We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jevyn Lester a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Jevyn, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

I began playing in an acoustic duo with a kid I knew – he sang and I played guitar. This was just before Covid. He and I would play bars and private parties all around Oklahoma. I was just 16 years old when I knew without a shadow of a doubt I wanted to pursue music as a career.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I got into music as soon as I could. I was 3 years old when I got my first drum kit. My father plays in a band called ‘The Great Divide’, so music has always been a big part of my life. I have been studying guitar and music theory since I was 12 years old. I do a lot of work filling in for bands that need a last minute guitar player for a variety of reasons. I also do studio work and teach guitar lessons. I believe what sets me apart from other players and teachers is my method of thinking. Many guitar players minds don’t go further than the fretboard. Not all, but many. The guitar is just a median to make music. I am a musician, not just a guitar player.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I spoke earlier about a friend of mine I used to play music with. He and I played together for about a year or so – maybe longer. It was my first experience collaborating with another musician long-term. He ended up gaining a lot of personal success and very quickly stopped talking to me or bringing me with him to gigs. That is the nature of show business; but at the time, it was very hurtful and confusing to me as a young musician. It made me feel unsure of myself in every way. It felt like a break up. I wasn’t sure if music was for me after that, and it took a lot for me to keep pushing forward despite my anxiety and self doubt. I have since then developed a greater sense of direction and autonomy as a musician. There will always be hills and valleys as an artist, but you always learn more during the climb then you do from the view. I’m grateful for every lesson learned.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

I wish more places hosted live musicians. Not only live music, but open mic nights, songwriter circles, song swaps, even art displays depending on the joint. Building a place or hosting a place for artists, musicians, and consumers/audiences to feel community.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: jevynslittleguitars

Image Credits

Ethan Franklin
Insta: opacityskymedia