Jay "Biddy" Basiner: Songwriter, frontman, vocals, guitars, piano, harmonica
Aside from playing solo, Jay provides session bands with top-tier professional musicians for all functions, weddings, parties, concerts, club shows and more.
Influences
Here's the short list:
Bruce Springsteen, Roy Orbison, Wilco, James Brown, Modest Mouse, The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Al Green, The Beatles, Ryan Adams, The White Stripes, Johnny Cash, Tom Petty, Bob Marley, Elvis Presley and Costello, Arcade Fire, Stevie Wonder, Dire Straits, Traveling Wilburys, Josh Ritter, Pearl Jam, Crosby Stills Nash and Young.
Sounds Like
A steam engine gaining speed and hugging the rails -- and the conductor's pumping Chuck Berry.
I was raised on a tradition of singing timeless American songs. My grandfather was a conductor on the railroad and would pass away the countless hours spent in the train engine by singing songs that made sense to him – western songs and hobo songs; vaudeville songs and train songs.
Likewise, my grandfather’s time at home was equally filled with music, teaching my father the songs that kept his spirits high on the endless days and nights on the railroad. Family gatherings would always turn into sing-a-longs after dinner, with the guitars coming out, the libation plentiful and the good times bountiful.
It’s no surprise that music became so vital to my existence. When I made the plunge to a career in music, I started out trying to replicate those countless nights singing songs that are imbedded into the fabric of American history and tradition. I quickly discovered how uniquely exciting this kind of show could be and that my natural inclination to engage audiences was, for whatever reason, somewhat of a dying breed.
I consider myself first and foremost a songwriter and the genre to which I write being, fundamentally, rock & roll. Because of my upbringing, I rely heavily on the songsmith tools instilled in me since birth and I often call upon images of Americana, both past and present. As my personal songwriting craft with my original band This Way is constantly evolving and maturing, I work hard to tackle lyrical subjects that are both personally revealing and mutually relatable. If you would like check out This Way and our full-length and critically acclaimed album “We Could All Make History”, visit myspace.com/thiswayband for more information.
Folks who have seen me perform will often hire or recommend me and my band for various functions, weddings and parties, which has been a very successful venture. What sets me and my band of top-notch professional musicians apart in this realm is my personal commitment to customizing a function like a wedding reception to perfectly fit the preferences of the bride and groom. Because I know well over 600 songs, I am able to tailor the music to ensure everyone will have a good time and know they will hear the songs that they love most, no matter what their age or musical preferences.
To inquire about booking me for your function, please email me at thiswaymusic@gmail.com.
Please feel free to help us copy and paste the STOLEN BASSES flyer into a bulletin, to get the word out that these are hot and pressure the culprit to turn them over.
Hey buddy. Love the new band name. The album better be online, I can't wait to hear it. Maybe someday you can do a coast to coast tour. I might be able to help with somr san diego gigs.
Then maybe go with something a little more obscure--a subtle ref. to the Founding Fathers. Did you ever hear/meet the guys from Maybe Utah? (A Portland band but they've disbanded now)
Thanks for coming aboard and sharing space... GREAT Tunes! Love your Style! If you're ever interested in working with me in the New Country field let me know! Love to work with you!
Hey - How's my little brother? Wanted to get up to Portland this summer but I turn around all the sudden...summer's over - crazy!! I know it's going to snow there anyday now - LOL - miss you