It’s easy to feel overwhelmed in today’s superficial culture. But among the endless advertisements and searches for instant gratification, Jacob Reynolds stands out among Nashville’s independent singer-songwriters as a man who truly stands for something and lives life to the fullest. His philosophy is as direct and to the point as his music: live simply to be happy. Jacob’s debut album as a solo artist, “Victim of a Small Town,” is the perfect personification of this mantra. The result of a decade’s worth of work and experiences, the album is a the story of one man learning to celebrate life and everything in it - the highs, the lows, but ultimately breaking free of societal constraints and forging one’s own path. Although he was born into an artistic family, becoming a musician was not Jacob’s original plan. Baseball was his first passion. He was an All-State player and was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in 1998 soon after graduating high school. During the off-season and in his spare time, he began learning how to play the guitar and writing songs to keep himself occupied. Although his baseball career was sidelined and eventually ended due to injuries, it didn’t take much time for Jacob to realize playing music was more than a hobby - it was his calling. He moved to Nashville in 2005, immersed himself in the musical culture that is steeped in the city, and hasn’t looked back since. Boasting a dizzying blend of genres, “Victim of a Small Town” proves that Jacob is not a typical singer-songwriter. Although he grew up with a deep love for southern rock legends like The Allman Brothers Band, his exposure to R&B and hip hop through his older brother left an unforgettable impact on Jacob. Not one to adhere to labels, “Victim of a Small Town” features those influences plainly on its sleeves in addition to seamlessly working in elements of jazz, folk and pop to create his own unique sound. To put it simply, it’s pure southern soul. From the beginning, Jacob understood that life is an unpredictable adventure, and his music reflects that. For him, it’s more important to touch a million lives than make a million dollars and through his music, Jacob is trying to spread a unique message of empathy, positivity and understanding and in turn inspire others to achieve their own goals of self-actualization. He’s purposefully arranged every song on this album to draw upon a different emotion and style of music that helps him stand out from today’s homogenized sound. Jacob Reynolds is a man with a simple, but powerful, mission: no matter who you are or where you come from, your dreams are within reach and the next adventure is just around the corner.