Today we’d like to introduce you to Jay Allen.
Hi Jay, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
In 2013, I moved to Nashville with one suitcase and a guitar to my name. An older couple in Hendersonville graciously took me in and let me live in their in-law suit free-of-charge until I got on my feet. After a few years of hard work and networking, I landed my first publishing deal which eventually led me to Sony. While there, I wrote a song called “Sounds Good To Me” that got me featured on Sirius XM as a Highway Find. Before I knew it, I was signed to WME and on the road touring, opening for every big act you can think of. While on the road, my dad called me one day and shared that my mother had been diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s. It was a really devastating time for my family, so out of therapy and heartbreak, I wrote a song for mom called “Blank Stares”. I began performing it live and sharing our story, but I wasn’t receiving the response I’d hoped for. One day it hit me… why don’t I show people what Alzheimer’s is. With that, we decided to bring mom on stage opening for Jake Owen at a fair in Iowa. Someone in the crowd filmed it on their phone and posted it on Facebook. That video and several others went massively viral, accumulating over a billion views, garnering attention from ABC World News, People and Forbes Magazine, NBC’s The Voice and media outlets around the world. I’ve since toured the world and have raised over $163 million to fight against dementia and raise awareness for caregivers. It’s not only my job, but it’s my calling, and I thank God every day that my mom’s life has given mine purpose.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My biggest struggle was alcohol and addiction. It took me a long time to grieve, and I didn’t really know how to accept the reality of losing my mother. I unfortunately made a lot of mistakes that I can’t take back, but thankfully, I surrendered my life to God and I’m now over 2 years sober.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m an artist, singer, songwriter and performer, but I’m a philanthropist first. I believe we’ve all been given gifts, but it’s our obligation to use those gifts to help others.
For the last year, we’ve been touring care communities and senior living communities around the U.S. We voluntarily go in the day before to meet the caregivers and visit with the memory care residents, and then we put on a fully-produced country/rock concert for them the following evening. It’s been a massive blessing and has opened up doors to my heart I didn’t even know existed.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I really don’t believe in luck. God has had His hand on me from the beginning… I just had to listen and follow.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jayallenofficial.com
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/jayallenmusic
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/jayallenmusic
