Today we’d like to introduce you to Jimmy Reno.
Hi Jimmy, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
I started singing in church at 4 years old. My Dad would stand me in a chair so I could reach the microphone and he’d play his guitar while I sang. I knew early on that my passion was music. My Dad was a major influence on that. We listened to a lot of the country music legends like the Statler Brothers, Waylon Jennings, Merle Haggard, George Jones, and the Gatlin Brothers.
Of course, Christian music was also a huge influence. Groups like the Hinsons, Gold City Quartet, Cathedral Quartet, JD Sumner & The Stamps, Elvis Presley, etc. During high school, I was selected to be part of a competition barbershop quartet. This was perfect for me as I loved not only singing but harmonies. There is something so pure about the human voice harmonizing without any musical accompaniment.
After high school, I formed my first Christian band with my 2 best friends that also performed in that barbershop quartet with me. For almost 10 years, we traveled around Alabama singing anywhere that would allow us to sing. We recorded our first album in 1995 and I was immediately hooked on the creative process of making the music. We are a Christian country and at the time, there just wasn’t much of a radio outlet for that genre.
During all this came marriage and 3 amazing children! I later went on to sing professionally with some southern gospel groups like the Mystery Men Quartet, The Florida Boys, and Mark209. In 2021, I felt like God was calling me in a new direction. I began writing songs and through the course of that and a series of events, God showed me he was leading me to go solo. Being a solo artist was never a goal of mine and it was definitely out of my comfort zone but I knew that was the direction I was supposed to go.
My musical style is a traditional positive/Christian country. My fast songs have a bit of an outlaw country rock feel. I love the steel guitar, so that plays prominently in my arrangements. I released my debut solo album, Steel Called, in 2022 and the first single, Cowboy Church, a song I penned with my cousin, Phillip David Harris, hit the American Christian Country Music Association Top 40 charts and garnered me a nomination for Vocalist of The Year in the Christian/Inspirational category of the Josie Music Awards.
I’ve been blessed that so far my 5 singles released from the album have all charted top 40 on the large market ACCMA chart. My last single, Thank You, Lord, For Making Me A Cowboy, currently sits at number 8. The success I’ve managed so far is a product of far more than just me. Jimmy Reno Music is a team. From Red Country Promotions sending the song to radio, Baker Productions in creating the music, cowriting with my cousin, the stations spinning the music, my fans requesting my music, and the unconditional love and support from my wife, all those things are equally as important in any success I have as me singing the songs.
I just sent out my next single to the radio. It’s a song titled I Need You Now. I recently signed with Square One Records out of Nashville and should be releasing my first single with them later this summer. We’ve already written the songs for the album and I’m excited about what the future holds moving forward.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Being an independent artist is never smooth. There are always the financial challenges of financing your own album and the other expenses of equipment, travel, etc.
There’s also the time away from your family which is always a sacrifice for artist and their families.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Positive/Christian country recording artist. Songwriter. I also produce for other artists.
I’m very proud of the original songs we’ve written and the success they’ve had on the charts. I believe my singing style is uniquely my own. I’ve never tried to sound like anyone but me.
What makes you happy?
My wife, my children, and my grandchildren! Nothing is more important to me than my faith and my family!
Contact Info:
- Website: http://jimmyrenomusic.com/
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/jimmyreno
- Facebook: http://facebook.com/jimmyrenomusic1
- Twitter: http://twitter.com/jimmyrenowrites
