Jody McBrayer – Still Breathing and Singing
Jody McBrayer has been singing all of his life. He may be a stranger to the typical southern gospel fan, but he is no stranger to Gospel music. Having been raised in a Baptist pastor’s home in Riverview, Florida, Jody grew up loving the songs of the church. Jody attended Liberty University and later joined Truth where he sang for three and a half years. Jody and fellow Truth member, Janna Long began the popular CCM group, Avalon in the early 1990s. Many consider this the hay-day of Gospel music. Avalon took the industry by storm popping out 21 #1 songs such as “Testify to Love,” “Adonai,” “Can’t Live A Day,” “Everything to Me,” and many more. Jody’s voice was at the center of the groups tight and unique sound.
In 2007, Jody left Avalon due to his struggle with heart disease that he had been dealing with for over a year. Stress, depression and burnout on top of the struggle with the heart disease was taking it’s toll on Jody’s ministry, voice, marriage and family. As Jody stated, “There was no joy in it anymore.” Jody and his managers decided he needed to come off the road and rest.
Jody spent the next seven years working in the corporate world sitting behind a desk. He didn’t sing during that time and battled depression. Through counseling, support from family and friends and his deep faith in the Lord, Jody is back singing and sharing his story, and he is back stronger and better than ever!
Jody has a brand new solo record, released with StowTown Records appropriately titled, Keep Breathing, and it is full of songs of God’s grace, redemption and love. Jody states that “every song has a purpose, every song resonates and there is an overbearing sense of God’s grace.” To sum it up: this record is personal.
Jody is touring again as a soloist and also as a member of the new trio, Cana’s Voice with TaRanda Greene and Doug Anderson. The powerhouse trio is also touring with Mark Lowry this spring and has their new full-length project coming out this May on StowTown Records.
Jody has come through the fire and has come out stronger. While maybe new to many readers and Southern Gospel fans, Jody says he is loving meeting new friends on the road and that Southern Gospel fans have been so welcoming, warm and loving to him. Check his music out and get to know his heart. He is a man who has lived through the storm and truly has something to sing about. Head over to www.jodymcbrayer.com to learn more, see his tour schedule and also purchase a copy of his new album.