DRUMS
Tuesday, June 20, 2023
THE WOLF CAFE
BALLWIN, MO
Jason participated in an open mic night with the NSAI St. Louis and shared his song "If We All Prayed" and "Annie Lou" by Carolyn Cates of Georgia and himself.
Sunday, February 12, 2023
THE BLUEBIRD CAFE
NASHVILLE, TN
Jason participated in an audition for the Bluebird Cafe Sunday Songwriters' Nigh
Tuesday, June 20, 2023
THE WOLF CAFE
BALLWIN, MO
Jason participated in an open mic night with the NSAI St. Louis and shared his song "If We All Prayed" and "Annie Lou" by Carolyn Cates of Georgia and himself.
Sunday, February 12, 2023
THE BLUEBIRD CAFE
NASHVILLE, TN
Jason participated in an audition for the Bluebird Cafe Sunday Songwriters' Nights sharing a sample the song "Country River Times" by Carolyn Cates of Georgia and himself.
Sunday, November 20, 2022
THE BLUEBIRD CAFE
NASHVILLE, TN
Jason participated in an audition for the Bluebird Cafe Sunday Songwriters' Nights sharing a sample the song "Country River Times" by Carolyn Cates of Georgia and himself.
Thursday, November 17, 2022
THE WOLF CAFE
BALLWIN, MO
Jason participated in an open mic night with the NSAI St. Louis and shared the song "Country River Times" by Carolyn Cates of Georgia and himself
Sunday, October 24, 2022
THE GRAND OLE' OPRY
NASHVILLE, TN
Jason attended the 8th Annual Josie Music Awards as a Nominee for Musician of the Year (Drums).
Sunday, July 31, 2022
THE COMMODORE GRILL
Nashville, TN
Jason participated in an open mic and shared "Country River Times" a song written by Carolyn Cates of Georgia and himself. This was the first time the song was played in public.
Sunday, July 31, 2022
THE BLUEBIRD CAFE
Nashville, TN
Jason participated in an audition
for The Bluebird Cafe Sunday Songwriters' Nights, sharing a sample of his song "About Midnight".
Thursday, March 31, 2022
BOBBY's IDLE HOUR
Nashville, TN
Jason participated in a songwriter's round hosted by Cecillia C4, and shared his songs "About Midnight", "If We All Prayed" and "Mississippi Ghosts".
Monday, March 28, 2022
THE COMMODORE GRILL
Nashville, Tennessee
Jason participated in an open mic and shared his song "Mississippi Ghosts".
Wednesday, March 23, 2022
THE COMMODORE GRILL
Nashville, Tennessee
Jason participated in an open mic and shared his song "About Midnight"
Monday, March 21, 2022
THE BLUEBIRD CAFE
Nashville, Tennessee
Jason participated in an open mic and shared his song "If We All Prayed".
mission
To improve the daily lives and well-being
of other people through songs.
vision
To freely create songs, while providing modern, diversified, music services based in the St. Louis area, active and involved in the Nashville music community, serving and collaborating with other people around the globe.
co-writing & collaboration
Whether you seek lyrics, music or certain aspects of production, Jason is open to co-writing and collaboration with all people from many different music genres. He values diversity, comes to the table with ideas, contributes value, and seeks to partner equitably with co-writers & other collaborators. Jason seeks outcomes where everyone involved has the most enjoyable, dignified, worry-free, professional experience possible.
services
Aside from songwriting, Jason offers a number of musical services on a fee basis, including but not limited to: basic production/track writing, custom songwriting/sound effects, live fill-in drumming or recorded drum tracks and sync licensing. Contact us for a free consultation and estimate.
Jason grew up in the town of Esther, Missouri, (pop. 1,037) located in Missouri's old "Leadbelt" mining district just south of St. Louis.
This area was once the world's greatest source of lead, until the 1970's. After decades of economic decline and blighting, the area has more recently been experiencing growth and renewal.
The town of Esther is also the home of Darrel S. Cole (USMC) posthumous WWII Medal of Honor awardee and namesake of the renowned U.S.S. Cole Navy Vessel.
The local area, St. Louis and the surrounding regions are rich in historical and musical culture.
Locally, notable musical talents have included:
Ferlin Huskey (a.k.a. Terry Preston), Dan Peek of the band America, and Branson performers the Plummer family.
Regionally, notable music talents have included:
W.C. Handy, Scott Joplin, Chuck Berry, Porter Wagoner, Ronda Vincent, Tina Turner, Michael McDonald, Sheryl Crow, Bob Cuban, Leona Williams, The Lesters, Ozark Mountain Daredevils, Head East, The Urge, Gretchen Wilson, Sarah Evans, David Nail, Chingy, Nelly, Tess Boyer and Chris Jansen among others.
The American folksong of the "Iron Mountain Baby" originated in nearby Washington County, MO, home of Jason's ancestors; and has been performed by many including Steve Martin and Edie Brickell.
Jason's neighborhood growing up
Esther, Missouri (pop. 1037)
In the 1970's, Jason's dad was a drummer for the locally popular, St. Louis, Missouri based rock band Ausgang. Surrounded by music, Jason started tapping out rhythms and singing at an early age. His early influences included artists and bands such as KISS (his all-time favorite), Chicago, the Doobie Brothers, Crystal Gale, Steely Dan, Elton John and Steve Miller Band. The first song Jason learned to sing was "Joy to the World" as performed by Three Dog Night.
During the first few years of his life, Jason and his parents lived in a simple, small single-wide trailer. His parents then purchased their first house, where Jason would grow-up, along with most of his five siblings. As a child, Jason's maternal grandmother would sometimes take him to Sunday school and church with her, where he was exposed to classic Christian hymns.
Later in his childhood, his immediate family would attend several different churches throughout Southeastern Missouri. At times, his dad would serve as a drummer in the churches the family attended. Sometimes, Jason's parents would sing special songs at church with his dad accompanying them on acoustic rhythm guitar.
At the age of 14, having learned fundamentals of music and particularly percussion instruments in school, Jason landed his first stint as a drummer with a Country-style Southern Gospel band --The Singing Believers of Potosi, Missouri. The Country-style Southern Gospel Band--The Midsouth Boys/Midsouth served as a pivotal life changing influence to Jason and how he thought of music during this time.
During his teenage years, Jason became aware of such Christian artists as New Song, Petra and Steven Curtis Chapman. At the same time, his best friend introduced him to artists such as Ozzy Osborne, Guns & Roses, and Warrant. Jason also served as a drummer at his home church for several years, until he joined the United States Marine Corps.
During his time serving with the Marine Corps in California, Jason was exposed to a wide variety of music and cultures. He penned over one hundred lyrics and poems at this point in his life. He also sang with a praise and worship team, at his church in Vista, CA. Between his exposure during trade school, and his time in the Marine Corps, Jason developed an affinity for West Coast Rap. At the same time, however, he was also focused on smooth Jazz and Country Music. Christian Harvest crusade artists such as Crystal Lewis, drew Jason's attention as well.
Upon returning to the St. Louis Region, Jason eventually served once again as a drummer with another Southern Gospel Band--Turning Point Vocal Band of Farmington, Missouri.
In 2019, following a lengthy hiatus to focus on family and education, Jason returned to music, with a focus particularly on songwriting and sharing his songs with others.
Jason is a member of the the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP); the Gospel Music Association (GMA), and Nashville Songwriters International (NSAI).
He holds a Masters Degree in Business Administration from Missouri Baptist University and a Master's Degree in Health Administration from Webster University.
He has completed the Songwriting Mastery course and the Music Makers Bootcamp through Full Circle Music and studied Music Industry Essentials through New York University.
"God has blessed my family and me so greatly, that I cannot adequately express the breadth and depth of it. As those of us who are songwriters know, we cannot let songs die with us. I have the unique privilege of being able to outwardly express freely the music in my heart, mind and soul and I'm not going to waste it. It is a privilege some in this world may never get to experience. So, I intend to keep writing and sharing songs until I draw my last breath, and give God the glory for the opportunity.” Jason Wayne Gilliam Artist such as Ray Stevens, "Weird Al" Yankovich and Jack Black (the band Tenacious D) hold a special place in Jason's heart.
Listen to Jason's Inspirations and Influences playlist on Spotify:
Telephone (573) 760-6513
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