When it comes to Jackson Gaines’ musical influences, no single genre or artist stands above the rest.
The classic rock of guitarists such as Jimi Hendrix and Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin, the Southern rock stylings of Lynyrd Skynyrd, the heart and soul of Motown and the groove of funk have all shaped Gaines’ music.
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“I grew up interested just in the electric guitar,” said Gaines, who is in his third year at the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University and will release an EP of songs written during the pandemic July 16. “My songwriting and style have undergone an evolution.”
With all those different influences, Gaines said it’s hard to categorize the style of music he plays. He often tells people to take a listen and decide for themselves.
“I want to blend pop with traditional rock music,” he said.
As a solo artist and songwriter, Gaines typically starts with music before the lyrics.
Playing music and writing songs was important to him in 2020 because live music was a rarity with most things recorded or live-streamed.
Gaines said he likes to write provocative lyrics.
“It’s not the standard ‘I love you; you love me,’ sort of thing,” he said.
Recent songs highlighted on his Facebook page facebook.com/jacksongainesmusic/ include “We All Fall Down,” “Beautiful Disaster” and “I Won’t Quit.”
The Athens, Ga. native is no newcomer to the music scene. He has been part of multiple bands in his life, including a professional stint for several years with Dank Sinatra. The band’s description at its Facebook page calls the group “a sexy rhythmic Southern funk band” that was started in Athens in 2010.
He’s also played with a band called Soul Roll Patrol featuring members of Funk You, and he plays in a band with other medical students called Failure to Thrive.
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Medical school takes top priority, though, but his music is always there when his commitments are done.
“I’m just trying to keep the music going,” he said.
Gaines’ EP will be available at Spotify and all major platforms.
Charmain Z. Brackett is the Features Editor for The Augusta Press. Reach her at charmain@theaugustapress.com.
