Living down south will expose you to one thing country folks absolutely despise: California. When I would work in auto parts retail, customers and a couple coworkers would frequently tear the state to shreds. It didn't matter that a lot of times, they didn't know what they were talking about. All they knew for certain is that it costs a lot of money to live out there and they kept coming to Texas. Jon Pardi wants to dispel some of the negative aura around his home state though. By detailing his experience, he hopes people will give it an earnest shot.
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Recently, Jon spoke with the Whiskey Riff Raff podcast in promotion of his latest record Honkytonk Hollywood. The name obviously draws the attention right away, a bridge between two kinds of glamour, Nashville and Southern California's. He adores the former, especially since he's lived in Tennessee since 2008. However, his heart will always be back home in California.
"I've watched the town of Nashville become bigger and bigger and it really feels like home. But I never let go of California either," Pardi says. "I always go back, and we tour so much and that feels like home too. And where I'm from, it is all farmers and construction workers and people out hustling - all walks of life."
Jon Pardi Makes His Pitch on What Makes His Home State of California Great
An important aspect that the country crooner expresses is that California is a massive state. It's not all Hollywood or San Francisco, it's far too distinct to all be built the same. On Pardi's side of town in Dixon, it's about as country as you could get. "Nobody knows that the state that I'm from is huge in agriculture and huge in business. It's vibes of movies and songs that we sing about," Pardi says. "Especially the west coast country of the 1970s, like the Eagles and Fleetwood Mac. Today's standard, that's straight up country. California is such an influence."
He doesn't exactly back down from some of the great state's faults. Additionally, he's aware that there are certain big cities that might make a stern country man frown a bit. But once you wipe away that idea from your head, there's plenty to love in his eyes. "It's a great state. It just needs some maintenance. That's what I always say... needs a little bit of maintenance. Needs a little bit of cleanup. You can't let three cities get in the way of a beautiful state," Pardi stresses. "I bring friends out there that work with me from other areas, and they're blown away that it's California."
They think L.A., they think San Diego. They're all great. Everybody puts a bad wrap on them, but you go there and you sure have a good time. We have great shows in San Francisco. We have great shows in Los Angeles. There are country fans there. I love California," Pardi adds.
He's right. You can find your niche anywhere and have a ball out there. Just make sure you have a good job, those expense can sneak up on you.
