Happy birthday, first album
my album is out now 🥲
Dear Dove,
Today I give birth to my debut album, In The Key of Love.
I am thinking of all of the love that has brought me to this moment. I am thinking of my mother and father, who art in Missouri, who made me believe that my dreams were worth believing in, and when I doubted, were the faith that helped me fly.
I am thinking of every single one of you, the doves, the ones who have shared your precious time and energy, to listen to my songs, to hear my stories, to celebrate with me at concerts, to support this dream that lives in my heart.
I am thinking of all those behind the scenes, Justin Tranter and my label, Facet House, Warner Records for giving me complete and total autonomy over my vision. I am thinking of Mike Sabath, for helping me to pull these songs out of the sky and onto the earth, to give the songs in the key of love to the world.
And finally I am thinking of that little light that’s always been in the center of my chest, even when I was a little kid, dancing in the living room, painting on the kitchen table. It’s that same little light that shines through this album, that is brighter than any darkness, any shame, and fear.
I pray this album can be there for you now, in the way that it has been there for me. It’s a journey, not one you take outwardly, but inwardly. If you have 36 minutes to spare, I recommend hitting play and lying down, or going on a walk, or a scenic drive. Letting the songs lead you to wherever you need to go. Letting the songs lead you to more and more…LOVE!
I love you. I believe in you. Always,
Jake
I am now on my third listen from beginning to end. First I must add that I rarely download any entire albums- I pick and choose the songs I like. But after the Zoom calls, I took your suggestion and listened beginning to end. The timing of this is perfect for me. Listening to your journey, knowing that I have been on one of my own. And after a year or more, I am finally coming out of the darkness. Thank you for sharing your light! Jake, you are such a gift to your fans- and the world. Your last Zoom was better than any therapy session, LOL. Congrats to you and I look forward to your album tour. I love the small venues you play but know that one day you will be in huge arenas sharing your gift.
I spent the early pre-dawn hours the morning listening to the album, note to note, grip to grip, key to key, heartbeat to heartbeat. From the guttural to the graceful, this is a masterpiece. I heard it, and the birds of the dawn in Dana Point heard it too. Now, to take it to the swallows of Capistrano. There's a new mission unveiling in the healing.
I will be doing a second play as I drive up the Pacific Coast Highway to pick up my husband at SNA this morning. There will be beach walks with this album this weekend. Toes in the sand, tears in our eyes and hope in our hearts. Church doors never stay locked. Gift shops always have forgotten stories of forgiveness. Cheers to your parents, your producers, your patron saints of serendipity and your persistent spirit of purposeful path-making.
Turn at C, To See. - Best, Bill