2008.12.01
Salem transplant Jay Powell to host free Christmas concert at Vinton War Memorial
While Jay Powell is originally from Utah, his family has established enough roots in Virginia to make it feel more like home than their former western state. For his friends, family, and supporters, Powell is holding a Christmas concert at the Vinton War Memorial from 7 to 8 p.m. on Dec. 11.
"Yes, it's publicity locally, but I also consider it a gift and a thank-you to the people who have believed in me," said Powell. The concert pianist's Christmas tracks, "All is Calm," are being circulated around the country via Granite Publishing, and are now on sale at the Tanglewood Barnes and Noble, as well as Flora Bella on First Street in Roanoke, and Creative Occasions in Vinton. He is releasing his newest CD, "Loss no more" later this month.
Powell hasn't let the small breakthrough to success go to his head. He went from studying organ pedagogy for his bachelor's to earning his MBA, both at Brigham Young University. He worked for Stephen Covey, who wrote "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People." Later on in his career, he ended up in Roanoke working in human resources for Carilion for a while.
"One night, we were just sitting in our living room, and I was listening to Jay play, and I said 'This is not fair that I am the only one who gets to hear this,'" said his wife, Bridget. The wedding planner helped get him motivated, and the family soon moved back to Utah.
Upon arrival, Powell's job offer fell through, and he made a living off of odd jobs like being a handler for Delta airlines, working for a Fergusons, a plumbing company, and for a bridal dress company, all while recording a CD of his music.
He left a copy of his CD with Barb and Peter Dill with the plumbing company, and they ended up donating money for him get real recording time with a real studio.
"It was a lot like the movie 'Pursuit of Happiness' with Will Smith," Powell joked. But it was out west that they established a relationship with Granite Publishing, the distributor of his current CDs.
The party will be hosted by Bridget's wedding planning company, "Ode to Joy," and Gail Wilson and Pat Nervo are helping cater the event.
