To listen to
Jake Maurer's music visit JakeMaurer.com
Sports, like life, is often times about taking chances and seizing opportunities.
For former Eastern Illinois football player Jake Maurer, both of those things have led him to his current career as a country musician.
Maurer, a native of Metamora, Illinois, first seized the opportunity to play college football as a member of the Panthers team from 2000-03. He was on the same team that featured current Dallas Cowboys star quarterback Tony Romo and sometimes drops in that connection during live shows.
"The response from people is usually; what, did you play wide receiver?" said Maurer when describing people's reaction. "They all think I'm too little to be a linebacker."
After missing the 2001 OVC Championship season due to injury, Maurer earned a starting spot as a member of the 2002 OVC Championship team finishing third on the team in tackles with a defense led by fellow All-American linebacker Nick Ricks.
The Panthers failed to make the FCS playoffs during Maurer's senior season of 2003 even though he did record one of his memorable career plays that season returning a fumble 60 yards for a touchdown against Tennessee Tech in late November.
From there Maurer moved into what he thought was his passion, teaching and coaching. He landed a job at nearby Mattoon High School and that where his story might end if not for that key word – chances.
A fan of music from a young age, Maurer began playing music at church when he was 17. His biggest influence on his musical career came during college when he discovered singer/songwriter Pat Green.
"I discovered him my sophomore year at EIU. He is responsible for the 'red dirt' scene down in Texas. His songs always moved me. We would listen to him before going out back in college as a ritual. When I saw him live on spring break in South Padre, I was blown away. His stage presence was amazing and that's when I thought, 'I want to do that."
While teaching and coaching during the week, Maurer began playing music on the local scene on the weekend's forming a band with a fellow coach called "Irons in the Fire." After two years of playing local bars and gaining a modest following Maurer decided he enjoyed his part-time job more than his full-time job and decided to make the move to Nashville."
Maurer moved to Nashville and began living off the summer pay he had made coaching football. He immediately went to lower Broadway and handed out his CDs to everyone he saw. Not giving up on the chance he and his then-fiancée Katie had taken. Maurer seized an opportunity as he heard about open auditions at Tootsie's Orchid Lounge, a nightclub known for being the starting venue for many country music stars.
"We got really lucky. I called to see when my audition time was and they said be there in ten minutes. I grabbed a guitar and was soon on stage with a band auditioning."
He was hired on the spot and has been a regular ever since that fateful day in 2007. During that time he has not looked back at the steady profession he gave up to chase his dream.
"Life is too short to not be loving what I was doing. Teaching and coaching were fine, but my passion came when I was dealing with the music business. Not just being on stage; but the booking gigs, dealing with club owners, setting up equipment. I love it all!"
Though teaching and coaching may seem like a lifetime ago and a college football career even longer, Maurer has noticed one similarity in all of those things that he carries over to his musical career.
"Be on time and do you best seem to work in every aspect of life."
As his musical career continues to blossom, Maurer looks back at some of the things he shared as a student-athlete at Eastern Illinois and how those can transcend into life on the road with a band.
"It was about team and camaraderie. Practice and weights and the life of a college athlete with your buddies. Nothing like it!"
Through this entire process from college student-athlete to teacher/coach to full-time musician, one teammate has been a constant for Maurer. His then-fiancée Katie, a former EIU student-athlete herself, became his wife and in his mind 'superwoman'.
"My wife Katie (Taake) is the superwoman in our family. She has worked full/part time with our last four children but with the addition of Ruby (#5), she is officially a stay at home mom! This has always been our goal and we are blessed to make it happen. She runs our home and takes care of five children by herself when I am out on the road. I don't know how she does it."
The sacrifices that both have made are slowly paying off as Maurer is a regular performer at Tootsie's with three shows a week along with an additional downtown Nashville performance weekly at Rippy's. He has released another album of original work and tours when possible including an occasional appearance back in his home state of Illinois.
"I feel there is an audience for most every artist. The trick is finding them. Realizing that I can do this and make a great living to provide for my family; that may be one of my biggest accomplishments."
Quick Fire Questions With Jake Maurer
Dream Artist To Sing A Duet With: Tara Thompson
Favorite Song That Is A Jake Maurer Original: Little Town
Most Requested Song To Cover: Sweet Home Alabama
Favorite Song To Cover: The Grand Tour by George Jones or Amanda by Don Williams
Famous Artist You Have Been Able To Work With: Sammy Kershaw, Joe Diffie, Bellamy Brothers
What You Miss Most About Illinois: Fall
What You Love Most About Nashville: Spring
Guy You Most Admired As A Teammate: Brian Jones (Linebacker, 1997-02), now a lawyer in Geneva, Ill.
Sport: Football
Class: 2004
Major: Health Studies
