Hailing from Chicago, John “Jay” Czekala was born into a world steeped in music, the son of a successful Elvis impersonator. From a young age, Jay was drawn to the electrifying sounds of hard rock and hair metal, inspired by iconic bands like Mötley Crüe, Warrant, and the Bullet Boys. At 15, his own musical journey began when he traveled north to join the band “Twist of Fate” in a small town in southwest Michigan. His passion for music led him south to Tennessee, where he performed with local bands, further honing his craft. Returning to his hometown of Tinley Park to finish high school, Jay’s fate took a pivotal turn during his junior year.
A chance encounter with Rob Dean (aka Bob Mason- Outback Dude) in a Jazz-Lab classroom sparked a lifelong friendship and musical collaboration. Initially seeking guitar lessons from Rob, the two soon formed the band “Scrood,” where Jay’s versatility shone as he switched to bass guitar to fill a much-needed role. Though Scrood eventually disbanded, Jay remained a fixture in the local music scene, collaborating with other talented musicians while simultaneously building a successful construction business.
Today, Jay has reignited his passion for music, returning to his roots and reuniting with Rob/Bob-Outback Dude. Together, they are once again creating music, blending the old with the new, and cherishing the joy of playing alongside lifelong friends and bandmates.
John “Jay” Czekala (bassist/vocalist) recording parts for “The Last Rodeo” in Chicago, IL.