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Jerry Sereda says his music label is supportive of his teaching career as his country music career begins to take off.

In the four years since Jerry Sereda first sang in front of a live audience, the 28-year-old musician has churned out two chart-topping singles, earned an aboriginal music award and been signed by major record label EMI Music.

"It feels great," said Sereda, a Charleswood resident who works as a photography and web design teacher at Sturgeon Heights Collegiate.

"I’m keeping it real and understanding if it wasn’t for people enjoying my music and coming out to my shows I wouldn’t be able to do this."

On Nov. 25, Sereda will release his new album, Turn The Country On, his first commercial release through EMI.

Sereda landed the deal after shortly after independently releasing his first album, Campground Cowboy, in 2009.

Despite a stint on Canadian Idol, Sereda found success after using his connections to play the Canadian Country Music Awards. He was signed a month later in October 2010.

Originally from Ethelbert, just north of Dauphin, Sereda uses the 12 tunes on his new album to translate his transition from rural roots to city life.

"A good chunk of the album is just about coming from the country and living life, having a good old country time," he said, noting its appeal to younger, new generation country fans.

Songs like I Ain’t Learned Nothing Yet reflect how people have tendencies to fall back into certain cycles, he said. Other songs wax nostalgic for country living, while others trace decisions about love and regrets.

"Having put out an album before, people enjoyed it," Sereda said.

"With this new album, actually having people say ‘I heard your song, I love it,’ it’s a different feeling. I love it. It’s reached a national level.

"It’s very humbling."

Sereda acknowledged his musical career is still in its infancy, noting the label has been flexible with his work as a teacher. Sereda only travels on weekends for shows.

"They told me flat out, keep teaching," he said, noting his end goal is a career as a performer.

"Right now, I’m focusing on my performance, making sure it’s dynamic. Maybe somewhere down the road, that will be my job.

"I feel it will be a natural transition and I know when the time will be right," he said.

Sereda will release Turn The Country On Fri., Nov. 25 at Cowboys. Tickets are $15 and include a copy of the CD.

Crews will be on hand to film a music video for a future single.

For more information, visit www.jerryseredamusic.com.

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matt.preprost@canstarnews.com