Today we’d like to introduce you to Jesse Fellows.
Hi Jesse, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
In my younger years, I spent nearly two decades playing in several bands that were part of the local music scene in Youngstown, Ohio—Dynamo, Nevaeh, Gates Called Beautiful, and After Z. When my last band, After Z, came to an end around 2018, I decided to step away from music altogether for a few years.
It wasn’t until 2023 that I started attending shows again. On July 30th of that year, my wife Tracie and I went to a performance in New Kensington, Pennsylvania, to see our friends in Narcissus play at Preserving Underground—an old church that had been converted into a music venue. That night sparked a vision: I wanted to create a space with excellent sound, lighting, and atmosphere—a safe, all-ages venue focused on local, original music. That vision became Rock Bottom.
Over the years, many people had encouraged me to open a venue, but I had always resisted. Most venues are tied to bars or restaurants, and that wasn’t the environment I envisioned. I wanted something that was purely about the music—which is why our slogan became “All About the Music.”
Since I also own and operate three other businesses, running a full-time venue wasn’t feasible. Instead, we decided to host shows on the first Saturday of each month, giving us the balance needed to do it right.
The first step was securing a location. After speaking with several people, Crossroads Church caught the vision and generously offered us the use of their Multi-Purpose Room, allowing us to renovate it as needed. We began work on August 2, 2023—installing sound, lighting, and transforming the space. With our first show scheduled for the first Saturday of 2024, we had five months to bring everything together.
During those months, I put in around 20 hours a week at the venue, which was challenging given my other commitments. Thankfully, I had incredible support from a few close friends and family members—most notably my older brother, Joshua, and my best friend, Grant Signor. I couldn’t have done it without them.
On December 17th, we hosted a private test run with the headlining band, Daydreamer, to make sure everything was dialed in for opening night. It went smoothly, and we were ready.
Rock Bottom officially opened on January 6, 2024. One of the most meaningful moments for me was seeing Narcissus—the very band that reignited my passion—become the first group to perform on our stage.
As the 2024 concert season progressed, we continued to fine-tune our operations and production to deliver a high-quality experience for bands, concertgoers, and volunteers alike. One of those adjustments included making admission free for children 12 and under. At Rock Bottom, one of our greatest passions is inspiring the next generation, which is why we felt it was important to make our shows more accessible to families with younger kids.
My wife and I grew up going to shows, and that exposure played a huge role in shaping who we are today. In fact, there are musicians in the local scene right now who started playing because they were able to attend one of my band’s shows as a minor. That kind of influence stays with you. We believe it’s vital to have an all-ages space that’s not only inclusive but also safe—where families can come together and where young people can be inspired by live, original music.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
For the most part, the journey has been relatively smooth. I truly believe that’s because this is something I’ve been called to do, and I’ve seen how each step has been orchestrated with purpose. One key advantage has been that one of the businesses I own and operate is a production consulting company, and I’ve worked professionally in sound and lighting for over 25 years. That background made it much easier to handle the technical aspects of launching a venue like Rock Bottom.
That said, we’ve certainly faced challenges—chief among them is consistently filling the venue with concertgoers. Every show presents its own set of variables, from audience availability and competing local events to unpredictable weather, the individual bands’ followings, and even the general level of commitment people have to supporting local, original music.
My hope is that Rock Bottom becomes a destination—where people come out on the first Saturday of every month, not necessarily because of who’s playing or the genre, but because they trust the experience. A place where the community shows up to enjoy live music and support the local scene, no matter what.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
As I mentioned earlier, I own and operate several businesses, but my primary profession is in the beauty industry—I own and run a hair salon. I’ve been a hairstylist for just as long as I’ve been involved in music and production. While it’s a completely different world from running a music venue, the creative aspect of the salon, along with the daily interaction with people, has helped sharpen my ability to communicate, connect, and cast a vision—skills that are incredibly valuable across all my ventures.
Another business I own is Slingshot Media Services, which I launched during the COVID-19 pandemic. The goal was to help churches strengthen their music and production capabilities during a time when many were suddenly forced to move their services online. Having served as a music director and worship pastor for nearly two decades, I felt a responsibility to use my experience to support churches through that transition.
One of those churches was Crossroads Church, which initially brought me in for a consultation. I’ve been working with them for nearly five years now, and I’m incredibly thankful for the work they’re doing in the community. I’m also deeply grateful that they graciously offered us the space that ultimately made Rock Bottom a reality. Their support and willingness to partner with the vision were crucial in bringing it to life.
It’s always hard to pinpoint what I’m “known for,” but something I often hear from those I’ve worked with is that I’m recognized for my dedication, work ethic, and commitment to excellence.
What I’m most proud of, though, are the relationships I’ve built through my work. I believe we’re wired for connection, and if we’re not investing in our relationships—whether in business, ministry, or music—then we’re missing the point.
What sets me apart in my work with Slingshot Media Services is that I approach everything through the lens of a worship pastor—someone who’s been in those shoes, understands the demands of ministry, and also brings a strong foundation in music and production. The same perspective informs how I run Rock Bottom. I’m not just a venue owner or a sound and lighting engineer—I’m a musician first, someone who deeply understands where artists are coming from.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
What I love most about Youngstown is its diversity. I’ve always had a heart for this city—it’s home. There’s so much talent here and an amazing number of locally owned businesses. That might be true of a lot of places, but it hits differently when you actually know the people behind them and can see the passion they have for their craft. There’s a real sense of grit, creativity, and community that makes Youngstown special.
Now, what do I like least? Hands down—the roads. I mean, with the way our weather flips between all four seasons in a single day, it’s no wonder. The potholes around here are less like road damage and more like portals to the center of the earth. I’ve hit a few that felt like I needed a passport to get out of. You learn real quick to dodge and weave like you’re playing Mario Kart just to get across town.
Pricing:
- $12 – Early Bird
- $16 – Week of Show
- $20 – Day of Show
- Kids 12 and under – ALWAYS FREE
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.slingshotmediaservices.com/rock-bottom-music-venue
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rockbottomyoungstown
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rockbottomyoungstown
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@rockbottomyoungstown
