IRON MOUNTAIN, Mich. (WZMQ) – Jordan Blanchard, hailed as a country music sensation and native of Wisconsin, lit up the stage at the Maxx Entertainment Center, leaving the audience in awe with his electrifying performance. Having graced the main stage of the renowned Hodag Country Music Festival multiple times, Blanchard brought his signature flair and charm to the enthusiastic crowd as he launched the very first, brand-new show of his ‘Pick in My Pocket’ tour.
The show features his new hit single: Pick in my Pocket. A song about giving up certainty to follow the chance to do what you love.
Blanchard reminisced about past performances in Iron Mountain. “Yeah, we opened for Chris Kroeze at the City Park. I played here last year. Dave just opened the place. He asked, “Will you come up? He was like: ‘we can only give you this much,’ we said don’t worry about it, we’re going to make something happen. We’re going to put on a big show, you know maybe next year, maybe three years, whatever, and it just worked out that we could do it with Kylar Kuzio and Dan LePein,” remarked Blanchard.
With 6 original songs under his belt and a repertoire brimming with country classics, Blanchard captivated the audience with his unique renditions, infusing hits like “Ten Rounds of Jose Cuervo” with his own fun twists. Blanchard’s bandmates include an exceptional fiddle player, and the performance showcased their creativity and talent with mesmerizing solos, transforming the venue into a vibrant scene.
Reflecting on his connection to the region, Blanchard expressed his fondness for the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, reminiscing about his adventures snowboarding at Pine Mountain Ski Resort. “A lot of people, I think, to a lot of people, it’s considered part of Wisconsin,” Blanchard remarked, highlighting the camaraderie between the two neighboring states.
The night’s performance included a Kingsford local as the drummer. “Yeah, well, so he’s filling in for the first 2 shows of this tour until we get our other drummer up to speed, but Ron is a great friend. He’s like a father. He’s like the fun uncle and a good friend all in one, so Ron Johnson is a great guy,” shared Blanchard.
Recalling his previous performances and the evolution of his career, Blanchard shared insights into his journey, emphasizing the importance of passion and dedication. “I’m a firm believer that every time you put on a show, whether it’s one time or a hundred times, it’s new to somebody,” he explained, underscoring his commitment to delivering unforgettable experiences to his audience.
Looking ahead, Blanchard revealed plans for future performances, including an upcoming show at the Cat Country Snowdown in Marinette, Wisconsin, where he will be supported by local talents Outlaw’d and Driftwood. With an unwavering dedication to his craft and a message of perseverance, Blanchard offered advice to budding musicians, urging them to pursue their dreams with determination and authenticity.
“I would say figure out what you want to do. You know, there are so many different avenues you could go with it. I figured out early on that I didn’t want to be in a cover band. I love playing cover songs. I love George Strait, Toby Keith, and all the classics, but I wanted to put something original because I think I’m creative, and I like to write songs and put together an original show. So figure out what you want to do, and then if you want to do it for a long time, you’ve got to be happy, so make it sustainable. Form good habits: eat right, exercise get sleep, you know have your fun, of course, but yeah if you’re going to do it for a long time. You’ve got to form good habits.”
As the night concluded with thunderous applause echoing through the Maxx Entertainment Center, Blanchard left an unforgettable mark on Iron Mountain, solidifying his status as a rising star in the country music scene.
Tune in to WZMQ19 to hear when Blanchard will be performing his next show of the “Pick in my Pocket’ tour.
