NEW ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: Nathan Lee Jackson

Nathan Lee Jackson nourished his talent with a regimen of piano lessons, church choirs, talent contests and opening slots at shows around Winchester, Ky. Moving to Nashville after high school graduation, he followed the well-trod path into the music business, though with two unusual advantages. The first was one of his roommates, Billy Strange´s former wife, who happily introduced the young newcomer to her industry friends.

The second was Jackson´s artistry. His expressive vocals and the dramatic poetry of his lyrics resonated on a recording he´d made of his ballad, "Powerful," which caught the ear of Jeff Glixman. With deep roots in classic rock, the producer related to this intensity and, with Zak Rizvi co-producing, helmed Complicated Hearts, Jackson´s StarCity Recording Company debut, with Jackson's wife Stephanie among the participants.

On 14 tracks, including 12 co-writes and the self-penned "Powerful." This album weaves a complex tapestry of influences and unusual arrangements, from two a cappella tracks to the jazzy ballad "Kentucky Breeze," written by Jackson and Jesse Lingo, and the tightly harmonized fiddles and screaming lead of "Sittin´ by the River," written by Jackson and Jim Femino. There´s Country in the steel guitar on the new single, "Desperate Man," by Jackson and Bud Tower. But here too there´s edginess in the power guitar driving home a story of finding God at a moment of final reckoning. Throughout Complicated Hearts, Jackson swings for the fences and connects every time.

2009 CMA Close Up® News Service / Country Music Association®, Inc.