Country Rocker Jeremy Phifer Live Thursday

Jeremy Phifer is a commanding presence, even off-stage. But when he stands in the spotlight, Phifer becomes even more compelling. A monster guitar player with massive vocal chops, this high-energy entertainer is not just another tall Texan with a duffel bag full of dreams. This is talent – on fire.

“I’ve always really considered myself just a picker,” notes Jeremy. But his emotive voice is every bit as attention-grabbing as his electrifying guitar leads. The fifth-generation musician, now 29, has definitely walked a long, hard road to get to where he is now and the challenges of the journey are reflected in the passionate nuances he brings to his music. The tragic loss of his baby sister when Jeremy was just 2 years old colored his early childhood years, and the usual adolescent angst was compounded by dyslexia.

High school brought Jeremy the opportunity to indulge in two of his passions, football and music. A defensive end and wide receiver, Phifer also became active in the school’s jazz band. The school’s music director encouraged and inspired the budding musician -- he played drums, bass and piano -- and it wasn’t long before 15-year-old Jeremy was asked to join a group that would go on to play the Galaxy Club in Dallas.

“But one of my most memorable early performances was actually a Jimi Hendrix-inspired version of the National Anthem I played at our homecoming football game,” he recalls with a laugh.

Several bands and genre-bending experiments later, Jeremy narrowed his focus and began to hone the unique Country/Southern Rock/Texas Music sound that he performs today with his Texas BadWater Band named for the model of AXL guitar he plays. It’s a sound Jeremy describes as “Lynyrd Skynyrd on cornbread meets Alabama,” noting that “Skynyrd broke the dual lead sound and Alabama made it on three-part harmony.” Phifer’s band makes its living and its three-lead quota with guitar, fiddle and pedal steel.

It’s a life focused entirely around music – and family. Jeremy doesn’t own an iPod or have satellite radio, preferring instead to listen to CDs by artists ranging from Brad Paisley, Keith Urban and Merle Haggard to Pink Floyd, Black Crowes and The Eagles. Additionally, this singer/songwriter counts Prince, Muddy Waters and The Beatles among his influences.

The married father of three now lives in Paris, Texas, just a few miles down the road from his hometown of Blossom. The handsome singer can often be found putting down demos in his dad’s studio, practicing new leads or trying out his latest song at a local watering hole.

Phifer will take the stage at Fat Jack's Thursday night.