Learning along the Way

When he was 10, Jimi Ray's dad brought home two things that would change his life: a very cheap acoustic guitar and a recording of John Denver’s “Rocky Mountain High.” He would listen to that record and play his guitar until he eventually realized he could sing. He started playing and singing in public, but mostly at church.

In 1987, fresh out of college, Jimi decided to make his love of music his profession and livelihood. Along with a friend he formed an acoustic-rock band that would later be named Age of Faith. They spent many nights in church basements playing for small youth groups.

That was where I met Jimi—in a church fellowship hall when he was playing for our youth group. The band had just signed with the Benson Music Group. Jimi told me about the conversation he had with the Benson executive who had signed them. The question that had sealed the deal was, “How many times have you performed in public?” When Jimi answered, “Well, last year we did over 100 concerts,” the executive could hardly keep from falling over himself.

Most of the bands who sent this executive demo tapes had never performed in front of a live audience. They might sound great in the garage, but the big question was always how they would handle themselves when something went wrong during an actual performance. Guitar strings break. Microphones, speakers, and amplifiers fail. Sometimes you just don’t feel like singing. Would they have the ability make sure “the show goes on?” This executive knew that if Jimi and his friend had done over 100 concerts—and had dozens more already scheduled—they had the experience they needed to succeed.

Through the next 13 years AOF would go through several member changes, but would remain constant as a touring, recording and working band. The band recorded 5 nationally released projects garnering positive revues from critics. They shared the stage with some of the biggest names at the time in Christian music, like Geoff Moore, Newsboys, DC Talk, and Third Day. AOF played nearly 150 concerts a year, in nearly all 50 states and parts of Canada until the band parted ways in late 2000.

That’s when his life derailed dramatically. He has written about his struggles over the next six years in a book due to be released early next year. “There were many days when I wondered if God had turned his back, when in reality I was the one turning. God was there all the time. The amazing love, mercy, and redemption shown to me was unbelievable. I pray others who now walk in the shoes I walked in will realize the same thing.”

What you learn along the way can make all the difference in whether you succeed or fail. May you learn those things that bring life.