J. K. Coltrain was born in Columbus, Ohio. He spent his early childhood days between there and West Virginia where his parents operated a small Mom & Pop grocery store. His Dad also was an excellent auto mechanic and in fact owned a number of repair shops over the years and was a weekend stock car racer. One reason why J. K. is a Nascar fanatic to this day:)

J.K. grew up surrounded by music & musicians. His cousin, Buddy Starcher was a professional recording artist on Columbia Records and was one of the founders of the Starday recording label and performed on the then popular Midwestern & Louisiana Hayrides. He also introduced the late Keith Whitley who first appeared on Buddys weekly radio show in Charleston, West Virginia when he was just 8 years old.

His Uncle & Grandpa performed together at churches throughout the South. That's where J. K. made his first appearance singing in church at the ripe old age of 11. His first professional job was at age 14 when he began singing with The Pleasant Hill Quartet. A well-known gospel group at the time.

Of course in his teens he had to try his hand in high school dance bands like Fire n' Ice and The Four Aces but by age 20 he had returned to his first love country music. At that time J. K. helped form a 7 piece country rock group called 'The Southern Express'. They garnered a great deal of regional success and opened for many popular groups at that time such as The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Poco & The Marshall Tucker Band.

In 1983 he left The Southern Express to pursue a solo career as his heart was with more traditional country music. He appeared to be taking the music business by storm as he was often the featured artist on Ernest Tubbs Midnite Jamboree and many popular Nashville nightclubs. He signed a recording contract with Monument Records and had label mates such as Dolly Parton, Larry Gatlin & Willie Nelson and was dubbed The Star of Tomorrow. Much to his dismay Monument filed for bankrupcy in 1984 without ever releasing a single song and JK was again without a label.

He first cracked the country music charts in 1987 with a self-penned song, West Virginia You're Still My Home on the Studo 7 Records label. Since then he has made many appearances on numerous radio & TV shows including The Nashville Showcase, The Midnight Jamboree & Stars of Tomorrow. J. K. has toured throughout the US & Canada and worked with some of the greatest names in country music. Jerry Reed, Loretta Lynn, The Bellamy Brothers, Conway Twitty, Buck Owens, George Jones, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Tammy Wynette & Jerry Lee Lewis to name just a few.

J. K's future plans include to continue touring with his group 'The Nashvillains' in support of his new CD along with The Country Caravan and making new friends. Ya'all come out and see us when you can.....

 I am pretty much traditional country although I was raised on bluegrass & gospel. As for listening music my favorites are Alan Jackson and Brad Paisley.




A little note to all you Indie country music artists. we are planning an independent country music festival for the end of July or the first of August in Ohio. If any of you are interested in being a part of it drop me an email at; jk@jkcoltrain.com and let me know and I'll keep ya posted. 

 Got me stumped here as I don't think I have a favorite movie. I watch whatever I am in the mood for at the time. I am a huge fan of the old westerns with guys like John Wayne & Clint Eastwood. 

 Cop shows & sports lol 

 Computers & Country Music:)

 

Well I have a lotta views on a lotta things most better kept to yourself if you are an entertainer lol

I am kinda proud of is my new CD because it is the real me. I picked the material, did the arrangements and produced it as well as helped with the actual mix. So if it doesn't do well there's no one to blame but me:) In the past, especially when I was signed to a major label they picked all the songs, the producer and the studio. So I have really enjoyed the artistic freedom that I had this time. Now it's up to the people to decide if they like the real me lol.