Born of Foghat and working for decades at Disney, Jay-Pea himself tells the story of the 35-song LP that had to be trimmed to a lean 24, and more!
Coyote Music: "Country Side" - tell us a little about the history of Country Side; how it all came about? Is it primarily a solo project, or a full-on band?
Jay-Pea / Country Side: Oh boy. Haha. Country Side is a band made from studio musicians who record demos for country bands in Nashville. Shaun B., one of the singers and electric guitar player started taking requests for songs for birthdays, anniversaries, whatever occasions. I reached out to him with lyrics for two softball theme songs for family and friends. I told them I had two other music projects out with different people in the past and Shaun said send more lyrics and we’ll record them and shop them around. Thirty-five songs later we had an album! I wanted to release an album and came up with the band name. I was told 35 songs won’t fit on a CD so I chose 24. There’s songs left over for a follow up next year.
CM: Okey Dokey is the debut album by the group. What inspired its writing? Can you share a little bit about the title and perhaps a little about your feelings regarding the thumbs up symbol/emoji.
JP / CS: Okey Dokey. Haha. I have worked at Walt Disney World for 37 years and the very first time I used a hand held radio I said over it, “Okey Dokey.” Back then there was a thing called simplex and everyone in Epcot and the Magic Kingdom who had a radio heard me. I should’ve said “10-4.” Anyway, I was called Okey Dokey by some people all this time. I wanted a fun silly country kinda title for this album and thought “Okey Dokey” would be fun and easy to remember. The song is about just having fun, everything is okay. Before I decided on the thumbs up idea I thought of making the okay symbol but was told that could mean something different, something bad. So then I decided on the thumbs up idea. That’s my hand on the cover. I then asked a lot of people for pics of their thumbs up for the back cover. My friend Gary did a great job on putting that together. Also when I take pictures with people I often am making the thumbs up sign. I have no idea why. Guess I’m cool like Fonzie. Haha.
CM: The songs and lyrics are very fun and lighthearted for the most part. Titles like "Shake It Like an Air Dancer" are pretty entertaining. Where do you get that inspiration from?
JP / CS: Good question. My other music projects were almost like a joke. I’m a big Barenaked Ladies fan and my favorite band is Squeeze and they write some clever lyrics so at first I wanted to make a silly light-hearted 90s kinda country album. But then some of the songs became more serious. I was told to try and write serious songs too. So I have a love song, song about my son and some fun songs. I even wrote a song about wanting to be Bon Jovi and a song about an actual dream I had about Linda Ronstadt and Kelly Clarkson fighting over me. Anyway, with the song “Shake It Like An Air Dancer” I thought songs people could dance to are popular and I have been told I dance like an air dancer. One day I saw an air dancer and that song came straight to me that afternoon.
CM: What's the group up to right now? Are efforts concentrated on promoting the record or performing live? Or both?
JP / CS: The group are probably back to their normal jobs. They’re not a live band really but that doesn’t mean they won’t do shows. We don’t know yet. The idea was an album and that’s it… but plans are set for a follow up album I’m writing new songs for plus some that were left over from this year. I plan to have the follow up next spring. Right now I’m trying to promote this album the best I can.
CM: I've gotta ask about "The King of Dad Jokes" specifically. Is that you? Is that a guy we all want to be?
JP / CS: I have been told I’m the king of dad jokes. Haha. I have done stand up for many years and became popular on TikTok doing dad jokes. I had a lot of followers but unfortunately my account got hacked. Having a sense of humor is very important. You can’t be serious all the time.
CM: The album's got 24 tracks. That's massive! It's available on all the major streaming services. Are there plans to send it to press? It'd make one helluva double-album, which would be bold for a 'new' band.
JP / CS: The album is available on CD… I’m selling it for 15 dollars. Right now I’m working on getting a website up but if anybody wants a CD copy they can reach me through TikTok or email me: Jaypea68 [at] gmail.com. I did have an idea for this to be a double CD but the band said no one releases a double CD as their first release, let alone an album of 24 songs. They said it was my dime as I paid for studio time, and packaging and everything out of my own pocket. A single CD it is!
CM: The album was recorded and released through Jay Pea Records. How did that relationship come about and what sorta partnership does Country Side have with Jay Pea?
JP / CS: I’m Jay-Pea Records… I thought I should release the album with the help of CDBaby and put it on a label to make it legit. So I came up with Jay-Pea Records. Maybe in the future I might release other bands through that label. My dad was Lonesome Dave from Foghat and I thought maybe I can release demos he did at home. With Country Side I wrote all the songs and designed the cover with Gary’s help. I couldn’t have done this without Gary, let alone the band. I will say they all had a lot of patience with me.
CM: Country Side is on TikTok and Facebook. Is there more of a social media presence in the works, or will those be the focus for the time being? How has social media helped (or not) get the word out about Okey Dokey?
JP / CS: I’m working on a website or finding someone evil can do it. Right now the best site is the HearNow site through CDBaby which has all the links. Social media has been a big help but I hope to get the CD in record stores and the songs on radio. We’ll see.
CM: With this impressive album released now, what's next for Country Side?
JP / CS: Next up for Country Side is a follow-up album for spring. I even have a name for it already! Haha. Then maybe a third album. I have been writing more songs. The guys say send more songs… so until they say stop I will. I sent Shaun two songs today. They won’t start recording though until February.
CM: Putting the band out there now, what should folks know about Country Side that they can't find on your social profiles?
JP / CS: Folks should know Shaun, Andy and Chris are very talented musicians who have worked with some big names in country and then worked with me. I had a clear focus on what I wanted this album to be like and they did it! On some songs they recorded a few different versions just to get it right.
CM: Can you talk a little bit about your own musical inspiration? What's the genesis that brought these stories to life?
JP / CS: I grew up with the music business in my family. Like I said my dad was Lonesome Dave from Foghat so I’ve always been into music and have written songs for a long time. In fact a few of the songs on Okey Dokey were written years ago. I had a music project over ten years ago with a musician named Dan Nowicki called Strawberry Blondes Forever and a second music project about six years ago with Chris Nelson called Null and Void. I can’t sing but love to write and find talented musicians to bring my music to life.
CM: Just judging by the photo of the booth selling the CD, Country Side is not a group of young whippersnappers. That's very compelling to me. What is it about now that led to this project? I mean, why did this come about in 2025 instead of 2000 or 1990? The timing of groups coming together can be fascinating...
JP / CS: I’m old. Haha. I’m in my fifties. I think Shaun is in his forties, the other two are a bit younger I think. Anyway, through the internet I found Shaun and sent him lyrics for two songs just for family and friends. I think if the album came out in the 90s it’ll be a hit. I love the sound of that era of country music. And it’s fun to write that style. But it just so happens they play country music. It could have easily been a pop band or a rock band I found. Then again being country musicians is a part of what intrigued me with them.
CM: Is there anything you'd like people to know about Country Side, especially for people reading this and learning about Country Side for the very first time.
JP / CS: I say word of mouth is the way to go. If you like the album tell someone! Haha. Country Side will be back next year with more fun music! If anybody wants a physical copy of the album reach out to me! Thanks for this interview. You rock! Great questions!!!