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  • Colton Pack of Danese will graduate early from Midland Trail High School in order to fulfill his passion of seeking a career as a country music singer. Courtesy photo/Amanda Reed Photography

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June 13, 2012

Pack wants to sing for his supper

By C.V. Moore Register-Herald Reporter

DANESE — “I’ve been singing since I was old enough to talk,” says Colton Pack of Midland Trail High School.

Technically still a junior, Pack, 17, of Danese, will finish up all his high school credits in July and graduate early so he can pursue his career as a country music singer full time.

Though growing up he sang in church and around the house, he never sang in public until his first year at Midland Trail, when a school counselor signed him up for a talent show.

“I was the new kid. I went out there and I was as shy as you could possibly be. I didn’t move or anything. People said it blew them away. I won it, and then everyone knew who I was.

“I’ve progressed extremely since then.”

Instead of just standing there, he says now he “entertains.”

“That was the big factor. I’ve cut out of my shell and have more stage presence. I’m letting out more, letting my personality show more. It’s finally gotten to the point where I’m completely, absolutely comfortable on stage.”

Building from his talent show win, and some other performances here and there, he took seventh place at the state level in the Colgate Country Showdown. Then he tried out for Charleston’s Teen Idol competition for the second time and won.

The prize was a photo shoot and an expenses-paid studio session in Nashville, where he recorded his first original song, “Fall Like Rain.”

There, he met Jeff Stevens, the 2011 Billboard Hot Producer who produced all three albums for country star Luke Bryan.

“We were sitting there talking and he asked if he could hear ‘Fall Like Rain’ when it was finished. I said ‘Yeah, of course, but how about I just sing it for you now?’ He said that’s what really got him. He knew I really wanted it.

“I’ve been going down ever since, recording songs.”

After his free studio session, he finished recording three additional demo songs written and produced with Stevens. Two weeks ago, they sent the demo off to record labels.

Now, he waits.

He plans to move to Nashville in December, where he will either launch a singing career or enroll at Belmont University in music business.

“Colton is a very grounded person. He has a sense of direction and sets goals for himself and he goes for it. He knows what he wants and he works diligently to achieve those goals, and then he sets more,” says Pack’s grandmother, Margaret.

In addition to singing, Pack plays guitar and piano. Before the talent show, he says he hadn’t had any formal lessons.

Margaret says she remembers him crawling up to the piano after his older brother’s piano lessons and playing the tunes by ear.

A country and gospel music fan herself, she also had an old record player that belonged to Colton’s great-grandfather.

“I would play the records and he would imitate them on the piano at a very young age. He started singing in church when he was 3 or 4 years old.”

Margaret celebrated the Fourth of July with family friends and legendary country family the Statlers for 28 years.

“I have family that lives in that area (of Virginia) with them. It was a big family thing, so that’s been handed down to our grandchildren as well.”

Colton says his love for country music is in its ability to tell a story.

“You can think of just about any situation and find a country song that fits it.

“And being from West Virginia helped a little bit. We are back in the country. If you listen to country songs, it talks about being in the woods and at bonfires. That’s the kind of stuff I grew up around. It was pretty much just life.”

Some of his current favorite artists are Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean, Hunter Ray and Keith Urban.

But Pack says he was influenced as much by the Backstreet Boys or Brittany Spears as by Shania Twain and Garth Brooks. Pop and country blend in his style.

“If people listen to me sing, they can hear both in my voice,” he says.

He says with the help of his grandmother, he can sing just about any Elvis song that’s ever been.

Pack says his biggest support has come from his parents, Tamela and Milburn — both teachers in Fayette County Schools — and grandparents, Margaret and Fred Pack and Judy and Larry Farley.

“Pretty much all they listen to is country music.

“When I was little, my parents would sit me in front of the TV and I’d watch Country Music Television.”

On June 22, he will sing with Stevens at McBee’s Irish Pub in Beckley at 7 p.m.

— E-mail: cmoore@register-herald.com

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