March 2 - New
Halcyon Times in USA TODAY
Halcyon Times is the Pick of the Week in today's USA TODAY (page 5D). You can see the piece online here.

March 2 - New
Halcyon Times and the Passing of Ed Hodges
So we now release Halcyon Times, the first Jason and the Scorchers record of new material since 1996. Yikes, that was 14 years ago! How did that happen??!! Almost everyone who hears the cd is calling it one of our finest efforts to date. I do agree, and I am not the kind of artist who says every record I am involved with is "our best one yet." (I always wonder how artist who say that with every release can claim any credibility...)

No one is more surprised than me that this release even happened, let alone that it is a career record. I was quite reticent about the whole idea, but Warner kept after me. Certainly bringing Al Collins and Pontus Snibb on as the new rhythm section was a huge step in the right direction. That is truly a rhythm section for the ages. They nail it. Warner of course is playing at the top of his game, and I feel like I have learned a lot as a singer since the last JATS record. Honestly, being Farmer Jason the past 6 years has focused my singing considerably. I have learned to concentrate and enunciate more clearly, and to completely go into character.

Another huge advantage we had on this release was the impressive team of folks who threw in. As always, manager Deb was there every step of the way, and the Farmer Jason/ Jason Ringenberg designer and website manager Paul Needham brought his full support and impressive array of skills to the party. Dan Baird and Ginger Wildheart offered their services in whatever way they could help, free of charge. They both were an amazing asset to us. Ginger flew in for a week in February and co-wrote 9 of the songs, and then demoed them all for us! Dan offered to produce the record. When we went with Brad Jones instead, he then unselfishly jumped in help write the cd, and to play rhythm guitar during the sessions. I still can't believe he gave us the Days of Wine and Roses idea. Imagine Homemade Sin doing that song... All in all, you put Warner Hodges, me, Al Collins, Pontus Snibb, Brad Jones, Ginger Wildheart, Tommy Womack, and Dan Baird together and you do have a rock 'n' roll dream team. It was a marvelous experience working with such talent, and one that I will not forget.

As most of you know, Warner's father Ed Hodges passed away February 16. Many JATS fans have seen or met Ed, since he and Blanche made every show we ever played in Middle Tennessee, often joining us on stage to jam. Ed was often like a second father to me, and also a dear friend. Since he was a musician himself, he knew the language and the matrix. Even though he was not of our generation, he could hang out with us rockers on equal terms. At the end of the day he was one of us.

I have so many fond memories of him. In the early days of the band, he would sing Haggard's "Working Man Blues" with us, and I would play bass!!! My bass playing must have sounded atrocious, but he always invited me to do it, since he instinctively knew how much I enjoyed playing bass on a song. He was that kind of guy- rock solid and completely at ease in his own skin. He epitomized the term "Southern Hospitality", always first up to help anyone who needed it. I never knew him to say anything stupid or divisive. I never knew him to be flakey about anything. I never knew him to be anything but kind and courteous. On top of all that, he was one smart cat: an old country boy who started with nothing and made something of himself.

He was my friend, and I will always consider the experience of knowing him to be one of the great blessings of my life.

May he Rest in Peace.

March 2 - New
Farmer Jason on NPT Pledge Month
Nashville Public Television has been a big supporter of Farmer Jason, producing and airing his Emmy winning videos and generally being there when needed. March is Pledge Month at NPT, and once again NPT will be airing several 30 minute Farmer Jason shows featuring the videos and talking to Farmer Jason while taking pledges. For those of you interested in helping NPT, please make your pledges during the Farmer Jason segments, since this shows NPT that Farmer Jason has broad support out there. Even though you call during to Farmer Jason Pledge Shows, you can still choose other Pledge thank you gifts very easily if you choose. Some of the shows have an opportunity to win tickets for the Belcourt March 27 show.

Here are the times of the FJ Pledge Shows. Again, please make your pledges at one of these times.

Mon Mar 8, 10am (with Belcourt show ticket offer)

Fri Mar 12, 11:30am (with Belcourt show ticket offer)

Sat Mar 13, 7:30am (without ticket offer)

Tue Mar 16, 1pm (without ticket offer)

Fri Mar 19, 2pm (without ticket offer)

The numbers to call for pledges are : Out of Nashville- 800 355 5310, in Nashville- 615 259 2100

March 2 - New
Farmer Jason takes part in "Read Me Day"
This shot is taken from behind the stage at Nashvilles "Read Me Day"
where Farmer Jason provided entertainment for the event. The kids are
jumping in the air during The Kitty Song.

"Read Me Day" is an nonprofit event where Nashville polititians and
celebreties go into local schools in underserved neighborhoods and read
to the kids. Farmer Jason shared his reading experience with Charles
Davis, a retired NBA star who has his own charity foundation.

February 22
Jason & The Scorchers hit Europe in May
Jason & The Scorchers 2010 European Tour kicks off in The Netherlands on April 29. The month long trip takes in Holland, the UK, Norway and Spain. For full details visit - www.jasonandthescorchers.com

February 12
Belcourt Tickets On Sale
Tickets for the Belcourt Farmer Jason show March 27 in Nashville are now on sale at www.belcourt.org Be sure to get tickets in advance for this one, as it likely will sell out.

February 1
Ira Sings The Doggie Dance
Here is a clip of two year old Ira from Nashville singing the Doggie Dance http://vimeo.com

January 20
New Jason Ringenberg and Farmer Jason radio interview online
Both Jason Ringenberg and Farmer Jason made an interview appearance on the legendary WSM AM 650 station in Nashville to promote the Music City Roots show January 13. WSM, known as the “Air Castle of the South” and “The Mother Church of Country Music” is still pumping out great classic country, bluegrass, and Americana. Jason appeared during the “Coffee, Country, and Cody” morning show with Bill Cody. It is one of Jason’s favorite radio shows, a true slice of Americana so rare in this formatted corporate era. To hear the interview go to: wsmradio

December 22
A Christmas message from Farmer Jason!
Hello my friends and Merry Christmas! This year it has dawned on me that one of the things I love most about Christmas is the music. I wonder what those songwriting masters from centuries ago thought after they wrote those classics. Did they realize what they had created? Did they get the credit and respect they deserved in their lifetime?

Their music is everywhere this time of year. I have lost count of the times I have heard “Silent Night” or “Oh Come All Ye Faithful”, but somehow those songs still move me and reach so deep. Even when delivered by modern computer tuned singers who can’t really do the songs justice (I count myself in that crowd), they still work their magic.

My favorite Christmas records this year are by The Beach Boys and Gene Autry. I have the Beach Boys one on vinyl. Their version of “We Three Kings” is a masterpiece, an absolute masterpiece!! I actually sang the “Myhr is mine” verse in third grade for a Christmas concert. (In those days you could still sing sacred music in public schools, and I do believe that the ban on such songs nowadays is a great injustice.) The Gene Autry record is deceptively good, and grows on me with every listen. It is delightfully fun and something that everyone in the family can enjoy. And of course Sinatra, Elvis, and Bing are always on my Christmas playlist, to show what true masters can do with such beautiful songs. Sinatra’s mid period version of “Jingle Bells” (he did several) is pure genius. The arranger on that should have won a Grammy.

December was a good month musically for me. I did a short run through Spain, ending once again in Mallorca, an island off the coast of Barcelona. My manager there, Toni Monserrat, put together a great little run of Farmer Jason school shows. I can’t express how much I enjoy those shows, with the incredible cross culture chemistry. Even with their limited English, the kids get soooo excited, and it translates in ways none of us really understand. A special thank you to Toni and his family Barbara, Megan, and Anna, and to all my Mallorcan friends who open their homes and hearts to me.

After Mallorca, I journeyed to Hanover Germany to meet up with the rest of Jason & The Scorchers for the Blue Rose Christmas party. On the way, I severely damaged my back, but was somehow able to perform. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The room was packed, and I have to say the band really brought the goods. Pontus couldn’t make it, so Mauro Magellan did drums duty. Even without a full band rehearsal, he absolutely nailed it, as did Warner and Al. When that band is on, it’s something to behold. The new Halcyon Times songs went over the best. We even had the moxie to close with Moonshine Guy, and it worked. After being in the Farmer Jason world so intensely all year, to jump right into to the JATS rock world was such a radical change of gears. Its funny, rock ‘n’ roll never really changes, only the faces in and around it.

I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a New Year filled with hopes realized.

October 14

Howdy my friends!

Many of you out there have met my mother Betty Ringenberg at shows the past 30 years. She is a saint on this planet of ours. On October 25 she is turning 80! That’s not bad for a women who has had two rounds of cancer, one considered terminal. We are asking anyone who knows her to send a birthday card. This will be quite a surprise.


Marvin and Betty Ringenberg with Jason's older brother Joe.

At 80 Mom still lives on the farm where she grew up. Dad is 86 with advanced Alzheimer’s and a host of physical ailments. Mom still takes care of Dad and the farm. It’s a 24/7 never ending strain on her, but somehow she maintains that great attitude of hers. I honestly don’t know how she does it. Day in day out, she never ceases to amaze me.

Please do send her a card and keep her in your prayers, although I know she would not want anyone to make a fuss over her. Her address is:

Betty Ringenberg
15283 550 E. ST
Sheffield, Illinois 61361

Best always,

October 1
New website for Jason & The Scorchers
These are exciting times for fans of Farmer Jason’s legendary ‘cow-punk’ band Jason & The Scorchers. Not only do the veteran group have a brand new album due for release in February 2010 they’ve just launched a new website.  The site which can be found at www.jasonandthescorchers.com features information on the bands new line-up, new group photos, two songs from the forthcoming CD Halcyon Times and a mailing-list sign-up page for the groups new regular news letter Blazin’ Trails.

August 7 

Hello my friends! I am stuck at Reagan International for a few hours, coming back from the Jason and the Scorchers show in New York. It is a good place to wax poetic…

First I should tell you about the Farmer Jason show at Athensfest. It was a cracking show, full of cute kids under a tent. Off to the side of the stage was a young family holding a handmade sign with a drawing of the Punk Rock Skunk. The little four year old girl had the biggest smile on her face.  After the show I was doing the normal meet and greet, and I couldn’t help but notice the “glow” around that little family. When their turn to meet and greet Farmer Jason came up, the father introduced himself as “Patterson, I play in a little band here in Athens.” Well that little band is the Drive By Truckers! We had the best time talking and catching up, then the Hoods (Patterson, Rebecca, and little Ava) took me out for an Athens brunch that couldn’t be beat.  Thank you Hoods!

To top off the experience, Jim White’s wife and daughter Sadie were also at the show. I had just met Jim in Bergen Norway at Bergenfest.

All of July I was in Ireland and the UK, mostly doing Farmer Jason shows and festivals. I have to say those festivals were an absolute joy to do. We also did some wonderful club and school shows, and I was blessed to meet a lot of new friends and get hooked up again with old friends like the Whitehouse family in Brighton. At the Brighton school show, the kids all showed up dressed as farm animals or farmers! Great fun indeed.

Speaking on the UK and Ireland, we are planning on making a return trip in December doing Farmer Jason shows. If any of you have ideas or want to take a crack at putting on a show contact my agent Bob Patterson   bp@bpa-live.com   Don’t be shy, its much easier than you might think.

Our sweet corn is exceptional this year, as are the potatoes.

God bless

Mar 3 
NPT airs It's... A Farmer Jason pledge show
Big news. NPT (Nashville Public Television) will be airing a Farmer Jason Pledge Drive Show six times in the next two weeks. The show will feature all the videos from his Emmy Award winning “It’s a Farmer Jason!” video program as well as Farmer Jason personally soliciting pledges.Even if you don’t live in the Nashville area, it would be a great help to Farmer Jason if you could make a pledge to NPT during his showtimes. NPT has been critically important to the whole Farmer Jason development and deserves your support. We are hoping that the Pledge Show will generate a lot of money for NPT, and then other stations around the country might want to do the same thing with Farmer Jason. Even if you can pledge just $5.00, that would help.

Folks that pledge $40.00 will get the “Rockin’ in the Forest” cd, a $60.00 pledge will get the new “It’s a…Farmer Jason!” dvd, and a $90.00 pledge gets both of them. However, to truly help Farmer Jason you have to pledge during his segments and let them knowing you are pledging in support of Farmer Jason. Please call NPT at 615 259 2100 or 800 355 5210 to do this. You will be helping Farmer Jason and a great Public Television station.

Here are the showtimes -

Tuesday 3/3 at 1:00-1:30pm

Thursday 3/5 at 1200-1230 am

Saturday 3/7 at 0800-0830am

Monday 3/9 at 1000-1030am

Wednesday 3/11 at 12:30am-1:00pm

Sunday 3/15 at 07:00 -07:30am

They are for Central USA time.

Thank you!