‘Catch of the Day’ – Jake Owen – “Good Company” [AUDIO]

Today's focus is on an artist whose career path could have turned out quite different, had it not been for a wakeboarding accident while in college that turned his life around. An artist who, during his earlier years was more concerned about making birdies than he was about making #1 hits.

If you're ever at a golf course and Jake Owen asks you if you want to play a few holes for some side cash, run...quickly!!! An all around great athlete while growing up, Jake took up golf while still in his early teens and got real good, real quick. By the time Owen was 15, he not only entered, but one his first tournament. After graduating from Vero Beach High School in Florida in 1999, both Owen and his twin brother Jarrod accepted golf scholarships to Florida State University.

But while he was playing golf for the Seminoles, a wakeboarding accident changed the course of not only Owen's career, but his life as well. Owen required reconstructive surgery on his shoulder, and while recovering and going through therapy, he borrowed a guitar and taught himself to play. As his therapy continued, Owen learned he would no longer be able to play golf competitively, he began thinking about music as a career path. After watching a guitarist perform at a campus bar, Owen asked the owner of the bar if he could play at the venue. He was so popular, he began playing their regularly, writing and performing his own material.

After playing the bar regularly, Owen decided his next stop should be Nashville. Upon arriving in Music City in 2004, his first stop was at a bank to open an account, where he told the teller helping him that a singer a songwriter. She asked him for a sample of his work, and as luck would have it, he happened to have on him at the time. She would then forward it to Warner/Chappell music publishing. And while he didn't sign with the publishing house, it would definitely open some doors.

One contact he met at Warner/Chappell was producer/songwriter Jimmy Richey. Along with songwriter Chuck Jones the trio collaborated on the song "Ghosts", which they had intended for Kenny Chesney. And while Chesney passed on the song, the demo, recorded by Owen, caught the attention of Sony BMG Music, who signed Owen to RCA Nashville in 2005. The label recommended he change his first name from Joshua to the name he became known by, Jake. "Ghosts" would be included on his debut album Startin' With Me, which was released in July of 2006. The lead single "Yee Haw" was released in advance of the album, and peaked at #16 on the country singles chart.

Including Starting With Me, Owen has released 5 albums and an EP for RCA Nashville. These projects have produced 16 singles, with all but two reaching the

top-20. 8 of the singles have reached the top-10 and have resulted in 4 #1 singles. His most recent album, American Love, featured his latest #1 "American Country Love Song" as well as the single "If He Ain't Gonna Love You" which more of a pop-flavored departure for Owen, which peaked at #37. We have the third single from the album in our spotlight today. Brought to you by All-American Super Car Wash of Lawton, Jake Owen and "Good Company" is today's Catch of the Day, new music you haven't heard, but you'll want to hear it again.

And remember, if you comment, like or share today’s Catch of the Day, you will be entered into our daily drawing for a $25 gift card from All-American Super Car Wash.