Iconoclassic Records will celebrate the life of former Survivor and melodic rock singer Jimi Jamison with its second release of previously unreleased material this summer: a country-flavored recording from 2007, entitled Jimmy Wayne Jamison.

For much of rock band Survivor's tenure - particularly a stellar run from 1984 to 1989 - Jimi Jamison was its voice: melodic and expressive, bringing gravitas and tenderness to pop hits like "I Can't Hold Back," "High on You," "The Search is Over," "Burning Heart," "Is This Love" and more. After a return to the band in the 21st century, Jamison thrilled fans with 2007's Crossroads Moment, a rock album reuniting the singer with Jim Peterik, Survivor's co-founder and best-known creative engine, who'd not been a part of the group since 1996 (and so did not share time with the returning Jamison).

But the throwback AOR sound of Crossroads was "hiding" a collection of material recorded before those sessions with much of the same team, including producers Peterik and his Ides of March bandmate Larry Millas, guitarist Mike Aquino, bassist Klem Hayes, drummer Ed Breckenfield and keyboardist Christian Cullen. And that material had more of a country-rock bent, which is far less of a stretch than one might consider. The singer born Jimmy Wayne Jamison in Durant, Mississippi could be heard, pre-Survivor, singing on records by Southern rockers Molly Hatchet and ZZ Top; Peterik's songwriting magic, of course, had been bestowed beyond Survivor on bands like 38 Special (including their signature hits "Hold On Loosely" and "Caught Up in You") and Lynyrd Skynyrd (whose current vocalist Johnny Van Zant co-wrote two tracks on Jimmy Wayne Jamison: opener "Live Life" and "Alive," also co-written by Johnny's brother Donnie, 38 Special's founding singer).

"There's really not a huge dividing line between the two Jamisons, the 'rock Jamison' and what you're hearing on this record," Peterik opines in the liner notes for the album. "It's not like he's twang-y or anything like that. Maybe it's a little more gentle? But he's still rockin'."

And while some of the material might be familiar to Jamison/Peterik devotees - versions of "Alive," "Heart of a Woman" and "I Wanna Touch You There" were released as extra tracks on Crossroads Moment and a subsequent bonus EP - all 11 recordings on Jimmy Wayne Jamison are previously unreleased, just like Iconoclassic's unearthed debut solo album from the singer. Matt Wardlaw of Ultimate Classic Rock pens new liner notes, including interviews and track-by-track commentary from Peterik and Iconoclassic president Jeremy Holiday, who A&R'd the original sessions to this album and Crossroads Moment. The booklet also includes rare photos of Jamison in the studio.

Jimmy Wayne Jamison looks to be a sterling tribute to one of rock's most beloved voices, and another beloved collaboration with one of the writer/producers responsible for some of his most magical moments in the studio. It'll be released by Iconoclassic on August 23, what would have been the singer's 73rd birthday. Pre-order your copy below. (As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.)

Jimmy Wayne Jamison (Iconoclassic ICON 1073, 2024) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

1. Live Life
2. Love You All Over the World
3. Runaway Train
4. Strong At the Broken Places
5. I Wanna Touch You There
6. Heart of a Woman
7. Sound of Home
8. Alive
9. Till You Love Someone
10. Come Dancing
11. A Kiss to Remember You By

All tracks previously unreleased