Life-affirming music- songs and musicians with the power to lift souls into the heavens. They always manage to arrive when we need it most. Call these mini sermons of healing delivered by prophets with microphones, guitars, basses, drums, and keyboards. They are sonic balms that energize just as they soothe.
The Nashville-based Jason Lee McKinney Band offers up 16 of those spiritual infusions on One Last Thing, the group’s 11th studio album and its first to embrace a gospel vibe that seamlessly matches the band’s soulful stew of rock, R&B, folk, blues and country. One Last Thing, set for release March 18th 2022 on Bonfire Records, takes lyrical inspiration from scripture and musical cues from the band’s previous 10 releases.
“One Last Thing brings out an overtone that has always been an undertone in our music in that it is drenched in gospel,” says McKinney, who self-penned all 16 songs on the record. “On this album, we brought both the musical style and the message of the gospel to the foreground. That vibe was always part of our foundation, but now it’s front and center. It really didn’t happen through some master plan, but rather organically. Between the political climate, the pandemic, and the general nihilistic dissent of community, we found ourselves drawn to hope. Gospel music and the message it represents resonate that feeling.”
McKinney, who handles lead and background vocals, electric and acoustic guitars on One Last Thing is joined by band mates Barry Strauser on piano, organ, keyboards, and background vocals; Billy Wright on bass; Sam Berce on electric and acoustic guitars; and Logan Todd on drums and percussion. The record also features an array of guest musicians – Simon Alexander, Sebastian Falvo, Shannon Wickline, and Jules Belmont.
“This song has some serious classic rock vibes mixed with straight up Gospel. There is a clear tip of the hat to Joe Cocker’s Space Captain for sure mixed with some early Black Crowes as well. Lyrically the song dances with Psalm 82:3, ‘Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed.’ Thematically the song centers on the worth of every human as a person. Regardless of the persons financial, geographical or cultural station in life; whether they are other abled, elderly or in the womb their worth cannot be calculated or defined as any less than another persons. Those of us with the power to stand up for those who are oppressed, trafficked, killed, subjugated, forgotten, discarded, given up on, or loaned out have a responsibility to do so. Like Dr. Seuss said in Horton Hears A Who, ‘A person is a person no matter how small.’ Also, I am aware that Infiniteness is not used grammatically correct in the song, but if Steve Miller can get away with making up the word pompitice then I figure I can use Infiniteness the way I did.”
No gospel leaning album worth its weight in holy water would be complete without a roomful of rejuvenating voices. One Last Thingincludes vocals from McKinney’s family – daughter Zakyra, sons Zeke and Zion, and daughter-in-law Julianna. Also, a beautifully jubilant choir accentuate the powerful “Freedom.”
Other key tracks on One Last Thing include the R&B-soaked “Sing On;” the rhythmic roots number “Cross Over;” the lovely ballad “Lighthouse;” and the irresistible gospel rave-up “Voice for the Voiceless.” That clean, hearty, and passionate sound that permeates the entire disc comes from sterling production and engineering. For that we thank producer McKinney, who also pulled double-duty as part-time engineer, as well as engineers Justin Patton, Natalie Nabors, Cale Griffin, and Kevin Houston, who produced and engineered the band’s 2020 opus, Pieces, and served as mix engineer for 2021’s Intentions and Interpretations.
The award-winning singer, songwriter, and musician McKinney has spent more than a decade cementing a name for himself and his band in the competitive world of modern-day roots music. He’s a tireless artist, a man who earned a Doctorate, MBA, and BA in Management and spent time as a college music professor. McKinney even has a philosophy book coming out in the spring. McKinney and company made it a point to not coast during the upheaval of the pandemic, instead choosing to stay creative to keep the soul alive.
Catch up with the Jason Lee McKinney Band on social media: Like their Facebook page, follow their Instagram account, and subscribe to their YouTube channel. Also, check out the group’s website for more insight on these triumphant troubadours.
