Indiana musician living out his dream

Singer-songwriter transitions from impromptu to big time

By Jessica Leary

Published Nov. 15, 2006

Jason Michael Thomas stands ready on stage, observing the audience while his bass player jams the opening notes to Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’.”  He feeds off the energy of the crowd as he prepares to belt out the opening lyrics.

Photo by Jessica Leary The night following IU Dance Marathon, Jason Thomas performs at Sports' after party with his band, X-Ray Roger Jimmy, in front of a large crowd.  Thomas likes to help others relax and feels the after party allows IUDM committee members to do so.

His cool demeanor shows his experience.  With his chic black-on-black blazer and oxford, over-sized sunglasses and long, shaggy hair, he looks like a rock-star.  He holds up the microphone and sings as a group of dancers crowds the stage.

“Great songs inspire me,” Thomas says of his nights onstage.  “Either well written or a new spin, I love to perform.  If I didn’t, I wouldn’t be doing what I do.”

With a start-up solo career and part of a regionally touring band, X-Ray Roger Jimmy, Thomas lives the dream most garage bands only dream about.  

“I don’t have another job,” confesses Thomas.  He views making a living by strictly performing full time as an accomplishment in itself.

“I never played covers until I started playing in Bloomington,” says Thomas. 

X-Ray has released four CDs of original material.  However, the Bloomington crowds demand a mix of covers along with X-Ray’s original songs.  As a result, Thomas decided to play the mix to get more experience and more exposure onstage.

“I had to make money though, and playing more shows helped me get better at my craft,” he says.

Thomas has worked his way up from the bottom.  Not even starting as a garage band, he recalled his early teenage years in South Bend, Ind., jamming with friends in their basements for small crowds of family and friends.

“Thirteen-year-olds idolize rock-stars and buy into the rock-n-roll lifestyle,” says Thomas.  “It was all we could think about.  It sounded so glamorous.”

Though he lives in Indianapolis now, Thomas remembers being 10 years old in South Bend and watching his grandfather show him jazz chords on the piano.  From there he started piano lessons and sang in the boys’ choir. 

“When you have a little bit of talent at a young age, it’s easy to run with it,” he says. 

Starting over two decades ago, Thomas has been writing songs and developing musically for many years.  Inspirations include Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, The Whos, The Pixies, Smashing Pumpkins, Pearl Jam, U2, and Coldplay. 

On the road, Thomas tries to stop by local thrift stores for good deals on vinyls.

“I got more serious about it four or five years ago,” he says about his collection.  Getting fantastic recordings of artists like Miles Davis, Louis Armstrong, or Benny Goodman, for a dollar is a great deal.

Outside of music, Thomas eases stress through exercise.  When at home in Indianapolis, he teaches marshal arts.  Holding a fourth degree black belt in both tae kwon-do and jujitsu, he teaches classes at home and practices while on the road.  He currently studies capoeira Angola, another marshal arts discipline, as well. 

The physical exercise serves as a stress relief as well as a way to stay in shape after spending days on the road, performing and driving.  Thomas plays dual roles of lead singer/front man for the band and booking agent.  His charismatic and business-minded personality keeps the band booked, with ongoing relationships with many venues.

IU Dance Marathon (IUDM) typically books X-Ray to play in the final 5:30 a.m. slot on Sunday morning to pump up the crowd at the end of the 36 hours.  For the past several years, Thomas has made IUDM first priority.

“We love it when they play at the end of the marathon and also the night-after party at Sports,” says Mark Bower, director of entertainment for IUDM.  “It’s an unwritten tradition.”

For his solo career though, Thomas handed the reins over to Manager Laura Hamlett.

“He’s really good at networking and meeting people,” Hamlett says.  “Even on stage, I’ve never seen him get nervous.”

Thomas started traveling with his solo tour about two years ago and looks forward to the release of his first solo record this spring or summer. 

“He sells himself so much because his music sells itself,” says Hamlett.  “He plays rock but with a lot of influences.  It’s intelligent.”

At this point, he doesn’t feel the need to pick between the band and his solo career.  Because of a recent lineup change, X-Ray Roger Jimmy’s fifth album will be delayed, as they adjust to new guitarist Justin Bryant.

The future holds “more of the same” for Thomas.  Perhaps, ideally, an international tour in a few years.

“My life's mission is to compose, record, and perform as many songs as I can before I die,” writes Thomas on his myspace profile.  “I'd also love to dream that somehow my existence on this planet will make the world a better place.”

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