Bio
Jay first picked up the guitar at age 13…and hardly ever put it down. In that same year, he met Joey who had recently married into the family and was a singer-songwriter. Jay and Joey hit it off after a family gathering where Joey serenaded everyone with his original music. That evening Joey gave Jay some homework to write his first song by the next time they saw each other.
Jay kept his end of the deal and by the next time they saw each other, he had written 5 or so songs. He played his best one for Joey who then pushed him to write an even better one the next time. For the next few years, they would connect around holidays a few times a year. Joey always pushing Jay a little outside his comfort zone. By the time Jay had graduated high school, he had written about 100 songs, a few of which he thought were, “not too bad.”
When college rolled around, he started playing live, but also realized it was, “time to get a real job.” He ended up taking a completely different path and pursued a career in medicine. He recounts, “I was not your average med student.” Commenting on his long hair and being in a band. During this time, he also released his first album, Runnin’.
The rigor of medical training with its 80h work weeks and sometimes staying at the hospital for 30h straight began to take a toll. The further he went into the training, the more disapproving peers and superiors became toward what was viewed as a childish hobby, and eventually this creative, right-brained part of himself began to slip away. The effects were pervasive. Chronic pain, fatigue, anxiety and a sense of spiritual emptiness.
After completing his medical training, he accepted a job that was not exactly what he was looking for, but which did provide him a much better work-life balance. In his time away from work, he was able to re-connect with himself and his community. Through prayer/meditation, re-connecting with friends and family, and of course…making music, he began to find freedom from all that was ailing him.
It is through this experience that he came to a realization. The need for people like him to care for the sick is absolutely necessary. However, most of modern medicine is focused on curing external wounds with aspirin and bandaids. The truth is that many of us are carrying deeper wounds inside and true healing of these wounds must come from within.
For Jay, a major part of that healing journey has been through music. While at times it has felt that he was living two lives that were at odds with one another, he now has learned that his calling to music is very much a core part of his greater calling as a healer which is why he says he will never stop pursuing it and will keep playing as long as someone will listen.
Jay’s music will at times remind you of Ed Sheeran, Jason Mraz, The Avett Brothers, Leon Bridges, and Train. For a vintage comparison, think James Taylor, The Eagles, and Tom Petty.