Father, son, performer and fisherman – when he can – Jason Benoit keeps things real, balancing a red-hot music career with a life lived home on “The Rock”
You have been in great demand lately but I see you always make time for home. What have you been up to lately and can you share why you always make home visits as often as you can between shows?
I’ve got a new album that we’re working on at the moment which we are building a show around. Between touring and being at home, my team and I have been working hard to make sure the show is going to be a lot of fun.
My wife and three beautiful children are still living at home in Newfoundland so I make sure when I’m not on the road playing shows or rehearsing, I’m at home with them enjoying the Newfoundland lifestyle.
From following you on Facebook, I’ve seen that you’ve been fishing. Any luck?
(Laughs) I jigged a few smelts today by accident .. (laughs).. I like to take the kids fishing as often as I can. They love it and it’s a great way to spend quality time with them. But I have to admit that, at the same time, I’m also trying diligently to catch that three pound sea trout… (more laughter!)
The Western Star published a story about you in 2013 with the headline “Jason Benoit Hoping to Launch Country-Singing Career.” Now I see you performing among country greats at the Cavendish Beach Music Festival and again here at home at Eastbound Hoedown. Looking back over those few short years, tell me how it feels to come so far in such a short time?
It’s truly amazing. But of course it never feels like things are moving fast at the time. There’s a lot of work that goes into it and only when you look back at it all can you truly appreciate how profound life is. Thanks to an amazing team beside me, I am truly blessed to have achieved the level of success I’ve earned so early in my music career. It’s something I’ve only ever dreamed of.
Tell me about performing. What is it like to perform along big names like Kenny Chesney and Emerson Drive?
When I see my name on an event poster alongside singers I’ve been listening too and admiring for half of my life, I can’t help but feel emotions such as pride and justification, but also fear and intimidation.
Your name is next to some of the biggest names in country music so you have to make sure you always bring your “A Game”. It’s a lot of pressure. But Performing is definitely a huge part of the job and is probably what I love most about it. To see fans in the audience singing along with my songs and having a good time is such a humbling experience and makes it all worthwhile.
What can fans expect from you when you perform?
We’ve been building the show with new songs from the album which is set to be released in the fall. I’m really excited to be able to perform these new songs as I’ve written them myself and they mean a lot to me.
I’m especially excited to perform my latest single, Waves. I wrote that one for my Dad so I have a special place in my heart for that song. I’ve also put together some great medleys of some of my favourite country songs, both new and old. It’s going to be a lot of fun! There’ll be some great sing-along points and some new songs from me… I can’t wait.
What’s next for you?
Besides Cavendish Beach Music Fest, I’m also a part of a lot of other great country festivals in Canada this summer such as Boots & Hearts and Trackside Music Festivals in Ontario, Canaan Music Fest in King County, Nova Scotia and Last, but not least, Eastbound Hoedown here in Newfoundland which I really looking forward to.
Also, I’m really excited to finish my first full length album called Waves which will be dropping in the fall. Everyone dreams of having a full length album released with a major record label and I’m close to having that dream fulfilled.
So between finishing the album, writing new songs, fishing with the kids, and doing shows all across Canada, the rest of the year looks pretty busy – and I couldn’t be happier. 