", and he bought this guitar and was just learning how to play. I remember he would keep strumming the same couple of things, over and over, city to city, until finally I just started making up some lyrics. Pretty soon we had harmonies and songs going on about what we did that day. A few years later, I started learning how to play, and a version of those improvs became my first songs." In 2002, Boots embarked on a new career adventure, as a videographer for "Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers", an independent band from the Phoenix area. Clyne, former frontman for "The Refreshments", and his band have a die hard, cross country, fan base and tour over 200 dates a year. "I just bought a camera and went along for the ride." In 2003, the band released Boots' "Viva la Paz", a dvd which included concert footage in the midst of a mexico monsoon. "These guys are so talented, and good for music. I just wanted to help the cause". In 2004, their "Americano" release came packaged with Boots' 60 minute companion dvd "Leave an Open Door: a Look Inside Americano", which he produced, directed, and edited himself. "It's all about the music, and now as a musician, I just try to build off their example". As a performer, Boots has now written well over 50 songs, but his trademark shows still involve his improv moments. "People will just come up with a few words written on a napkin, and tell me to make up a song." His debut album will be a small release in early 2006, but he doesn't seem worried. "The sky is the limit. If the music is good enough, it will find a way to be heard. It's been a fun ride, we'll see where it takes me."
Here's a little clip of my video work.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=nT6BTkWtc3E
From the LIVE Glow in the Dark recording:
http://vimeo.com/user1067835/videos
