Today we’d like to introduce you to Jay White. They and their team shared their story with us below:
Jay White was born at Fort Ord, California, moved soon afterward to Texas, and was quickly drawn to music as a child. “I vividly recall a trip to my grandfather’s house in Phoenix, AZ, one summer when I was about 3,” says Jay. “My grandfather Bill White and some of his buddies were jamming out one night at his home, and while they were taking a break, I ran over and strummed the strings of his Gibson guitar that was leaning against a chair. I remember my folks shouting not to touch it and my grandfather assuring them that I couldn’t hurt the guitar. I still have that old Gibson after all these years.” “Although I was raised in church and began singing in public at an early age, my career as a guitar player began on my 10th Christmas when I got my own six-string acoustic. It was a cheap, unplayable Kay Craft that was soon replaced after my grandfather Bill came to live with us. He told my dad that if I wanted to play, they needed to get me a guitar I could play. Soon, I had a Kay electric, complete with a small amp, and was on my way. My neighbor (across the pasture) Alan Davis, who was in high school then, had an old Silvertone guitar and amplifier case combo and showed me some basic Jimmy Reed songs. From that point on, I was hooked on the blues. Although I have played numerous styles of music over the years, it all boils down to the blues.”
Jay has no formal guitar training but was fortunate to have spent a few months learning the fretboard with guitar legend Roy Robbins when only 14. Not long afterward, Jay, Barry Couch, David Constance, David Petty, and Richard Schrimsher, later replaced by Ronnie Proctor, formed a band called “The Twilighters.” During these formative years Jay and the band were invited to The Oasis, a night club in Harker Heights, Texas to firm up some engagement dates. While Jay was here he had the opportunity to catch a show by Jay Roy and the Chapparells and was strongly influenced by Jay Roy’s exceptional guitar style which he incorporated into his own music. “I’d never seen anyone bend and hold a note like him. Almost as much as anyone, Jay Roy made a huge difference in my style”. Not long afterwards, The Twilighters released a 45 rpm single on the Mark VII label, “I Need You,” along with “Nothing Can Bring Me Down”, both songs Jay wrote.
Jay and a reformed version of the band now called “Blue Fever” made a couple of trips to Houston to play in Texas’ famed Cellar. After Jay relocated to Austin, he played in several bands, including Requiem with Phil Ballinger of “Too Smooth” fame and Madrille Wilson from “Greezy Wheels” and “Shay,” a power three-piece blues rock Texas original band. “Shay” and “Requiem” shared the stage with ZZ Top, Johnny Winter, Wildfire, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, and other notable acts of the times. While living in Austin, Jay worked with fellow songwriter Cody Hubach on several projects and produced a single release, “Death Row Blues” and “Black Dog” on the Mad Yak label. Cody and Jay played as a duo act and featured at Jubal Clark and Willie Nelson songwriter showcases. Jay also met and performed with Pat Garvey and shared the stage with Jerry Jeff Walker and the Lost Gonzo Band several times as guitarist for the Pat Garvey Band.
Jay took his guitar and talents to Los Angeles in the late 70s and teamed up with Songwriting legend Jack Segal, singing his demos and collaborating on new songs with the award-winning artist. While in LA, Jay worked as a studio musician, performed as a side-man, and helped write and sing along with Renee Feldman, the title song to the first Japanese anime film ever released in the United States by American International Pictures, “Galaxy Express 999.” Jay formed a friendship with fellow songwriter Barry Goldman from Redondo Beach and started “The Jay White Band,” a project that led to a tour of Hawaii, numerous western states, and Canada. While in Hawaii, “The Jay White Band” performed with Rock and Roll Hall of Fame legends Jerry Martini of “Sly and the Family Stone” and Gene Clark from “The Byrds.” Jay co-authored and recorded the soundtrack for a documentary film on the life and career of the award-winning producer/director Roger Corman, and “The Jay White Band” headlined numerous hotel and club venues and became an island fan favorite.
After the western states and Canada tour, “The Jay White Band” settled in Seattle, Washington, and earned the coveted house band position at Montana’s Restaurant. Jay recorded with former Steppenwolf legend Goldy McJohn. While here, Jay re-connected with his Hawaii agent, who booked a reformed version of the band on an Alaska tour and later throughout the United States. Upon completing the Alaska tour, Jay returned to Texas for some much-needed R&R but quickly formed the Temple, Texas-based “Loaded Dice” with Brett Edds, Kim Leitner, and Cynthia DeMent and played central Texas night clubs before hitting the road for a second Alaska trip that took the group across the country then back to Slidell, Louisiana where the group disbanded. While in Alaska, Jay and Cynthia were married in a woods setting outside Wrangell on a rainy afternoon. Jay and Cynthia traveled to Nashville and signed on with the Del Pritchett Show in Cambridge, Maryland. Upon completing contract obligations, Jay kept the band working under “Dixie” and played clubs, restaurants, and resorts throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. The band’s popularity grew, and they became the Maryland State winner in the Tru-Value Country Showdown. Following “Dixie,” Jay joined “The Christian Troupers,” where Cynthia was the featured vocalist and toured and performed up and down the East Coast singing Southern Gospel. While with “The Troupers,” Jay wrote and recorded “He Reached Out” for Hall of Fame Singer/Producer Eldridge Fox of “The Kingsmen.” Fox released the song with the “Wray Brothers” as a radio single. Jay and Cynthia were blessed with two sons living in Maryland, Jay Alan and Lee Abram.
Jay’s journey eventually led him to Munday, Texas, where he sang in the choir at First Baptist Church and became the church’s song leader, a position he held for over 10 years. During this time, Cynthia battled cancer and is today miraculously cancer-free and a fifteen-year survivor. “I had all but hung up the guitar at this point,” says Jay. “I could tell that God had more music in mind, but it was hard for me to get a clear vision.” Jay attended church music workshops and seminars, led music on a mission trip in Hong Kong, and began blending worship music in the services, some old, some new, but God kept pulling at his heart for a more radical, risky leap of faith that Jay never saw coming. Just weeks after Cynthia had been declared cancer-free, Jay was involved in a one-car accident that hospitalized him precariously teetering between life and death with a broken back, neck, and severe head injuries. “I had just started playing in a Christian rock band called ‘3Kord’ in Munday when the accident happened,” says Jay. “While I was in the year-long recovery process, God revealed that He had saved and spared me for a special task. All He has told me time and time again is ‘it’s in the music.'” Jay left his position at First Baptist Munday and began playing with “3Kord,” who led praise and worship at First Baptist in Goree, Texas. While there, “3Kord” produced and recorded an 8-song ep available on iTunes and CD called “Bring it Back to God,” which features 7 original songs by Jay with vocals by the group’s worship leader at the time, Ruben Garcia. Ruben left the group about a year later, and Jay found himself in the role once again as band lead singer, guitarist, and worship leader at church. “I always pray for God to use and equip me to be of service,” says Jay. “I never expected to spend so much time out of my comfort zone.”
Jay’s absence of comfort was just beginning. God stripped Jay and Cynthia of everything except their family. “We had a small business that we lost,” says Jay. “We lost our home and, at the time, couldn’t see what God had in mind. We were confused and afraid. All along, God reassured me with ‘It’s in the music,’ at one time, He reminded me, ‘Haven’t I always sustained you?’ God was waiting for us to take the leap of faith and persevere in the race He had called us to. We couldn’t see it until Cynthia said, ‘Maybe we should just move to Belton to your mom’s vacant house, fix it up, and settle there.'” Once Jay took that leap, things began to open up for him. God gave Jay a job as worship leader for Amazing Grace Fellowship in Killeen, Texas, and led him to join “Hawk and the King Airs,” a Central Texas blues band where he sings and plays his Telecaster for local night spots. He has also allowed Jay to minister with San Antonio-based “Burning Faith,” a Christian southern rock and blues worship band.
God has opened the door and created an opportunity for Jay to record an original 11-song Blues album with seasoned, professional, world-class musicians Big John Mills, Kevin Hall, Alan Huff, Brett Edds, Kevin Bergland, and Robert Bass. Big John Mills played the bass, harmonica, and guitar synthesizers, Kevin Hall played the drums, and Alan Huff was on the keyboards. Big John has recorded with just about everybody from George Jones to John Lee Hooker, Vince Gill, and George Strait. Kevin Hall has recorded with Hal Ketchum, Eric Johnson, Omar & The Howlers, Archie Bell & the Drells, Rusty Wier, Coco Montoya, Montel Williams, and Mark Farner of Grand Funk Railroad. and Alan Huff is currently touring with Roger Creager and has recorded with Doug Supernaw, Bayou Roux, The Tropicats, Eli Young Band and Jason Allen. Kevin Bergland, Brett Edds, and Robert Bass have equally impressive music backgrounds and have teamed up with Jay to form his new band “The Blues Commanders,” which will be performing in select spots in Central Texas and touring to promote the release of the CD titled “Jaywalkin’.” The Blues Commanders joined forces to record the title cut to the new CD with Brett Edds on bass, Kevin Bergland on the drums, and Robert Bass on the keyboards. Shortly following the release of “Jaywalkin’,” Jay was contacted by the hit TV Show “The Voice” and was asked to meet with the season 12 producers who flew him to Los Angeles, CA., to prepare for the show. Although Jay didn’t get a chair to turn during his blind audition, he was among the 75 out of 125,000 who auditioned and gathered all the season training for the show. “The show was an awesome opportunity for me,” says Jay, “the training and instruction I received was life-changing for me.
I have asked God to bless these endeavors, and I can see He has. He wants me to be faithful and true to Him, to put Him first in all things,” says Jay. “My heart desires to be the same in church as wherever I’m planted. I aim to be salt and light in a world that desperately needs to ‘Bring it Back to God.'”
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned? Looking back, has it been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road I’ve been blessed to travel has been anything but smooth and has had its share of ups and downs. Cynthia and I have lost two pregnancies. Cynthia has battled cancer without insurance; we’ve lost our livelihood and home and found ourselves homeless.
Let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’ve been blessed to be able to play my guitar and sing. My life experiences are perfect for the blues, and my unique voice sets me apart from others. I never take these blessings for granted and rely heavily on my faith to accomplish God’s tasks. I’m most proud of my efforts as a music producer for songwriters. Using my God-given gifts to transform songwriters’ demos into radio-ready songs brings me great joy and satisfaction.
What are your plans for the future?
My plans include taking my musical abilities and ministry to countries and freely sharing those gifts and experiences. Recording and music production are also looming in my future.
Pricing:
- CD – $10
- T Shirts – $25
- Singles – $1.50
- Coffee Mugs – $10
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jaywhite-bluescommander.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JayWalterWhite/
- Youtube: youtube.com/@jaywhite-bluescommander
Image Credits
Cynthia White, Steve Peters
