We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jeremy Piering. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jeremy below.

Jeremy, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?

I do both! I am the bassist for The Effinays and Loyal Sally but I am also a fire inspector and former firefighter. I have been in the fire service since I was 18 and have balanced music and work for the last 25+ years. I “retired” from firefighting to tour and focus on music full time and was fortunate enough to be able to provide for my family doing what I love for a few years. After a heart attack I decided to go back to work as a fire inspector. I still balance both things as well as a podcast that Joe from The Effinays and I do weekly.

Jeremy, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I got into music when I was pretty young – when I first heard The Beatles; the Help! album, to be specific. That began my love affair with music, Then my dad got me some Hendrix albums as well as some Al Hirt and other Jazz legends. I would attempt to learn the songs on these albums by ear on a dinky cheap acoustic guitar. It never worked but I developed the love of learning my instrument and trying to learn by ear that way. Started gigging live at around 15/16 with a Blues quartet I was in and that even furthered the drive and love to perform.
Also, I still love The Beatles.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I had a heart attack at 38 years old. Widow-maker. Between smoking, not the best diet and gigging 5-6 nights a week with little sleep eventually took me down. (Temporarily). I was playing music full time when that happened.
It was a very humbling experience. Since I was a teenager I felt (arrogantly) invincible. That was the first lesson that I am absolutely not and I needed to take a step back and rest and focus on what’s best for my health and my future. So I went back to work as a fire inspector juggling both music and career. (Just a bit slower than I used to).

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

There is opportunity at every door; don’t be afraid to take the risks to find those opportunities. Go out of your way to find the beauty, positivity and opportunity with your craft and with the people that work on that craft with you. Time is shorter than we realize; take the time to appreciate every silver lining; it pays off. We all (The Effinays) left our careers to focus on music full time and it was tough but extremely self-rewarding to follow your love to that degree. My only regret was not focusing on my health. That heart attack was 8 years ago and I have gotten good bills of heart health since. Music heals and I am a product of exactly that. Onward and upward.
Just, try not to have heart attacks – they really suck.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.theeffincrunchcrew.com
• Instagram: pan_blanco77
• Other: Check out some of our music on all platforms,
  The Effinays
  Loyal Sally
  The Effin Crunch Crew (podcast)

Image Credits

Julian Ayacannoo
Drewlio Photos