Jerrod Niemann Recalls Words of Wisdom From Garth Brooks

Jerrod Niemann is always open to advice from other artists -- especially when that artist happens to be Garth Brooks. The "Blue Bandana" singer says that Brooks offered him some unexpected words of wisdom that have helped shape his entire career.

"I had a conversation with [Brooks] a long time ago, and he was saying he was looking for songs, and one would be great, but it'd remind him of, say, "If Tomorrow Never Comes" or [another] a song he's already put out," Niemann recalls to Rolling Stone Country. "He said it's hard for him to want to tread the same water when there are always other directions for him to go.

"People like George Strait can sing the same song a million times, and it'll always be amazing, because he's George Strait and has that capability," Niemann continues. "But for me, it's kind of like, I've been there, done that, and wanted to challenge myself."

Niemann, who has penned three songs for Brooks -- "Good Ride Cowboy," "Midnight Sun" and "That Girl Is a Cowboy" -- says that the country legend's advice makes sense for his own career as well.

"I always want to do what everyone else isn't," Niemann explains. "If you have a bottle of ketchup, why do you want another bottle of ketchup? Get some mustard or relish or something."

The Kansas native is currently working on a new studio album, which he says will be filled with songs that speak to him personally.

“I want songs that make you feel something,” Niemann tells The Boot. “I think you can overthink stuff to death when it comes to trying to figure out hits and things like that. If it’s something that just hits you, it usually hits everybody else. So if you hear a song, and go, ‘Wow, man, I’ve got to download that,’ I['ve got] to have that song.

“I usually just try to gravitate towards songs that made you want to move to town," he adds, "or make you want to go to a live show, or just stuff that makes you anything but indifferent."

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