Music has the ability to move and inspire people all around the world, for some of us it might do something small, like brighten our day, but for others, it could inspire us for the rest of our lives.
When Kinston native, Jake Sutton was just 10 years old, he decided to turn on the television to a broadcast of Country Music Television. Jake would tune into Keith Urban playing one of his classic songs “Who Wouldn’t Wanna Be Me,” and he took it literally.
“I saw how he was playing the guitar, and I thought it was awesome,” Jake said. “So, I’ve wanted to play guitar like he was, and he’s been a big inspiration of mine.”
Jake would go on to play in a band after college for about five years as lead guitar and singing backup, before taking the next step towards his dream in 2018 when he branched off on his own writing songs and then creating his own band after COVID. The first show Jake and his band would play would be opening for Nelly. As Jake says, “They fed us to the wolves right from the get-go, but it was awesome. I’ve been trying to stay busy ever since.”
Throughout his music career, the songs he grew up listening to have always been a big influence on his music. Jake cited a wide variety of bands from classic rock to country pop music, making his sound of music something everyone can rock out to.
Jake said his lyrics themselves come from his life experiences and the lessons he learns in daily life. Even if it’s just a random thought, or a lived experience, Jake pours himself into his work and the great results showcase it to his audiences. Music can even be an outlet for him, as he says, somethings are better said in song.
“That’s the great thing about songs; people will look at you like a crazy person if you just start talking lyrics from a song. But when you put it in a song, everybody’s like, oh man, I love that,” he said.
While an important part to growing as an artist is making sure your music is available on online platforms, Jake said he really values live performances in addition to his online presence.
“To me, that’s what it’s all about, playing live. Making new friends, seeing new faces, seeing some of the same faces at every show,” he said.
You can find Jake playing on the Heritage Circle Stage on Saturday, Oct. 24th at 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. He’s not only excited to take the stage, but to enjoy the fair and do some of his favorite activities too. Off-stage you can catch him trying out new foods or winning the one-in-wins basketball challenges, because music isn’t his only talent. “I grew up going to the State Fair with my family and it’s always been a dream of mine to play at the State Fair,” he said. “I’m definitely looking forward to it.”