Country music, Colorado and chemistry — three things viewers can expect when they tune into UP Entertainment’s latest rom-com. Just Jake stars Mistresses’ Rob Mayes and Brittany Bristow, from Hallmark Media’s recent The Love Club movies.

If “Mayes and Bristow” sounds like a country duo that’s a beautiful thing because the movie’s about an up-and-coming country singer who reunites with his high school sweetheart when his career hits major turbulence. After Nashville does Jake Collins wrong, he returns to the Colorado hometown he left behind years ago in order to lick his wounds and search for inspiration. A sudden reunion with his ex, Amber, who’s talented in her own right, leads to sparks, a bit of angst and, of course, sweet, sweet music.
Speaking of which, Mayes and his singer/songwriter alter ego share similarities when it comes to living that country music life. “It’s what my day-to-day life is, you know? Literally I just got out of a co-write with two guys who have had all these hits,” the Nashville-based actor excitedly reveals. “We just wrote a song today — in two-and-a-half hours. We write every single day at 11 a.m. Monday through Friday and then I’m in the studio cutting the best songs that we’ve written recently.”

The fact he relates so harmoniously with his Just Jake character is only one of the reasons he appreciates this “incredible” experience. Other reasons include filming in Castle Rock, Colorado and working with Bristow. Plus, the two co-stars are executive producers on the film. “I love getting to tell these uplifting redemptive stories of hope,” says Mayes. “And when I get the opportunity to do that with a backdrop of country music, to hybridize the two things I love to do — make movies and make music — there’s really nothing more special than that.”
It’s even more special when he’s able to play such a layered character. Jake’s childhood wasn’t the easiest and the movie doesn’t hide or avoid the realities of what happens if the trauma isn’t dealt with or treated. In fact, it’s his past that contributes to the character’s loneliness and insecurities as an adult.

“I’m a big believer in being seen and being heard and acknowledging our value and our worth as individuals and human beings,” explains Mayes. “I think that informs a lot of Jake. It’s what I love about these movies is that they’re never too heavy, you know? There’s always a levity and lightness to it. But the fact that [Jake’s background] is a part of this movie, it’s like, we’re digging a little bit deeper here.
I think for someone like Jake, not really having a family, not really having a bonafide home life growing up, he doesn’t really know where he fits in,” he continues. “I don’t even know if he really knows who he is. I think he’s afraid of love, afraid of acceptance, afraid of that unconditional love that Amber provided him, that her family provided him growing up.”

There’s nothing but admiration, encouragement and acceptance between co-stars Mayes and Bristow. The Sweet on You star loved working with Brittany. “She’s so down to earth,” he raves. “She’s just so humble and such an amazing human being. She really enjoys the process. There’s no ego there. It’s always a blessing to get to work with people like Brit who really appreciate getting to do what we do.”
One of the real treats in Just Jake is the opportunity to get to hear Bristow and Mayes duet. However, in one of the actress’ Instagram posts, she admits to being nervous for everyone to hear her singing. During filming he says, “She was like, ‘I just want to do a good job. I want you guys to be proud.’ And I was like, ‘Man, just go make it your own. Have fun with it. Just own it. You’re amazing. Whatever you’re going to do is going to be incredible.’ And then she went in and what she did was super incredible.” Sounds like she had nothing to worry about. “I mean her voice is magnificent. It’s so beautiful, so pure.”
Two of the songs featured in Just Jake are originals written specifically for the movie. “New Favorite Song on the Radio” has a pop country summer anthem vibe going for it. The showstopper is the Jake/Amber duet called “Without You.” Mayes co-wrote both songs with Nashville heavy hitters Will Weatherly, Heath Warren and Eric Van Houten.

When Mayes and Bristow perform the song at the end of the movie, well, the 5000 Blankets actor says it’s one of his favorite moments. Most of the guys who wrote the song with him are up there on stage with him. “Them getting to kind of rock out and just have a blast, it felt good to be able to do that towards the end of the movie,” he says. “You never know what order you’re going to shoot it. Sometimes you might shoot the big finale on day one. We’re fortunate that we got to shoot this way down the line on one of the last days. I think it made it all the more special.”
Earlier this month, he performed at one of the quintessential country music venues in Nashville for the second time — The Bluebird Cafe. “It’s the absolute mecca, the absolute songwriting mecca,” says Mayes, who’s clearly still in awe of the experience. “Taylor Swift got her start there. Garth Brooks. The magic of that place is just unparalleled.” The first time he played The Bluebird was during Covid. So this second opportunity meant everything to him. He could feel the history. “I think I played the best show of my life at The Bluebird. Not a bad place to feel like I played the best show of my life. I think that’s a testament to the history that place exudes and represents.”
While Mayes has projects coming up where he stars alongside the likes of actors Dennis Haysbert and Beau Bridges — “such an amazing guy, so humble. Just watching him is a master class” — he feels lucky to be able to exercise so many different muscles with Just Jake. “It’s a grounded rom-com with culture, a good message and great music.”

Just Jake is currently available on UP Faith and Family. But it premieres on UPtv itself, Sunday night at 7 p.m. ET. Also available is Rob’s version of “Without You” that he did with American Idol and Grand Ole Opry alumni Lauren Mascitti.
Photos and trailer courtesy of UP Entertainment
Related posts
Classics
Alison Sweeney Talks About What’s Next for Hannah and Mike After Carrot Cake Murder: A Hannah Swensen Mystery
[Warning: Spoilers for Carrot Cake Murder.] Everybody OK after that Hannah Swensen Mystery twist? Thankfully, our favorite crime-solving couple is still on speaking term, even if they’re on a break (hopefully not that kind of break). Most importantly, we already know this isn’t the last film in the series. No…
Counting Down to From Season 2
[Warning: General spoilers ahead.] We’re just shy of two weeks away from Season 2 of last spring’s obsession, From, which premieres at 9 pm/8c, Sunday, April 23rd, on MGM+ (formerly EPIX). If you never picked it up last year, now’s your chance, and you can do it for free, catching…
Thank Me Later: Will Trent
[Warning: spoilers ahead.] I’m on record as loving and losing shows over at ABC so I’m usually very reticent to pick something up on the network until it’s been renewed, and I seriously hope I’m not jinxing it, but I took a chance on the deeply odd and very sweet…
Dennis Heaton Talks The Imperfects
Longtime readers at TV Goodness will know that Motive is one of my ride-or-die series, and as such, I am fiercely loyal to its creator, Dennis Heaton. He followed up that fantastic reverse procedural with Netflix’s The Order and is back on our streaming screens with The Imperfects, which dropped…
Kelly McCormack Talks Favorite Moments in A League of Their Own
[Warning: Mild spoilers for season 1.] Now that you’ve had a chance to watch A League of Their Own, here’s the rest of my chat with Kelly McCormack about her favorite moments of the season. Seeing the iconic Peaches uniforms for the first time wasn’t just a goosebump moment for…
John Griffin and Harold Perrineau Talk From Season 1 Finale
[Warning: General spoilers ahead.] How are we doing, #FROMily? In case you missed it this morning, the very good news is that that cliffhanger will be followed by a second season, which was gifted this morning ahead of the linear broadcast of the finale. I always legitimately appreciate when we…
Elizabeth Saunders Talks From
[Warning: General spoilers ahead.] One of the things that makes EPIX’s From such a fun ride is the abundance of Canadian cast members. Elizabeth Saunders, who plays Donna, is a favorite from her turn on the third season of Mary Kills People [streaming on Global TV in Canada and Roku…
Corteon Moore Talks From “Broken Windows, Open Doors”
[Warning: Spoilers for tonight’s episode.] Tonight’s episode of From had us all in our feels as we learned through flashbacks about the Sophie’s Choice Boyd had to make to save his son, and back in the present as Boyd said his piece with Ellis before heading into the woods with…
Pegah Ghafoori Talks From “All Good Things…”
[Warning: Spoilers for tonight’s episode] Tonight on From, Fatima’s anniversary celebration turned into a Colony House of horrors when a misguided Kevin let his monster bae in and she promptly killed him and left the window open for her crew. While the party devolved into terror and sent everyone running,…
Shaun Majumder Talks From “Book 74”
[Warning: Spoilers for tonight’s episode.] Tonight on EPIX’s From, Father Khatri made a bold move, kidnapping Sara instead of turning her in, and then recognizing her as a vessel for some big messages. That startling realization speaks to him on multiple levels–as a man of faith, a man trapped in…
What They Said: Three Revealing Conversations from Survivor’s Remorse “Closure”
WARNING: Spoilers for Survivor’s Remorse “Closure” The latest episode of Starz’s Survivor’s Remorse featured conversations that showed characters really digging deep into their thoughts, emotions and motivations.
Two Takes: The Catch “The Knock-Off”
Who can you trust? If this episode of The Catch was any indication, the answer is just about nobody. Betrayal was running rampant as Felicity (Shivani Ghai) arose from the dead to seduce-con Margot, Gretchen (Maria Thayer, Gotham, The Mindy Project) played gold-hearted Alice 2.0 before swindling Ethan, Tessa jumped…
What They Said: Top 3 Quotable Moments from Preacher “El Valero”
Both Quincannon and Jesse refuse to give up on what they each think is rightfully theirs. While Jesse is struggling to face the consequences of his actions, Quincannon has laid his past demons to rest and is hellbent on moving forward and putting Annville on the map again. Despite a…
What They Said: Favorite Quotes from Supergirl “Worlds Finest”
Oh, Supergirl. That ending was cold. But I can’t hate on you because the latest episode has quickly become one of my favorites.
What They Said: Top 4 Quotable Moments from Black Sails “XXIII”
The dialogue in “XXIII” is phenomenal. It’s always a fun ride when Black Sails carries its viewers along without giving them the chance to catch their breath. When an episode moves at this unforgiving pace, there is no chance for a breather nor is there a respite from the information…
What Lucifer Said: Favorite quotes from Supernatural “O Brother, Where Art Thou?”
Supernatural episodes are almost always funny but thanks to the dialogue and a certain man speaking said dialogue, I laughed a lot during “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” You know, when I wasn’t busy fearing for Sam’s life or wondering what in the world was going on with Dean and…
What They Said: The Flash, “Legends Of Today” and Arrow, “Legends Of Yesterday”
Two nights of Arrow + The Flash = what more could we ask for?! I don’t know what it is about blending these shows, but I can’t help but feel that every time they come together, they somehow become greater than the sum of their parts. And that’s saying a lot…
What they Said: Top 4 Quotable Moments from Graceland “Little Bo Bleep”
Shoot outs. Fake outs. And long-awaited revelations. “Little Bo Bleep” was a jam-packed episode that wrapped up some loose ends and totally frayed others. Â It finally gave us one Sarkissian in jail and pulled back the curtain on Briggs’ master plan, but it also set up Jakes for a world…
What They Said: Favorite Quotes from Poldark “Part 4”
“What have I told you, I don’t require my wife to crochet and sip tea, but I do require her to remember she’s not a beast of burden.†No, I’m not talking about The Rolling Stones! I have to admit though, just for a second, the lyrics popped into my…
3 Moments of Goodness from Brooklyn Nine-Nine “Johnny and Dora”
The most satisfying part of this season’s finale has to the Jake and Amy kiss. Well, they kiss three times but the last one is the best one — and it means something. The Charles and Rosa dynamic was also great. I love how she’s convinced he doesn’t know anything…