Why

As the fabric of what brings communities together continues to fray, the need for a positive creative outlets has never been greater.  

Music has the power to not only transform the life of the person playing it, but the ability to bring people together to sing, dance and be joyful.  The strength of our society depends on our ability to be able to come together and celebrate the unique gifts of humanity collectively.  

I played my first concert at age 5 and it impacted my life immeasurably.  Music also saved me from falling victim to substance abuse and crime, which so many of my peers succumbed to growing up.  Having access to musical instruments and teachers who believed in my abilities gave me the courage to pursue my passion, which ultimately put me on a path of purpose and meaning.  

Investing in the pursuit of music of the folks who are the least likely to have the means of obtaining an instrument and lessons is of great importance to the strength of our society and culture, however the arts are so often under resourced in disadvantaged communities.  

The Gift of Music Project seeks to fill that need in our communities, to help make new musicians and hopefully change and maybe even save a few lives.  

About
Jay Bragg

Jay Bragg has been on the stage interpreting his life through music his entire life.  A third generation professional musician, Bragg’s first gig was at age 4 and since then has recorded 12 studio records and performed over 3500 live shows all over America.    

Having absorbed music of all genres and eras through his family literally from infancy, Jay’s encyclopedic knowledge of early forms of popular music have always set his music apart from his contemporaries.  Heavily versed in blues, jazz, country and classical as well as a steadfast dedication to rock ’n’ roll, Jay is blissfully undefinable when it comes to genre but identifies first and foremost as a folk musician.  

Not long after moving to Nashville, Bragg - a New England native - found a home at the Alan Jackson owned AJs’ Good Time Bar on Lower Broadway, performing a super charged cocktail of classic country and rootsy originals 3-4 times a week.  The shows became so successful that Alan Jackson himself asked Jay to come on the road and open up for his 2019 arena tour.

Off the success of his disciplined work ethic, epic live shows and an absolute grass roots approach, Jay has carved out a successful career in music and writing with a steady stream of new recordings, a live schedule of 200 dates a year and a dedicated and loyal fanbase all over the world.   

Wanting to return the favor of the people who gave him the opportunities to pursue a life of music at a young age, Jay founded Gift of Music Project, a charity whose mission is to give the gift of musical instruments, lessons and opportunities to perform live to disadvantaged communities.