Jay McDowell

Contributor

Smilin’ Jay McDowell traded in his guitar to get a standup bass to join a band called BR5-49. They played for tips in the front window of Robert’s Western World. Arista Records signed the band and took them from the small shop to stages all over the world. With one foot in Country and the other in Alternative, BR5-49 toured with The Black Crowes, Bob Dylan, Brian Setzer, John Fogerty, George Jones, Tim McGraw & Faith Hill. A CMA Award for Best International Touring Act, a CMT Award, and three Grammy nominations followed.

After seven years, McDowell stepped away from the band to start a family. With the help of Sony Music, he started a career as a video editor. He worked on a wide variety of projects that mainly were music-related. Music videos, electronic press kits, documentaries, and commercials by artists from Tracy Lawrence to George Jones. Jay created the video content for Popular Music’s Effect on the Integration of America, a class taught at Vanderbilt University. His work on Jason Ringenberg’s educational character, Farmer Jason, led to an EMMY nomination.

In 2007, Jay was hired by The Musicians Hall of Fame to head up the video department. This led to a television show called Backstage hosted by museum founder Joe Chambers. Guests included Emmylou Harris, Don McLean, John Sebastian, and Steve Cropper.

In 2023, Jay was hired by the Country Music Hall of Fame and became part of the Education Department.

McDowell has written forwards for several books and writes a monthly column for Now Dig This Magazine.