Jason Blaine “Rising Star” nominated Jason Blaine is to sing next week at TJ’s Hangar. (“Rising Star” is an award and contest that CMT has every year for new artists — he was nominated in 2006).

Blaine is happy to say that he “took a few liberties” with his new CD, “Sweet Sundown,” his third album, soon to be released.

“I didn’t want to do a radio friendly only recording,” he told me in a telephone interview. Jason was travelling from Nashville, where he lives with his wife and their two children, to Toronto. He was travelling through Kentucky while we chatted.

He was on his way to Toronto to participate in Canadian Country Music Week and be part of a Country Music Television (CMT) show.

The biggest thrill for him in his new CD was recording a duet, with Steve Warnier, of a song they wrote together.

“We recorded the song in his studio in Franklin, Tennessee,” his excitement about the moment was still evident in his voice. “It was a huge thrill for me.”

By and large, Jason writes all his own songs. He really enjoys the entire process. He commented, “It’s a little less stressful if I’m doing it all – the writing and producing. I know I’m part of a commercial industry. It’s nice to be artistic but it’s gotta be commercial too.”

Blaine, who comes from Pembroke, Ont., went to Algonquin College in that city, where he did business and entrepreneurial studies, giving him the basics for understanding the commercial aspects of the music “business”. He has stayed in touch with the college and wrote its theme song.

So with the new CD, due to be launched late this month, he has recorded primarily his own work, with the inclusions of the song by Steve Warnier and himself and a Bryan Adams cover.

He said of this exception to his own writing, “I have to really love the song – I have to wish I wrote it myself. I love Bryan Adams’ songs and the one I did on this album – ‘When You Love Someone’ was our wedding song.”

The country star has a growing list of accolades to his name. He was nominated for the 2009 CCMA Male Artist of the year. He has two number one videos and three top five singles. The single release, “Numb,” from his new CD is already a CMT top 15.

Mr. Blain’s connection to Orangeville is through Jim Carson, a partner at Blackstock Ford, which is sponsoring Jason’s appearance at T.J.’s Hanger next week.

In the last couple of years they met at country music concerts which were sponsored by Blackstock Ford, as the car dealership has been affiliated with country music for about five years. Jason wanted to launch his new album in Canada this month and thought it would be great to start with a small venue.

One idea led naturally to another and the date for his appearance at TJ’s was set with Blackstock once again as sponsor. As Jason put it: “Jim [Carson] is a country music fan and I’m a Ford fan so it fit together.”

Mr. Carson is also very excited about the upcoming event in Orangeville. “When we heard Jason was coming to Ontario to launch his new CD, we thought it would be a great idea of he could come to Orangeville. The tickets are $20 but can be bought for a discount (which Blackstock is covering) by joining our Blackstock Ford Face Book page.” He went on to comment, “Jason is a tremendous character with his fans.”

As an invitation to Orangeville fans to come to the evening at T.J’S, Mr. Blaine said, “I wanted to try out this new music live in a smaller venue – a more intimate setting. The CD comes out March 30 but they’ll be able to buy it that night. It’s the first time playing live for an audience. It’ll be a party!”

So, the party launch for “Sweet Sundown” is at T.J’S Hanger at 35 Broadway next Wednesday, March 24. Tickets are available at TJ’s and Ford’s Face Book.