JayP
Jacob Ploch, born in Newark, NJ and raised in Caldwell, NJ, served in the Army for 5 years before an injury forced him to take a different path which led him to consider taking his music career a lot more seriously.
Jacob known as the Artist ‘JayP‘, started playing Stand-up Bass at the age of 8. Music had always been a part of his life and he wanted to help people not feel as alone as he did growing up. Even though he never believed his music career would ever flourish as much as it has, he was persistent, and just as all the endeavors he set forth in his life, music was no exception.
His dedication helped him succeed. ‘I started playing my second instrument, the guitar, when I was 11. From that point I knew that would be the instrument I mainly pursued. ‘JayP started playing the guitar, his second instrument, when he was 11.
From that point he knew that this instrument would be his soulmate. As years went on, he added the piano and the drums to his skillset. He soon realized music was his real passion. While loving music but never expecting this industry to serve as his actual job, he joined the Army at the age of 20 as a Combat Medic.
JayP was deployed in 2018 to Afghanistan serving as a 10th Mountain Soldier. Upon release from that mission, he quickly returned to his first love and booked live shows. No sooner did the pandemic hit, it put a halt to his dream of playing in front of live audiences and his Country needed him for yet another important mission.
July 2021 was a turning point in JayP’s career. During an outing with friends at Spokes Restaurant in Watertown, NY, he sang “Wagon Wheel” to a guitarist that accompanied him and had interest in starting a band; however this musician didn’t know this song. Half way through the song, the owner asked who was singing.
After it was revealed that JayP was the anonymous singer, she asked him to finish singing it and he was offered a slot the next day. There was no turning this down, however the military had more financial security and his service continued to be divided between love and duty.
In May 2022, JayP medically retired due to a lower back injury. When he realized that a chapter in his life came to a close, he decided it was time to live his authentic self and use this opportunity to pursue his dream of changing people’s lives through his music. “I went all in. Since then I’ve been able to make enough to pay the bills… but the best part has been the people…, the kids that have big smiles on their faces when I play their favorite song, and seeing the people dance and forgetting about their troubles during my sets.”
JayP remains humble in his work and continues to desire experiencing those beautiful and meaningful life changing moments. He is also a member of motorcycle club where their focus is to be in service to others. “At the end of the day musicians are in charge of prescribing audible medicine for the mind that will make people feel happiness, sadness, anger, tranquility, bravery, fear, or motivation. It’s up to us to put the people first because we have the opportunity to create the catalyst for beautiful moments and memories.”
‘Yesterday was a blast at the (Labour Day Wknd) fair with the kids and family. Watched Jay Ploch play and the kids rode a ton of rides’.
Monique M. (Fan and a Mom), September 2022.
JayP is now retired but continues to serve current and prior service members through his passion. His favorite places to perform are at VFWs (Veterans of Foreign Wars) and American Legions. He also participated in 2022 as a Guest Artist at…
- the Brew York Festival in Sackets Harbour, NY
- Osprey Public House, Clayton, NY
- New York State Fair (West End II Entertainment) – Opening for Sydney Irving and the Mojo
- Turning Stone Resort Casino, Verona, NY
- Tug Hill Estate Vineyards, Lowville, NY
- Better Festival, Redwood, NY
His songs More to Love (released in July 2022), Cold Reality, Heart of an Outlaw and Ride into the Sun (2022) are making waves across all platforms. His Americana/Rock style, raspy vocals, meaningful lyrics and smooth harmonies have landed JayP a Verified Artist status on Spotify.
JayP signed with BigRecords.world out of Vancouver, British Columbia in Canada in August (2022). He is managed by Brian Fagan at Grace Musicians Group. JayP is also available on DISTROKID.