The band, Fat Jackson, has been together since 2007 as a improv/jam band. With the release of the CD, Full Frontal, fans and soon to be fans (after you catch their act, you will become a fan, no matter your age) will get a taste of the flavor of Fat Jackson.

The five friends each have regular day jobs—pharmacy tech, electrician, fire sprinkler designer, food and beverage manager, and warehouse worker—though it is the music that they love. Most met in college.

Blankenship said “College didn’t work out for all of us.”

But a shared love of music did.

“I was singing in church and school when I was growing up,” said Blankenship. Megahee said, “I was doing church stuff, and probably when I hit 6th grade I started saving money for guitar lessons, until then I played the drums.” “My parents were into the gospel band, and I was in chorus through school and liked playing the piano,” said Cheek.

Moreno got his degree from Georgia Southwestern State University in 2006, and has been influenced by the Allman Brothers Band and Dave Schools of Widespread Panic. Called the one that the female fans seem to be drawn to, at least that is what Blankenship says, Moreno does act at times as the spokesman of the group.

Owen calls “Miles Davis” as one of his leading musical influences. “I didn’t get started playing music until a friend of mine, when I was 24, talked about me learning a song. He was entering the Navy, and said I better learn it because we were going to play when he got back.”

Owen had known Cheek for most of their lives, and through music. Blankenship and Megahee met in the late 1990s through school and mutual friends. Owen also knew them and had played with them some. Moreno was brought in later, and the band was formed.

The name Fat Jackson came, said Cheek, “from Stephen. We had been tossing about a name. And Stephen said something like Fat Jackson, and we all liked it.”

Blankenship said, “We don’t do Skynyrd covers.”

Cheek added, “Or Molly Hatchett.”

Moreno said, “Our music could be described as a rock blend of all of our influences.”

Megahee agreed, “I would say southern “improv” jam.”

Owen described their music and style of play like a “a comfy fishing tree.”

“Fishing tree?” Blankenship asked, while Moreno, Cheek and Megahee looked at Owen with wide eyes.

“Yeah, you know, you are sitting by the pond, your rod and reel and leaning against that tree,” Owen said.

Each one of the five band members has taken a swing at the writing gig, though Blankenship seems to get the high nod for being the writer. Owen said, “When it works, it works.”

Becky Holland
The Americus Times Recorder