We recently connected with Malachi Jaggers and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Malachi thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

The most meaningful project that I’ve worked on is my “Fearless” CD project. Leading up to this project (around 2018), my wife and I had been dealing with some very difficult challenges.
In the Fall of 2018, my wife and I took a trip out west to get away. We camped in a van all over the west. Encountered some incredible sights and met people from all over the world.

We saw big skies, wildlife, and vast expanses of land. We went to the Grand Canyon and Monument Valley where we heard several different languages being spoken by the people around us. It was amazing.
I took all these experiences back home with me. It seems that sometimes everything happening in life and the things you see and people you meet all sit together in your mind and after a while something forms and you have a song. I can’t explain how it all happens. It just pours out. Late winter/early spring some lines and ideas just started and I went to Nashville to do some pre-production work with my Producer, Matt Coles. Everything just came together. Before 2019 started my wife said “I don’t do resolutions. I just want to focus on the word “Fearless””. And during pre-production, my producer told me that I should do one cover song. We all came up with ideas. Finally he said “You should cover Pink Floyd’s “Fearless””. My wife and I laughed and said “That’s the one!” We had been up against a lot and it all felt right. This project is all about what my wife and I faced, our journey through sickness and loss, and finding a new path and direction in life.

Another thing that made this a meaningful project to me was the musicians that took part in recording the songs. Here’s the crew who were a part of the project: Matt Coles – Producer, Engineer, Mixing Engineer, Background Vocals (Eagles, Colin Hay, A.J. Croce, The Brother Brothers, Josh Turner) Chad Cromwell – Drums (Kenny Chesney, Bob Seger, Josh Turner, Dave Stewart, Beach Boys), Tom Bukovac – Electric and Acoustic Guitar (Morgan Wallen, Ann Wilson, Kenny Chesney, Vince Gill), Dan Dugmore – Electric Guitar and Pedal Steel (Linda Ronstadt, Tim McGraw, Reba McEntire, Brooks and Dunn, Stevie Nicks, Carrie Underwood) Steve Mackey – Bass Guitar (Peter Frampton, Dolly Parton, Joe Bonamassa, Garth Brooks), Windy Wagner – Background Vocals (Britney Spears, Ringo Starr, Rick Springfield, Kelly Clarkson), and Jimmy Wallace – Piano and Hammond B3 (Joe Walsh, Wallflowers, Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band, Jewel) Lowell Reynolds – Assistant Engineer ( Shania Twain, Buddy Guy, Taylor Swift, Morgan Wallen)

The project was recorded at Blackbird Studio in Nashville, TN.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I’m from Delphi, Indiana. I married my wife Leah in 2004. We’re high school sweethearts. She’s supportive of me and wears many hats in our music business. We travel together, she helps me set up and tear down equipment, does a lot of PR work, runs sound, is a videographer, manages the merch table, and we’re songwriting partners. Many things inspire my songs – people, family histories, life, and nature. I want to make music because I want to make people feel good.

My dad gave me a vast musical education: big band, jazz, blues, and classic rock. He’d invite friends over to jam with us, and converted our 8×10 shed into a mini recording studio. Dad gave me my first guitar—a Sears Silvertone.” which I learned to play by ear at age seven.

When I was seventeen, there was a scholarship opportunity in the nearby town of Lafayette, Indiana. The scholarship required that an original song needed to be submitted and they had prizes you could win. I didn’t win but the founder of the scholarship, Scott Greeson, took interest in me because of the production of my demo. We had the chance to meet and became friends along with his late wife, Janet. They were mentors early on. Scott taught me a lot about writing songs. We co-wrote several songs together and that relationship continues to this day. He had some industry connections and introduced me to folks he knew. Through those connections, I met my producer Matt Coles in Nashville.

I’ve stayed very determined to make this business work and believed that it could. It takes passion, consistency, hard work, and dedication.

I keep honing my craft as a multi-instrumentalist and songwriter. I’m a vocalist, guitarist, pianist, bassist, drummer, and harmonica player. I enjoy experimenting with new sounds and developing my live performances. My performances include a wide variety of cover music from the 50’s thru today mixed with original Americana/ Heartland Rock songs. I enjoy interacting with my audiences.

I think the problem I solve for my audience and what sets me apart from other artists is that I make my show about the audience. It’s an experience. It helps them to forget about their problems and worries and that’s the goal! I’d say I’m most proud of the music I’ve written and recorded and my brand The Jaggers Train.

The main thing I want my current fans/followers and potential followers/ fans to know is that we’re riding this train together. That my music is for them. My stories are for them. That I’ve gone through hard times too and have seen the light at the end of the tunnel. Sometimes it feels as though you’ll never emerge from that wilderness. But you do. And beautiful things can come out of the struggle.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding thing as an artist, singer, and songwriter, is when you play a song you’ve written at a live concert and someone tells how much that song meant to them. An older gentleman approached me in tears the other day when he heard my song “An American Hero”. He, as a World War II Veteran, said, “the song’s lyrics meant so much to him”. At a recent show, I played an original song called, “December.” A married couple said they were claiming that song as “their song” because it’s the month they were married. I performed my original “What are You Waiting for?” At an event last year. A man shouted out “Did you write that?” I said “Yes, in fact, I did.” The audience erupted in applause. It feels good to know that the songs I am writing are relatable to others and moves them.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

The driving force behind this creative journey is to give people something special, original, thought provoking, relatable, and encouraging while developing this into a family supportive career.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://malachijaggers.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/malachijaggers/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/malachijaggers/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/malachi-jaggers/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/malachijaggers
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@malachijaggersmusic
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@malachijaggers

Image Credits
Jared Pike Tate Kirgiss Kyle Willis Leah Jaggers