Jeremy McComb

Jeremy McComb likes to record in Spartanburg, S.C.

He also likes to work in Nashville, using his Priest Lake-area home and outside fire pit as places to unwind after the grueling work of trying to make a big splash in country music.

Because of Stageit, the young singer – My Side of Town was his debut record co-produced with Spartanburg icon and Marshall Tucker Band co-founder Paul T. Riddle – has been able to reach fans from both spots.

“I wanted my fans’ opinions,” he says, explaining why he used Stageit while recording his follow-up. ”I had a live show. For 50 cents, you could go on and see what the hell we were doing in the studio. It didn’t cheapen the music. My fans are actively involved in the process of making the new record,” titled LEAP & the net will appear.

He said it’s a more effective way of communicating with his fans than simply singing in front of them at the local honky-tonk, although he does plenty of that as well.

“It’s added value to my live shows,” he says of his Stageit appearances, during which he not only can roll through a few songs, he also can talk to the fans about where he’s playing live next.

“I’ve done shows from my fire pit in my back yard, studio, backstage from when I’m going to play a live show. It is endless.”

While he knew this was a special tool, he didn’t realize how effective it would be for him.

“I usually have only 30 or 50 (tickets) for my shows,” he says, noting that number gives him a chance to interact and keep track of what’s going on in the chat room, so he can “listen” to what his fans have to say about his song choices.

“It gives me a chance to try new music, cover a song I normally wouldn’t do in a full band show. It gave me freedom as an artist for what I wanted to do when I wanted to do it.”

He notes that he’s even got an endorsement deal to name his home “studio” the “Fireball Lounge” after the cinnamon-infused whiskey.

And he’s planning on using Stageit for his Oct. 11 CD release party.

“It’s really cool,” he says. “It’s almost like an exclusive club for people who love music.

“The people who are first and foremost are the guys who support you, your fans. Every day I get emails and messages about ‘when you gonna come to Maine?’ ‘When you gonna come to Wisconsin?’ ‘When you gonna come to El Paso?’ When you gonna come to Mexico?’

“Well, this really opened the doors to not only reach my fans but reach people who like music. It’s like a Bluebird Café online.