Jay Byrd
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Jay Byrd

Bethesda, Maryland, United States | INDIE

Bethesda, Maryland, United States | INDIE
Band Americana Singer/Songwriter

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This band has not uploaded any videos

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Press


"Quotes and Press Reviews"

**** (four stars) With Busy Day, North Carolina's Jason Byrd, also known as a member of Wavy Train, has made an enchanting disc of soothing, honey-dripping pop that largely recalls early solo Paul McCartney and the Beach Boys' Smiley Smile. Byrd's knack for evoking memories of AM radio's golden past while conjuring up irresistible melodies becomes immediately obvious in the Badfinger-like "Know You Are," but continues onward toward the Big Star stomp of "After All." "Don't Mind" and "I'll Be All Right" assure listeners that Byrd has thoroughly studied the songbooks of not just Brian Wilson but Ray Davies, leaving fans of classic pop with precious little to complain about. Glistening harmony vocals bolster the title cut, and a lament such as "I Missed Sunday" sounds like it could be an outtake from McCartney's 1971 classic, Ram. Despite the retro feel here, Byrd gives pop revivalists like Jason Falkner and Josh Rouse a run for their money on Busy Day's standout piano ballad, "Fly." — John D. Luerssen, All Music Guide

“…sample the talents of Jason Byrd on his debut disc Busy Day. Byrd's album is produced by Jamie Hoover, and the harmony-laden tracks and jangly guitars bear witness to Hoover's musical skills. Byrd's original material displays some heavy Beach Boys influences ("Don't Mind" is melodically reminiscent of "Don't Worry Baby") … and Jason's talent warrants comparison with indie pop master Mark Johnson.”
– Eric Sorensen, Fufkin.com


“Right away I got into the way the melodies kind of climb up and down. The arrangements are very well organized, performances are really good.”
– Robert Crenshaw (musician/singer-songwriter)


“Jason's SMILE-inducing sounds are just made for
these times, and they've found a new home in our room on
THIS IS ROCK 'N' ROLL RADIO.”
– Carl Cafarelli, This is Rock ‘N’ Roll Radio


“I've been in this business for 25 years plus and I can count on one hand thenumber of young singer/songwriters that come through my studio that really KNOCK me out-and Jason Byrd is definitely one of those few. From the first few bars of him singing and playing "I Missed Sunday" in my studio for a sound check, I knew this was going to be an important relationship for me; and he is, and hopefully will continue to be. He has a natural ability at everything – top shelf songwriting, singing (God, what a voice), and guitar chops way beyond his years. He's a true natural. Also, he's a damn clever and charismatic performer! He opened dates for Marti Jones and Don Dixon (I tour as guitarist for them) in the DC area and he knocked those people out – people who had no idea who he was! Tough, but he can deliver. He is one deep book – and one that is just opening. Check him out!” – Jamie Hoover (Musician/Producer)

“Jason Byrd is a graceful musician: a gifted guitarist, a soulful singer, and a thoughtful songwriter. Skilled in rock and jazz idioms, Jason's multiple talents particularly evidence themselves in his contemporary interpretations of songs from Southern Appalachia, the place of his birth.”
– Stephen Wade, American Folk Musician/Writer/Researcher



“Jason is a rare individual that is equally talented as a singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist. He certainly deserves to be in the spotlight along with many of his well-known contemporaries. He writes and plays from the heart. He deserves a listen."
– Zan McLeod, multi-instrumentalist/ producer

Jason is one of my first calls for session guitarist. His fluid playing and impeccable style has added many a nice touch to recordings he has worked on with and for me. He does pretty damn good too on the live circuit...”
– Jim Robeson, musician/producer - Various


"Quotes and Press Reviews"

**** (four stars) With Busy Day, North Carolina's Jason Byrd, also known as a member of Wavy Train, has made an enchanting disc of soothing, honey-dripping pop that largely recalls early solo Paul McCartney and the Beach Boys' Smiley Smile. Byrd's knack for evoking memories of AM radio's golden past while conjuring up irresistible melodies becomes immediately obvious in the Badfinger-like "Know You Are," but continues onward toward the Big Star stomp of "After All." "Don't Mind" and "I'll Be All Right" assure listeners that Byrd has thoroughly studied the songbooks of not just Brian Wilson but Ray Davies, leaving fans of classic pop with precious little to complain about. Glistening harmony vocals bolster the title cut, and a lament such as "I Missed Sunday" sounds like it could be an outtake from McCartney's 1971 classic, Ram. Despite the retro feel here, Byrd gives pop revivalists like Jason Falkner and Josh Rouse a run for their money on Busy Day's standout piano ballad, "Fly." — John D. Luerssen, All Music Guide

“…sample the talents of Jason Byrd on his debut disc Busy Day. Byrd's album is produced by Jamie Hoover, and the harmony-laden tracks and jangly guitars bear witness to Hoover's musical skills. Byrd's original material displays some heavy Beach Boys influences ("Don't Mind" is melodically reminiscent of "Don't Worry Baby") … and Jason's talent warrants comparison with indie pop master Mark Johnson.”
– Eric Sorensen, Fufkin.com


“Right away I got into the way the melodies kind of climb up and down. The arrangements are very well organized, performances are really good.”
– Robert Crenshaw (musician/singer-songwriter)


“Jason's SMILE-inducing sounds are just made for
these times, and they've found a new home in our room on
THIS IS ROCK 'N' ROLL RADIO.”
– Carl Cafarelli, This is Rock ‘N’ Roll Radio


“I've been in this business for 25 years plus and I can count on one hand thenumber of young singer/songwriters that come through my studio that really KNOCK me out-and Jason Byrd is definitely one of those few. From the first few bars of him singing and playing "I Missed Sunday" in my studio for a sound check, I knew this was going to be an important relationship for me; and he is, and hopefully will continue to be. He has a natural ability at everything – top shelf songwriting, singing (God, what a voice), and guitar chops way beyond his years. He's a true natural. Also, he's a damn clever and charismatic performer! He opened dates for Marti Jones and Don Dixon (I tour as guitarist for them) in the DC area and he knocked those people out – people who had no idea who he was! Tough, but he can deliver. He is one deep book – and one that is just opening. Check him out!” – Jamie Hoover (Musician/Producer)

“Jason Byrd is a graceful musician: a gifted guitarist, a soulful singer, and a thoughtful songwriter. Skilled in rock and jazz idioms, Jason's multiple talents particularly evidence themselves in his contemporary interpretations of songs from Southern Appalachia, the place of his birth.”
– Stephen Wade, American Folk Musician/Writer/Researcher



“Jason is a rare individual that is equally talented as a singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist. He certainly deserves to be in the spotlight along with many of his well-known contemporaries. He writes and plays from the heart. He deserves a listen."
– Zan McLeod, multi-instrumentalist/ producer

Jason is one of my first calls for session guitarist. His fluid playing and impeccable style has added many a nice touch to recordings he has worked on with and for me. He does pretty damn good too on the live circuit...”
– Jim Robeson, musician/producer - Various


Discography

JAY BYRD - waste/hoping (EP - 2011)
JASON BYRD - Busy Day (2003)
WAVY TRAIN - One Big Happy Accident (2001)

Guitar/vocals Session Work on Various Albums

Photos

Bio

Jason (Jay) Byrd has been a professional guitarist, singer, and songwriter since his late teens. In his early twenties, he co-founded the blues-rock trio The Groov, and in 1996 joined the then-Grateful Dead cover band Wavy Train. Byrd's original songs and guitar work helped Wavy Train to forge a sound that combined pop-oriented melodies with extended improvisation. After moving to the Washington, DC area in 2001, Jason began crafting songs with a decidedly Americana bent. In 2005, Jason's composition "Olson Still" received an honorable mention in the Mountain Stage NewSong Festival Folk category. In 2010, he won the NewSong People's Choice Award for the Northeast Region. He also won the Gold Award (Acoustic/Folk category) and the BMI Songwriter Award in the 2010 Mid-Atlantic Songwriting Contest. Jason continues to write and perform original roots-influenced music. Often performing as solo with his acoustic guitar, he also can assemble top-notch players for a fuller sound that allows him to deliver driving," alt-country" rock, as well as intimate, soulful ballads.

UPCOMING DATES:

Feb 14
Lilit Cafe, 6:30-9:30PM
Bethesda, MD

Feb 16
South Rail @ Cowboy Cafe
Arlington, VA

Feb 22
w/Andrew Kutt @ Parker's Classic American Bistro
Bethesda, MD

Feb 23
South Rail @ Potomac Grill
Rockville, MD

Feb 28
South Rail @ Jammin Java
Vienna, VA

Mar 01
The Billy Triplett Trio @ Cowboy Cafe
Arlington, VA

Visit www.jaybyrdmusic.com for more info.