Jordan Fletcher could soon be a household name among country music fans, but if you are learning about him, keep him on your radar. The Jacksonville, Florida native and Triple Tigers recording artist is someone we have been following for a while now. Recently, Fletcher joined me for an interview, sharing his journey in the music industry from his early days in Nashville to the release of his new EP. We discussed the challenges and growth he has experienced as a songwriter and artist, the collaborative process behind his music, and the importance of authenticity in songwriting. Please keep reading to learn more about Jordan Fletcher.
Jordan Fletcher Beat the Odds in a Ten-Year Town
Nashville is known as a ten-year town because, for many singer/songwriters who move to Nashville, that is how long it can take to break through. However, it is also a town based on relationships, so networking is critical. Some seem to have a faster route to success. Jordan Fletcher was able to catch people’s eyes and ears early on. Fletcher discusses his early years in Nashville. When I suggested that Jordan beat the ten-year town, the singer/songwriter said, “Yeah, I guess so. It feels like a whirlwind sometimes. When I got to town, I didn’t know much of anything about the music industry. On a whim, I dropped out of college and moved to Nashville. I had a buddy named Ryan Nelson, an awesome singer/songwriter and artist from high school. Ryan and my buddy, Chris, moved here about a year and a half before me. So, it seemed like a good idea to drive to Nashville and see what I could do.”
Jordan Fletcher Paid his Dues
Jordan Fletcher was still a songwriting novice at the time of his move, but he quickly learned a lot about the music industry. Fletcher said, “When I moved here, playing the drums was all I knew how to do. I had probably only written four songs. So, when I got here, I didn’t even know what a quarter-inch cable was. I didn’t know squat about the music industry. Thankfully, I got on the road with Muscadine Bloodline, which was the beginning of learning the ropes or cutting my teeth, as people say. I sold merch for the band and drove the Sprinter van. I did some of this and a little bit of that, and they let me play an acoustic set to open their show. Fortunately, I was able to do that for about a year and a half. Through that experience, I became great friends with those guys. Eventually, I got a publishing deal, which turned into some cuts. Then, I was fortunate enough to sign a record deal. It sounds quick, but it has been a journey.
Fletcher Achieved Well-Deserved Success Early in Town
One thing about Nashville songwriters is they compare themselves to other writers in town. It’s human nature. So, when you look at Fletcher’s career, you see he was on the fast track in the city. If you can get in the room with other writers on their way up, you will rise together many times. Jordan reflected, “When I signed my first publishing deal, it was early in Nashville. I think it was after two years of being here, which is relatively quick. But I am thankful to Seagayle for believing in me. I am still with the same publishing company on my second contract, and I am as happy as I can be. We’ve got a lot of great cuts with artists like Ella Langley, Megan Moroney, Riley Green, Jake Owen, and many other friends. I have gotten to work with so many good friends and get some good songs out there. So, throughout that whole process, I’ve been able to grow as a songwriter and artist simultaneously.”
Continuing to Grind Everyday
Growing as a songwriter is essential to success in Music City, but when you are also trying to be an artist, you can easily lose focus on one or the other. Fletcher emphasized the importance of maintaining your focus as a writer. The Jacksonville native said, “It was essential to me because I love writing songs to keep my identity as a songwriter while I developed myself as an artist. Songwriting is the one constant part of what I have done since I have been in Nashville. Since I got here, sink or swim, we’re writing four to five times a week, and I have done that for the past seven years. Live shows have come and gone. When I was on a radio tour in 2021, there were days I struggled to keep my head straight, but songwriting stayed constant.”
Longevity in music requires the ability to grow and change to avoid burnout. You must continually recharge your creative batteries. Jordan reflected on that process. Fletcher said, “When I look back at my older songs, I can be critical of them now that I feel I can do better. As I reflect, instead of being years, it has more like seasons of whatever I was trying to create at the time. I have written pop, bone-country, and singer/songwriter songs. What season I am in determines what songs I am writing. It’s never the same, and that is important to me. If I keep digging in the same hole for too long, it makes me crazy. It is vital to have a variety to keep myself interested and moving creatively.
Jordan Fletcher Discusses the Making of an EP
On September 27th, Jordan Fletcher released his long-awaited new EP. “Classic” has something for everyone. The fun, upbeat songs will have you tapping your foot. He also includes heartfelt songs like “No Place Like Home,” my favorite song on the EP. The singer/songwriter reflected on how the EP came about. Fletcher said, “This EP was five years in the making. My buddy, Austin Nivarel, produced the project. We started in Austin’s attic right after Covid in 2020. This was our first time working together, which can be weird because you have different dynamics in the room with different people. You never know what you will get when working with someone new, but it’s exciting.”
When an artist is searching for a producer, the most critical factor is that the producer can help bring your vision to life. Of course, I have never released music, so I could be wrong. However, that is precisely what Fletcher found in Austin Nivarel. The singer/songwriter said, “While I didn’t know what to expect when I went into the studio with Austin, he was willing to run down whatever crazy rabbit hole I wanted to. He was a good enough producer and mixer to make it sound great. I don’t know how to do any production and mixing stuff. So, I was thinking, holy smokes! This guy is a great writer and incredible producer, and he doesn’t think I am a lunatic for wanting to write a salsa song in a different language. After a few days and sleepless nights, he would end up with something much better than I could have imagined.”
Jordan Fletcher Releases his new EP, “Classic”
Selecting songs for a project from hundreds of songs you have written can be daunting. You have to decide whether you are creating a theme-based project or just a collection of good but unrelated songs. Fletcher talked about that selection process. The Florida native said, “I’m so happy my producer and I could fine-tune these songs because they have been around for a while. For example, “Classic” was written in 2021. It was the first of the bachelor songs on the EP that we wrote. But all these songs kept coming back to me. I tried to pitch them at one point or another, and as a songwriter, you wonder why this artist or that artist is not jumping on a song. So, I believe in all these songs, and after some time passed, I decided to release them.”
Each Song has a Purpose
Fletcher explained the purpose of each song on the EP. Jordan said, “My favorite part of this project is that each song has its purpose. Since it’s only six songs, you must cover a lot of ground. This project shows a good range of me as an artist and a songwriter. Classic is reflective of those immature high school years. Hot Truck Beers is a story of your college-age years. Fall in the Summer is about falling in love and growing up.”
The song on the EP I most related to was “No Place Like Home.” Fletcher described it as “starting to dive into the depths of stuff when you realize your hometown isn’t home, where you are in the middle ground of developing a new hometown wherever you are.” Jordan continued, “When I first moved to Nashville, I was reluctant to be considered a Nashvillian. Because I was from Jacksonville, and I grew up at the beach. But as a look back, I have done more growing up in Nashville than I ever did in my hometown.”
The Importance of Authenticity in Music
As a music fan, I resonate with songs I can relate to and feel authentically connected to the performer. But it’s also essential a song feels authentic to the artist. Even if a song isn’t a true story, it’s more potent if it feels like one. Fletcher said, “People can tell when you don’t believe what you are singing. I have done projects before that were entirely autobiographical, but I don’t know how many of those you can do. So, developing from that, it becomes what’s true to me sonically, what’s true to me as an artist, and what stories I feel are essential to tell. With this EP, some are true to my life, like “Hot Truck Beers” and “No Place Like Home.” The other songs are sonically true. There are many sides to this project. We created what we thought was a new sound but a relaxed approach to commercial country music.”
To Those New to Jordan Fletcher
Jordan Fletcher brings more to the table than some artists trying to sound like everyone else. But for those of you who are new to his music, he hopes his music “makes you happy.” The singer/songwriter said, “When you see me live, I hope you enjoy the show and want to come back. Music is medicinal and healing. So, if you want to go out, get a buzz, and listen to fun music, I hope you get that. But if you feel some way, maybe you hear something that makes them feel better.”
My Thoughts
Over the almost six years of Undiscovered Nashville, I have seen hundreds of shows and at least 1,000 performers. Jordan Fletcher stands out for me, so I was grateful to have the opportunity to interview him. I encourage you to listen to “Classic” and Fletcher’s other music, because I genuinely believe Jordan Fletcher is on his way to becoming a household name.
