Franklin resident, Jody McBrayer is no stranger to the music industry. As one of the original members of the Christian group, Avalon, he attained his dream of a recording deal at a young age. And even though he was living his dream, his dream turned out to not be all that he hoped for.
“If only I could go back and talk to that immature that 26 year old I would. I just wanted a record deal so bad. So I think that God said, ok I’l give it to you but it’s going to be hard. Â And it was. At one point, I forgot why I was doing this and the joy went out of it for me.”
There were several big life events that put a change in motion for McBrayer. He and his wife had a baby, he received a diagnoses of heart disease and he was feeling completely disconnected in his marriage, McBrayer felt like it was time for a change. So, he made the decision to leave Avalon in 2007, stepping away from the music industry for seven years while he worked in a family business.
With not a consideration of rejoining the music industry, a phone from Roger Breland  asking  him perform in Uganda in just a matter of days of that call brought back the familiar.
“That phone call was God’s way of getting me back into music. It was God’s turn to do it his way,” said McBrayer. “With this new project, I really feel like God’s is in it not that he wasn’t before but this time I’m  leaning back and letting it be what it needs to be. ”
It was that phone call that  lead to McBrayer joining the newly formed group – Cana’s Voice with Doug Anderson and TaRanda Green.  And unlike before, McBrayer says this time it’s different, “I feel like together as Cana’s Voice, we will be a voice for the hurting.”
Cana’s Voice consist of music veterans, Jody McBrayer, TaRanda Greene, and Doug Anderson. They have recently released their  first recording project, This Changes Everything. Working with award-winning producer Wayne Haun.  Cana’s Voice will be holding their Nashville concert debut on August  23 at Christ Church, Nashville at 7pm. Ticket prices start at $20 for general admission and $30 for the artist circle.
As a Franklin resident, McBrayer can’t say enough about how much he loves living here.
“I loved Franklin before it was Franklin. I remember when there wasn’t a Starbucks at Five Points. I just like the small time feel but yet there is so much that is accessible, so many things that you can do. And it is so family friendly. Being from Southern California, I was unsettled and often wanted to go back but it got to a point where Franklin feels like home. It took about ten years for it to feel like home but now I don’t want to live anywhere else.”
Some of the spots where you might find McBrayer  in Williamson County.
“My family and I Â are big fans of Five Daughters Bakery and Franklin Juice in The Factory. And while we are at The Factory, we will often make sure to be there on Saturday to visit the Farmers Market. Actually, our family loves to support the local businesses in Franklin. And we can’t say enough about the people in Franklin, they are amazing.”
Cana’s Voice will be headed on tour this fall. Be sure to follow them on Facebook for the latest updates. McBrayer is currently working on a solo project as well. Follow Jody McBrayer on Facebook for more details.
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