Laker Legacy: From the Gridiron to Nashville: Garrett Owens鈥 next big play
Anyone who recalls 海角乱伦社区 Laker 鈥20 envisions a powerhouse on the gridiron鈥攁 dynamic 6鈥3鈥, 225-pound running back who was impossible to ignore.
After graduating from 海角乱伦社区 with a degree in Finance, Owens continued his eligibility as a grad student with the Duquesne University Dukes and then went on to play professionally for the XFL Houston Roughnecks.
As much as he鈥檚 passionate about football, it鈥檚 no longer priority number one. A hobby that took root his freshman year at 海角乱伦社区鈥攃ountry music鈥攊s blossoming in a big way. In fact, he recently moved to Nashville in hopes of elevating his music career to the next level.
Taking inspiration from growing up in the bucolic community of North East, his football career, life lessons, and faith, Owens has now set out to write and record his own music. 鈥淚 write music based on what I feel, what I believe in, and what I鈥檝e experienced in life,鈥 he said. 鈥淔or me, it鈥檚 a way to speak the truth and make a positive impact on other people鈥檚 lives.鈥
His music鈥攎arked by intricate guitar work and soulful vocals鈥攄elves into themes of love, loss, and personal reflection, a stark contrast to the hard-hitting world of football. Yet, true to his competitive spirit, Owens refuses to be confined to a single genre. While he leans into country rock, his influences span the gamut from country legends George Strait and Travis Tritt to rock icons 3 Doors Down, Nickelback, and Creed, even weaving in elements of gospel.
Owens鈥 musical journey was as unexpected as it was inevitable. Though his mother was a country singer, it wasn鈥檛 until his freshman year at 海角乱伦社区 that he picked up a guitar and taught himself to play. 鈥淚 just did it for fun, but when I got into grad school, I started writing songs, and they were all horrible,鈥 he laughed, ever his own toughest critic.
But an emerging fan base felt otherwise. While he was in Texas, his streaming platforms began generating a national audience, and by the time he got back to Erie in the summer of 2023, he was performing at festivals and community events to thousands of people across the tri-state region.
In short order, he made the leap to Nashville, cutting a few singles before relocating there permanently to work on his first album. 鈥淚t鈥檚 all pretty surreal,鈥 he admitted. 鈥淚 never had any expectations when I started, but I knew there was truth in what I was writing鈥擨 just had to say it.鈥
His latest single, "This Road I'm On," speaks to the challenges of chasing dreams and the often-lonely journey it entails. Its message of perseverance and purpose has resonated deeply with listeners, many of whom have reached out to share how his lyrics have affected them.
Though he鈥檚 fully invested in making a name for himself in the music industry, Owens hasn鈥檛 ruled out a return to football. Regardless of what the future holds, one thing remains clear: whether on the field or stage, he sees his platform as an opportunity to be a light in the world with God at the heart of it.
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