Jordan McIntosh
To most of us in Eastern Ontario the name Jordan McIntosh is one that has been familiar for the last couple of years. Growing up in rural eastern Ontario near the community of Carleton Place just west of Ottawa Jordan grew up surrounded by country music. Urged on by his family, McIntosh and took every opportunity he could to get up on stage. He won his first vocal competition in elementary school and continued to hone his chops performing at a variety of talent and singing contests across Ontario and the United States. Among them; the 2011 Ottawa Super Ex Stars on the Rise competition and Walt Disney World’s American Idol Experience, which draws hundreds of entrants from across North America and where he’s taken first place three times, most recently in 2010.
It was in 2011 after his winning Kiwanis Idol performance of Lonestar’s Amazed that Jordan had his breakthrough. The video was discovered by Neville Paul and Ryan O’Connor of IROC Music and NPMG Management who saw something in Jordan that they felt they could turn into a star.
Jordan Mcintosh
In the 3 years since Jordan has performed at Ottawa Bluesfest, 2013 Boots and Hearts Emerging Artist and has sung the national anthem at an Ottawa Senators game. 2013-2014 has been busy for Jordan, first he was signed to Big Star Records, he’s been busy touring across Canada as well. So far this year Jordan wrapped up a cross Canada tour with Brett Kissel and One More Girl, he’s part of the lineup at Dauphin’s Country Fest in Manitoba, Cavendish Beach Music Festival in PEI, Log Jam Country Music Festival, Boots and Hearts, Havelock Country Jamboree and the Norfolk County Fair. Late last month Jordan was awarded the Rising Star of the Year award at the CMAO Awards.
We’ve been following Jordan’s career for the last few years and met up with him at last summer’s Boots and Hearts Music festival after his performance in the Emerging Artist competition. We thought it would be fun to invite him to tell us a bit about himself and seeing as he knows first hand what it’s like participating in the Boots and Hearts Emerging Artist competition we asked him to give some advice to this year’s top 8.
SC: Jordan McIntosh has had quite the year, how has life changed since you put a wrap on the Young Guns tour?
JM: The Young Guns tour gave me the opportunity to travel across the country, meet the fans in places that I don’t get to go to very often, and make lots of new fans. The tour was a really great kick-off to 2014.
SC: Every artist I’ve spoken to has a story about how / when they decided to purse music as a career. We know that you started in music at a very early age, describe the moment that you knew that music was the path for you and what inspired you to take that path.
JM: I’ve always had in the back of my brain that music was the path for me. Once I grew up and got a little older I finally made that very important decision of what I wanted to do with my life, realizing that music is something I’m good at as well as something that I enjoy more than anything else. It was a no brainer to want to choose this path.
SC: You’ve toured and performed with some notable artists including Brett Kissel. Is there an artist or artists on your radar that you would like to collaborate with in the near future?
JM: Of course, there are a ton of artists I would love to collaborate with musically. I’ve been blessed to get the chance to work with so many amazing artists already and I can’t wait to keep collaborating with artists in the future.
Jordan Mcintosh
SC: Off stage you come across as a somewhat shy friendly kid but when you get on stage you take command and demonstrate real star quality. What goes into that transformation? Do you still get nervous before or even during a performance?
JM: I’m definitely more anxious than nervous. I love being up on stage performing for an audience, and I know that’s where I shine the most. I feel most confident when I am up there.
SC: What would you say was the defining moment of your career to date?
JM: That’s a tough question because I’ve been blessed to have had so many amazing things happen with my career so far. I think the first time an audience sang my own song back to me was definitely a defining moment for me.
SC: What’s your all-time favourite movie?
JM: Saving Mr. Banks. I could watch that movie for the rest of my life and be happy.
SC: Your ideal brain food?
JM: Any kind of dessert. I have a huge sweet tooth.
SC: Favourite Restaurant (anywhere in the world)?
Lone Star Texas Grill
JM: Definitely Lone Star. It’s an amazing tex-mex restaurant with the most delicious fajitas. we agree, it’s the official restaurant of Sound Check
SC: Favourite TV show (all-time)?
JM: It’s a tie between Friends and Modern Family.
SC: If you could see any artist in concert, who would you see (living or dead)?
Garth Brooks
JM: I’m dying to see Garth Brooks in concert. he’s definitely one we’d love to interview, and see live…again
SC: iPhone, Android or Blackberry?
JM: iPhone. Hands down.
SC: Can you talk about a fan encounter that completely took you by surprise?
JM: I have some amazing fans. I’m not sure I could pick one encounter but what always takes me by surprise is how thoughtful my fans are. They are always making me these incredible gifts that they put so much thought into. It’s awesome.
SC: What are your family member’s musical interests and abilities?
JM: Everybody in my family is extremely musical. Whether they sing, or play an instrument, or compose, conduct… and the list goes on. Everyone is very talented musically.
SC: Name a fictional character most like you?
Tahj Mowry
JM: My friends have told me that I am very similar to the character Tucker from Baby Daddy. we agree, they could be twins
SC: In Jordan McIntosh, Story of My Life” – The Movie, who would play you?
Tahj Mowry
Jordan McIntosh
JM: That’s an interesting question. I’d like to think that someone like Brad Pitt or Leonardo Dicaprio would play me but if we’re being more realistic… maybe someone a bit younger with musical talent
SC: Star Trek or Star Wars?
JM: Star Wars for sure.
SC: Stress management: hitman, spa vacation or Prozac?
JM: Definitely a vacation. Whether it be at a spa or somewhere tropical. It’s a great way to de-stress.
SC: What is the best advice you’ve been given?
JM: The best advice I’ve been given is to always stay true to myself and don’t change for anyone. You want people in your life who will like you for you and not for the person they think you should be. Listen to your heart and make sure you are happy with your own life.
SC: What charity do you support?
JM: I’m a big supporter of the Canadian Cancer Society, specifically for breast cancer research.
SC: When we first met last summer you were one of the top 8 finalists in the Boots and Hearts Emerging Artist Showcase. You weren’t chosen as the winner of the showcase but it seems fairly safe to say that it hasn’t hampered your career, if anything we’ve heard more from you than the winners themselves. Since Boots and Hearts you’ve toured Canada with Brett Kissel, signed a record deal with Big Star Recordings not to mention the fact that you can’t listen to country radio for any length of time without hearing one of your songs. We’ve been featuring each of the 8 finalists, which includes fellow Carleton Place resident Brea Lawrenson. What advice could you give them as we head into the summer and the 3rd annual Emerging Artist Challenge?
JM: My advice would be to take it all in, have as much fun as you can, and stay true to yourself. Winning isn’t everything. This contest gives you an amazing platform to perform in front of some very important people. If you don’t win the showcase, don’t worry because this is just the beginning for you.
We’d like to thank Jordan for taking the time out of his very busy schedule to answer our questions. If you live in Canada be sure to catch Jordan this summer, there’s a good chance he’s playing at a venue near you. Special thanks to Strut Entertainment for helping us get connected with Jordan so quickly.
The debut single off of Jordan’s upcoming album is “That Girl”, a song that Jordan calls one of the most personal songs he’s ever written. “It deals with things that a lot of people, and though they might not want to admit it, a lot of guys go through.”
To learn more about Jordan and how you can connect with him and his music online be sure to visit: www.jordanmcintosh.ca
