Rising country star Jake Banfield dropped his introductory album, Open Bars, in September, and it’s already making big waves. The 12-track project, released via EMPIRE and recently named one of NPR Music’s Best New Country Albums, blends country storytelling with hip-hop beats and pop melodies. Across songs like the breakout hit “Lasso” and the emotional closer “Thought of You,” Banfield shows a range that’s both sonically versatile and deeply personal.
Raised in Oklahoma and once an All-State basketball player, Banfield’s journey to music started after a career-ending knee injury left him sidelined and searching for purpose. Picking up a pawn shop guitar turned into writing songs, and eventually, a new path entirely. From the start, he jumped right into the deep end, moving to Los Angeles and writing for artists like Madison Beer, Anne-Marie, and Little Mix. During one morning writing session, a melody popped in his head, and within 30 minutes, “Lasso” was born.
Banfield decided to release the song himself, and within two months, it amassed over 22M streams. That single, as well as Banfield’s viral TikTok clips, set the stage for the radio-ready songs on Open Bars. We caught up with the artist about his new album and inspiring background.
RR: You went from being an All-State basketball player to where you are now. How did that pivot from sports to music shape your discipline and creative process?
Jake: It was definitely an adjustment. I never thought I’d be a musician. Sports were my whole life. But I got injured in college and ended up diving into music. I just used everything I knew from sports – discipline, showing up, working hard – and applied it to the music industry. It’s been a surprisingly easy transition because there are a lot of similarities.
RR: Did music start as a kind of therapy for you?
Jake: Exactly. When we went into quarantine, I had never really spoken about my mental health – depression, anxiety. Basketball was my vice. Once I couldn’t do that, I started writing how I felt. It began as journaling my thoughts and singing them out, and it turned into a career. I had no plan to do it full-time, but God had different plans.
RR: Was there a specific moment when it shifted from therapy to something bigger?
Jake: Yeah, it happened on social media. I posted a song called Hold Me, and it went viral. It was sad but real, and people connected deeply. The comments were full of people saying it helped them through tough times. That was when I realized it’s okay to speak up. From there, we started hearing from labels and managers – it all started from that one vulnerable song.
RR: You come from a family of athletes and coaches. How did that upbringing influence your drive?
Jake: My family is full of coaches. My dad, uncles, and even my grandpa, who’s in the Hall of Fame for coaching. I was literally at a basketball game when I was a week old. Growing up in that environment taught me discipline, teamwork, and being coachable. Those lessons translate directly into music – showing up, putting in the reps, and constantly trying to improve.
RR: Let’s talk about “Lasso.” How did that song come together?
Jake: I was in Los Angeles with Jackson Foot and Jim Nance. I had this melody and a voice memo where I kind of mumbled “lasso.” They heard it, loved it, and within 45 minutes, we had the song. It’s about a wild country girl who can’t be roped in…fun and high-energy. I grew up listening to both hip-hop and country, so we blended those worlds with 808s and country storytelling. People really connected with it.
RR: “Lasso” blew up fast. Why do you think it connected so quickly?
Jake: I think it’s the energy – it’s uplifting whether you’re sad or ready to party. It also took off in the line-dancing world, which I didn’t even know was that huge! Once it caught on there, it spread like wildfire. Plus, we released it right around spring break, which was perfect timing for that party vibe.
RR: You’ve written with artists like Madison Beer. What did working behind the scenes as a songwriter teach you?
Jake: Everything. Going from being an athlete for 20 years to writing rooms was terrifying at first. But I treated it like a team sport. I was learning from incredibly talented people and soaking it all in. Writing in L.A. is more melody-focused, while Nashville is very lyric-driven and storytelling-based. Having both perspectives has made me a better writer and artist.
RR: With Open Bars getting critical acclaim, what do you want this debut to say about you?
Jake: I want it to show that I’m versatile. There are fun, upbeat songs like “Lasso,” but also emotional ballads where I’m really singing. I grew up on all kinds of music, and I wanted to reflect that. I don’t want to stick to one sound – I love pushing boundaries and trying new things.
RR: The album ends with “Thought of You,” a more emotional, moody song. Why close the record with that one?
Jake: It’s about closure – taking the high road after a breakup. It’s a true story. I recorded it right after it happened, so it’s raw and emotional. It felt right to end the album on that note – showing vulnerability and leaving listeners with something powerful.
RR: And “Hall of Fame” – that one seems deeply personal.
Jake: Totally. I grew up in a tiny town called Stidham, Oklahoma – population 19. My family didn’t have a lot, but we had everything we needed. My mom is my hero, and I wanted to write her a song for Mother’s Day. The idea was, “Why don’t moms have a Hall of Fame?” The real hall of fame isn’t statues, it’s the walls of your childhood home, the memories, the photos. That’s what the song is about.
RR: That’s beautiful. Are you gearing up for a tour?
Jake: Yeah, we just got back from Canada. We’re taking the rest of 2025 to write and prep, but 2026 is going to be wild. I’ve got a headline tour in Australia in January, then we’re on the road with George Birge in the U.S. through February, and heading to Germany in March. It’s going to be a busy year.
RR: Going back…when did your basketball injury happen?
Jake: 2019. I tore my knee in preseason after committing to Oklahoma Wesleyan. Never got to play a college game. It was devastating, but during rehab I picked up a guitar because I couldn’t move much. Then quarantine hit right after, and that’s when I started writing songs about what I was going through. It really was a blessing in disguise.
RR: And five years later, you’re headlining shows around the world. What’s that like?
Jake: It’s surreal. I spent almost two decades in one world and jumped into another completely different one. Now people are buying tickets and singing along – it’s insane. Especially getting to perform in other countries – it’s a dream come true.
Check out Banfield’s website to see if he’s stopping near you on his tour, and be sure to follow him on Instagram for updates on new music. Listen to Open Bars below.