Roll Call Records

Prologue:

Jer Coons grew up in Vermont, a small rural state that did not have television until 2004 (or internet until 2008 … hoping to get high speed this year). In 2000, at age 11, an impressionable young Jer went to visit his cousins and saw something on their “picture box” that would change his life forever. That of course was the MTV music video for “Bye Bye Bye” from ‘N SYNC’s platinum selling album, “No Strings Attached.”

Was it Justin Timberlake’s piercing brown eyes? Or Lance Bass’ frosted tips? Maybe it was the group’s dazzling dance moves? One thing is for sure, after seeing “Bye Bye Bye,” Jer Coons knew he had to be a musician.

Story:

For the next eight years, following his first ‘N SYNC experience (a time now simply referred to as the revelation), Jer went through various phases of self-exploration. For a time he studied Scientology under Tom Cruise (also an ‘N SYNC fan), spent many days contemplating Freud, watched the Jersey shore, learned guitar, dated some girls and eventually found himself with enough songs to record an album in 2009.

That album, Speak, dropped last fall, and you may have heard his song “Legs” when your iPod broke and you had to listen to the radio. It is also possible that you heard it while buying some fresh digs at Hollister, grabbing some fresh produce at various chain supermarkets, picking out some fresh paint at Home Depot, purchasing some non-expired (hopefully fresh) contraceptives in CVS pharmacy, taking a nap on a comfy mattress at Big Lots or even while eating The Endless Lunch for only $6.99 at T.G.I. Fridays. Basically, the only way you could have not heard “Legs,” is if you shop at Whole Foods or Lowes.

Today, Jer and his live performances are superior to virtually all singer-songwriters for one important reason:

• Most singer-songwriters suck. Especially the ones pushing middle age who have seen no real success and now hang by a thread shopping at Urban Outfitters in an attempt to look ten years younger.

Armed with drop dead catchy melodies, boyish good looks and a charm equal to or greater than Paris Hilton, Jer could wear pleated pants from Eddie Bauer and still look good.