Hanx.net (The Netherlands)
March 2007

Dear Farmer Jason, we of Hanx are so thrilled that we may ask you some questions about your new album Rockin’ In The Forest With Farmer Jason!

First of all, what are you doing on the farm everyday? Do you have to work hard?

Farming is very hard work but hard work is good for the soul! Right now we are busy finishing up the fall field work, and getting everything ready for winter.

How did you find the time to make another record? With so many animals and growing things to care for?
Its not as difficult as you might think, since the animals help me create my music, especially the Guitar Pickin’Chicken. Like everyone in Tennessee, he is a cracking guitar star. The hog plays bass and one of our friends in the forest, The Punk Rock Skunk, plays a mean Johnny Thunders style guitar. They all throw down and really rock!

By the way, Farmer Jason, how is that other guy, Jason Ringenberg, doing? Is he making music too? Or is he resting his case now that you seem to have the better hold of the steering wheel of the music tractor? Do you know of any plans of his for the future?

My twin brother Jason Ringenberg is extremely jealous of all the success I am having. He mercilessly clawed and struggled for 30 years to get famous, then I put out a few cds and pole vault right over him!! He is green with envy. It must be hard for him, poor fellow. He is planning on releasing a BEST OF JASON RINGENBERG cd late 2007 and will probably tour Europe again in 2008. Everyone says he is some sort of “alt country legend” (whatever that is), but frankly I think he is a bit overrated.

Farmer Jason, you invited many of the players you had on A Day At The Farm back to play on Rockin’ In The Forest. But there are some new guests too. Can you tell us who they are and why they came to the barn?

Oh yes we had a marvelous time in the studio with Webb Wilder, Phil Lee, Molly Felder, Todd Snider, Vic Wooten, along with the usual gang. Many of them know my twin brother Jason Ringenberg, but they joined me because I offer more fun and money that he does!!

Has Todd Snider ever found back his Moose who was on the loose? He seems so sad about it at the beginning of the song!
Yes Todd was very upset about his lost moose. That might be why he was, (how should we politely say it), a little “juiced up” at the session. However, I think he has found his peace now and realizes we all looking for The Lost Moose. Maybe its not important to find that moose, just as long as we never give up trying!

In Punk Rock Skunk you and the Manly Men Chorus seem to borrow some of the punkrockbands of the old days. Can you tell us kids Farmer Jason, who these bands of old were?

I fundamentally believe that THE RAMONES played perfect kid’s music! I paid them homage by having the Manly Man Chorus holler their famous line: “HEY HO LETS GO!!” during PUNK ROCK SKUNK.

Fats Kaplin uses an oud in Ode To A Toad. This is the Dutch word for old. What kind of instrument is this Farmer Jason?

An OUD is some sort of Turkish sitar. I couldn’t even figure out how to tune it!! Fats Kaplin is truly a genius.

Why do you sing these words of Arrowhead so serious Farmer Jason? Has anything bad happened?

Arrowhead does honor the original inhabitants of my home area of middleTennessee, the Shawnee tribe. They were a magnificent people: strong, wise, and in tune to the Earth. These days, I think we could all learn a lesson from them on how to take care of our planet. It’s the only one we have.

Farmer Jason, is that Bo Diddley we can hear in Forest Rhymes? Is that the man with the strange guitar that makes you move your feet all the time?

Yes that is a Bo Diddley beat, but unfortunately not the real man, but maybe next time. Folks do seem to like playing on my cds!

Who is John Cessna Farmer Jason? You dedicated the cd to this small farmer with a huge heart.

John Cessna was a neighbor of ours in Bureau County Illinois where I grew up. Although he was just a simple farmer, he was loved by all far and wide. He had a gigantic joy inside him, and he shared that joy with anyone he came in contact with. When he passed away his funeral was one of the biggest ever in our area. Folks loved him because of his love and generosity of spirit, not because he was rich or famous.

It have been a lot of fun Farmer Jason, to sing with all these kids, including your own?

Yes one of the great fringe benefits of being Farmer Jason is that I can sing with my little girls Addie and Camille.

Will you come to our country Farmer Jason (when?) or will you sent that other guy, Jason Ringenberg? Or will both of you come?

Yes I am happy to announce that I will be coming to The Netherlands April 27-30, 2007, ending at Queens Day in Rotterdam. Check out www.farmerjason.com in January for details. It will be a Farmer Jason tour primarily, but my brother Jason Ringenberg may come along as my roadie… he needs a job.