In the 1980s when cowboys had long hair and were charming every girl that walked by, Jason Meadows made his singing debut on the back of a flatbed trailer at county fairs and local Calera Day celebrations.

Since Meadows was named the Nashville Star 3 (the country version of American Idol) runner-up in 2005, he has been performing “Big Shot” – the title of his most recognized song – on well-known stages nationwide to audiences of thousands. Yet, his roots run deep in the small town of Calera, Okla.  He remembers those days as a member of the Calera FFA, where he served as chapter president in 1988-89.

In 2006, Meadows came “home” to perform at the State FFA Convention on April 26. There, he presented his FFA jacket to Gerald Parks, Calera FFA advisor.  It now hangs on the wall in the Calera agricultural education building.

But that was not his only trip “home” as a celebrity.

In 2005, when he was in the final four of Nashville Star, Meadows brought the television crew to Calera to show the nation the town where he was raised.  More importantly, he visited the Calera FFA Chapter and his adviser, Gerald Parks, to thank them for the influence on his life.

            Meadows credits the FFA organization and Parks for teaching him the ropes of life.  In high school he showed sheep and competed in agricultural mechanics competitions.  “The best part of being an FFA member was doing something I loved,” he said.

“Mr. Parks was my role model,” Meadows said.  “He taught me the rights and wrongs in life, not just in the classroom.  He is a good man who loves his family and job and gives 100 percent to everything he does.  He knows how to do everything so well.  He is a good person to look up to and is my inspiration. I want to be as good as he is some day.”

For more information on Meadows, visit www.jasonmeadows.com.