Meet Jere B of Youngstown

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jere B.

Hi Jere , can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Jere B is a multifaceted artist whose career spans music, media, authorship, and mentorship. Known as The EntreMusician, he is a composer, producer, actor, speaker and author dedicated to helping fellow creatives unlock their highest potential through mindset, discipline and focus.

His journey began behind the drums in a small church, where rhythm became his language and ministry. From those roots, Jere went on to perform with a wide range of bands, eventually founding the award-winning funk jazz ensemble SounDoctrine. For over two decades, SounDoctrine has released five critically acclaimed albums and earned a spot in Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz Top Ten. Their work continues to inspire, including a recent remix by smooth jazz icon Bob Baldwin of the heartfelt ballad “Smallmouth Bass,” composed by collaborator Jim Couchenour.

Jere’s book, “The Path of The EntreMusician: 9 Keys to Unlock Your Mindset, Discipline & Focus,” is more than a title—it’s a blueprint. The book’s message has resonated so strongly that it’s now part of the curriculum at iClassical Academy in Italy. His next book, “What About Popcorn?”, continues his passion for deeper creative conversations.

As an actor, Jere has played compelling lead roles on stage and screen, from indie dramas to regional theatre, including the iconic Walter Lee Younger in A Raisin in the Sun. He also produces and hosts the podcast The EntreMusician and two TV programs —Artist Impact and Director’s Chair—which spotlight the stories behind the music and the visionaries who create it.

At his core, Jere is a devoted follower of Jesus Christ. He lives to reflect faith, integrity, and encouragement in everything he does. His greatest joy is mentoring others while walking humbly with God. He is happily married to his lifelong love of 30 years, Lori Lynette, and together they are proud parents of three amazing daughters: Dr. Tejai Davon, Nia Joi, and Ayana Symone.

Learn more at SounDoctrine.com and TheEntreMusician.com, and follow Jere’s journey on social media.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I have never thought in terms of smooth or rough, really.

Every endeavor is a struggle. There’s always something needed or something to improve upon.

We’ve always just learned to pull ahead and lean into the goal and along the way realize that nothing is impossible if you believe and work hard.

So, I am grateful for the accomplishments. The things I have not yet achieved or attained is because I haven’t tried hard enough.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
It’s completely an ‘other’ situation with me.

Firstly, I am a Christ Follower. I have been involved in ministry, within a few fellowships as a pastor spanning 27 years.

My faith is at the apex of who I am, how I think and what I do – so whether it’s music, writing, acting, podcasting, teaching, coaching or whatever, my Christian worldview informs all of these dynamics.

My love and devotion to my wife Lori is an extremely close second. She’s everything to me, my soul mate, best friend, lover, business partner and ministry aide. We’ve done life together for 30 years and never looked back, looked around or looked away. God gave us three wonderful daughters (all adults now) and I am completely grateful for my life.

I guess music would fall most naturally into the area I cling to most in my strength zone and I appreciate having the opportunity to work with so many talented musicians and creatives, building infectious melodies, harmonies and glorious songs out of imagination and ideas.

Out of the music flows the additional areas of creativity I have been blessed to explore, which I mentioned above.
I feel blessed that I have experienced the joys and lessons which each of these experiences have taught me.

I don’t roll in any “comparisons” with anyone else, so I don’t feel “set apart” – there are millions of creatives far more talented than I. In fact, I can name 30 of them right now, right here in Youngstown!

I think what makes my approach unique is that I am not afraid to try.
If I believe in it with all my heart, I put my hands on the plow.

Lori and I just launched a Pro Life Non Profit, “Voices 4 Life” in June because Holy Spirit led us to do it – and as we have filed all of the appropriate paperwork, we are learning and building as we go along – and I feel just as passionately about this work as I do writing my second book or producing my new song – it’s all the same to me.

What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
AI is most definitely the biggest shift in the creative space. It should not be feared, it should be embraced to make your work more effective and efficient. Musicians can’t be like the ‘buggy whip makers’ of old who despised Henry Ford and got left in the dust!

I know a sister who cannot play an instrument or sing, but is using the technology to create some really powerful music.
It’s very interesting, because I could be – like – well that’s not ‘real’ – but the lyrics she writes come from her spirit and she’s simply utilizing AI as a tool to bring joy to someone’s life.

Now I’m “Old School” and would rather create organically, but I do use advanced production tools often (as most producers do) to scale our sound.

As a drummer, I am old enough to remember when the drum machine came in and most drummers freaked out, because they thought they’d be out of work. By God’s grace, I learned how to program the doggone things, bought my own machine and kept moving. This is the attitude we must have, or we’ll be so far behind, our talent won’t matter.

I am grateful we built The EntreMusician Community. this was right before the big 2020 shut down, so we had a leg up on Community Ventures and discussions which create synergy from even miles away. This is a trend that I feel will be completely indispensable within the next 5 to 10, because the music industry as we used t know it, even 2 years ago is breathing its last breaths.

Pricing:

• Find New Ways to Engage Your Audience With Your Music and Structure pricing Which Builds & Nurtures a Deep Community

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.soundoctrine.com/ | https://theentremusician.com/ | https://voices4life.net/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theentremusicianpublicsquare
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerebsoundoctrine/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheEntreMusician
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@theentremusician