Interview: Jake Owen Talks About Upcoming French Lick Resort Show

Jake Owen’s The Driftwood Ramble Tour with special guest Uncle Kracker makes a much-anticipated stop at the French Lick Resort on Saturday, June 21, 2025. WBDC Afternoon DJ Amanda Tempel chatted with Jake about the tour and his latest career happenings.  

Amanda: We cannot wait to see you on June 21st, at the French Lick Resort! You’re kicking off a new tour with Uncle Kracker joining you on the road. That is going to be a blast! What can fans expect from this tour? 

Jake: Well, hopefully they can expect a good time. I’m a Floridian, so I love the sunshine. I love summertime and being responsible for people having a good time. I’m really looking forward to just getting out there this summer and bringing that kind of fun to everybody. I think it’s our responsibility to make sure people have a great time and we do our job entertaining, and that’s what we’re doing. 

Amanda: You’ve got a busy summer! CMA Fest is coming up very soon, and I know you have a very special show – tell us about that.  

Jake: This year I’m doing a cool show at the amphitheater with a bunch of my friends. Kind of “Jake and Friends” for CMA Fest, and it’s always a good time of year. Everybody comes to town for CMA Fest, and when you got all those people in town, it’s nice to get everybody together and get some friends to go out there and play some tunes.  I know we’re looking forward to it. It’s a big time in Nashville that time of year. 

Amanda: Along with all the shows, are there any plans to release new music this year? 

Jake: Oh yeah, I’ve got some stuff right now I’m working on that should be out in the next coming months. That’s really exciting for me because I’ve been waiting for a while to get some music out there. It’s on the way! 

Amanda: We are so excited to hear that! Are you doing a lot of writing for the album? 

Jake: I am. This morning, I’m on my way to go write a song with some friends and I’m looking forward to that. I’ve been doing a lot of writing, just trying to stay busy and always keep new stuff coming. 

Amanda: Besides music and touring, you’re involved with a lot of charity work, which I imagine is very rewarding. You’ve got your own foundation. Tell us about that and the work you do.  

Jake: Well, thank you for asking. It’s the Jake Owen Foundation.  We started it over 15 years ago and our mission is to just kind of help people in the places they call home. We raise a lot of money during different initiatives, whether it be concerts around the country or golf tournaments I host. Really getting people together and raising funds. We have over 35 different beneficiaries from Autism Speaks to The Boys and Girls Clubs. Plus, localized charities that we look at what their mission is and if we deem what they’re doing is important, then we help them out. We raise over a million dollars a year and do really good things. That’s what it’s all about at the end of the day. It’s about more than songs and country music. It’s about what you do with your life and your legacy and that’s what I’m really proud of. 

Amanda: That is incredible! Now, next year marks 20 years since you released your debut album. In that time, so much has changed in the music business, from how we consume music to keeping up with social media. But through it all, I think it always comes back to the song and the music. And when I think of your music, going back to the early days with “Ghosts” and “Starting With Me,” to all your big radio hits over the years, your catalog has really stood the test of time, and when you look back, what does that longevity mean to you? 

Jake: It’s just validation. The decision I made to move to Nashville and do this for a living was the right decision and and it’s really nice to feel that way. It’s flattering to know people love what I do and and they support it and then I get to come to see y’all and I’m really excited about it. It gives me the ability to do what I love and there’s nothing better than that. 

Amanda: We’re really looking forward to June 21st at the French Lick Resort! Jake, thank you so much for taking the time to talk with us today!  

Jake: Hey, thank you so much. I really appreciate it!

The Driftwood Ramble Tour with Jake Owen and Uncle Kracker hits the French Lick Resort on Saturday, June 21, 2025. Tickets are available here.