In the 1980s when cowboys had long hair and were charming every girl that walked by, Jason Meadows made his singing debut on the back of a flatbed trailer at county fairs and local Calera Day celebrations.

Since Meadows was named the Nashville Star 3 (the country version of American Idol) runner-up in 2005, he has been performing for audiences across the country. Yet, his roots run deep in the small town of Calera, Okla. He remembers those days as a member of the Calera FFA, where he served as president from 1988 - 1989.

And while he can still charm any girl that walks by, his wife, Amber, has captured his heart. Now, his hair is a little shorter, his voice a little stronger, and Calera’s “Big Shot” - the title of his most recognized song – performs on well-known stages nationwide to audiences of thousands.

Jason Meadows singing at the State FFA convention.

Jason presents Calera FFA adviser, Gerald Parks, with his official FFA jacket.

In 2006, Meadows came “home” to perform at the State FFA Convention on April 26. There, he presented his FFA jacket to Gerald Parks, Calera FFA adviser. It now hangs on the wall in the Calera agricultural education building where his CareerTech roots began in 1984.

But that was not his only trip “home” as a celebrity.

In 2005, when he was in the final four of Nashville Star, Meadows brought the television crew to Calera to show the nation the town where he was raised.  More importantly, he visited the Calera FFA Chapter and Parks to thank them for the influence on his life.

The old adage – you can take the boy out of the country but you can’t take the country out of the boy – proves true for Meadows. He became involved in FFA because of his love for farming, outdoors and animals.

In high school, Meadows entered sheep shows and competed in welding competitions.

“The best part of being an FFA member was doing something I loved and being able to win scholarships,” Meadows said. “I have been using the skills I learned in a classroom such as welding, animal care, plants, farming and equipment use since high school. First, by working in the construction field and then later on in farming. Now as a singer, I use the skills I learned in class as a hobby.”

Calera FFA members pose with Jason at the State FFA Convention.

Jason on stage in Valdosta, Georgia during the 2005 Nashville Star concert tour.

Meadows credits Parks for teaching him the ropes of life.

“Gerald was my role model,” Meadows said.  “He taught me the rights and wrongs in life, not just in the classroom.  He is a good man who loves his family and job and gives 100 percent to everything he does.  He knows how to do everything so well.  He is a good person to look up to and is my inspiration. I want to be as good as he is some day.”

Meadows believes in the opportunities CareerTech has to offer students.

“Do not miss an (CareerTech) opportunity if you want to achieve a career in life,” Meadows advises.  “CareerTech offers the best starting point a person can have. You will use the skills learned everyday in life.