Talent, Passion For Performing Earns Teen Musician Jack Davis State Recognition, Opportunities

A Glenwood Community High School junior is gaining notoriety as one of southwest Iowa’s up-and-coming musicians.

Jack Davis, 16, took a significant step forward in his musical journey when he won the youth soloist competition at the 2025 Iowa Rocks Talent Contest, held over Labor Day weekend in conjunction with the Iowa Rock Rock n’ Roll Music Association’s annual Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony in Arnolds Park.

“There were nine artists. You sit through and watch the other artists. I got a little nervous because I was like, ‘All these guys are incredible.’ Everybody deserved to win,” Davis said. “I was very last (to perform), which might have come to my advantage with the judges. You play your songs, then you wait.”

Davis won the competition singing a cover - Use Somebody by Kings Of Leon - and a song he wrote himself – Mountains In My Rear View.

“It was crazy. They make you feel like a star up there, which is super cool,” he said. “It was really incredible to win on my first try. A lot of people have been up there multiple years.”

Contestants are selected for the competition after a review of video submissions. Davis was encouraged to submit a video by fellow musician Rick Hillyard.

Winning the competition earned Davis the opportunity to “open” the following day at the Hall Of Fame Induction concert, held at the Roof Garden Ballroom. The weekend was a whirlwind experience.

“So Sunday, I went to sound check, then I went to an awards ceremony, then I went to an autography party and then I went back to the venue to play and then we drove home that night,” he said. “That day was insane, but it was kind of cool to be all over the place. The induction concert was incredible – it’s a 900-person venue. There’s so many cool artists that have played there – the Everly Brothers, Johnny Cash has played there, the Beach Boys. It’s really cool to stand on that same stage because they’re people that I have looked up to.”

Another perk that comes with winning is the competition is a studio contract with Iowa-based Catamount Studios. Davis plans to record an album or EP (Extended Play) for release in 2026.

“I would like to get a single out over the winter to kind of kick start that and then release a longer length album or EP after that,” he said. “Hopefully, I’ll go up and record next spring and release in the fall.”

He’s been strumming a guitar since he was 8 years old, but Davis has been performing publicly for only a few years. He recalled his first official gig being at Keg Creek Brewing. He performed last year in Silver City during RAGBRAI and the bookings have continued to mount as he becomes more known at venues in the region. Saturday night, he’s booked at Parea in Glenwood. He’s already had 40 bookings this year.

“It’s incredible, so cool. It’s a little draining,” Davis admitted. “I would say it’s definitely turned a little bit into work this year, which is OK. I’ve put so much more into it. Performing is great, but sitting down and making a set and practicing for hours on end does kind of feel like work, but it’s all worth it the moment I step out on stage.”

Davis typically performs one or two 45-minute sets, comprised of cover songs and maybe a pinch of his own music. He’s learned to go with the flow of his audience.

“It just really depends on where I am. I like to play a lot of songs people like to hear. People love Tom Petty, so I usually open up my set with I Won’t Back Down and I like to close it with Free Fallin’,” he said. “I’m a big Lumineers fan so I sprinkle some of those in there. I play Landslide – that’s one of my favorites of all time. It just depends on my gig. I kind of feel out where I am. If I feel like I’m kind of getting some good energy from the country songs, I’ll pull some more of those out of my pocket. If I feel like I’m getting more of a folk vibe, then I’ll pull some of those out.”

Davis performs multiple musical genres, including country, folk and classic rock. He said he enjoys listening to a variety of artists and has been influenced by the music his parents enjoy.

“My parents have always been big into the music,” he noted. “I listen to a lot of music my dad listens to. A lot of my bigger influences are like Lumineers, Tom Petty, Fleetwood Mac.

“I’ve always been a big music guy, so when I got my first guitar, I kind of knew that’s what I wanted to do and I love to watch people perform. It’s my absolute favorite thing, it just makes me feel so alive. I always thought it would be so cool to be able to do this.”

On average, Davis says he spends about 15 hours a week in his in-home studio, performing and writing music. Occasionally, family members, including his 5-year-old sister, Juniper, chime in.

“My sister is a pretty harsh critic,” he said. Some times I’ll play a song or two for her. She’ll tell me if it’s good or not. Some times she’ll sneak into the studio and sings with me a little bit.”

Davis said he’s grown as a musician because of the support he’s gotten from his family and the many friends and supporters he has in the musical circles across southwest Iowa, including his manager Rebecca Jones and vocal coach Becky Braun, lead vocalist for the Two Dollar Pistols.

“I wouldn’t be able to do it without so many people,” he said. “My family, of course, people that let us into their venues, like Zack Jones, Bill Hillman, Quincy over at Mezzo. I’m just very thankful they let us into their venues – they just kind of let us do what we do.

“Zack was one of the first to invite me out to his venue - the Art Church over in Malvern - and he has never stopped inviting me out to his venue and his festivals. He’s been incredible to me.”

Davis isn’t certain what’s in his future, but it will probably involve music. He’s always enjoyed playing the guitar and now he’s feeling more comfortable with the vocal part.

“I love to do this so I guess we’ll see where this takes me,” he said. “It’s been cool to actually make money off of this, but I would totally do it for free. It’s so worth it and it’s my favorite thing to do.”