Jay Lee Ramsey
At the young age of 12, Jay took money he had earned from mowing yards and birthday money from his father, Charlie, to buy his first guitar. With his new sunburst Fender Squier electric guitar, Jay began teaching himself how to play. It wasn't long before he was shredding the riffs of Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page to eventually writing his own music.
Playing lead guitar in his first band, Wylee Reece, Jay joined his uncle and cousin in writing and producing their first, self-titled album.
In late 2018, Jay joined his longtime friend, Vincent Z. Whaley, in writing some new songs. Thus, Wandering Loyalty was born. Jay and Vincent wrote 10 songs together for the band's debut album titled Hope & Fire. Jay recorded, mixed and produced the entire album in his home studio.
In his spare time when not writing new music for Wandering Loyalty, Jay performs with friends and family in another band, Gigs of Ram.
Vincent Z. Whaley
Vincent began learning guitar at the young age of 13 after watching in awe at his Uncle Richard Hughes play and sing countless rock and roll songs. Having learned guitar on a Palmer Growler, Vincent brought back a Sunburst Epiphone Les Paul from Europe in 1995. Although he owns more guitars than he can count, Vincent still plays this same Les Paul and considers it one of the best axes in his arsenal.
Although he works as a software application developer, Vincent's main passion is writing, including the majority of the lyrics for Wandering Loyalty's debut album, Hope & Fire.
Having played music with the majority of every musician listed on this page for many years, Vincent deems the writing and creation of Wandering Loyalty's debut album as one of the most rewarding experiences of his musical journey.
When not browsing for the next piece of treasure to add to his massive Star Wars collection, Vincent enjoys spending his leisure time with his fiance, Lori, and his 16-year-old son, Jacob.
John Skinner
At age 13 while living in Charleston, West Virginia, John Skinner received his first bass guitar, a Memphis bass axe he used in the formation of the band Striker with friends. At age 19, John moved to Los Angeles with his band Striker. Having played such legendary joints as The Whisky A Go Go, The Roxy, Gazzari's and The Troubador, John lived the early 90s rock and roll dream on the California Sunset Strip.
John was also a guitar tech for the band BONEBONY, which toured with legends Bob Seger and Steve Perry. John even helped tune Chuck Berry's guitar once. Earning an Associate’s Degree in Recording Engineering from Full Sail University in Orlando, Florida, John also played bass guitar in the band Crawdad.
Having written and recorded two albums with Nashville-based Living Room Theory, John graciously wrote and recorded bass guitar tracks for Wandering Loyalty's debut album Hope & Fire at the request of his longtime friend, Vincent Z. Whaley.
Jason Gross
Hailing from the Chicago area, Jason Gross grew up on a steady diet of heavy metal, grunge and punk music, in addition to loving reggae. Having played guitar and "yelled vocals" for many bands, Jason also learned to play bass guitar, mandolin, ukelele and drums.
Some bands that Jason is proud to have played in include Lurchbox, Misanthrope, KZN, Olympus Cheesecake With Tits, Distorted Truth, Further From The Truth and The Lie.
Currently living in Erwin, Tennessee, Jason joined Wandering Loyalty after an introduction from Richard Hughes and our brother band, Gigs of Ram. Jason contributed percussion to every song on Hope & Fire except for "How Many Ways," in which Jay Ramsey's uncle, John Foster, performed. Jason also contributed some guitar tracks to "Along The Nashville Mile."
"Recording this album was a lot of fun and an amazing experience," Jason said. "I can't wait to make more music with you guys and gals."
Christine Hollifield Hughes
Finding a harmonica in a railroad work bag around age 10, Christine was taught her first song by her father, Paul Kenneth Hollifield. From coal mines of her ancestors to the foothills of the Appalachian trails, Christine lived in a community rich in music. Never taking formal lessons, she learned by watching and listening to friends while they played during molasses boiling and working in tobacco.
From acoustic guitars and bass guitars to banjos and harmonicas, Christine can play any instrument you hand her, in addition to singing sultry vocals comparable to Stevie Nicks from Fleetwood Mac. Christine regularly joins Jay Ramsey and Jason Gross playing music in Gigs of Ram with Vincent's legendary rock and roll uncle, Richard Hughes, and the Evil Genius, Mr. Frankie Ramsey.
"I am over the moon to be included in Wandering Loyalty," Christine said. "The hard work and dedication that has gone into this project is the highlight of my career. Vincent and Jay have worked tirelessly to complete this wonderful structure of timeless musical temptations that will touch your soul."
Shannon Frazier
Having received guitar lessons from the same instructor who taught country music artist Kenny Chesney, Shannon B. Frazier has focused more of her career in performing arts and vocals. During her stint performing musical productions at the Jonesborough (Tennessee) Repertory Theater, she broadened her vocal stylings to include blues and jazz from the 1940s.
Currently living in the Blue Ridge Mountain area of Western North Carolina, Shannon traveled back to Northeast Tennessee to add lyrics and vocals to Hope & Fire at the request of her longtime friend, Vincent Z. Whaley. Shannon wrote the ending lyrics to "Still Unbroken" and "Hope & Fire," in addition to singing on both songs.
"Vincent trusted me to vocally add something unique to the album and I hope that I delivered," Shannon said. "I met Jay Ramsey for the first time in person on recording day and was able to instantly connect to his encouraging demeanor. This collaboration was a blast and I hope that others enjoy the album as much as we have enjoyed creating it."