Today we’d like to introduce you to Jody Bagley.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Jody. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I grew up in a small town in Maine and knew from a young age that I was destined to be a musician and a performer. I began my music career at the age of six, singing in a performance group that I would travel with until I was 18. With the group, I recorded albums and toured much of the United States, Canada, The UK, and France all before the age of 12. I went on to study Music Education with a concentration in Classical Voice and Piano at the University of Southern Maine, before moving to San Diego, CA in 2007.
Upon my arrival in San Diego, I became Music Director of the Unity Church of El Cajon and began getting work as a session musician and hired gun, playing and recording with dozens of artists and bands throughout Southern California. Since then, I’ve had to opportunity to perform and record with artists Ron Blair (Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers), Nick St. Nicholas (Steppenwolf), Greg Douglass (Steve Miller Band), Burleigh Drummond (Ambrosia), Mojo Morganfield (Muddy Waters’ youngest son), Earl Slick (John Lennon/David Bowie), Steve Ferrone (Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers), Don Randi (The Wrecking Crew), Willie Chambers (The Chambers Brothers), Jim Keltner, Judy Collins, and many more! In addition to performing and touring internationally with the Rock and Roll band, Mrs. Henry, I also front the soul/funk group JB & The Movers, and play with the band’s Creature And The Woods and Loosen The Noose, as well as with Blues artists Whitney Shay, Casey Hensley, and Shane Hall. I also perform regularly with the Cassie B Project and Kimmi Bitter. In 2019 I became an Official Hammond Artist, being represented by the Hammond Organ Company and I also released my debut solo album, Burn, in July.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Things have been relatively smooth and I’m incredibly grateful to be doing what I’m doing and to be able to make my living as a musician! The decision to leave my life in Maine and move to San Diego was painfully difficult, and I did end up struggling when I first moved here. I didn’t know anyone and wasn’t playing any music for about two years and was unable to find a job. I came very close to moving back to Maine but decided to stay and give it another year. I felt very strongly that Southern California was where I needed to be. After that, my career started to take off and I am so happy that I stayed and have made this beautiful place my home!
Please tell us about your music.
I’ve spent the last few years developing an arsenal of rare vintage keyboards, mostly from the 1970’s, and am one of only a few people in San Diego and Los Angeles that brings out the vintage gear for gigs. Known on Instagram as organ_freeman, I have developed a following of fellow keyboard players and musicians for the gear that I own and use. I feel like I’ve gotten a lot of work because of my skills and the ability to haul out the big gear! I get most of my work as a keyboardist, but will always be a vocalist first, and I specialize in harmony and vocal arranging.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I’ve got a new solo album in the works which I’m hoping to release this year, as well as tours planned with Mrs. Henry and The Cassie B Project over the next few months. I’m always striving to get better and I focus a lot on making connections and taking opportunities that will further my career. There are lots of recordings with different groups happening, so there should be a lot of music coming in the new year!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jodybagley.com
- Email: jodymbagley@gmail.com
- Instagram: @organ_freeman
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/jody.bagley
- Twitter: @jodybagley
Image Credit:
Single hair shot – Christian Taylor
Other uploads from Left to Right – Mike Reardon, Mimi Franco, Unknown, Colin Leibold, Robin Henkel
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