Chris Janson

Chris Janson may not be a household name – yet – but audiences at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry know him well. He’s played there more than 130 times, even though his debut album, Buy Me A Boat, was just released in October.

The title track caught the attention of country music DJ Bobby Bones, which ultimately led to a deal with Warner Brothers. His current single, “Holdin’ Her,” was called the “most honest country song of the year” by Rolling Stone Country.

Photo: Eric Fairchild

United Talent Agency’s Lance Roberts told Pollstar Janson has a knack for storytelling through his songwriting and passion for music.

“One of the main things that drew me to him was just his knowledge and the depths of his insight into music and the inspirations that he drew off of,” Roberts said.

Janson wrote or co-wrote every song on his album, as well as “Truck Yeah” for Tim McGraw,  LoCash’s chart topper “I Love This Life,” plus songs for Randy Houser and Hank Williams Jr.

His management is a partnership between Chris Janson Management, run by his wife Kelly Janson, and TKO Artist Management, which came onboard after catching one of Janson’s performances at CMA Fest three years ago.

Photo: Courtesy Warner Music Group

Onstage is where Janson thrives. One minute he’s jumping around, next he’s playing harmonica, then guitar, but above all he engages the crowd by getting them to sing along and sharing tidbits about his personal experiences.

“He takes the fan on a journey. It’s a look into his life. The stories are authentic; they’re real. It’s the energy. He’s a ball of fire on stage,” Roberts said.

Janson is definitely no stranger to the road. Last summer he supported Toby Keith’s run, then Luke Bryan’s fall “Farm Tour” and Blake Shelton’s trek, which wrapped in March. Janson kicked off his “Buy Me A Boat Tour” in May, taking in festivals and fairs. All together he’ll play “an easy 150 to 160 shows this year.”