Jacob Michael Whitesides (born November 11, 1997) is an American singer-songwriter from Sevierville, Tennessee. He records his music for Double U Records, of which he is also the CEO.Stassen, Murray (May 29, 2015) BMG partners with online sensation Jacob Whitesides to launch Double U Records. Music Week Whitesides typically writes his songs alone, which he says is because his music is "very specific to [his] story."
Career 2008–14: Career beginnings, The X Factor Growing up in Sevierville, Tennessee, Whitesides first became interested in music while attending a bluegrass festival in 2008. By his teens, Whitesides was playing shows around Knoxville and had already garnered a huge online following for his YouTube cover songs. In 2012, at 14 age he auditioned for season 2 of the US The X FactorJacob Whitesides – Biography. Billboard. Retrieved January 31, 2016. and made the first cut but was eliminated prior to the Top 16 round.
Whitesides released his debut extended play 3 AM – The EP on July 8, 2014, featuring cover songs of John Legend, Plain White T's, Sam Smith, Ed Sheeran and John Mayer.Jacob Whitesides | Biography & History. AllMusic (November 11, 1997). Retrieved January 31, 2016. The EP reached number 26 on the Billboard 200 and number 2 on the Independent Albums chart.
A local newspaper in Jacob's hometown, The Knoxville Focus was the first media organization to cover Jacob Whitesides career. Music beat reporter Daniel Andrews, travelled out to Nashville, Tennessee to cover Jacob Whitesides at an event called "Teen Hoot" on July 15, 2012.Jacob Whitesides Rocks Nashville
2015–present: Record deal and debut album Why? On February 14, 2015 Whitesides released his second EP A Piece of Me, including previously released single "Words".
In May 2015, BMG announced their partnership with Whitesides and the formation of his label, Double U Records, where he is CEO. In August 2015, he was named Radio Disney's "Next Big Thing" featured artist.Jacob Whitesides – Radio Disney NBT Announcement | Radio Disney | Disney Video . Disney. Retrieved January 31, 2016.
On October 21, 2015, he performed his single "Secrets" on Good Morning America, his network morning TV debut.Jacob Whitesides Rocks Times Square. ABC News He released his third EP (second of original material) Faces on Film on October 23, 2015.Nash, Michelle. (October 14, 2015) Jacob Whitesides, more than just a YouTube cover star . Fusion. Retrieved January 31, 2016.
On December 3, 2015, Spotify announced him as one of the next big artists to look out for in 2016.
Earlier in 2016, Whitesides announced Lovesick Tour scheduled to take place Northern America and Europe from May to October 2016. On April 15, 2016 Whitesides released the song "Lovesick", the lead single from his debut album.
On July 6, 2016, Whitesides announced his debut studio album, Why?, to be released on September 9, 2016. On July 8, 2016 was premiered album's second single "Focus" along with a music video. On September 1, 2016, a third single, "Open Book" was released, along with a music video the following day
Jacob Whitesides released his album "Why?" on September 9, 2016. It debuted and peaked at number 25 on the Billboard Independent Charts.
Spring 2017, Jacob Whitesides announced his summer tour, The Basically Happy Tour touring throughout USA and Canada with Alec Joseph, Castro, and Taylor Grey.
In March 2019, Viktor & Rolf named Whitesides as their new face of their Spicebomb fragrance.
Personal life Jacob grew up in Tennessee with his mother, Becky, and his younger sister, Sierra. Whitesides dated fellow The X Factor contestant and performer Bea Miller in April 2015. The couple broke up in May 2016 after a year of dating.
Jacob has been open about struggling with depression, which he discusses on his 2021 track "Afraid To Die." He says his goal in sharing his experiences is to help fans in "knowing they aren't alone if they're feeling or have felt the same way."
Discography Studio albums Title Details Peak chart positionsUSUSInd.AlbumsBillboard – Independent Albums – Jacob Whiteside Why? Released: September 9, 2016 Label: Double U Records Formats: CD, digital download, streaming — 25 Colors Released: November 8, 2019 Label: JMW Music LLC Formats: Digital download, streaming — —
Extended plays Title Details Peak chart positions SalesUSUSDigitalAlbumsBillboard – Digital Albums – Jacob Whiteside Artist pageUSInd.Albums 3 AM – The EP Released: July 8, 2014 Label: Loudr Formats: Digital download 26 9 2 A Piece of Me (EP) Released: February 14, 2015 Label: JW Records, Double U Records Formats: Digital download 75 23 3 Faces on Film (EP) Released: October 23, 2015 Label: Double U Records Formats: CD, digital download — — 26US: 4,000 "—" denotes items which failed to chart.
Singles Title Year Album "You're Perfect" 2014 "Words" A Piece of Me "I Know What You Did Last Summer"(featuring Kelly Rowland) 2015 "Secrets" Faces on Film "Lovesick" 2016 Why? "Focus" "Open Book" "The Letter" 2017 rowspan="3" "Killing Me" "Whole" 2019 "—" denotes items which failed to chart.
Music videos + List of music videos, showing year released and directors Title Year Director "You're Perfect" 2014 Carl Diebold "Words" Cameron JohnsonDarwin Darling "Baby It's Cold Outside" "Not My Type at All" 2015 William Hereford "Not My Type at All" Cameron Fife "Let's Be Birds" Julia Muecke "Ohio" Roman Luck "Lovesick" 2016 Cameron Fife "Focus" Paul Costabile "Open Book" Chris Crutchfield "The Letter" 2017 Jacob WhitesidesMark Siegel "Killing Me"
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