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Sarah Lewis & Jag Star’s “Something Different” Named May
“Best Song Of The Month”
By Dale Kawashima
Sarah Lewis, lead singer & songwriter for the pop/rock
band Jag Star of Knoxville, TN, has won the SongwriterUniverse “Best Song Of
The Month” Contest for May, for her song “Something Different.” This is the
second time Lewis has won this award – she previously won in February 2006 for
her song “Leavin’.” Both “Something Different” and “Leavin’” are featured on
Jag Star’s third album, The Best Impression Of Sanity, which was
released last December (2006).
Sarah Lewis & Jag Star
“Something Different” is a high energy, melodic pop/rock
tune, which has a hooky, upbeat chorus. The recording provides a good showcase
for Lewis’ appealing lead and harmony vocals, plus the solid music tracks
played by Jag Star, which includes Lewis’ husband Just J (guitar), Jay Daniel
(bass) and Brad Williams (drums). “Something Different” was adeptly produced by
Travis Wyrick (who has produced P.O.D., Charlie Daniels, and Pillar) with Lewis
and Just J.
Jag Star recorded their 13-song CD, The Best Impression
of Sanity, in August 2007 following the band’s visit to the military base
at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. “It was a great experience for us to go and perform
for the troops there,” said Lewis. “We played several shows, including
headlining their Fourth Of July concert.”
Upon returning to Knoxville, the band worked with producer
Wyrick to record their new album. “Our previous album (Cinematic) was
more midtempo and moody, and it sold well. But we decided that the new album
would be more rockin’ and high energy – we were ready for a change.”
The new album is also selling well, via CD sales and
downloads from iTunes. In addition, Lewis has placed many of Jag Star’s songs
in MTV shows (The Real World, Laguna Beach, Road Rules)
and on the Lifetime Channel (the show Strong Medicine) and the ABC
Family Channel (Beautiful People).
Sarah Lewis performing live.
Currently, the group keeps a busy touring schedule, playing
many shows throughout the Southeast. “We recently played in Knoxville at the
Rox Knox Concert, on the same bill with Joan Jett and Lifehouse,” said Lewis.
“It was a great show, in front of 10,000 people. Joan Jett said she liked our
band, which made us feel really good.” In addition, the band has been contacted by record labels, and they are currently looking to find the right management team.
In addition to the band’s success, Lewis has received another
honor – she was selected as a “Fresh Face” by the Wet ‘n Wild cosmetic company,
for a national print ad campaign. Her photo (onstage with Jag Star) can be
found in ads which have appeared in Cosmopolitan magazine and other publications.