Jon Pardi brings California Cool to Nashville

EVANSVILLE, Ind. — Jon Pardi laughs at the question, but as he answers, it’s obvious he’s given it plenty of thought.

Country music is the domain of Georgia boys right now — Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Zac Brown, Dallas Davidson, Brantley Gilbert, Colt Ford, Rhett Akins, Alan Jackson, Cole Swindell, Travis Tritt. So what’s a California dude doing getting mixed up with that bunch?

“Let me say right off the bat that I love Georgia,” Pardi, one of Nashville’s rising young stars, said as he traveled here for a show with country star Dierks Bentley. “I’ve played in Tifton, Valdosta, Atlanta … Georgia is absolutely one of my favorite places to play. I don’t know what y’all got in the water down there, but the Georgia boys have definitely got it going on.”

A large number of Georgia country music fans will spend their Labor Day weekend at Panama City Beach on the Florida Gulf Coast, watching Pardi and country superstars like Blake Shelton, Carrie Underwood, Bentley, Big and Rich, Randy Houser and Lonestar at the Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam, which starts Friday and continues through Sunday.

Pardi, whose “Up All Night” has cracked country’s Top 10, says he’s excited to be a part of the Jam.

“What I really like is mixing all together with all of the bands backstage,” he said in a telephone conversation. “It’s like a big high school get-together where everybody parties and has a good time. What’s really cool about it for a guy like me is that it’s a positive experience, no one’s mean to the other (less experienced) artists.

“It’s like getting together with a bunch of friends.”

The rising young artist, who lists fellow Californian Dwight Yoakam as one of his primary influences, has certainly paid his dues to take his place among those “friends” backstage. He moved to Nashville in 2008 with his dog, his PA system and the $7,000 he’d saved up working odd jobs and playing at local clubs and bars. He was certified as a lifeguard to earn money while he sought a publishing deal.

Eighteen months after landing in Music City, with most of his tiny “nest egg” gone, Pardi impressed Capitol Records executives at a showcase performance and signed a deal with the major label.

Since then Pardi has opened for such country stars as Bryan, the Zac Brown Band, Eric Church, Bentley and Jackson. Now, in addition to Bentley’s summer Riser Tour, he’s playing headlining dates across the country. He played seven sold-out album-release shows from Bakersfield, Calif. to Seattle to Madison, Wisc., to Louisville to celebrate the release of his debut LP “Write You a Song.”

“By playing on tours with folks like Luke, Dierks and Eric Church, I’ve learned so much,” Pardi said. “Those guys are great about helping folks just getting their start. They’ve given me great opportunities by letting me play with them, and when I have questions they’re always willing to help.”

Despite his growing success — Pardi had “Missin’ You Crazy,” another single from “Write You a Song,” reach the Top 25 — the rising star considers himself one of country’s “baby acts.” He hopes to change that in the coming months.

“I’m still building a foundation,” he said. “I’ve got a long way to go, and I know from being around these other musicians that I’m going to have to work my ass off to get where they are. But it’s a pretty cool thing to be up there singing your songs and have these great fans singing along. That’s the best.”

Pardi is scheduled to play at the Jam’s Main Stage next Friday at 6:15 p.m.