by James Christopher MongerBorn in Evansville, IN, but raised in Texas, singer/songwriter Jace Everett spent his formative years playing bass and singing in his church youth group. Enamored by both gospel music and the works of Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson, Everett, despite taking a stab at collegiate life at Belmont University in Nashville, seemed destined for the music business. After quitting school, he toured the world in a pop cover band, eventually marrying and fathering a child before moving back to Texas. A series of odd jobs followed (ditch digger, photographer, truck washer, waiter, etc.), as well as a divorce, eventually leading the frustrated musician back to Nashville. Within a year of his return, and after a few false starts, Everett landed a major-label record deal with Sony Nashville. Produced by Mark Wright and Greg Droman, his eponymous debut record arrived in 2005.