Meet Jody Bagley | Musician

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jody Bagley and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jody, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I have been performing professionally since I was kid, but most recently had been focusing on teaching music lessons. I had worked for different music schools for many years and got to a point where I was getting so much outside work offered, both recording and performing music, that it was starting get hard to turn things down because of having lessons scheduled. After my father passed away unexpectedly in December of 2018, I found it hard to get motivated to go back to teaching, and felt feelings of sadness about having sometimes put work before my family in recent years. I was reminded of how precious, and sometimes short life can be and vowed to focus on only the kind of work that I was truly passionate about, which is performing and recording music. I had spent many years teaching and loved it, but was ready to move on to the next chapter. I then began putting my mind to this and starting focusing on making my living off solely being a professional musician.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m so grateful to get to be involved in so many different musical projects. I get to perform regularly with Mrs. Henry, Chest Fever, Whitney Shay, The Cassie B Project, and my own solo music. I also record on dozens of albums a year in various recording studios and sit in with several different bands on a regular basis. In addition to these groups, I also serve as the Music Director for the Unity Church of El Cajon, Ca.

What sets me apart from other musicians in my field is my use of vintage keyboards, organs, and synthesizers from the 1970’s and my ability to also sing lead vocals and backup vocals for any of the projects I’m involved with. I also can adapt to any musical situation and style, and can fit in with any kind of band. It’s been a long journey to get to where I am today, and it started as a 6 year old performer from the state of Maine who’s now been touring and performing for 30 years!

The most difficult part of getting to where I am today was relocating from Portland, Maine to San Diego, California in 2007. I had a well established music career as a performer and teacher in Maine, and I decided to leave all of that and pick things up again in Southern California. I struggled to find work and other musicians to collaborate with for about 2 years, and came very close to turning around and going back to Maine. Finally, after starting a band with a fellow music instructor I met, my career in San Diego started to take off and flourish.

What I’ve learned mostly over the years is to always do your best, no matter what challenges and circumstances are put in front of you. Also, to always have a positive attitude and work ethic. The more positive I remain in a situation, no matter how good or bad, the better the outcome is for everyone, and the more I can adapt and react to whatever is put in front of me.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If I’m in San Diego, I always like to bring folks to The Shout House in Downtown SD. It’s a Piano bar that has some great performers and it’s always a good time! Mount Soledad always has the best views, gotta take some friends there. And of course, the beach. Probably somewhere in Carlsbad or Oceanside.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Shoutout to my Mom for being my number 1 supporter, and for always insisting that I get the best musical training throughout my childhood.

Website: jodybagley.com

Instagram: Organ_Freeman

Other: mrshenry.com chestfeverofficial.com

Image Credits
Santiago Guzman Lauren Knight Mike Reardon Kristy Walker