Daily Inspiration: Meet Jara Ward

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jara Ward.

Hi Jara, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Jara Ward (pronounced like “Sarah” with a “J.”) I was born in a small town in Southern California before my family moved to Western Montana right before I turned 7.

I’ve been making music and singing for the moment I can remember. I grew up listening to 90s and 2000s country and fell in love with the storytelling that is country music. Alan Jackson, Toby Keith, Gretchen Wilson, Carrie Underwood, Kenny Chesney, and many other legendary artists inspired me to pursue music.

I started playing piano when I was 12 and taught myself guitar a few years later. I got a lot of my stage presence from playing and singing in church in my teenage years. I led worship for a few years until I went to college. Besides music, I love working with children, so I attended the University of Montana to study music education. I quickly realized that wasn’t meant to be my career so I began working in early childhood education while writing my songs and playing around local breweries and bars in my off time. I knew I always wanted to live in Nashville so moving there seemed like the next step towards “the dream.” I moved in the Fall of 2020. Moving to a city I’ve never been to, in the middle of a pandemic, definitely had its challenges but in the midst of all the unknown, being a musician was something that would never change so Nashville it was.

Since moving, I have met so many people who have turned into colleagues, co-writers, friends, and many like family. In my short time here, I’ve released my first single, “Mountain Man.” Followed that with “WWJDD” (which stands for What Would Jack Daniel’s Do) and my most recent single, a duet called, “My Little Girl’s Heart.” I’ve also had the pleasure of participating in a few of my friend’s musical projects. In 2022, I started playing cover gigs and it’s gone so well that I had to quit my full-time job (I was a nanny) to officially be a full-time musician!!

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?
Yes and no. It’s not for the faint of heart that’s for sure. I continue to learn there is no handbook for this job but we’re all in the trenches together and you find your people and your way through the good and bad times.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a full-time singer/songwriter.

When I’m not entertaining Nashville’s newest visitors on Broadway, I’m making original music and working on my personal artist brand. I pride myself on my work ethic and loyalty.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: jaraward.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jarawardmusic/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jarawardmusic
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jara-ward-b886352aa/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvo4i9UL0ELL0_HVObglg-A
• SoundCloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/kr7TZ
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0ML9ZqnIXEFy5NvrZydFER?si=0myyemGJTQu963MjiC9VuQ

Image Credits
Ashlee Valles: @nashvillepersonalpaparazzi and Ashley Bassett: @asbassettphotography