Jake Penrod is not one for chasing the limelight, nor is he interested in being anything other than himself. A multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, songwriter, and entertainer, he is widely regarded by his peers as one of the preeminent artists of his era. To those who don’t already know him, Jake Penrod might seem like a hard man to figure out. Quiet around strangers and allergic to small talk, he’s often mistaken for aloof or standoffish. In truth, he’s simply more comfortable with music than with conversation.
Somewhat of an outsider growing up, and often pegged as the “weird kid,” Penrod found solace in music at an early age. A self-taught musician, he began playing piano at the age of four, then expanded his repertoire to include guitar at nine. Over time, he added harmonica, mandolin, fiddle, banjo, bass, accordion, lap steel guitar, pedal steel guitar, and drums to his skill set. His formal musical training was equally impressive, having earned All-State honors as a trumpet player in high school and in college.
To Jake Penrod, traditional country music is not just entertainment; it is a fine art, worthy of the same reverence given to ballet, jazz, and symphonic works. He presents it as such, with a deep respect for its history and craft. Unlike many artists, he has no interest in cultivating a manufactured public image or basking in the glow of celebrity. While he values his fans, he would rather they care about the music itself than about him as a personality.
Beyond his own recordings and performances, Penrod’s songwriting has left its mark on the genre, with his songs recorded by artists like Joey Allcorn, Lonnie Spiker, and The Country Side of Harmonica Sam. He also champions his generation’s contributions to country music, believing that today’s artists have more to offer than they are often credited for. He points to artists such as Charley Crockett and Sierra Ferrell as proof that traditional roots still resonate, and that millennials (artists and listeners alike) know what’s real and what isn’t.
For Jake Penrod, music has always been the point—not fame, not image, not accolades. And in staying true to that principle, he has become one of the most respected and authentic voices in traditional country music today.
