Artist Profile

Jamie Reno is a singer-songwriter of exceptional depth and sincerity. A musician all his life, he began writing songs on a more serious level after going through a near-death battle with non-Hodgkins lymphoma cancer in 1996.

As a cancer survivor, famous journalist, lifelong musician and athlete, and now proud daddy, Jamie, a true modern-day renaissance man, plugs his life experiences into his music, and the results are poignant, bittersweet, and magical.

His first two records, "My Side of Paradise" in 2000, and "Reunion" in 2001, were very well received and are still selling well nationally. His new record, "All American Music," is arguably his best yet. A sublime musical journey across the emotional as well as geographical landscape, "All American Music" is filled with soulful country-rock songs written, sung and performed by Jamie.

In addition to Reno's soothing vocals and stellar acoustic and electric guitar work, the record features such noteworthy guest musicians as Ricky Skaggs, Dickey Betts, Charley Pride, Suzy Bogguss, Randy Meisner, Charlie Daniels, Jerry Donahue, Jeff "Skunk" Baxter, Eve Selis, Dennis Caplinger, Randi Driscoll, and many more.

The songs on "All American Music," which is being praised far and wide as a world-class musical achievement, are penetrating, life-affirming, and bittersweet.

They include poignant story-songs such as "Boston Blues," "Roadside Diner" and "Moving On," haunting tunes such as "Emerald City," life-affirming songs such as the folk-rock duet "Settling Down," the bluegrassy-pop "Just Pickin" and the sublime country-swing "Summer Moon," all-out rockers such as "Mile by Mile" and "The Legend Will Remain" (a tribute to the late Waylon Jennings), and the pure country poignance of "Almost Home" and the title track, "All American Music."

Here's what some folks are saying about Jamie's new music:

Richie Furay, founding member, Poco and Buffalo Springfield: "Jamie's a wonderful storyteller. When you listen to the songs on "All American Music," it's just like you're his best friend, ridin' down the highway with him as he pours his heart out to you. Great musicians, awesome songwriter."

Lyndon Stambler, People magazine: "I recommend listening to "All American Music" on a car stereo because it works best as a road album. This is Reno's world and it's deceptively simple, just as you'd expect from an Iowa boy who moved West. He never lost that shrewd Midwestern wit. There's a sweetness about this album, but it rocks. Reno lifts our spirits with his beautiful melodies and lyrics. His country-rock songs, which are about living, loving, longing, surviving, laughing, and crying, are well-crafted. Some would call this record heart felt. I'd call it gut felt. "All American Music" deserves an A."

Jack Tempchin, songwriter (Peaceful Easy Feeling, Slow Dancing): "All American Music" has a great feel. Jamie has written some very nice songs. I like his lyrics. This record is easy to listen to, and the guitar work and musicianship are beautiful. I hope it reaches a large audience."

Kenny Rankin, singer-songwriter: "Jamie's music is wonderful. His songs have a lot of hope and spirituality. There's so much Americana and humanity in his work."

Kyle Munson, music critic, Des Moines Register: "Reno's country-rock winningly combines bittersweet nostalgia with smart and breezy guitar arrangements steeped in both modern country and 70s acoustic rock radio. When you listen to his songs you find youself getting wrapped up in his universal stories and longing dreams."

Johnny Carson, legendary television performer: "Jamie's songs are terrific. I think he's a tremendous talent, and I wish and predict much success for him."

Charlie Daniels of the Charlie Daniels Band: "My hat's off to Jamie Reno for producing this fine record for cancer survivors everywhere."

Dan Bennett, music critic, San Diego North County Times: "Reno's songs have a refreshing perspective. They're spirited, easy to go with and universal. His songs are creative and inspiring, and they're as musically diverse as they are lyrically enticing."

Bob Tedde, lead singer, Rockola: "Jamie's music is heartfelt without being overly plaintive, sappy or preachy, and that's a balancing act most songwriters don't seem to be able to manage very often, if at all. In Jamie's music there is power through innocence. Oops, I feel a Brian Wilson comparison coming here."

Randy Meisner, founding member, The Eagles: "'All American Music' is right up my alley. I love Jamie's songs."

Jeff "Skunk" Baxter, lead guitarist, Steely Dan & the Doobie Brothers: "Jamie is a great songwriter. He reminds me a bit of John David Souther, an old friend. There's sadness in Jamie's tunes, but they're not angry, they're bittersweet, and very melodic."

Jamie's Bio and his 'other job'

Jamie was born and raised in Des Moines, Iowa, and now lives in San Diego, California with his wife, Gabriela, and their daughter, Mandy. In addition to being an acclaimed singer-songwriter, Jamie is also one of the nation's most accomplished magazine journalists.

For the last decade, he has been the San Diego correspondent for Newsweek magazine, for which he has written or co-written cover stories on such subjects as the Enron collapse, Napster, the war on terrorism, media conglomeration, the Heaven's Gate religious cult, the Andrew Cunanan murders, the O.J. Simpson trials, the David Westerfield trial, the dot-com collapse, the ephedrine debate, teen culture, and new cancer treatments.

Jamie has also written for such publications as the New York Times, Rolling Stone, TV Guide, People, USA Today, US Weekly, Entertainment Weekly, Premiere, Sports Illustrated, Men's Journal, Inside Sports, San Diego Magazine and the Los Angeles Times.

Jamie has won more than twenty Society of Professional Journalist and Press Club awards, including the Press Club's Best of Show award in 1997, 1998 and 2002.

Jamie, who loves all sports including soccer, baseball, tennis and surfing, also loves movies, reading as many magazines as he can get his hands on, screaming at the TV when the Chargers, Padres and Iowa Hawkeyes play, and, most of all, hanging out with his family and friends. Reno types pretty fast, but still uses the two-finger "Schroeder Method" 'cuz he flunked his high school typing class.