LOCAL TALENT

PEOPLE

Destined to shine

A local country singer proves you’re never too old to launch a musical career. too old to launch a musical career.

STORY AND PHOTO: CINDY PETERSON

all it fate or God-given providence, but music found its way into local country singer J Alan Six’s life in the most unexpected way. Although he grew up singing southern gospel music in church, J Alan never considered himself a singer nor never dreamed at 50 years old would he have a music career.

“I never had time to dream big,” J Alan says. “I got married at 18, had my rst child at 19 and was in the jewelry business. My wife and I had a family of seven boys to take care of and you worked hard to provide. I love my wife of 32 years and my family, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”

But in 2017, J Alan’s world changed when he stepped onto a stage for the Dollars for Scholars fundraiser event at The Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center in The Villages.

“They were holding an event, and someone got wind that I could carry a tune so they asked if I would sing,” J Alan says. “Next thing I knew, I was invited to perform at the Orange Blossom Opry.”

J Alan’s music career took o , becoming a feature performer every Friday night at the Opry. He then took his classic country music to local restaurants and events. His very rst gig was at Mojo’s Grill in Belleview.

“It was the rst time I made providence, but music a dollar from singing,” J Alan found its way into local says. “Since then, I’ve opened for country singer J Alan Six’s Confederate Railroad, Gene Watson life in the most unexpected and Janie Fricke.” way. Although he grew In 2019, he went to Nashville and up singing southern gospel recorded his rst album, “Bringing music in church, J Alan the Cowboy Hat Back to Country never considered himself a Music,” which featured Kenny singer nor never dreamed at Chesney’s guitarist John Connelly 50 years old would he have a and Grammy-winning songwriter music career. Bernie Nelson.

“I never had time to dream big,” J During the pandemic, J Alan got Alan says. “I got married at 18, had my another boost when the entire world rst child at 19 and was in the jewelry went online. business. My wife and I had a family “2020 was the year that everyone of seven boys to take care of and you began singing on Facebook, whether worked hard to provide. I love my they could sing or not,” J Alan says. wife of 32 years and my family, and I “I grew up with a radio show where wouldn’t trade it for anything.” they would play a song and tell the

But in 2017, J Alan’s world changed background of that song. So, I started when he stepped onto a stage for the ‘Saturday Morning Memories’ where Dollars for Scholars fundraiser event I would sing a song and tell the at The Sharon L. Morse Performing background of it. I met people from all Arts Center in The Villages. over the world including Nova Scotia

“They were holding an event, and and Canada. My music was really someone got wind that I could carry opened up to a whole new audience.” a tune so they asked if I would sing,” Today, he’s a home inspector by J Alan says. “Next thing I knew, I day and performer by night. A full list was invited to perform at the Orange of his upcoming appearances can be Blossom Opry.” found at Jalansix.com.

J Alan’s music career took o , “For me, it’s all about the crowd,” J becoming a feature performer every Alan says. “I take a personal interest Friday night at the Opry. He then in everyone that is there, and I love took his classic country music to local to watch responses as people sing restaurants and events. His very rst along. The emotional is the beauty gig was at Mojo’s Grill in Belleview. part of it.”

Do you know of a talented person in our community? Email their story to editorial@akersmediagroup.com