Mississippi Singer, Jeremy Culpepper, Has Two Hits Overseas

By Beth Sager
27 Aug 1998
The New Orleans Times-Picayune; Page 22H2

Two out of three ain't bad. It's especially good when two out of the three songs on a CD become top-30 hits. That's the good news. The bad news is that you won't hear them on American radio.

Jeremy Culpepper, a native of Poplarville, Miss., has two hits on the European Country Music Association top-30 charts: "It's Gonna Be Alright" at No.16 and "Hollywood Endings" at No.27, from his debut CD.

"It's Gonna Be Alright" was used to lift the spirits of victims of the 1997 flood in North Dakota by playing it on radio stations. Culpepper received a personal thank-you from President Clinton.

Future plans include a European tour, a new recording session and maybe a music video. In the meantime, he is trying to promote his music in the United States and get air time. His record label manager, Ted McClendon, is frustrated by country stations' reluctance to give air time to independent labels' artists, forcing them to market their music overseas.

Culpepper recently performed at Mustang's White Horse Saloon in Slidell. He was returning by popular demand after his debut performance July 4.

John Greenwell of Slidell travels with Culpepper, opening up for him. He is working on his own original music and Nashville recording. Playing for Culpepper and Greenwell were Ronnie Mylie, guitar; Gary Minter, drums; Donald Summers, lead guitar; and Joe Spears, keyboards. They were having trouble with their sound that night after their sound man had been in a serious car accident that week.

Culpepper 's label is MDG Music Development Group, also of Poplarville. The company started as a booking agent for pop star Troy Shondell, whose hit, "This Time (We're Really Breaking Up)," went to No.5 in 1961. McClendon and Shondell worked together to find top- quality local talent while Shondell was booked at Casino Magic in Bay St. Louis, Miss., in 1994.

As soon as they heard Culpepper, they knew that he was the right singer to take to Nashville.

His first recording, "There's No `S' On My Chest," garnered an honorable mention in the February 1996 issue of Music Row Magazine.

Music Row has noticed him again recently. This time, Robert Oermann, music critic for the magazine, wrote about the CD, "If this comes across your desk, lend it your ears. This boy sounds like a comer to me. There's no denying the potency of this composition."

Another critic, Landis Foitik of Music News, called Culpepper "a professional artist, bound for fame" and "country music at its finest." The CD was produced by Hal Newman, who composed "Baby Your Baby" for George Strait. The CD's third cut, "Couldn't Get Along Without You," was written by Newman and his wife, Rachel. She wrote "It's Gonna Be Alright" and Shania Twain's gold (and nearing platinum) record "Got a Hold On Me".

"Hollywood Endings" is a "story song" with Culpepper embracing the romantic love scenes but having to change the ending to fit a "Hollywood ending." It's traditional country with the electric guitar whining the longing of love.

I can see why "It's Gonna Be Alright" was chosen to aid the flood victims' plight, if only mentally. Its uplifting melody could easily be converted for a Sunday choir. "Couldn't Get Along Without You" is in the more contemporary country mode. Another love song, it is my favorite of the CD's three tracks.

In addition to the CD cuts, Culpepper sang "A Little Bit of Love," "I Want You," "I Love You" and "Hatful of Rain," which he dedicated to his "one and only true love," Melissa. He performed one of my favorite covers, "Keep Your Hands to Yourself." Culpepper writes and sings a lot of songs about the weather -- traveling on tour in the snow, standing in the rain and getting to his baby, regardless of the elements.

Culpepper is 22, but he has what it takes. His voice not only conveys the music's message, but his stage charisma leaves the audience aching for more. Be sure to call your favorite country station and request air time for any of Culpepper 's tunes.

Jeremy's CD, "Hollywood Endings" can be ordered from the Internet Music Store.

On August 13, 2000, Mike Culpepper wrote with the following information which he found at Songtek.com: "Jeremy just signed a new record deal with MDG Records in Nashville. This record is being released as a Three-song single. He is a native of Poplarville, MS. And now resides in Slidell, LA. Jeremy, with his band Doublecross have the songs it takes to fill the dance floor (even if you dance in your living room)!"

Publisher's Footnote

The ancestry of Jeremy Culpepper is not currently known by Culpepper Connections! If you know who his parents are, please let us know.