ABOUT
Originally from "The New River City" of Radford, Virginia and now based in Henderson, Nevada, Air Force Veteran and Multi-Instrumentalist JC Covey creates and delivers acoustic blues music in his own unique style he calls "strumcussion," a term he coined for the percussive rhythm and riff guitar sound he naturally developed over the years. This style, interwoven with his driving harmonica and raspy vocal, helps produce an energy-filled performance sound he hopes many will appreciate. In 2012, his Debut Studio EP was released and distributed worldwide and has since been streamed in 56 countries on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon, and many other online channels. On April 19, 2024, he released his first Live LP, "Strumcussion Blues," which is now available, along with his Debut EP, on all streaming platforms as well as PlayItForward.com - Music for a Cause with 100% of Donations Collected going to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, a great organization assisting Veterans, First Responders, and their families. And finally, on September 25, 2024, JC's "All Your Blues (Live)" track from Strumcussion Blues was one of 24 songs selected from music contributed by over 1,000 singer/songwriters to be part of Play It Forward's Greatest Hits LP, a fundraising project for their wonderful organization.
The music influence came early with JC's initial interest coming from his Mom, who adored Elvis, Rockabilly, and Country Music. In addition, his Dad loved the music of Aretha Franklin and The Temptations and would also play guitar and sing Sam Cooke and Ray Charles songs at the family kitchen table throughout his childhood. JC's music roots go even deeper in Pulaski, Virginia where his Grandfather led his local Old Time & Bluegrass band, James Covey and His Virginia Partners, to become the first music group to be featured on Pulaski's new WPUV radio station in 1946. The band went on to star in their own weekly radio show and later hosted and performed with popular touring artists, such as Bill & Charlie Monroe, Cal Story, and Reno & Smiley.
After first hearing the legendary Chess Recordings of Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon, and Chuck Berry and enjoying TV programs such as The Monkees, American Bandstand, Soul Train, Hee Haw, and The Midnight Special, it wasn't long before JC would start to experiment with guitar and singing on his own. Later, after reaching a competent level of playing, the annual talent showcase event at Radford High School would provide the first formal platform to place him in front of a public audience. Several other special events would follow, including the privilege to compose and perform a tribute song at graduation for a popular teacher who happen to be retiring the same year.
A big fan of live music, JC's own performance experience includes opening act slots at the world-famous Whisky a Go Go on Sunset Strip in Hollywood and "The Canyon" venues in Los Angeles where he opened for well-known national acts, such as Jim Messina, Martha Davis & The Motels, Pat Travers Band, Iron Butterfly, Strawberry Alarm Clock, Will Hoge, and Dan Layus. Other notable past gigs include California's Monrovia Music Festival and Virginia's Steppin' Out Festival, Radford Bike Fest, Music at Glencoe, Floyd Country Store, and Draper Mercantile, the latter two of which are official venues on the "The Crooked Road: Virginia's Heritage Music Trail." Prior to these gigs, JC honed his live performance skills at various coffee shops, bookstores, and other venues throughout Southern Nevada, which included weekly stints as both host and performer at Saxby's Open Mic and Cars & Coffee Car Show events in Henderson as well as being a participant in Las Vegas Blues Society Jam events held at hotel lounges on and off the Las Vegas Strip.
Finally, in addition to his music and prior military service, JC is a proud alumnus of UNLV (BS 91') and the University of Wisconsin, Whitewater (MBA 04') followed by a successful career in operations and regulatory compliance leadership with industry-leading companies and financial institutions. In his spare time, he enjoys attending concerts and sporting events and is an avid music, military, and family history collector. Since his new release, JC has already started working on his next album project, "Tampa," which he hopes to release in Spring 2025.