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About J. K. Coltrain
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, Ray Stevens & Willie Nelson and was dubbed as The Star of Tomorrow. Much to his dismay Monument filed for bankrupcy in 1984 without ever releasing a single song and JK again found himself without a label.

He first cracked the country music charts in 1987 with a self-penned song, West Virginia You're Still My Home. 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, Waylon Jennings, Conway Twitty, Buck Owens, George Jones, Tammy Wynette, Willie Nelson & Jerry Lee Lewis to name just a few.

J. K's future plans are to continue touring with his group 'The Nashvillains' in support of his new CD on Freedom Tracks Records and making new friends. Ya'all come out and see us when you can.

J. K. Coltrain is a member in good standing of; The Country Music Association The Academy of Country Music Americana Music Association Traditional Country Hall of Fame International Songwriters Association TexAmericana Music Association Roots Music Association Country Legends Association BMI Press/Comments J. K. Coltrain was one of the easiest to work with entertainers we have even had. We had to ask him to do a second show. Amie Barnes - Riverfront Steamboat Festival. Great show and good time had by everyone. Entertainment Weekly Hard to believe how J. K. has managed to maintain all these years through all the musical changes in country music. - Matthew Cox - Cox Network Productions J. K. just keeps getting better n' better with age. Paul Webb - Nashville Insider Best country act we have ever had period. Warren Hughes, Ent. Director - Winchester Rodeo Folks in Philly are still laughing and tappin' their toes. Janet Beachum - Entertainment Guide
Country music as it was meant to be played. Paul Overstreet - Entertainer
J.K. has a real nice voice with a marvelous deep timbre. - Lori Shropshire, Music News Nashville
I love your songs. You have one heck of a fine voice. -
Noel Schlachter - Music Forte
JK is a man of great determination & talent - Ricky Lee Phelps, Entertainer