Jared Deck

In the amber glow of an Oklahoma sunset, Jared Deck is the embodiment of resilience and authenticity. His new album, Head Above Water, is not just a collection of tracks; it’s the anthem of a life lived in the trenches of adversity, a triumphant shout from the red dirt that has both given and taken from him. Head Above Water speaks to the blue-collar struggle of getting ahead in a getting-by world. A former winner of the Woody Guthrie Folk Festival songwriting contest, Deck’s songs of hard work and hard luck harken upon his own experiences and the lessons learned. These experiences have helped him emerge stronger, more focused, and even more deeply rooted in the community fabric of Norman, OK, where, in 2022, he ran for and won election to the Oklahoma State House of Representatives. Upon completion of his first legislative session, he’s ready to reboot his music career and release his first album since 2019.

Deck’s journey has been filled with battle scars, from being laid off due to factory outsourcing to being unceremoniously dismissed via text from a megachurch praise band. Yet, these setbacks have only tempered his spirit, not quenched it. Deck’s music was making waves in the press before his musical future seemed to spiral in 2020 amidst the pandemic’s ruthless tides. As he witnessed the suffering around him, Deck’s perspective sharpened. While he put his touring on hold and took a full-time job to survive, he realized the depth of his gratitude for staying afloat—thus, the album’s title, Head Above Water, took on a profound personal significance.

Head Above Water channels Deck’s life lessons into a sonic experience that is as diverse in sound as it is in storytelling. From the defiantly optimistic “Three Things” to the rollicking title track, each song is a thread in the fabric of Deck’s narrative. The tracks are a blend of the familiar and the innovative—there’s the sexy vibe of “Loose My Mind,” the dark nostalgia of “Amorita,” and the working-class battle cry of “Fired Up.” Each song is a mosaic of Deck’s identity, reflecting a different facet of his journey.

Beyond the music, Deck’s commitment to his local community underscores his belief in action over words. His pivot to public service, resulting in a successful run for the Oklahoma State House of Representatives, mirrors the advisory tone of his music. His first legislative session complete, Deck has seamlessly transitioned back to his first love—music—with a rejuvenated purpose.

Head Above Water is a confluence of the personal and the political, the private and the public. It’s an album where “Mountain Valley Road” doesn’t just offer advice; it symbolizes the path Deck has walked, one where the journey does indeed matter more than the destination. “All Out of Answers” and “Midamericana Blues” are homages to the heartbreaks and homelands that have shaped him, while “Songs About Love” closes the album with a reflection on the sacrifices made at the altar of ambition.

Returning with Head Above Water, Deck brings more than just new songs. He brings stories etched into his soul by life’s relentless chisel. Produced by Dwight Hamlin of The Wight Lighters, the album features performances by guitarist Clint Pope, bassist Bryan Walters, vocalist James Cook, keyboardist Dan Walker of Heart, fiddler Jake Simpson of The Lil Smokies,  and drummer Colby Bunch of Holly Beth and Lance Roark.

“I’ve always wanted to be part of something that’s greater than just myself,” Deck says, a sentiment that rings clear in each chord and lyric. His music, his service, and his unwavering dedication to his roots and community are not just a career; they’re a calling.

As Head Above Water is poised to grace airwaves and stages, it stands as a profound expression of Deck’s philosophy: the strength in uplifting others, the wisdom in seizing every learning opportunity, and the kindness in respecting oneself and others. In this album, Jared Deck doesn’t just sing songs; he shares sagas of survival, blue-collar battles, and the unyielding hope that tomorrow’s waters may be a little calmer.

In the end, Jared Deck’s Head Above Water is more than an album—it’s a lifeline cast into the waters of our shared humanity, inviting us to hold on and find solace in the collective struggle and the collective strength that defines us all.