Bio

If you happened to be in the Atlanta area during the 80’s and enjoyed good live music, you probably made your way to either The Hoss and Saddle in Doraville or to Fagan’s in Tucker depending on which of his night clubs Jerry was performing . If you arrived late and were lucky enough to get in, it didn’t take long to understand why the place was packed. Center stage was Jerry Fagan cranking out one song after another in front of one of the hottest bands you had ever heard. As you moved about the club you new you were in a special place, you were amazed how a rowdy bar, all of a sudden, could become totally quite as Jerry began a solo on his classical guitar. You would have wondered how the audience new all the words to songs you had never heard and that almost every song the band sang was a special request. As the night progressed you knew you would be coming back, it was happening to you, just as it had to the thousands of regular customers, you were becoming a Jerry Fagan music fan.

The Hoss and Saddle and Fagan’s were two of the hottest night clubs in Atlanta for over ten years with nationally known acts performing at Fagan’s on a regular basis, such as the Bellamy Brothers, who were the opening act along with Jerry’s band. Jerry recalls one night at The Hoss and Saddle you could have heard the bands Foghat, Atlanta, Razzy Bailey, Cody Marshall, and Johnny Paycheck taking turns jamming until early morning hours. The Hoss and Saddle had become the place where musicians went to jam after their concerts were over and Fagan’s was voted number one night spot in the Atlanta area. There was one common denominator that brought about the success of both of these clubs and that was Jerry Fagan. His success in the entertainment business didn’t just happen overnight as did his ability to move an audience to tears one moment and just as quick have them laughing and dancing, it all began many years earlier.

Jerry caught the music bug early in life as a young boy or perhaps it was always in his genes. Born in 1959 and raised at the foot of Black Mountain in east Tennessee, he would find himself drawn to the music gatherings that took place on many warm summer nights by local musicians. Music was a way of life in the rural areas of Southern Appalachia and it didn’t take Jerry very long to become one of the best pickers in the area. His first paying job was playing with local legends Pete Reed and The Tennessee Three, he was just sixteen. His first TV appearance was on the Cas Walker Jamboree. After high school he moved out to Nashville to pursue his music career but like so many young men of that area found himself serving his country in the Marines Corps. After his discharge in 1971 he returned to the Nashville for a short period, but by now most of his contacts were gone. He moved on, playing clubs in Chattanooga and then on down to Atlanta where the music scene was hot. He continued to write songs and perfect his craft and like most musicians, was influenced and inspired by the great artists and bands of the early 70”s like James Taylor and Jim Croce. As with most great musicians Jerry’s own unique style and sound began to emerge as did his following, filling rooms where ever he played.

Thanks to Broadjam and CD Baby you now have the opportunity to experience the magic of Jerry Fagan with the release of his latest album “The Magic of Jerry Fagan” and previous releases Old Country and Savanna Wind.