Country singer Jake Owen is to be featured with The Avett Brothers at Bulldog Bash 2011. Probably most popular for his songs “Barefoot Blue Jean Night” and “Eight Second Ride,” Owen is considered by many to be a rising star in the country music world. According to jakeowen.net, “Barefoot Blue Jean Night,” reached platinum status when it exceeded 1 million digital downloads, and the song maintained the number one spot for two consecutive weeks on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart and Country Aircheck.
Rhett Hobart, Student Association president, said there was large student feedback regarding Jake Owen as a potential target for the Bulldog Bash show.
“He’s had the number one country song in the country,” he said about Owen’s musical accomplishments.
“He’s very, very good. He’s had the number one country album on iTunes for a few weeks straight … It’s a band that has been out there for a few years but just broke it big. So we’re getting him right at the time he’s breaking it big, and we’re excited to have him play the event. We’ve got lots of great feedback on both the bands this year. Many people are excited about it. We think it’s going to be a great event,” he said.
 Owen’s original career plan was to become a professional golfer, according to his site bio. After a shoulder injury from wake-boarding, he started playing guitar and began playing at campus bars. Once he found his own songs were well received, he decided to try his luck in Tennessee.
“In 2005, Jake went from performing in Florida bars to moving to Nashville, and, within months, he had a Music Row song-publishing contract. Less than a year later, he was signed by RCA Records and was on the charts with his first two singles, ‘Yee Haw’ and ‘Startin’ with Me’.”
From there, with exceptional luck and talent, Owen amassed the still growing popularity he presently holds with his albums, Startin’ with Me, Easy Does It, and, in August, Barefoot Blue Jean Night.