Now that's country: Winnipeg's Jerry Sereda riding strong with new album

Jerry Sereda (Karen Lambert)

Jerry Sereda is a Canadian country musician from Dauphin, Manitoba. He continues to make prairie waves in the sea of Canadian country music and has shared the stage with folks like Shane Yellowbird, Jason Blaine and Donny Parenteau. 

It's no surprise that Jerry made it into the top 100 of Canadian Idol a few years back (2008). With his wholesome prairie-boy good looks and his classic and upbeat musical style, this man is bound to make an impression. 

On Friday November 25, Jerry launches his second album Turn the Country On. SCENE asked him to give us some insight into what makes him so determined: 

How did you first get into music?
When I first started singing all I would sing were Garth Brooks songs at karaoke because I loved his lyrics. I also loved his stage presence. Brooks inspired my current live show where I try to bring the same energy and excitement. I then started entering talent contests until I eventually won Star Catcher which gave me an opportunity to record my first song. After that I was hooked.

I paid for the recording of my first album Campground Cowboy which I then used to get feedback from industry professionals. After receiving advice from several stations I set out to record my second album. During this process I had my manager Jack Shapira pull some strings to get me into a CCMA showcase which landed me a record deal with MDM Recordings (who later signed a major development deal with EMI).

How did you get into writing?
I was often asked by my family and friends to write songs, but I didn't think I could. Eventually it took a girl and my tendency towards romance that allowed me to pen my first song Time. I presented it to her as an anniversary gift with the lyrics printed out on a framed photo collage of us. I eventually began to believe in my ability and so I continued to write.

What was the inspiration behind your new album?
It's just an evolution of my traditional country roots with a party atmosphere that the city has taught me to embrace.

Tell us something people might not know about you.
There was one moment in my life when I was ready to give up. But it was during this time I fought with my mom because she wanted me to play one more talent show called Star Catcher. Eventually she just said "I'm your mother and you're playing it". So I did, and it became the one contest I won which allowed me to record my first single "Time".  This gave me the resolve to push forward with the career that I currently have today. (Thanks Mom!)

Hear Jerry Sereda with one of his award winning songs: