Today we’d like to introduce you to Scott Slay.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I started out playing bluegrass music with my dad at age 6 in Pensacola, FL. I joined his band when I was 8. I’ve been in various bluegrass, and a few rock bands since then. I studied Jazz performance in college at the University of West Florida in my hometown. My first professional music experience was touring with the Americana band Big Virginia Sky from 2015-2017. Our self-titled album Big Virginia Sky can be found anywhere you stream music.
I also started a solo project called Scott Slay and the Rail back in 2017. I released a solo album entitled The Rail and released under the artist name Scott Slay.
Currently, I am a member of the Denver-based band SLAY. This band has original music and new music that we are currently writing and recording for a 2023 release. Our next show will be on March 23rd at New Terrain Brewing in Golden, CO. We have bluegrass instruments and percussion for some of our music. This band gets me excited to continue making music.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I have moved a lot from FL to VA to DC to CO. This has allowed me to collaborate and make music with lots of different musicians, but has made it tough to have an actual cohesive band. I’ve been in Denver for 6 years now.
I’ve known my Mandolin player Pete Weber and bassist Evan Gohring for all 6 years and we’ve become great friends.
I think friendship shows in our music performance. The rest of the cast are amazing musicians as well and we work well together and are having a great time creating new music.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I compose original music and arrange existing traditional music to have a new sound.
I’m a former Pine Castle Records recording artist, but I’ve decided to pursue the indie route for the past 4 years. You can find me hosting Denver’s advanced bluegrass jam Whiskey Pick at Tighe Brothers Distillery every Wednesday 6:30-8:30 pm.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
I see the local bluegrass, Jamgrass, and new grass community of CO, and especially Denver becoming the new hub for bluegrass-related artists, venues, festivals, and music creation.
Planet Bluegrass is based in Lyons nearby and I’m meeting in person and discovering new bluegrass-related artists every week in Denver. Many bluegrass music tourists are attending the jam I host each week at Tighe Brothers Distillery and telling me “wow there are more bluegrass jams here in one week than in my residence in a total month!”
Contact Info:
- Website: www.denverbluegrass.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/slay_the_band?igshid=MjkzY2Y1YTY=
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ScottSlayandTheRail?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/T9LRJtBUg6s
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/track/1WGIhTrsdUGP75GJbMW30G?si=iR_VCPQCTkSf675U-Mrk9A
Image Credits
Susannah Thompson, ULLRGRASS 2023, and New Terrain Brewing
