Getting to Know . . . Jason Wilber
 by Kathy S-B  ·  6 August 2008

It’s always a delight to introduce our readers to musicians that may not be on everyone’s radar. Although Jason Wilber has been traveling all over the world with John Prine, his name may not be known to everyone despite the fact that his tasty guitar licks are part and parcel of all things John Prine these days and he’s recorded six CDs. Get to know more about Jason and his music by visiting his website and listen to his music at his MySpace page. Check out this video of Jason.

You’ve already recorded five solo CDs. Have you been touring as long as you have been recording?

I was traveling around and playing shows for a long time before I made my first CD. First as a guitar player in bands in my teens, and then I started playing and singing my own songs when I was in my early 20’s I guess.

How did you get hooked up with John Prine?

Some good friends of mine were working with John and they recommended me. John’s manager called me and asked if I’d like to audition for John’s band, I said of course, so I did, and got the job.

Do you have any specific recollections or funny stories about being on the road?

I think anyone who has been traveling around playing music for any amount of time probably has quite a few funny stories. And being on the road with John Prine is much like how I would imagine it would be to travel around with Mark Twain. Or maybe, traveling around in one of Mark Twains stories. For instance, one time up in rural Wisconsin John Prine, Dave Jacques, and I happened to rescue two teenage girls on roller skates, who were trapped inside a giant fiberglass orange. They probably would have frozen to death if we hadn’t just happened along when we did. I still don’t know why they were wearing roller skates in the middle of winter. But anyway, you just can’t make stuff like that up. We made the local paper and everything. Truth is stranger than fiction they say.

Are you a disciplined songwriter? Do you plan for time for yourself just to write?

Yes and no. I do set aside time to write, but often the best things come out when I am thinking about something else. So I do plan, but I try to stay open to ideas that come at other times as well.

Is there any one accomplishment that has already happened to you that you wouldn’t trade for in the world?

I am fortunate to be able to say yes, but there are quite a few! Getting the gig with John Prine was a big one of course. Playing on a Grammy Winning record, playing at Carnegie Hall, getting to meet so many of my musical heroes, and playing with quite a few of them as well. Visiting and performing in all 50 states, Canada, Europe, the UK. I guess the main accomplishment that I wouldn’t trade is spending my life making music and all the wonderful places (geographically and otherwise) that it’s taken me.