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Joshua Ryan Owen (born August 28, 1981), known professionally as Jake Owen, is an American country music singer. Signed to RCA Nashville in 2006, he released his debut studio album, Startin' with Me, that year.

This album produced three singles, all of which reached top 20 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart: his debut "Yee Haw", "Startin' with Me", and "Something About a Woman". His second studio album, 2009's Easy Does It, accounted for three more singles: "Don't Think I Can't Love You", "Eight Second Ride", and "Tell Me". In September 2011, Owen achieved his first number one hit with the title track to his third studio album Barefoot Blue Jean Night; also toppers were "Alone with You", "The One That Got Away", and "Anywhere with You". His fourth studio album, Days of Gold, produced two singles with its title track, which broke the top 20 in 2013, and the number one single "Beachin'".

Owen has also toured as an opening act for several other country artists, including Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley, Little Big Town, Sugarland, Keith Urban, Darius Rucker and Jason Aldean.

Early life

[edit]

Joshua Ryan "Jake" Owen and his fraternal twin brother Jarrod were born in Winter Haven, Florida, on August 28, 1981.[4][5] The brothers regularly participated in a variety of sports. Jake eventually took up golf, and began pursuing a career as a professional golfer, winning his first tournament at 15.[4] After graduating from Vero Beach High School, he attended Florida State University. A wakeboarding accident which required reconstructive surgery left Jake unable to continue participating in the sport.[3]

While recovering from his injuries, he borrowed a neighbor's guitar and began to teach himself how to play it. After seeing a guitarist perform at a campus bar, he asked the bar's owner if he could play a gig there. Eventually, he became a regular at the bar, and soon took up writing his own material as well.[4] He then moved to Nashville, Tennessee, making his first stop at a bank to open a savings account; after telling the bank teller that he was a singer and songwriter, the teller then asked if he had any recordings available.[5] He gave her a CD of his work, which she sent to the Warner/Chappell Music publishing company.

Career

[edit]

Although Warner/Chappell did not sign him to a contract, Owen eventually met the record producer and songwriter Jimmy Ritchey. They, along with songwriter Chuck Jones, wrote a song "Ghosts", which they had intended for Kenny Chesney. Chesney, ultimately, did not record "Ghosts", although it drew the attention of Sony BMG Nashville executives, who signed Owen to their RCA Nashville label in 2005.[3] Per their suggestion, Owen changed his first name to Jake, so as to avoid confusion with Josh Turner and Josh Gracin.[5]

2006–2010: Startin' with Me and Easy Does It

[edit]

In early 2006, Owen released his debut single, titled "Yee Haw". He describes the song (an up-tempo party anthem in which the narrator expresses his enjoyment with a cry of "yeehaw") as being written "to make people have a good time".[6] It peaked at No.16 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and served as the lead-off single on his debut album, Startin' with Me.[3]

Released on July 25, 2006, the album featured 11 tracks, all co-written by him and his producer. Among them were his own recording of "Ghosts" and a duet with Randy Owen (no relation) of Alabama entitled "You Can Thank Dixie".[7] After the album's release, Owen was signed as an opening act for acts such as Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood.[8]

The album's title track, a ballad in which the narrator expresses his desire to change everything in his life, was released as his second single. Spending more than thirty-five weeks on the Billboard country chart, "Startin' with Me" became his first top 10 hit, reaching a peak of No.6.[8] Also in 2007, he went on tour with Alan Jackson and Brooks & Dunn.[8] "Something About a Woman" was released in late 2007 as the third single. In September 2007, he and country quartet Little Big Town joined country duo Sugarland's tour.[9] During this tour, the three acts began performing "Life in a Northern Town" (a cover of British pop group The Dream Academy's hit single from 1985). A music video of their live performance was aired on CMT. In April 2008, a recording of this performance entered the Billboard country chart based on unsolicited airplay.

Owen released his second studio album, Easy Does It, on February 24, 2009. The album debuted at No.2 on the Billboard Top Country Albums and No.13 on the Billboard 200. The lead-off single to the album, "Don't Think I Can't Love You" became his first top 5 country hit, reaching No.2 on the Hot Country Songs chart in April 2009. "Eight Second Ride", a song which was originally on Startin' with Me and newly recorded for Easy Does It, was the album's second single; it peaked at No.11 in January 2010. "Tell Me" was the album's third single, reaching number 35.

2011–2012: Barefoot Blue Jean Night and Endless Summer

[edit]
Owen in 2011

Owen released his third studio album, Barefoot Blue Jean Night, on August 30, 2011. The lead-off single and title track to the album, "Barefoot Blue Jean Night", became his first number one single on the country chart. The album's second single, "Alone with You", was released in October 2011, and like its predecessor, it reached number one on the country chart in April 2012. The album's next two singles, "The One That Got Away" and "Anywhere with You", both reached number one on the Country Airplay chart. Owen toured with Keith Urban in 2011 on his Get Closer World Tour.

He released an extended play titled Endless Summer on September 25, 2012. It includes "Summer Jam", a collaboration with Florida Georgia Line, which charted within the top 40 of Hot Country Songs despite not being released as a single.

2013–2017: Days of Gold and American Love

[edit]

The first single from Owen's fourth studio album, "Days of Gold", was released to country radio in August 2013. During Owen's June 2013 StageIt show, he confirmed that the album would also feature the new song "Ghost Town". The album, also titled Days of Gold, was released on December 3, 2013.[10] In May 2015, Owen released a new non-album single to country radio, titled "Real Life". The song peaked at number 17 on the Country Airplay chart. It was eventually pulled from country radio after receiving overwhelmingly poor response. He performed the single live at the 2015 CMT (U.S. TV channel) Award show.

On February 2, 2016, Owen announced via Facebook that a new single would be released to country radio on March 7, 2016,[11] titled "American Country Love Song".[12] It is the lead single from his fifth studio album American Love which was released on July 29, 2016.[13]

2017–2022: Label change and Greetings from... Jake

[edit]

In November 2017, it was announced that Owen had left RCA in favor of Big Loud Records.[14] Owen released two singles for the label: "I Was Jack (You Were Diane)" and "Down to the Honkytonk". These were included on his first Big Loud album, Greetings from... Jake, which released on March 29, 2019.[15] The album charted at #8 on the Billboard Country album chart, reportedly selling 4,000 copies in the first week.[16] The album's third single, Homemade, was released on June 3, 2019, and reached no. 1 on the Country Airplay chart.[citation needed] Owen performed at the Medina County Fair on July 31, 2019.

The album's fourth single, "Made for You", was released on May 18, 2020.[17] He released the single "Best Thing Since Backroads" in 2021,[18] and joined Canadian country duo the Reklaws on the single "11 Beers" in 2022.[19]

2023–present: Loose Cannon

[edit]

Owen released his seventh studio album Loose Cannon on June 23, 2023.[20] He was a co-writer on the song "Good Time Getting There", recorded and released by Dallas Smith on his self-titled album in October 2023.[21]

Personal life

[edit]

Owen married model Lacey Buchanan on May 7, 2012, in Vero Beach, Florida.[22] The couple became engaged on April 7, 2012, after Owen proposed to Buchanan onstage in front of a crowd in his hometown of Vero Beach at his annual charity event.[23] After proposing, he jokingly asked, "You're probably wondering where your ring is, right?" referring to the fact that he proposed without a ring, and his single "Don't Think I Can't Love You" which he had performed prior to proposing.[24] The couple had their first daughter on November 22, 2012, Thanksgiving Day.[25] The couple divorced in August 2015 after three years of marriage.[26] Owen and girlfriend Erica Hartlein welcomed a daughter on April 29, 2019.[27]

In 2010, Owen founded a nonprofit charity, which has raised over $3 million as of 2022.[28] Initially to offer financial support on a national level to children battling cancer, it now provides assistance to various youth organizations in Indian River County. The foundation holds an annual Jake Owen Foundation weekend where he performs to raise money for the foundation.[28]

Owen is a keen golfer, and, in November 2017, it was announced that he would be teeing up in the Nashville Golf Open on the Web.com Tour in May 2018.[29]

While speaking with Barstool Sports in an April 2, 2019, interview, Jake Owen described an encounter with Phil Mickelson at Jordan Spieth's wedding in November 2018, where Mickelson told Owen to go 'f---' himself.[30] The verbal altercation was initiated by Owen who voiced his disappointment with The Match: Tiger vs Phil head-to-head match play golf challenge, a pay-per-view event, on which he spent $29.99 and wanted a refund. As told by Owen, Mickelson pulled a wad of $100 bills from his pocket and responded, "Yeah, I won 90,000 of these yesterday. Take one and go f--- yourself."[31] The event purse was $9 million. Mickelson verified the truth of the story via Twitter.[30]

During gay pride month in June 2019, Owen released a video performing a cover of "Believe", a song made popular by Cher and one of the anthems used by LGBT community. It was in support of his close friends and coworkers who are gay. The post sparked backlash from fans who threatened to boycott his concerts and music. In response, Owen suggested to those fans that they come to his concert and he would be happy to give them a hug and stated "You need one."[32]

Discography

[edit]
Main article: Jake Owen discography

Awards and nominations

[edit]

WINNER - Academy of Country Music (ACM)

  • 2008: Top New Male Vocalist[33]

WINNER - American Country Awards

  • 2012: Breakthrough Artist of the Year

NOMINEE - ACM

  • 2008: Top New Artist[33]
  • 2008: Single of the Year - Down in the Honkytonk - Jake Owen Artist
  • 2018: Vocal Event of the Year - Life in a Northern Town - Jake Owen Artist

NOMINEE - American Country Awards

  • 2011: Breakthrough Artist of the Year[34]
  • 2012: Single By a Breakthrough - Alone With You - Jake Owen Artist
  • 2012: Music Video of the Year - Alone With You - Jake Owen Artist
  • 2012: Music Video of the Year by a Male - Alone With You - Jake Owen Artist
  • 2013: Single By a Male - The One That Got Away - Jake Owen Artist

NOMINEE - Canadian Country Music Awards

  • 2023: Musical Collaboration of the Year - "11 Beers" (with the Reklaws)[35]

NOMINEE - Country Music Association Awards

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Jake Owen

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Joshua Ryan Owen (born August 28, 1981), known professionally as Jake Owen, is an American singer and songwriter. Born in , and raised in Vero Beach, he initially gained attention after signing with RCA Nashville Records in 2006, releasing his debut Startin' with Me that same year, which included the top-20 singles "Yee Haw" and the title track. Owen's breakthrough came with his third studio album, (2011), which topped the Top Country Albums chart and spawned multiple number-one singles on the Country Airplay chart, including the title track, "Alone with You," and "The One That Got Away." Over his career, he has amassed ten number-one hits on the Country Airplay chart, with later successes like "Made for You" (2019) and "Best Thing Since Backroads" (2022) marking his ninth and tenth chart-toppers, respectively. Despite commercial achievements, Owen has not performed at major shows despite his string of , and his work has occasionally faced legal challenges, such as a 2021 copyright infringement over "Made for You," though such incidents have not significantly derailed his output of beach-infused, party-oriented anthems. He continues to tour extensively and released new music, including the single "" ahead of his upcoming album Dreams to Dream in 2025.

Early Life

Upbringing and Family Background

Joshua Ryan Owen, known professionally as Jake Owen, was born on August 28, 1981, in , alongside his fraternal twin brother, Jarrod Owen. His parents are Steve Owen and Mitzi Owen. The family relocated to , when Owen was three years old, where he spent the remainder of his childhood. In Vero Beach, Owen attended Gifford Middle School and , immersing himself in the local community amid a coastal, working-class environment typical of the Indian River County area. Details on his parents' occupations or extended family background remain limited in , with no verified information indicating notable public figures or professions beyond supporting a family rooted in Florida's central and coastal regions. Owen has occasionally referenced his twin brother's influence in interviews, noting their close bond growing up, though Jarrod pursued a separate path outside the music industry.

Injuries and Shift to Music

Owen aspired to a professional career after excelling as a junior golfer in , and planning to compete at . At age 19, he sustained a severe left injury in a accident, which mangled the joint and necessitated . This incident, occurring shortly before his return to school, sidelined his golf ambitions indefinitely, as rehabilitation extended over one to one and a half years during which he could not play the sport. Confined to recovery in Tallahassee, Owen experienced frustration and depression over the loss of his athletic path, prompting him to explore alternatives. He discovered a guitar belonging to a or neighbor and taught himself to play as a means of , initially without envisioning it as a profession. After six to eight months of self-instruction, he began writing songs and performing at local venues, including Parrots and Potbellies in Tallahassee and The Riverside Café in Vero Beach. The injury ultimately redirected Owen's focus from to , as he lost interest in the former amid prolonged inactivity. Leaving nine credits shy of graduation, he relocated to , to pursue songwriting and performance professionally, leading to a with and his debut album Startin' with Me in 2006.

Musical Career

Debut and Early Releases (2006–2010)

Owen signed with RCA Nashville Records in 2006 and released his debut single, "Yee Haw", an up-tempo party anthem co-written with and , which peaked at number 16 on the chart after 25 weeks. The track introduced Owen's style blending traditional with contemporary elements, garnering radio play but not reaching the top 10. His debut album, Startin' with Me, followed on July 25, 2006, featuring 11 tracks primarily written or co-written by Owen, produced by . The title track served as the second single, released in October 2006, and became his first top-10 hit, reaching number 6 on the chart in July 2007 after spending over 30 weeks on the tally. The third single, "Something About a Woman", released in September 2007, peaked at number 11 on the same chart, extending the album's promotion into 2008. Despite modest commercial success, the album established Owen as an emerging artist in Nashville, with tours supporting established acts to build his fanbase. In 2008, Owen released "Don't Think I Can't Love You" as the for his sophomore effort, co-written with and Phil Barton; it marked his highest-charting single to date, reaching number 2 on the chart in early 2009 and crossing over to number 57 on the Hot 100. This momentum carried into the Easy Does It, released on February 24, 2009, which debuted at number 13 on the and number 2 on the Top Country Albums chart. The record included 10 tracks emphasizing romantic and lifestyle themes, with follow-up singles "Eight Second Ride" peaking at number 11 and "Tell Me" charting lower on the survey. Easy Does It solidified Owen's presence in the genre, though it faced competition from more established contemporaries, prompting him to refine his sound for broader appeal.

Breakthrough Hits and Mainstream Success (2011–2015)

Owen's third studio album, , released on August 30, 2011, marked his commercial breakthrough, debuting at number one on the Country Albums chart with first-week sales of 55,000 copies. The album achieved platinum certification in the United States, selling over 1,000,000 copies. The title track, "," released as the in April 2011, became Owen's first number one hit on the chart in September 2011. Follow-up singles "Alone with You" and "The One That Got Away" also topped the chart in 2012, while "Anywhere with You" peaked at number six. These successes established Owen as a prominent figure in contemporary , emphasizing beach-themed, uptempo tracks reflective of his roots. In September 2012, Owen released the Endless Summer EP, featuring four new songs that extended his summer-vibe aesthetic and maintained chart momentum. His fourth studio album, Days of Gold, arrived on December 17, 2013, producing the 2014 single "Beachin'," which reached number one on both the Country Airplay and charts—his fifth overall number one—and earned gold certification for over 500,000 units sold. This period solidified Owen's mainstream appeal through consistent radio play and sales in the subgenre.

Mid-Career Albums and Challenges (2016–2020)

In July 2016, Owen released his fifth studio album, American Love, through RCA Nashville, which debuted at number one on the chart. The album's , "American Country Love Song," reached number one on the chart and was certified by the RIAA. Follow-up singles "If He Ain't Gonna Love You" and "Good Company" achieved moderate success, peaking at number 34 and number 27 on , respectively, signaling a slight dip in chart dominance compared to prior breakthroughs. By late 2017, amid executive shifts at RCA Nashville—including a CEO change in 2015—Owen departed the label after over a decade, signing with Records in November. This transition followed personal upheavals, including his divorce finalized in 2015, which Owen later described as coinciding with professional uncertainty and a need to reinvigorate his career trajectory. The move reunited him with producer , who had helmed earlier hits, but required rebuilding momentum through independent singles like "I Was Jack (You Were Diane)," released in 2018 and peaking at number one on after 23 weeks. Owen's sixth studio album, Greetings from... Jake, arrived on March 29, 2019, via , debuting at number eight on the Top Country Albums chart. Featuring 14 tracks with a party-oriented sound, it included singles such as "Down to the ," which peaked at number seven on , and "Made for You," which later topped in 2021 but underscored slower initial traction during the 2019 rollout. Critics noted the album's breezy vibe as a deliberate shift toward feel-good amid Owen's evolving personal circumstances, though it faced challenges in recapturing the multiplatinum sales of earlier works like Barefoot Blue Jean Night. The period marked a strategic pivot to a smaller label for greater creative control, reflecting broader industry trends of artists seeking autonomy post-major-label peaks.

Independent Era and Recent Projects (2021–Present)

In 2021, Owen released the single "Best Thing Since Backroads" through Records, followed by "Up There Down Here" and "1x1" in 2022, maintaining his presence on amid a period of sporadic output after the 2020 album Greetings from... Jake. These tracks emphasized his signature beachy, laid-back but did not yield major chart breakthroughs. In 2023, he issued his seventh studio , Loose Cannon, also via , a 16-track collection featuring songs like "On the Boat Again" and "Solo Solo," which leaned into summery, party-oriented themes with production highlighting his relaxed vocal delivery. Owen departed Records in September 2023, marking the end of his major-label association that began in 2017. In August 2024, he co-founded Good Company Entertainment (GCE) Records with longtime manager Keith Gale, an independent label offering comprehensive services including artist development, marketing, and distribution to both newcomers and established acts. GCE quickly signed emerging artist Styles Haugen, signaling Owen's pivot toward building a roster under his own entrepreneurial vision. In 2025, Owen announced Dreams to Dream, his first independent studio under Good Company Entertainment, slated for release on November 7 and co-produced with . The project represents a stylistic shift toward old-school influences, described by Owen as a "" return to roots-driven songwriting amid his personal sobriety milestone of four years. Preceding the full release, he shared singles including "Dreams to Dream" in , a cover of ' "Them Old Love Songs" in , and "Long Time Lovin' You" in September, all presented as visualizers emphasizing acoustic, traditional elements. This era underscores Owen's transition to self-directed creativity, prioritizing artistic control over commercial pressures.

Personal Life

Relationships and Family

Owen married model Lacey Buchanan on May 5, 2012, after meeting at a in in 2011. The couple welcomed daughter Olive Pearl Owen on October 18, 2012. They separated in July 2015 and finalized their divorce later that year, with Owen stating the focus would remain on co-parenting their daughter. Buchanan remarried David Austin in July 2018 and had a daughter, Elenora, in February 2020. Owen began dating photographer Erica Hartlein in 2017 after meeting her at a hardware store. The couple welcomed daughter Paris Hartley Owen on April 29, 2019. Owen proposed to Hartlein in November 2020, and as of 2024, they remained engaged without reports of marriage or separation. Owen has described fatherhood to his daughters as transformative, emphasizing its role in his personal growth and music.

Health Issues and Sobriety Journey

Owen sustained several injuries from accidents during his career. In January 2012, he broke his collarbone while at the BMI Songwriters' Festival in , necessitating surgery. In July 2013, he partially amputated the tip of his right in a go-karting mishap, opting for removal per medical advice to avoid complications, and performed a shortly after with a bandaged hand. That same year, he described himself as prone to such "freak accidents," referencing prior incidents including a injury from an earlier fall. In May 2016, he crashed his en route to a tour stop in , sustaining injuries that prompted a update but no long-term career interruption. Owen's sobriety journey centers on alcohol cessation, addressing a dependency influenced by family history. He has acknowledged struggling with alcohol and drugs akin to his father, including prior rehab attempts followed by relapses. On September 16, 2021, following a night of heavy drinking where he described himself as "a total jerk" and embarrassed himself, Owen spontaneously quit alcohol without formal treatment, marking the start of sustained sobriety. By September 2025, he reached four years sober, celebrating the milestone on Instagram and crediting it with profound personal transformation. Owen has publicly stated that constitutes "the greatest decision" of his life, enhancing his relationships, fatherhood to two children, and overall , while eliminating alcohol's role in social and professional settings. He emphasized in 2024 reflections that life post-alcohol is "great," attributing clarity and wisdom in his 40s to , without reliance on external programs. This self-directed path contrasts with his earlier relapses, underscoring a causal link between recognizing alcohol's behavioral toll—particularly on family—and commitment to change.

Musical Style and Influences

Core Genre Elements and Themes

Jake Owen's music is firmly rooted in contemporary country, blending neo-traditionalist elements like and with modern pop production techniques, including layered harmonies and electronic percussion, to create radio-friendly tracks with broad mainstream appeal. This fusion yields a signature "" sound—upbeat rhythms, anthemic choruses, and twangy electric guitars that emphasize high-energy escapism—while occasionally nodding to outlaw influences from artists like and through self-taught guitar riffs and narrative-driven song structures. His style prioritizes accessibility, with polished hooks suited for arena performances, as evident in hits like "" (2011), which layers acoustic warmth over driving beats to evoke relaxed, sun-soaked vibes. Thematically, Owen's lyrics center on romance, often portraying intense but transient relationships set against idyllic backdrops of beaches, small towns, and summer nights, celebrating passion and fleeting joy as antidotes to life's mundanities. Songs like "The One That Got Away" (2012) dissect the emotional wreckage of a short-lived summer fling, while party anthems such as those on Greetings from... Jake (2019) glorify carefree hedonism, boating, and social revelry as core to youthful identity. for simpler times recurs, as in "I Was Jack (You Were Diane)" (2018), which romanticizes and first loves through rootsy storytelling inspired by . Beneath the surface optimism, themes of resilience amid hardship emerge sporadically, with tracks like "" (2015) acknowledging everyday struggles—financial woes, pressures—yet framing them through a pragmatic, forward-looking lens influenced by non-country acts like and Sublime. and authenticity provide counterpoints, as in "Homemade" (2020), which extols grassroots values and personal bonds over material excess. This balance underscores Owen's escapist ethos: prioritizing emotional highs and relational triumphs while sidestepping overt social critique, aligning with commercial country's emphasis on relatable, feel-good narratives.

Evolution, Criticisms, and Artistic Growth

Owen's early career emphasized upbeat, party-oriented tracks emblematic of bro-country, such as "Barefoot Blue Jean Night" (2011), which propelled his mainstream success but later drew scrutiny for contributing to genre dilution. By 2013, he publicly advocated for country to prioritize meaningful storytelling over "tailgates and fuckin’ cups," referencing Randy Travis's "He Walked on Water" as a model for substantive songs that reconnect with the format's roots. This pivot materialized in "What We Ain't Got" (2015), a somber released amid summer's preference for lighter fare, marking a deliberate departure from his "fun-loving guy" persona toward emotional vulnerability and career longevity. The track's success validated the risk, as Owen sought credibility beyond transient hits, though subsequent efforts like "" (2015) reverted to pop-leaning production evoking Adult Top 40 acts, prompting accusations of shallow formula and inauthenticity from traditionalist reviewers. Critics, particularly from outlets favoring purist country, have lambasted Owen for hypocrisy—professing depth while profiting from anthems—and for erratic evolution, including perceived rip-offs in tracks like "I Was Jack (You Were Diane)" (), seen as desperate bids for amid commercial stagnation. Such feedback highlights tensions between his pop-infused accessibility and calls for genre integrity, with some attributing inconsistencies to major-label pressures during his RCA and tenures (2006–2020). Artistic maturation accelerated post-2020, evident in Loose Cannon (2023), which fused his rowdy style with neo-traditional and 1990s country elements for a balanced nod to influences. His inaugural independent release, Dreams to Dream (November 7, 2025), via Good Company Entertainment, fully embraces old-school sounds drawn from Florida-rooted heroes like Hank Williams Jr. and Merle Haggard, prioritizing authentic storytelling for an audience matured alongside him over trend-chasing. At 44 and a father of two, Owen describes this as growth from his 2005 Nashville arrival, emphasizing risk-taking beyond comfort for personal fulfillment: "Sometimes you need to get outside what’s comfortable… and take a risk." This phase signals autonomy from industry constraints, fostering deeper self-expression unburdened by radio metrics.

Public Image and Controversies

Political Views and Public Statements

Owen has occasionally commented on political matters through social media and interviews, emphasizing positivity, patriotism, and unity over partisan division, while defending artists against what he perceives as unfair ideological attacks. In a July 20, 2023, tweet thread responding to Jason Isbell's criticism of Jason Aldean's "Try That in a Small Town"—a song accused by some critics of promoting conservative vigilantism—Owen stated, "My political views have never been something I've hidden from," and argued that songwriting should not require explicit political alignment to be valid, positioning himself as promoting "positivity" rather than "bashing." This exchange highlighted tensions within country music between artists favoring traditional themes and those advocating progressive critiques, with Owen aligning against Isbell's more left-leaning commentary. In contrast, Owen has advocated for tolerance in personal relationships. On June 27, 2019, after sharing an Instagram cover of Cher's "Believe"—a track often associated with LGBTQ themes—he rebuked an anti-LGBTQ commenter as "ignorant," declaring, "I'm inspired by people loving people no matter who you are" and "I BELIEVE the world needs more love. No matter where it comes from." This stance drew backlash from some conservative fans, underscoring Owen's resistance to while avoiding endorsement of specific policy positions on social issues. Owen's recent statements reflect criticism of overt left-leaning activism in country music. On October 6, 2025, he labeled "a tool" in response to Bryan's preview of a decrying operations and the "fading of the red, white and blue," interpreting it as divisive and anti-law enforcement rhetoric amid broader MAGA backlash. This positioned Owen as skeptical of politically charged content that challenges patriotic or pro-enforcement sentiments, consistent with his defense of Aldean. Despite these interventions, Owen has maintained that he avoids embedding directly into his songwriting, focusing instead on celebrations of . In a July 1, 2016, interview, he described himself as "very patriotic," expressing pride in U.S. service members and the freedoms they protect, without specifying party affiliation or policy endorsements. He has not publicly endorsed presidential candidates, including , though his critiques of progressive-leaning peers align with sentiments common in conservative country circles.

Feuds and Media Backlash

In July 2023, Jake Owen engaged in a public dispute with fellow country musician over Isbell's criticism of Jason Aldean's song "Try That in a ," which had drawn accusations of promoting racial division due to its filming location and lyrics. Isbell tweeted at Aldean on , challenging him to write songs about his own controversial personal history rather than small-town themes, prompting Owen to defend Aldean by accusing Isbell of being the first to criticize peers while ignoring his own reliance on cover songs for success. Owen stated, "Jason, you're always the first to get behind your keyboard and talk s--t about other artists," escalating the exchange into a broader debate on artistic authenticity and political undertones in country music. The spat highlighted tensions within the , with Owen positioning himself as supportive of Aldean amid widespread media scrutiny of the , including CMT's decision not to air its video, which Aldean addressed in a statement on July 20 accusing critics of misrepresenting the track's intent. Isbell responded by reiterating his view that conservative-leaning artists in Nashville often prioritize commercial formulas over substantive songwriting, though he did not directly retract his initial jab. No formal occurred, but the exchange amplified discussions on free speech and industry polarization. More recently, on October 6, 2025, Owen publicly criticized following Bryan's release of a politically charged song perceived as anti-conservative, calling Bryan "a tool" on and dismissing his frequent online rants and personal disputes as immature. This remark came amid Bryan's broader pattern of controversial posts, including a public breakup and feuds, which Owen contrasted with what he viewed as performative . The comment drew attention from outlets, positioning Owen as outspoken against peers he sees as divisive, though it risked alienating fans of Bryan's independent style. Owen has also faced isolated fan backlash, such as in June 2019 when he responded to an Instagram commenter accusing him of promoting "gay agenda" over his cover of Cher's "Believe," labeling the critic "ignorant" and affirming his support for " loving ." This defense of LGBTQ inclusivity sparked minor conservative pushback but was largely praised in media coverage for challenging intolerance within fandom.

Discography

Studio Albums

Jake Owen's debut studio album, Startin' with Me, was released on July 25, 2006, by RCA Nashville Records. The album included the top-10 singles "Yee Haw" and the title track. His second album, Easy Does It, followed on February 24, 2009, also via RCA Nashville, peaking at number 13 on the and number 2 on the Top Country Albums chart. It featured hits like "Don't Think I Can't Love You," which reached number 2 on the chart. Barefoot Blue Jean Night, released August 30, 2011, by RCA Nashville, became his commercial breakthrough, debuting at number 6 on the and number 1 on the Top Country Albums chart, with over 66 weeks on the latter. The title track topped the chart. Days of Gold arrived on October 15, 2013, under RCA Nashville, reaching number 15 on the . It included the number-1 single "Beachin'." American Love, his fifth studio , was issued July 8, 2016, by RCA Nashville, debuting at number 4 on the and number 1 on the Top Country Albums chart. After switching to Big Loud Records, Owen released Greetings from... Jake on March 29, 2019. The album produced the top-10 single "I Was Jack (You Were Diane)." His seventh studio album, Loose Cannon, came out June 23, 2023, via Records, featuring 16 tracks with collaborations from songwriters like .
AlbumRelease DateLabelUS Billboard 200 PeakUS Top Country Albums Peak
Startin' with MeJuly 25, 2006RCA Nashville--
Easy Does ItFebruary 24, 2009RCA Nashville132
Barefoot Blue Jean NightAugust 30, 2011RCA Nashville61
Days of GoldOctober 15, 2013RCA Nashville15-
American LoveJuly 8, 2016RCA Nashville41
Greetings from... JakeMarch 29, 2019--
Loose CannonJune 23, 2023--

Key Singles and Chart Performance

Jake Owen's singles have demonstrated consistent commercial success on charts, particularly through strong radio , with ten achieving number-one status on metrics like 's and /Country Aircheck. His early releases established a foothold, while later hits from albums like propelled him to multiple chart-toppers on the chart, which blends , , and streaming. Breakthrough tracks include "Startin' with Me," which peaked at number six on in 2007, marking his first top-10 entry. The title track from topped for two weeks in 2011 and reached number 21 on the Hot 100. Follow-up "Alone with You" also held number one on for two weeks that year, peaking at number 41 on the Hot 100. Subsequent releases sustained this momentum, with "Beachin'" ascending to number one on Hot Country Songs in July 2014 and number 26 on the Hot 100. In 2021, "Made for You" claimed number one on Country Airplay for two weeks, his ninth such radio hit. "Best Thing Since Backroads" followed as his tenth number-one radio single in August 2022. Other notable airplay number-ones include "The One That Got Away" and "Anywhere with You."
SingleRelease YearPeak, Hot Country SongsPeak, Hot 100
Startin' with Me20066—
2011121
Alone with You2011141
Beachin'2014126

Awards and Achievements

Major Industry Awards

Owen received one major industry award win early in his career. In 2009, he won the (ACM) Award for Top New Male Vocalist, recognizing his breakthrough with the debut single "Yee Haw" and album Startin' with Me. He has accumulated several nominations from prominent organizations but no additional wins. Notable nominations include the 2009 Grammy Award for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals for "" (with and ), the 2009 ACM Awards for Top New Artist and Vocal Event of the Year (for ""), and the 2019 ACM Award for Single of the Year ("Down to the Honkytonk"). Owen has received multiple (CMA) nominations, primarily in categories such as New Artist of the Year, but has not secured a win.
YearAward OrganizationCategoryResult
2009Top New Male VocalistWon
2009Best Country Collaboration with VocalsNominated
2009Top New ArtistNominated
2009Vocal Event of the YearNominated
2019Single of the YearNominated

Commercial Milestones and Certifications

Owen's breakthrough Barefoot (2011) achieved RIAA certification in 2013, marking his first from the . The project debuted at No. 6 on the chart and sold 55,000 copies in its first week. Its title track single reached No. 1 on the chart and earned RIAA status. Multiple singles from the album received certifications, with "Anywhere with You" certified RIAA after topping the chart in 2013, contributing to over one million U.S. sales for that track. "Alone with You" also attained RIAA certification following its No. 1 peak on . Subsequent releases included "Beachin'" from Days of Gold (2014), which received RIAA Gold certification upon release and later upgraded to . "American Country Love Song" from American Love (2016) earned RIAA Gold status concurrent with its No. 1 debut on and country charts. Owen has amassed ten No. 1 singles on the chart, including "Made for You" (), alongside a total exceeding 2.5 billion U.S. on-demand streams as of 2022. His certifications span gold and platinum awards for hits such as "The One That Got Away" and others from , reflecting sustained commercial viability in country music.

References

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