Reader Spotlight: Jay Dwyer

Jay Dwyer

Meet Jay Dwyer, a bassist from the Chicago area who has a very cool gig: paying tribute to John Entwistle and playing his amazing bass lines in a Who tribute band.

Jay is No Treble’s reader in the spotlight for the week of May 19, 2014.

Bio:

I am 55 and I started playing at age 7. I’ve actively gigged for the most of 41 years, except for two years after a broken finger… I had sold my gear because I was sure I would never get back to my prior level, then woke up and came to my senses one Saturday morning and went right to the nearest Guitar Center. I am pretty well known around Chicagoland and can honestly say that the feel of a responsive crowd – and knowing I have put my all into the night’s show – make it all worthwhile and it is the most fulfilling feeling I could hope to experience.

Location:

Norridge, Illinois

Day gig:

I spend 50-60 hours a week driving a delivery van – AWESOME (not!)

Years experience:

Approximately 46 years

Bands & Gigs:

I am happy to be in one of the best gigs I could want – playing bass in a Who tribute band.

Every night I get to pay tribute to the guy who helped make me what I am…

Gear:

  • Spector Custom Legend
  • Customized Fender Antigua Jazz
  • Michael Kelly Fretless acoustic
  • Carvin 1200 Head
  • Trace Elliot & Ashdown 4×10’s
  • Aphex Aural Exciter
  • Only one pedal – an MXR bass chorus deluxe
  • Hipshots on all my basses
  • Blue Steel Custom light strings on electrice
  • La Bella white nylon on the fretless acoustic

Why I play the bass:

I knew I had to play bass the first time I really paid attention to a Who record – My Generation

My bass superpower/claim to fame:

I’ve done lots of cool stuff in my time, met and jammed with many famous names, but my superpower is that one time each night when someone in the crowd comes up to me and says, “I really enjoyed watching you play tonight”. That makes me feel like a king.

My influences:

Besides The Ox: Geezer Butler, Mars Cowling (Pat Travers), Gary Thain (Uriah Heep), Geddy Lee

More on the web:

Who’s Next Chicago Facebook page

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  1. Jay is an awesome bass player.