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Carolyn Kruse

Carolyn Kruse

Carolyn Kruse

Local Catch Of The Week: Jake & Jenny

By Carolyn Kruse

Jake and Jenny are fired up. The popular New England duo has released a new song and it’s a bit of a blazing banger. It’s Miranda meets Marshall Tucker, and frankly, it’s a welcome slice of sass. From the opening guitar riff to some soaring vocals, “Across This Bar” is ready to serve you. This is a strong pour from the pair, but it goes down smoothly.

This duo is kind of an unlikely musical match. Jake’s background leans rock, but he’s a country boy from PA. Jenny is a country- music-loving girl from city, having grown up in the Boston area. Together they write music, play covers, and perform all around New England. Their partnership works, and their music is proof of that. You can hear how much fun they seem to be having in every note.

  • Music

    Jake and Jenny explain what their new song is about: “How many times have you wondered about someone that you didn’t know? Seen them across the room or at a party and just felt an instant interest- but then didn’t have the nerve to go and talk to them? That’s what this song is about- daydreaming about that person Across the bar whisking you away- or at least noticing you back!”

    jake and jenny across this bar

  • He Said. She Said.

    • From: Southeastern Ma 
    • Grew up in: Jenny: Norwood Ma; Jake: Carlisle, PA
    • Now lives in: Easton and Middleboro
    • Current single: “Across This Bar”
    • What lead you to music: We each had a natural draw toward music. Jenny would sing on her fireplace with a hairbrush and Jake dreamed of being a rockstar in a rock band from a young age.
    • How old when you started: As soon as Jenny could talk, she sang (and hasn’t stopped either since ). Jake was introduced to guitar at the age of 12.
    • First country song you learned: Jenny: probably something by Shania in the 90s; Jake: Sweet Home Alabama
    • Instruments played: Jenny- well I mostly just sing but I can hack on the guitar very poorly; Jake: guitar, bass, mandolin, banjo, saxophone
    • How would you describe your sound: we’ve taken on a bit of a southern rock/country edge in our new recordings we did in Nashville this past summer.
    • Who inspires you: Jenny: Dolly Parton- everything about her is inspiring from how she started, to her songwriting, to what she does as a philanthropist. She’s my compass for sure. Jake: Zach Bryan and Cody Johnson, both musically and through how they’ve had success as primarily independent artists for a long time. Their fan base was completely homegrown and it’s always about the music with them.
    • If you are a band, how did you get your name: Well, Jake and Jenny sounded a lot better than Jake and Jenelle (my full name), so we rolled with it! Now I almost always introduce myself as Jenny, even at restaurants!
    • Awards/accolades: Local Catch is a pretty cool one!!
    • Dream duet partner: Besides each other? Jenny: has to be Dolly!! Jake: Tyler Childers
    • All- time favorite country song: This is a hard question!! How can a music fan ever pick just one song?  It totally depends on your mood. Anything Garth Brooks is awesome; Take Me Home, Country Roads always gets a crowd singing
    • First country concert: Jenny: Old Dominion Jake: Brooks and Dunn
    • What songs do you like now on Country 1025: Jenny: I love Lainey Wilson- Heart Like a Truck; Jake: and also Get in the Truck with Lainey and Hardy together; Til You Can’t by Cody Johnson
    • If you weren’t a musician, what would you be doing: trying to figure out what the heck to do on the weekends haha!!
    • Day Job: Jake: HVAC engineer Jenny: learning and development specialist
    • Most proud moment: Hearing our songs come alive when we recorded them in Nashville. It brought tears to our eyes. A truly incredible moment.
    • Crazy thing that happened in your music career: Nothing totally crazy, but the studio we recorded Across This Bar and the Nashville version of Wine and Whiskey in was the same studio where Luke Combs recorded Hurricane!! That was pretty cool. Oh and hearing the stories of the studio musicians and all of the incredibly talented people they get to tour with like Faith Hill, Tim McGraw- and those studio musicians were incredibly talented themselves!! It was truly an honor.
    • Other things you like to do: Jake: I like to fix and build things; Jenny: I like to read and spend time with my kids; we both love traveling and experiencing new things
    • Fun facts: Jake: worked on Big and Rich’s tour working sound; pretty handy around the house; grew up in the mountains of Pennsylvania so I love camping and hunting.  Jenny: used to teach 5th grade as a public school teacher; I really hate foods on a stick; I absolutely love the ocean and can’t imagine not living close by water
    • Mantra: “Success is a personal measure- you get to decide what constitutes if you’ve been successful.”

  • Live Shows

    * Saturday, January 21: Stanzy’s Country Ranch, 1 Main St. Peabody 9:00pm

    * Saturday, February 18: Limey’s Pub, 659 Washington St Norwood 7:00pm

    * Friday, March 10: Paddy O’s, 33 Union St in Boston

    * Sunday, March 19: Wachusett Brewery, 175 State Rd in Westminster, MA

     

    jake and jenny

  • Follow Jake & Jenny

    Keep up with J&J on their social media pages, here:

        

  • Posts and Pics

     

    Jake and Jenny

  • Are YOU a catch?

    Every week, Kruser’s Local Catch highlights New England’s homegrown country music talent, and tells you where to catch them locally and in Nashville. Click here to view previous catches.

    *Singer/songwriters with original music: Please submit for consideration on The Local Catch by emailing: [email protected]

    Mic - local catch

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