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He says it is what he always wished for – his kids becoming a part of the band. Jason Waldron, 46, Effie, Minn., self-employed carpenter and musician, opted for a rustic, rural life where he could raise his children, as close to the earth as he was raised. 

Waldron, lead singer of the Jason Waldron Band (JWB) is a single father of three, grandfather of one and has been described as one of the strongest lead vocalists on the Iron Range, his band always coming in the top three in annual “Itasca Best Of” contest. 

Jason’s baritone – oft baritone-bass low range gravelly voice is old country, pure country, with nods to the greats: Hank Williams and Johnny Cash. 

Jason grew up rough & tumble; he was a country kid helping his parents with their century-old family farm. He recounted that his youth was the best and worst of building character. Waldron said you realize there isn’t anything you can’t learn to do. If something breaks down – you figure out how to fix it. He described sadness, too – the reality of animal & crop loss, sawmill breakdowns, accidents, battling the elements of Mother Nature to wake up each morning before dawn to another grit-filled day. 

The foundation of a strong country singer doesn’t always align with the depictions from a pleasant Norman Rockwell painting. 

Country boy singing is weather-worn rugged and heave-that-haybale sturdy. Waldron’s singing resonates with every hard-living lyric. 

Jason does have fond memories of a milking cow named Luck-a-boss who taught him to always use a cautious eye and a good rope tie-off for a swift response to a potential kick thrown during a milking. That powerful quick upstroke to a feisty cow can be seen in every guitar performance by Waldron. His driving rhythm is powerful. His hands move as fast as a brush fire racing through dry autumn grasses. 

The only hands that may be arguably faster belong to his bandmate, lead guitar player Blake Waldron, Jason’s son. 

Blake, 20, joined his father’s band as a teen and has been feverishly gaining traction with long fingers to match his very tall six foot four slender frame. His ability for extended gestures with sweeping fast movement are entertaining high action. Appreciative audience members have been overheard to say: “Wow, watch that kid play!”  

The Waldrons have a bit of schtick, not comedic, a serious outlaw nature matched by dueling cowboy hats in black and white. Blake wears mirrored aviators, Jason has piercing blue eyes, both are serious, poised with perfect posture and a mission to bring a memorable tight sound. The reality is – introverted shyness is easily covered with a portion of gimmick. 

Patricia Feld, Artistic Director, Edge Center for the Arts in Bigfork, said, “Our Effie neighbor, a shy high schooler I heard sing years ago has matured into a strong engaging singer and guitar playing entertainer.” 

She continued, “Jason’s resonant baritone bring to life strong country classics and the talented band always provides a lively fun show at the Edge Center.”

Family friend and multi-decade experienced drummer Tom Breiwick is likely the best conversationalist of the band. Jason gives high praise to Tom for his ability to mingle and mesh with the JWB supporters. 
“He is family [to me] and I reckon he is just a better talker than I am,” Waldron said in an awe-shucks bashful kind of way. 

Breiwick, 64, reconnected with Jason when he and his wife moved back north from the Twin Cities area, and has been drumming with the band for the past year.

Jason started playing guitar at age 27. He says he was fortunate when Northern area musicians took him under their wing and invited him to jam, play, gig and sing. 

Tom was one of those early musicians he has a deep appreciation for. Band practice at Tom’s (at that time) was in an area of an antique store Breiwick and his wife operated. Practice for the single father often meant arriving with three young children in tow – a surrounding of antiques was precarious. 

Jason was reflective as he recalled how the children set with coloring and picture books were content listening to the melodies from their dad and his bandmates. Music encompassed family and family encompassed music. 

Jason’s daughter Estelle, 15, has recently joined the JWB as a guest bass player for several songs. Also shy, tall and lean, she is her father’s daughter. Estelle has her dad’s blonde hair; she sports a stylish beaded cowboy hat and appears ready to take band performance seriously. In past shows she has accompanied Jason with vocals, closing to an exuberant crowd applause. 

Middle child, Jack, 18, said he has an interest in taking up the steel guitar but is yet undecided and likes to refer to himself as “the adviser” for his dad and brother. He has done school DJing and has an eye for branding and marketing design. 

The Waldron family is used to traveling for gigs from the Northwest Angle to Duluth to casinos (Fortune Bay and Mille Lacs Grand), while neighborhood breweries, bar and grill restaurants remain band favorites, where the audience become fans and fans become friends. 

If the genre calls for neotraditional country with a mix of brash outlaw, a bit of rock and blues topped with solid dance favorites, the Jason Waldron Band fills the niche. 

Waldron doesn’t read music and plays by ear – he is consummate cover singer who brings his own rich flavor to every song he performs. His mother Margie, in true mom fashion, has said she thinks certain songs Jason sings are better than the original performer. She is not wrong. 

Waldron likes to mix it up to avoid being any average bar band – he looks for distinct music for JWB to perform and tries to keep his set lists revolving with fresh twists on country tradition and an occasional unknown or forgotten oldie. 

“I am not looking for fame and fortune, I want to play good music for people to enjoy,” Jason said. 
Waldron still advertises by word of mouth and a personal Facebook page (Jason Waldron) and that works for him. A variety of JWB live performances are on You Tube. 

Jason Waldron will always keep his roots northern small town, his work ethic rugged and outdoors, and his culture - country music: playing, singing and performing as part of a family band that carries his name, and a piece of his heart. Thankful, he is.