Jacob Nelson

 

Jacob Nelson and Molly Winelad feat. The Tone Wranglers
All Summer Long
RAM California Finals Rodeo
Lancaster, California

 

 

What a summer! I’ve been going Mach 90 with my hair on fire – but I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

On the flying front, I’ve had a whole lot of new adventures.

On June 10, 2011, me and my CFI Extraordinaire, Andrew I. Garcia, flew my first cross-country IFR Flight in the Bonanza.  Awesome would be an understatement.

We left Gateway (IWA) and headed to William J. Fox Field (WJF), in my hometown.  We 94JV parked at Fox Field overnight and got to hang out with my parents for the evening.

 

Early the next morning, we left Fox Field and headed to the coast looking for the best IMC conditions we could find – we found them!  Flew through the soup to Santa Barbara (SBA) and landed there (got to use the Mustang crew car).

Our original plan was to land at Van Nuys Airport, but the instrument runway (16 right) was closed. I had casually suggested that we go to Burbank instead. Andrew said “Well, why not!”

 

 

You have to understand the importance of Burbank airport to me. This very well could be where my love of aviation began. Whenever the family would head up to see Grandpa, we’d go to Burbank airport to fly commercially. I couldn’t believe that I would be on the “other side of the fence,” actually operating my own airplane into Burbank!

I got on with So Cal approach and was vectored for the ILS runway 8 approach. It was such an awesome feeling to be flying amongst “the big boys.”

Jake on SoCal Approach (Audio)

After we parked, we upgraded to the BMW 5 (which I could not park to save my life – I can still hear the snickering of the couple in the minivan as I tried to get this dang car into a parking spot).

We got ready, copied our clearance and booked it to Big Bear airport (L35).

I had such an incredible time on that flight – definitely a huge learning experience. Not only was I able to log quite a bit of “actual” time, but I was also able to experience operating in some of the most complex airspace in the world!

Another huge highlight of the summer was singing at the Showdown Rodeo in front of 4000 plus rodeo fans.  Joined by Miss Molly Wineland, we entertained the crowds with pre-show and had the honor of singing our National Anthem.  This was the first time we had done it together as a duet – Molly rocks!

 

Each Night after the rodeo, we took to the stage for the Van Dam Barn Dance!  We even got to join Hollywood Yates during his set for a little “Save a Horse Ride A Cowboy.”  We sang while everyone two-stepped and cha-cha’d till those cows came home!

Hello World! It’s been a while since my last update!

Things have been exciting here at ASU. The end of the semester is near and there is an excitement in the air about summer. I recently wrapped a promo video for incoming ASU Freshman. It was quite the honor to represent Poly!

So the big news: I am very happy to announce that I have been asked to perform again this year at the Showdown Rodeo!!!! I will be performing pre-show entertainment along with singing at the barn dance afterward with Ms. Molly Wineland. For more info, check out ShowdownRodeo.com. Hollywood Yates, “Wolf” from American Gladiators, will be headlining the Barn Dance. Join the wolf pack at www.hollywoodyates.com.

On the flying front, I have been working very hard and have been having a blast. I recently upgraded from the Piper Warrior to the Beechcraft Bonanza. It’s a whole-lotta-plane and it is oh-so-fun to fly. I am currently working toward my high performance, complex endorsement. This summer I officially begin the instrument phase of my training. I am looking forward to going on some awesome trips in this fantastic airplane.

I wish you all the best – so looking forward to summer!

~Jake

Well, I can cross that off the “bucket list.” I have always wanted to fly to Fox Field (KWJF) in Lancaster, California (my home airport) to visit home! On 1/26/2011, I had the opportunity to do just that. In a little over 4 hours, I flew from Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport (KIWA) to Fox.

It was an incredible journey that took me through some really spectacular scenery. One of my favorite parts of the trip was when I crossed the Colorado River on the border of Arizona and California (I crossed state lines over Blythe, CA).

Waiting for me at Fox was my “groovy” mom, my Grandpa Robert, my Grandma Bonnie and Mrs. Liz Breault. After the ensuing hug-fest, we all went inside and ate lunch at Foxy’s restaurant, located on the Field.

After lunch, I surprised my friends Jeff and Kerry from High Desert Avionics by “popping in” to say hello! It took Ms. Kerry a few good seconds to recognize me. That’s the beauty of flying – I can be in another state within a few hours!

After more hugs and a whole bunch of pictures, I was back up in the big blue sky headng back to my home away from home.

I am looking forward to where my next adventure will take me. El Paso? Las Vegas? Albuquerque?

Blue Skies,
Jake

Howdy! So, we begin the next exciting chapter of flight training – Commercial Pilot!

Right now, I am making a bunch of Solo Cross Country flights to build time for Commercial/Instrument ratings.

I had the opportunity to go to Laughlin, NV on a cross country flight. It is an interesting approach as you fly the “downwind” (flying opposite the landing direction) in Nevada and you actually touch down in Arizona!

I’ll keep you updated with my adventures. Here’s to a healthy, happy and prosperous 2011 for all!

Blue Skies,
Jake

Anyone who knows me knows that Ms. Wynonna Judd has been one of the biggest influences on my music and my performances. For as long as I can remember, there is just something about the way she sings a story, an experience, a dream, a thought that just resonates within me. She sings with every inch of her being. From the bluesy belt-them-out or the in-your-face songs, to her ballads where she reaches down into the depth of her soul, she always takes you on her journey. The way she connects with each individual in her audience to those notes she hits that make the hair on the back of your neck stand on end, is how one day I hope to perform.

I had the privilege of attending the Judd’s “The Final Encore” performance in Phoenix, Arizona on December 19th. After a quick pre-party get together, I was taken to my seat which was about 10 feet from the stage. Wynonna and Mama Judd entered the stage and delivered the most awesome show. Wynonna’s vocals were absolutely incredible – My woman was on her game! They sang for over 2 hours! Immediately after the show, I, along with some other guests, were taken back stage for a meet and greet. This is where the surreal begins!

It was my turn to meet Wynonna and her mom. As I walked up, she looked at me and said, “Oh my God – you’re that singer – the one that sings at the rodeos. I still have your CD!” Absolutely stunned, I said, “Yes Maam”. She gave me a big hug and told me I had a gift and that I need to keep singing and never give up. She recalled that we had met in Idaho and told me I had sang “Hunka Hunka” (Burnin’ Love) for her. See what I mean about making each one of her fans feel special. I think I levitated two feet off the ground!

Now, at this time, I noticed there was a film crew capturing our moment! To say I was beyond euphoric is an understatement! We took our picture, actually two! The first was a regular picture, then we did one with the signature Wynonna “Elvis Look” and the signature Jake “Eyebrow Raise” – so cool! She gave me another hug and again told me to keep singing and thanked me for being so supportive! Filled with awe with just seeing my woman in an awesome concert, getting to meet her and her mom AND having her remember me, to the encouraging words she gave me, I was a happy man ready to head back to my res hall at ASU.

As I turned to leave, I was approached by a lady armed with a clipboard saying, “Excuse me Mr. Nelson – would you come with me please”. For a moment I thought “Oh no… What did I do?!” She, along with the cameraman, led me down the hallway about 20 feet away from where Wynonna and Mama-Judd were doing their meet and greets. She told me she was from the Oprah Winfrey Network and that they would like to talk to me about what they had just overheard and filmed about my experiences with Wynonna . She had heard Wynonna talk about meeting me at a concert in Couer D’ Alene, Idaho (that was one of the biggest highlights of my then young 13 years of age!) It was at that concert where I went to the front of the stage to shake her hand. I handed her an envelope with some pictures and a CD of my singing. She took the envelope, told the band to stop the music, and proceeded to tell the audience….”Ladies and Gentlemen, this is real life, right here, right now! This is where dreams come true! He will open for me one day”. I have never forgotten those words or that night – it was so awesome!

Anyway, back to the story. With cameras rolling, they asked me to recount the story of our first meeting in Coeur D’Alene. They then asked me if I would mind singing some “Burnin Love”. Being the ever-so-shy one, I let it rip! When I finished, Miss Wynonna leaned out and said, “You go Baby” and everyone standing around erupted into supportive hoots and hollers! She then asked me if there is a particular “Judds” song that has a special meaning for me. Of course I said “Guardian Angels”.

Among other things, I told them that Guardian Angels has special meaning for me because I truly believe that I have family members who have passed who are my Guardian Angels who watch over me. I told them that I sing this song during a lot of my performances. They then asked me to sing a couple of verses from Guardian Angels – I was only too happy to oblige! We then talked a little more about my being literally a life-long fan of Wynonna and other things. To say that this was beyond anything I could have imagined is an understatement. After “high-fiving” everyone in the hallway I left the U.S. Airways Center in Phoenix and headed back to my res hall at ASU Polytech to pack up for my trip home for the holidays the next morning! My story may end up on the “cutting room floor”, but it does not even matter! I am so blessed and am still in shock! I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to see one of my greatest musical influences and have the opportunity to speak with her, and speak about her! A huge thank you to my family for always being so supportive of me and for making it possible for me to go see my Wynonna!

Hey Everyone! I’ve got some exciting news to share. I am officially a private pilot. I have worked so hard to be here and it feels awesome. I can’t stress how thankful I am for my family, Andrew I. Garcia (CFI Extraordinaire) and for the staff at Mesa Pilot Development.

The Checkride was stressful but fun. As a friend of mine says, “Keep the blue side up and the brown side down and you’ll do just fine.”

I had the opportunity to take my family and friends up for a few rides when I came back to California for Christmas break. Everyone was a really good sport about it – even my best friend, Melinda, went up with me after telling me she was “slightly scared yet exited.”

What a day! On 10/10/10 at 10 a.m., I had one of the coolest moments of my life. I was able to solo an airplane for the first time. I can’t describe the feeling – it was one of the quietest, most surreal moments I’ve ever experienced.

What was so awesome is that my mom and dad were able to come and watch the big day! I had a group of my friends out on the flight line with me cheering me on, too (no pressure, right?!)

I’d like to thank my CFI, Andrew Garcia and the hard working staff at MPD for all of their help in getting me airborne.

“For once you have tasted flight you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards, for there you have been and there you will long to return. – Leonardo DaVinci

Hello Everyone! It’s been a while since my last update, but I figured I would let you know what I’ve been up to.

I am currently enrolled at Arizona State University, Polytechnic Campus, and I’m majoring in Professional Flight! Classes are awesome – my favorite class has to be our flight instruction classes where we get to take up airplanes and learn to fly!

I’m still playing and singing – it’s been kind of difficult to find time, but I still pick on the ‘ole guitar!

I cannot tell you how very grateful I am to be here – it’s a dream come true,

Blue Skies!

~Jacob

Jake and Molly – Guardian Angels

Here is the video from Make a Joyful Nosie in Lancaster So happy this came out good. This is a cover of an old Judd’s song, Guardian Angels (which Naomi wrote) .

The people on the left hand side of the screen are members of my family, my “guardian angels.” It was such a special night as I had my whole family there and they all got to see the slideshow of our family that I put together.