About This:
Singer/songwriter Jay Alan Kiel. Kiel has had a faster than normal start in the music profession. His song, “Smiling Faces”, about a soldier missing his family and wanting to stay home but doing what is right for his country went to #29 on the New Music Weekly Spin Tracking System. A strong Christian, Kiel’s first Album, “Show Me A Sign”, is a rich blend of genres. The album opens with lush religious ballads full of honest, smooth, simple lyrics and wraps up with more adult contemporary sounds focused on the bonds between a parent and child. “I wrote every song on the “Show Me A Sign” project but was humbled to see there is so much more that goes on in making an album than just writing, so much more… talent and experience,” says Kiel, who began writing again in 2005. Growing up in Columbus, Indiana, Kiel began writing love ballads and country songs in high school and was influenced by Kenny Rogers, Alan Jackson, America and Simon & Garfunkel…but with new responsibilities (college, marriage, new job and kids) Kiel shoved his writing career into a shoe box for 25 years. In December 2005 Kiel began writing again. “A lot of things were going on in my life…overwhelming things” Kiel says. “I got to the point where I just dropped to my knees, looked up, and asked God to show me a sign. I felt Him telling me to just write down how I felt and as I did there seem to always be a melody in my head.” Kiel works during the day at a local bakery and writes at home late into the night. Many nights there is a pile of crumpled papers on the floor as Kiel strives for perfection. Kiel is committed to writing songs that touch people's hearts. He loves music and loves writing. Through his songs he hopes to draw people closer to Jesus and also to each other. Kiel has now finished a new country album titled "Hold On For The Ride". The CD has 11 songs all written by Kiel about family, friends, heartbreak, memories, and love.