by Matt Wilson

matt.wilson@fct.wpengine.com

When Jackson Nance returns to the stage at the Roxy Theatre in Russellville this Saturday, it will be his third time being a part of Kerry Gilbert’s monthly showcase. And Gilbert thinks this third time might be the charm for Nance’s career.

Gilbert met Nance three years ago when the talented young singer-songwriter was only 12. But Gilbert said he knew right away that the kid was talented.

“When I first met him I immediately felt a kinship—like we had been good friend for a long time,” Gilbert said. “He is a very well-mannered guy and very humble, but he has a lot of charisma.”

Aubrey Preston, a businessman in the Nashville area and the man responsible for the Americana Music Triangle, introduced Nance to Gilbert.

“Preston is from the Leiper’s Fork area just outside of Nashville and Jackson was playing at Puckett’s Grocery up there at the time,” Gilbert said. “Preston said he wanted me to take Nance under my wing sort of and show him the ropes of live music.”

Nance, who recently became the youngest artist to ever sign with Warner-Chappell out of Nashville, is doing what Gilbert called an artist development.

“Jackson is the youngest to ever sign with them and they signed him to a four album development deal,” Gilbert said. “His voice is changing right now and he is still young so they signed him to this deal so he can grow and learn and find his niche in the music industry.”

Gilbert said he has met a lot of talented people over the years but Nance has a special quality.

“I’ve never seen someone with such natural talent like him,” Gilbert said. “He exudes confidence and charisma. I really think he is destined to be a superstar.”

And when Gilbert says superstar he is thinking along the lines of Brad Paisley and Keith Urban—names that even the most out-of-touch music fan would recognize.

“To be so young he has so much confidence and so much soul,” Gilbert said. “When you see him you can just tell that there is something special about him. I don’t know how far he will go, but I do know that he has the potential to go as far as he wants to.”

Gilbert said Nance started singing when he was around four years old and was noticed by people in the community.

“I have heard a recording of him singing in a contest when he was four and you can hear his dead-on pitch,” Gilbert said. “It is amazing.”

Jackson Nance will be performing with the Kerry Gilbert Band all night for the duration of the two-hour show and Gilbert said there would be several songs where Jackson is featured.

“He grew up hanging around Puckett’s Grocery up in Leiper’s Fork, listening to and watching singer-songwriters and learning,” Gilbert said. “He is still trying to find his place and his groove with his music, but he has a little bit of country in him and a little bit of rhythm and blues as well. He is very entertaining and this show should be a lot of fun.”

Gilbert said Nance is going to be “baking for a while and staying close to home while he develops some more,” but he said folks should come out this Saturday to hear a very talented young man.

“This kid is going to be a big, big star one day,” Gilbert said. “And to be able to come out to the Roxy this Saturday and hear him and his ability before he gets too big is a great opportunity.”

Jackson Nance and the KGB play the Roxy Theatre in downtown Russellville Saturday, March 14 at 7 p.m.