Country singer also a Guinness world record holder

By Amanda Dyslin

MANKATO — Most musician biographies include the usual tidbits: number of albums sold, latest singles released, when they got their first record deals, and so on.

Country star Jack Ingram’s had all of those things, of course, but then there were a couple of extra intriguing nuggets. For instance, Ingram currently holds the Guinness World Record for the most consecutive radio interviews in a 24-hour period. How odd. And how exhausting.

“I had done radio tours, where you sit in a room and do like 50 interviews in a row. It takes like four or five hours,” said Ingram, a Texas native. “I said, ‘I can just do that all day.’”

A guy from his record label had the idea to actually see that declaration through. Ingram agreed to the challenge and did 215 interviews, taking the title on Aug. 26. It was, indeed, exhausting, he said.

“It was just a stunt based on trying to get the word out about the record,” he said. “But it was nerve-wracking.”

Also nerve-wracking was Ingram’s appearance on “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?” which is a gameshow where contestants are asked questions that kids in fifth grade typically learn in school.

The answer to the obvious question is: No, he was not smarter than a fifth-grader. But he didn’t do half bad, either. Ingram won $25,000 for TOMS Shoes, a charity that donates one pair of shoes to a child in need for every pair purchased.

“I don’t remember learning that stuff,” he said of the experience.

Ingram had the option to risk his winnings for a chance to win $250,000. But he wanted to play it safe. Turns out, he knew the answer to the last question, which was: There are four commonwealth states in the U.S., including Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Virginia. What’s the fourth one?

“Kentucky,” he said. Trouble is, he said it too late. Still, he had a great time and was proud of the money he was able to donate.

None of this, of course, has anything to do with what Ingram has been up to lately, which is touring his most recent album, “Big Dreams & High Hopes,” released this year on the label Big Machine. He’ll perform music from the album Saturday at the Verizon Wireless Center on Gary Allan’s “Get Off on the Pain” tour.

He likes the new album a lot. But he doesn’t agree with writers who have said the music “has more guts” than previous releases.

Ingram didn’t cross over into the mainstream until 2005, with the single “Wherever You Are,” his first top 40 hit. He had been performing and recording for 13 years prior, and his earlier work that few people heard was a lot more edgy than his recent stuff.

“I made some records I’m really proud of in ’99 and 2000,” he said. “I was kind of under the radar when I made those other records.”

With the exposure half a dozen top 40 country hits affords a guy, he’s appreciated the fact that his fans have gone back into his catalogue to discover his earlier music, giving it new life.

All that time he was a struggling artist, he never thought twice about doing something else with his life.

“I always knew if you kept at it, you’d figure it out — get the right pieces of the puzzle (together),” he said.

As Ingram has become well-known in country circles, he has performed with great artists, including Sheryl Crow, Brooks & Dunn and Toby Keith. Next year, though, he’s thinking about headlining his own tour.

In the meantime, people who come to the Mankato show can expect a lot of music from “Big Dreams & High Hopes,” including the new single, “Seeing Stars,” and, of course, all the old hits people love to sing along to on the radio.

“We’re going to have a good time,” he said.

If You Go
What: Country singers Gary Allan, Jack Ingram and the Eli Young Band on Allan’s “Get Off On the Pain” tour

When: 7:50 p.m. Saturday at the Verizon Wireless Center

Tickets: $35

Visit ticketmaster.com for more information.