Music Avery Dey: Acclaimed musician JFly asks “How Big Is Your Dream?”

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    Jorel “JFly” Flynn: the drummer, the musician and the humanitarian.  All 3 titles fit him perfectly. However there is more to this individual that meets the eye.  His talent is surmountable; yet his giving heart is even bigger than life.  As he prepares for his upcoming 6th annual JFly Music Festival on September 27th, I had the awesome privilege of catching up with him to discuss further how he made his dreams a reality.

    AD:  It’s a pleasure to meet you JFly.  How are you?

    JF:  I’m great.  I’m glad we’re finally meeting.

    AD:  Yes, me too.  So let’s get right to it. Tell us about yourself my dear.

    Jorel “JFly” Flynn: the drummer, the musician and the humanitarian.  All 3 titles fit him perfectly. However there is more to this individual that meets the eye.  His talent is surmountable; yet his giving heart is even bigger than life.  As he prepares for his upcoming 6th annual JFly Music Festival on September 27th, I had the awesome privilege of catching up with him to discuss further how he made his dreams a reality.

    AD:  It’s a pleasure to meet you JFly.  How are you?

    JF:  I’m great.  I’m glad we’re finally meeting.

    AD:  Yes, me too.  So let’s get right to it. Tell us about yourself my dear.

    JF:   It’s a lot so I’m going to try to sum it in a short summary.  Basically I’m a drummer, artist, CEO, and also a humanitarian.  Each one kind of coincides with the other but they have their compartmental functionality.  From the drummer perspective, definitely having a career in the sense of music from touring with a lot of the great artists, playing on a lot of award shows (Soul Train, Sunday’s Best, and music director for the Heisman Trophy awards) that awareness has brought attention to everything else that I do.  I definitely have a nationwide feel/view of the industry as well as the drummers around and the artists I’ve played with – which led me to as to why I started “How Big Is Your Dream?”  It’s my non-profit foundation, which connects dreams to reality by getting access to various musical artists. Everyday that I’m playing with an artist or every tour that I do or even every show where I perform, I’m always trying to figure out ways to connect artists to young people who don’t have the access that I do – to connect their dreams in order for them to become a reality through the people they meet.  I just want to be that pathway.

    AD:  WOW!!

    JFLY:  From the CEO and humanitarian [perspective] comes JFly the artist.  Because I’ve played with so many people and with so many different styles like: New Edition, Cameo, Peabo Bryson, Bobby Brown, Rick Ross, Kirk Franklin and everything in between; it has really made me like a musical buffet sort of speak.  All of those experiences influence me in my own personal style.  So that’s where you get JFly the artist.  I’m currently working on a CD that  will feature Najee and Alex Bugnon. Peabo Bryson is going to be doing something on there with me; and a host of my musical friends locally that are going to be contributing to this sophomore record entitled: “This Is It”.  “This Is It” is a representative of us artists coming together to really highlight and market on what we do for love, to  also draw attention to “How Big Is Your Dream” and the artists who are going to be following us.

        Also, from JFly the artist comes JFly the event coordinator of JFly music festivals.  The JFly music festival is an event what started as a dream that led to a conversation that my sister had with me regarding bringing back something to my home town of Waycross, GA.  It was a way of showcasing to everyone “hey, this is what I did when I left, and I want you to see some of the friends that I’ve performed with.” It actually didn’t begin as a festival.  It was actually going to be a concert in downtown Waycross.  We were aiming just to have fun and do whatever you wanted to do.  The first year I brought Jennifer Holiday with me and we had over 5,000 people show up.

    AD:  That’s big for your first effort!

    JFly:  Yes indeed.  Since then, in my 5th year – which was last year, we had over 17,000 in attendance.  And this is a free festival – that extends from Waycross. People as far as Seattle and as far down as Miami, Florida have come and visited the event.  So, it has a nationwide appeal and the artists that grace the stage in Waycross are definitely artists that I’ve toured with.  It’s free to the public and all you have to do is show up and enjoy one of the best concerts of the year.  It does more than just entertain; it gives you hope.  Whatever your individual dreams are or if you’re pursing your lifelong destiny, the overall message conveyed is “if you’re not focused on your destiny, then you’re going to be distracted by desire.”

    AD:  OOH I like that!!!  Well that’s it in a nutshell?

    JFly:  Yes, yes pretty much.  (both of us laughing)  You know it’s the music that serves as the overall attraction to assist with breaking down the walls to allow conversations for this effort to commence.  The events we hold in Atlanta such as our music camp, to our unity concert – everything kind of leads up to the festival.  In turn, the festival ignites people to inquire as to how they can become a part of this movement by either performing or getting their child involved with the “How Big Is Your Dream” incentive.   You know it (festival) permits us to give the kids opportunity to perform on stage, and just to give back.  We often give money to certain high school students that need money to purchase equipment that relates to band.  So we try to function in a role as to where we provide on a monetary side as well as the entertainment side.  It’s really remarkable as to how it’s grown and how it affects so many different cultures, races, and genders as it relates to providing hope and access to artists at the same time.

    AD: I love it!!!  How does that make you feel knowing that you’re the catalyst for such a wonderful incentive?

    JFly:  You know I look at it as a way of helping people achieve their dreams.  Some people do this type of thing with a mindset on projections and such.   Meanwhile, I am like “let me continue to do the day-to-day tasks and get through each day”.  I never really look at it, especially booking my artists.  I’m not like “oh what am I going to do if….”.  I effectively handle issues as they come, because I just like pleasing the fans you know?  It’s still a dream to me, and a lot of times I’m like “man I can’t believe this is all happening.”  Besides, a lot of people see you for who you are – even if you don’t see it for yourself.  People say to me all of the time “Do you realize you have a festival in your name while you’re still living?”  Yes, the whole movement - it’s really interesting when I step back and look at it.  (we both laugh)

    AD:  Man, interesting?  Interesting indeed….but it’s beyond that dear!  This is a blessing if anything – that’s for sure!

    JFly: Yes, yes it is.

    AD:  Like I said earlier I’m extremely proud of you and your efforts and I don’t even know you. 

    Note:  Family, JFly spoke about a number of additional humanitarian and professional projects he has or had participated in; and let me tell you, I wish I had enough room to list them all.  He is definitely one of the most humble individuals I have ever spoken with.  Even with all of the accolades he has received, he still manages not to get sidetracked with his success; and still opts to put his and other communities first – when it comes to giving back.  Talk about a refreshing 1st class act!!

    AD:  Who were your influences both musically and as a humanitarian?

    JFly:  Oh wow.  Well to be honest – let’s put it like this.  I’m the youngest of 8 and I grew up in a pretty stable with my mom, dad and 7 siblings – 7 boys and 1 girl.  We were in a stable home within an unstable community due to the violence and drugs.  So, I would say the older I got, the more I appreciated my home (base).  I never really looked outside my home for mentors or heroes.  The reason I started playing drums because I wanted to imitate my brother.  I was the youngest and I felt well if I do what they do, then they’ll let me hang out with them.   So really to be honest with you, I always looked within the home for role models.  Now what gave me a different perspective within the music industry is when I moved to Atlanta in 1994, and really saw music was really being created.  On the business level, I went on my first tour with Kelly Price and it really opened my eyes.  You see I was in school for electronic technology with only one semester left before graduation; when I received the call to go on the road with her (Kelly Price), Dave Hollister and Glenn Jones.   From there I made the decision to follow my dream and I’ve been doing music ever since. 

    AD:  I so love that.  You followed your passion and although it’s hard work, it may not come across that way to you because you’re doing something you love. 

    JFly: That’s right.

    AD:  Ok so I’ve had the recent privilege of hearing your 1st CD “Hypnotic”.  I’ll be honest it was the first time I heard it; and I must say I am REALLY impressed with it.  If anything I was like “aww there are only 8 songs” I wanted so much more because ALL of the tracks were that good.

    JFly:  (both of us laughing) You know everyone says that; like “man that’s it?”  Yeah I hear you.  You know coincidentally there are only 8 tracks and I’m the 8th child in my family; so it does have some type of symbolism.  It was a feat in itself because I was able to complete my freshman CD myself (& with others).  We finished it within 2 to 3 months.

    AD:  Seriously?!  You were getting it in huh?

    JFly:  Yeah, yeah we were getting it in.  A lot of people don’t know about it because I didn’t do a national push on it.  I just wanted to have the feeling of accomplishment of completing a CD.  There’s a lot of spirituality in that CD.

    AD:  I believe it.  In closing what message do you have for your mentee’s, teens or even youngsters who would like to follow their dreams or even your footsteps?

    JFly:  Well the biggest thing would be don’t let anyone tell you who you are.  Know what you want to be – once you state that then, ask yourself how big is your dream. Everything after that is about action.  God gives us gifts but we all have to work for success. 

    AD:  Wow you really are an amazing artist and person.  I’m so, so glad and honored that I have met you.  I look forward to hearing even more great things about you.

    JFly:  Thank you.   It was my pleasure.

      To learn more about this one in a million artist, his foundation, as well as his upcoming projects, check him out on his web site at http://www.jflymusic.com/index.html

     

    About Music Avery Dey 

    Inspired at a young age, music has always been a driving force in my life.  Having been exposed to many genres and events centered around music, I wanted this series to bring the human aspect of the artist to the music that we love. 

    My passion for the music and desire to introduce new artists and the artists from yesterday, has been my dream for quite some time.

    I am your “Avery Dey” individual who wants to share my musical appetite through my series entitled “Music Avery Dey”.  I believe that music allows us to express emotion without words yet it cannot be silenced.  It’s a powerful instrument that influences us all. 

    You can experience more artist insights on my website AveryDeyEntertainment.com