Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 19, 2026

Jason Hartless

Jason Hartless is an American musician and record executive. He has been the drummer for Ted Nugent since 2014. He has also played with Corky Laing, Sponge, Pop Evil, and Eric Martin, in addition to session work for a number of other artists.

Last revised
Jul 19, 2026
Read time
≈ 2 min
Length
524 w
Citations
15
Source
Wikipedia ↗
Jason Hartless
Hartless performing in 2016
Hartless performing in 2016
Background information
Born (1994-11-04) November 4, 1994
GenresRock
OccupationsMusician, record executive
InstrumentsDrums
Websitejasonhartless.com

Jason Hartless (born November 4, 1994)12 is an American musician and record executive. He has been the drummer for Ted Nugent since 2014.34 He has also played with Corky Laing, Sponge, Pop Evil, and Eric Martin, in addition to session work for a number of other artists.56

Music career

Hartless began playing drums at a young age, playing professionally with Corky Laing at the age of 8.7 When he was 10 years old, Hartless released his debut solo album, titled First Division. It featured contributions from the likes of Jim McCarty (The Rockets/Cactus) and Richie Scarlet (Frehley's Comet/Mountain).8

In 2007, Hartless toured with Brian Schram (former guitarist in Uncle Kracker's solo band) as a support act for Mötley Crüe.9 In 2014, he joined Ted Nugent's band. Hartless made his studio debut for Nugent on the 2018 album The Music Made Me Do It.10 Hartless became a member of Sponge from 2020 to 2021, appearing on their 2021 album Lavatorium. Also in 2021, Hartless filled in for drummer Hayley Cramer with Pop Evil during their summer tour.11

Business career

Hartless earned a master's degree at the Berklee College of Music.9 From 2016 to 2022, Hartless served as a managing partner of the Prudential Music Group. In 2022, he assumed the same role at his family's label, Sound City Music Group. Hartless essentially reactivated Sound City as the managing partner and head of product development. Sound City became a subsidiary of Sony Music.4 Sound City went on to release albums by artists such as The Sweet, Ted Nugent, Sponge, and Missing Persons (with Hartless credited as an executive producer at times).12 For production of vinyl records, Sound City partnered with Third Man, musician Jack White's pressing facility in Detroit.8

References

References

  1. "On the Move". Modern Drummer. Vol. 29, no. 9. September 2005. p. 146. Retrieved July 3, 2026.
  2. "Jason Hartless (Spotify Artist Bio)". Spotify. Retrieved July 3, 2026.
  3. Barber, Jim (September 6, 2018). "Jason Hartless Proves that Music Business Savvy and Talent Can Lead to Good Things – At Any Age". Music Life Magazine. Retrieved July 2, 2026.
  4. "JASON HARTLESS - Drummer / Music Mogul Reactivates Sound City Music Group Inc.; Releases on the Way from TED NUGENT, THE SWEET, and More". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. September 20, 2022.
  5. Meltdown (August 28, 2023). "Sponge's Vinnie Dombroski "The Epitome of Detroit Cool!"". 101 WRIF. Retrieved June 10, 2025.
  6. Price, Jim (November 2022). "The Professor". Pennsylvania Musician. Vol. 41, no. 469. p. 16.
  7. "TED NUGENT's 22-Year-Old Drummer JASON HARTLESS: Sharing The Stage With THE NUGE Is 'An Amazing Experience'". Blabbermouth.net. June 23, 2017. Retrieved July 2, 2026.
  8. Bragg, Michael (August 17, 2019). "Musicial Enthusiast Jason Hartless Does It All". Behind the Pic. Retrieved July 3, 2026.
  9. "Biography". Jason Hartless – Drummer. Retrieved July 9, 2018.
  10. "Teen musician to embark on tour with Ted Nugent". C&G News. July 1, 2014.
  11. "POP EVIL Drummer HAYLEY CRAMER to Miss First Part of U.S. Tour; JASON HARTLESS to Fill in". July 8, 2021.
  12. Level Headed Credits (liner notes). Sound City. RRC-0043. Retrieved July 3, 2026.
External links