Rising Stars: Meet Raymond Jackson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Raymond Jackson.

Hi Raymond, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I began my musical journey at the age of five, taking formal classical lessons in piano and I was able to cultivate my learning and gift in the church. I’ve always been fascinated with music, as it was always in my household. My mother Carolyn was a singer and my dad (Raymond) was also, as well as an instrumentalist in his youth and [gospel] music was always in the house in one form or another. All through high school, I studied music in some form, whether in the school chorus or independently, and it was during this time that I started writing and tracking music around the age of 15. Production and artistry took on a larger role in my life once I got to college… I’m a Florida boy from Panama City, and I went to Florida State University studying music education… I intended on becoming a teacher, but after some bumps and missteps, I decided to leave. The traditional sense of teaching just wasn’t for me, so I moved back home and I was blessed to fill a vacancy at St. John Missionary Baptist Church to serve as the Minister of Music under Pastor Delwynn Williams.

Now, this is the season when I really started getting experience as a producer. I started working with a lot of different independent artists, often doing records for free just to get a feel for what it took to do it realistically. After six years of working in ministry in that church. My wife Anqueyette and I decided to move. There was an opportunity for her that opened in the middle GA area, and so we set our sights on Warner Robins. Since I’ve been here, I’ve been able to work with many independent artists, including Elijah Bell, Jennifer John, TC Boone, Maurice Mullins, and many more. I started RDJAX MUSIC+ Production company in 2016 in hopes of sharing music with the WORLD! LOL, Big dreams, ya know… And it’s been a dope experience being able to help people bring their music to life. Whatever the genre or idea, my goal is to take the artist’s idea from conception to completion…

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I must say, compared to other stories I’ve heard… My road hasn’t been incredibly rough. There have been some tough seasons for sure, but my career and life have been a steady climb, and I try not to dwell on mistakes or bad choices, you just shake the dust off and keep it moving. But I’m grateful for every open door and closed one. Ya know?

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I produce music. I sing. I write. I play. I’m the guy you come to when you want to “put music out”. I’ve also become pretty versatile in artist development as well. When an artist comes to me whether a novice or veteran, I try to make sure they don’t just leave with a good record, but I want them to be educated about industry advancement, monetizing their platform, marketing, branding, etc. I believe what sets me apart from others is my work ethic and my willingness to carry you through the whole process. I’m here for support and I’m going to push you to optimize your gift and artistry… I’m most proud of the team and network I’ve built to make this thing happen. I work with some of the best musicians, vocalists, and personnel. My wife is an interior designer and stylist so we often “contract” each other out and make it a joint effort. She’s done image consulting and branding ideas for several of the artists I’ve worked with. I believe I’m most known for my professionalism and character. I try to keep my word and be fair.

Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
I ask a lot of questions and do a lot of research. I’ve been blessed to have great musicians and music directors to look up to over my lifetime. I have a lot of friends also that do what I do, so it’s always an open forum with us. When it comes to networking, I will say don’t be scared to “shoot your shot”, no matter how many you miss… eventually, it will pay off and the connections you are supposed to make you will make.

Contact Info:

• Email: rdjaxmusic@gmail.com
• Website: www.rdjaxmusic.com
• Instagram: @rdjaxmusic
• Facebook: Raymond Darius Jackson

Image Credits:
Heather Harvey Styling – Qui Jackson