Saturday, June 1, 2013

JAG




John Allen Garies, Jr. was a Christian singer-songwriter active in the early 90's with his band JAG, who took their name from his initials.  JAG's style was 80's Pop Rock very similar to Whiteheart.  Hardly surprising, as all three JAG albums were produced by Whiteheart guitarist Billy Smiley, featured songs that were written or co written by Smiley and Whiteheart keyboardist Mark Gersmehl, (especially the debut, The Longest Road,) and, as studio musicians on most of the tracks, Smiley, Gersmehl, and other Whiteheart alumni Ric Florian, Gordon Kennedy, Dann Huff, Chris McHugh, Anthony Sallee and Tommy Sims.

What really stands out on these albums is Garies heartfelt vocals.  "Smile Minded," "Father Forever" and a very different version of Whiteheart's "Even The Hardest Heart," all from the debut, are heart breaking and comforting at the same time.  Mostly quite mellow stuff, when the band did veer into hard rock territory, Garies was capable of pulling that off as well.

John Garies passed away in 2007 due to complications of Liver disease.  He was 55 years old.





Obituary:  http://www.sterlingwhite.com/obituaries/John-GariesJr-22455/

1 comment:

  1. So sorry to hear about John...
    Good people pass away;the godly often die before their time.
    But no one seems to care or wonder why.No one seems to understand
    that God is protecting them from the evil to come. For those who follow godly paths will rest in peace when they die. Isa 57;1-2 NLT

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