My Roots

When asked where he got his start, Jason’s immediate response is “My roots.” He credits his family and their unwavering support for making him the musician and vocalist he is today.

These roots stem back to Savannah, Georgia where he spent most of his childhood just outside of town in Richmond Hill. Growing up, his family co-owned and operated an ostrich farm (you read that right, an ostrich farm!) before moving in with his grandparents, Judie and Russell, or as some called him, The Reverend, despite his less than holy ways. Jason discovered his love for singing through his grandfather.

The Reverend taught Jason about creativity in music. He was always singing old standards and hymns and had a habit of changing the lyrics to suit his mood or make a more entertaining version.  He was a natural storyteller and a loyal friend, husband, father, and grandfather. Jason endearingly describes him as a man who “didn’t take no shit from nobody.” The Reverend passed away in 2009. Jason misses and sings for him every day.

Jason began participating in organized music upon entering high school, chorus and musical theater programs, and taught himself to play the guitar when he was 17. That was just the beginning of making music his life. After being accepted to Georgia College and State University (GCSU) in Milledgeville, GA, he made a name for himself playing house parties and bar gigs. Jason took a break from the college in 2010 (#college), returning to his roots and playing back home in Richmond Hill where he quickly became a local favorite. He was gigging every weekend in a handful of regular venues in town. That’s when he got his big break.

“It’s crazy how my two worlds started to collide; my roots and my journey as a musician created a road map I could never have imagined.”

Jason’s parents helped open the door to one of Savannah’s top music venues, Wild Wing Cafe’ City Market. Their family friend and City Market’s booking manager, Bucky Bryant, heard Jason was making waves around town and was more than happy to book him a gig. It was the first sign that his hobby had become more than just that - he was actually making a living doing the thing he loved most - playing music. And he was hooked. One gig led to the next and for the next four years he played City Market and Retro, collaborated with singer Josh Johansson, and even formed a band, 2ToneFish, featuring Josh on bass, Nick Barnhill on drums, and Simon Hodgson on electric guitar. They played everywhere and packed every venue, their home base being the City Market and Retro every weekend. It was a blast, but all good things must come to an end. And besides, Key West was calling his name - literally.

After graduating from GCSU In 2014, Jason was offered a job of a lifetime: the Head of Entertainment and House Musician at a new music venue in downtown Key West. He and his wife Jordan (pronounced Jerdan), along with their dog Charlie, took the leap to head south. All three of them fell in love with the vibe of Key West and have lived at this iconic island destination ever since. Jason’s job helped him create local connections and catapulted Jason’s musical career, helping him develop relationships with many of the island’s favorite local musicians. Now his name is synonymous with the Key West music scene.

The rest is history...in the making. Most people aren’t lucky enough to have a gift and be able to share that gift with the world. Jason is doing just that and it wouldn’t have been possible without his family. The Reverend and the rest of Jason’s roots encouraged him every step of the way. That kind of unwavering support is special and hasn’t been taken for granted. As Jason says, “Cheers to my roots, y’all.”