Exclusive First Listen: “Tiki Bar on the Beach,” Jarod Grubb’s Latest, Answers the Question — “If money wasn’t a concern, what would you do with it?”

Jarod Grubb was born and raised in Kalispell, Montana, where he started piano lessons at the age of six. He picked up the guitar in college while on a baseball scholarship and started writing songs and performing. After graduating from the University of Portland with a degree in Global Business, he pursued professional baseball, after which he returned home to Montana and went into business for himself.

Musical influences include Kenny Chesney, Jimmy Buffett, Jack Johnson and Jake Owen. Can you share some other artists who have inspired your musical creativity?

Yes! Recently, Old Dominion, because they are just a team of great, seasoned songwriters with such a cool ‘now’ sound. Definitely Thomas Rhett, especially the Life Changes album as well as Keith Urban and Pat Green. John Mayer and Jason Mraz on the pop side of things. Honestly, though, while I have my favorites like the aforementioned, I love to pick a random playlist (especially while mowing the lawn) in any genre, and pick out sounds that I like, beats that resonate and lyrics that I can spin-off of. It takes me forever to mow the lawn because I’m always stopping to make notes.

Which James Taylor songs are your favorites to cover?