Jay Simmons

Born on September 6, 1934, Jay Simmons was a veteran of many Southern Gospel groups. He sang bass with The Simmons Brothers (also known as The Friendly Four), The Harvesters, The Prophets, The Plainsmen, The Marksmen, The Sego Brothers and Naomi, and The Expressions. 

True Blue Ridge fans will remember him touring with the boys in 1978, and him singing "Love Grew Where The Blood Fell". 

I never knew how it was that he came to sing with The Blue Ridge, and so I turned to our "expert", Robbie Huber, who explained Jay was going through a rough time, and the BRQ took him on the road to help him out. Knowing their kindness and friendly nature, this fact was confirmed by George Colley who said "This was a good example of their kindness. Jay had been through some tough times .... and the guys told him to get on the bus ..... bring some records to sell ... and he traveled with us for about six months. He was well received and a pretty good bass singer. He was always " Jobie " to us." Timothy Beitzel said "I remember jay giving his testimony of how God had delivered him from alcoholism. The BRQ gave him a window in their programs to talk about it." 

Another fan stated "I have always felt that Jay was one of the greatest bass singers to ever step on stage. I thought he had that "edge" to his voice that you hear in bass singers today. In my opinion, he was way ahead of his time. A truly great singer."

Jay Simmons joined Heaven's Choir on December 9, 2016.