NASHVILLE, TN – Winning the Kentucky FFA state talent show in high school was only the beginning of Dillon Carmichael’s involvement with the American non-profit organization. Fast forward 13 years later and the country music artist is being honored by the National FFA Organization for his contributions to the agricultural community.
In a newly released mini-documentary titled, “The Blue Jacket,” the Kentuckian is tearfully reunited with an iconic FFA Blue Jacket after losing his family’s home many years ago. The corduroy jacket is a longstanding tradition and the Official Dress of the FFA. It’s an article of faith, honor, and pride for those serving their communities. A second jacket is rarely given out, except to Carmichael.
After using his chart-breaking country music career to advocate for local farmers, the organization honored his work with a new Blue Jacket at the National FFA Convention last year.
“Never got emotional on camera before, that’s a first,” Carmichael said when presented with the jacket.
His former Burgin Independent High School Agricultural Teacher, Bart Mattingly (featured in the documentary), became a mentor to Carmichael and encouraged him to pursue his passion for music when everyone else had doubts about it as a career. His motivation also pushed Carmichael to participate in the local FFA chapter, which he still keeps in contact with today.
Carmichael continues to pay homage to his Kentucky roots with his latest project ‘Where I Grew Up’ via Riser House Records. It’s a blue-collar-inspired title track that showcases his raw, deep-holler twang. His vulnerable new single, “I’d Call Grandpa,” released April 5, also honors the relationship with his late grandfather and the one phone call he’d make to the “countryside of Heaven.”
“How often do you get a chance to have closure on something past in your life that was so detrimental,“ Carmichael said.
The country music artist hopes this story continues to bring awareness to the FFA community and make farming more real and relatable.
