Texas singer Jake Worthington kicks off this year's stellar line up of Ponoka mainstage performances on June 25.
"I hope I leave as a hard act to follow," he said with a laugh during a recent chat from New York.
The popular artist, who landed in second place on The Voice back in the show's sixth season, has always had a passion for the classic country genre.
"Music was always playing," he recalled of his early years. "And I have always found myself intrigued by it. In Texas, there are a lot of live music settings, and I guess that always caught my ear. I've just always enjoyed music - I've always loved it.
"I've also always been drawn to stuff with some soul in it."
His musical gifts surfaced pretty early on, and were also impacted by his talented grandfather who wrote his own music as well.
"Probably when I was around 13 or 14 years old, we had a group of buddies that we played music with. We would try to get gigs, and do all of that stuff," he recalled.
"And eventually, we needed someone to sing, and I said, I'll do it," he recalled with a chuckle.
As to what he finds compelling about country, Worthington points to its raw sense of honestly; of authenticity.
"And the simplicity of it, too. It sounds like home to me."
These days, there is no question about his commitment to creating music that holds strongly to solid, classic country sensibilities as reflected so richly in his debut disc which was released in 2023, not to mention a string of successful singles along the way, including his latest, the rollicking It Ain't the Whisky.
He also points to legendary artists who have had such an impact on his own artistry, such as Ray Price, Merle Haggard, and George Jones. There is indeed no mistaking their collective influence on him.
"Definitely those names stick out in my memory. When I was introduced to that music, it was always really memorable. But along with those guys, I also grew up hearing George Strait on the radio, Mark Chessnutt, and Keith Whitley," he said.
But he's certainly done his music his way.
"Captivating the masses with his honky tonk stylings, the singer-songwriter has brought two-step anthems to venues across the country, opening for such gifted folks as Miranda Lambert, Cody Johnson, Lainey Wilson, Riley Green, Pat Green, Hank Williams Jr., ERNEST, and more," notes his bio.
And as mentioned, fans of The Voice will remember him from season six back in 2014, where he soared all the way to second place under the guidance of country superstar Blake Shelton.
"I was a kid, and I got to take a peek behind the curtain into the TV world," he said, adding the whole experience certainly influenced his path as an artist.
He is thankful for the tremendous experience, but he has certainly taken it all in stride.
"It was a pretty crazy time, and a pretty crazy thing to experience - however, they put their britches on the same way that we do, and I always kind of had that in the back of my mind," he said, referring to being in the presence of some pretty legendary artists during the stint.
"Not to take away from the excitement! Of course, it was something unlike anything I have ever experienced."
Working with Shelton was also a gift in and of itself. "Blake Shelton, in my opinion, has one of the most captivating voices in country music. Getting to hear him sing live, I will never forget it.
"It was a big door that opened up, that is for sure."
As to his Stampede show, Worthington said he and his band typically fly by the seat of their pants when it comes to nailing down what tunes they will hit the stage running with.
"I've had a tendency to not have a set list, but lately, we kind of get together about 15 minutes before, and make decision. What I'm also looking forward to is seeing the rodeo, too. I'm well aware that there is a very western, and very much a rodeo community there, too. And that the Stampede is the 'big kahuna'.
"I'm grateful for the opportunity."
Ultimately, Worthington said he feels blessed to be pursuing his dream, and the passion just never fades.
"I've been really fortunate to be able to play my own songs," he said. "I remember being younger, and hearing somebody singing, and being moved by it.
"I always wondered, you know, how do they do that? It's still like magic to me when it happens."
Meanwhile, rounding out this year's mainstage entertainment are Chesnutt on June 26, Dean Brody (June 27), the Hillside Outlaws (June 28), and High Valley on June 29.
Finally, wrapping up the 2025 line-up is Hailey Benedict on June 30th.
For complete details and for tickets, check out ponokastampede.com/2025-stampede/entertainment.
