Jayson Starkey

Music was always a part of his family environment. Everything was available from Classical and Big Band, swing to oldies, Disco to hard rock, and country to Jazz, blues and Americana. An array of exposure allowed Jayson Starkey to develop a unique, yet experienced technique and focus in his own right.

Born in Houston, Texas and growing up in everything from big city Dallas to a country farm in North central Texas, Jayson Starkey has had the good fortune to be surrounded by a variety of musical perspectives his entire life.  From early school art and music classes that afforded opportunities for him to arrange, conduct and coordinate the music for stage plays, to everyday exposures through the availability of the piano in his grandparents’ den and the constant sound of the jazz greats wafting from the radio in his grandfather’s garage.  There was the ever-present rock influences of his uncle that are welded into his passions after losing that special relationship at an early age through a rare illness.

His drive and challenges made him steadfastly focused on learning to play a variety of instruments well as the years passed. Guitars, keyboard and drums became tools to the eventual honing of his gift for songwriting.

In 2001, Starkey joined Fernando Braxton and his band Junior Pride to collaborate on several great Americana and Indy efforts. Upon Braxton moving to New Orleans to further his music career, Starkey was offered a position with the Oliver White Group in 2004, and joined with that team of musicians which expanded his abilities to sharpen his craft.  He would go on to play with several area bands, even recording with several of them. Sadly, he would not have the chance to collaborate or perform with his friend and music mentor again, as Fernando Braxton passed away in 2009. In addition to his playing career , his musical influences include such greats as Ray Charles, Leon Russell, Willie Nelson, Jerry Jeff Walker, Jimi Hendrix, ZZ Top, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Buddy Guy and Albert King, just to name a few.

These influences and peers, coupled with the songwriting genius of writers such as John Moreland, Paul Thorn, Mike McClure, Todd Snider, his good friend Zack Jones and Hayes Carll to top the list, have influenced and enriched his perspective and fueled his desire over the past few years. His thirst for the real stories of witnesses to music legends has been a gift along the way, but none more moving than the stories he has been privileged to hear from Larry Welborn, a standup bass player for Buddy Holly. Jayson is employed by Larry’s brother David at Welborn Music where he has been the last 20 years, serving the local music community as a luthier and instrument/tube amplifier technician.
 
Starkey entered the local music scene as a solo artist in 2018, and never looked back. Playing venues in several states, including gigs at venues such as Love and War in Texas, Grady’s 66 Pub, Mill Street Tavern, JJ’s Alley and many more. Being so fortunate to have the opportunities to perform and share his songs with such talented area performers as Oliver White, Zack Jones, Aaron Gibson, Ben Brock, Dwight Hamlin and Ben Mckenzie just to list a few..

Inspired to create a collection of new songs, his latest originals will serve as the banner introduction of a recording future with the debut album set for release in November 2021.

If you get the chance, take the time to enjoy this man’s gift. Feel the passion, depth, emotion, and truth he captures in his words, and if you listen closely, you will hear the flavor of his journey in every note. A new artist with an old, romantic soul, carefully melted by the heart, mindfully simmered with care, and creatively poured into his craft for all to enjoy.

As well as his solo performing career, Jayson also performs with area acts The Oliver White Group, Wasetta Switch and Ben Mckenzie.