Jerrod Niemann is finding himself again, both in music and in life. The 41-year-old began releasing music this year, including “Tequila Kisses” and “Ghost Rider,” which reflects his journey over the last few years, including a divorce and a split from a record label, as well as his ability to find himself, and find love, again.
“I thought it’d be a cool name for a project, for all the things I’ve lost, tangibly and intangibly,” Jerrod told People. “And then all the things that I found by putting myself back together again and putting on a new coat of paint.”
Jerrod and his ex-wife, Morgan, were together a total of 13 years, and married for four, although not all of those years were good ones.
“When you get to that point of divorce, you’re in a toxic cycle,” reflects the singer. “You’re reacting to each other’s behavior and you play the blame game. The old Einstein quote about how insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting different results — you get caught up in that. Some people stay together because of their children and fight through it.
“We didn’t have any kids, so luckily, for me, I just realized after the dust settled that from 2013 to 2018, deep down, I wasn’t very happy,” he added. “I think it just caused a downhill spiral for me personally and professionally.”
Jerrod admits it took a while for him to heal, but the result is that he is happier than ever — and happily in love again as well.
“[I’m] finally in a good spot,” Jerrod said, adding that he is “laughing harder than I have in a long time.”
“I met somebody,” he revealed. “So it’s been nice to have somebody else in my life that’s very compatible. That’s tough to find when you’re younger because you just think someone’s good looking and therefore you think that you’re attracted to them. But there’s a lot more layers to the cake. You live and you learn.”
Jerrod is also excited about his ongoing release of new music, which he can finally create on his own terms.
“My [2010] album, Judge Jerrod & the Hung Jury, I made with some buddies in a similar fashion, and then Sony picked that up from me,” Jerrod explains. “Basically, there are two types of people in the country music industry: suits and boots. If you’re wearing the boots, you’re a good hang. If you’re wearing the suit, you’re usually not.
“When you have 50 cooks in the kitchen sometimes it’s tough to stay true to yourself and your art and your music,” he continued. “But when it’s just you and you’re around people that are all positive and creative, it’s just so inspiring. I like the new venture and being able to do what I want to do.”
Jerrod just released two new Christmas songs, “White Christmas in the Sand” and “There’s No Need for Mistletoe,” and plans on releasing two love songs for Valentine’s Day, followed by an EP next spring, Lake and Bake Music.
“The love songs will represent the turning of the tide,” Jerrod daid. “And then Lake and Bake will definitely be less vulnerable and more hangover-esque, party songs.”
Find all of Jerrod’s music by visiting his website.
