Jason Craig - Vocals/Guitar/Songwriting
Jason Craig grew up on a small piece of land in Hatfield, Missouri...population 72. He spent his youth baling hay, moving cattle, and working at his parents' general store, all while singing along to a steady soundtrack of George Jones, David Allan Coe, and the Charlie Daniels Band. Back then his dad’s 1965 Dodge Power Wagon was his concert stage, and the AM radio was his backing band. As a young man Craig filled in on piano at his tiny rural church, and continued to fuel his love of performing through high school musicals and as an a Capella singer in college. As an adult Craig began to pursue songwriting in earnest, and taught himself to play a left-handed Alvarez guitar to give his original words a musical voice. After testing his original songs and refining his stage show at regional BBQ contests and neighborhood parties, he formed Jason Craig & the Wingmen in 2011. That year he also released his first full-length album, “Half a Lifetime,” which garnered regional attention for its authentic songwriting and Craig’s dynamic vocals.
Since then, JC&W have become a popular act all over the Midwest, playing their engaging brand of “rockified country and countrified rock” at clubs, corporate events, and town festivals. Craig also regularly books acoustic shows that provide a more intimate country music experience, while still providing the compelling stage show his fans have come to love and expect.
Ben Patel - Lead Guitar/Keyboards/Trumpet/Vocals
After college, Patel returned home to the KC area and established himself professionally, writing and recording original music and playing guitar for Simple Story. Then, in 2006, Jason Craig moved in three doors down and a musical partnership was quickly forged. Their collaborations evolved from playing music in the driveway to Craig and Patel laying down tracks that would become the foundation of Craig’s 2011 “Half a Lifetime” album. These days Patel can now be found wielding his Telecaster on lead guitar, while adding backing vocals, keyboards, and the occasional trumpet part to the JC&W stage show.
Scott Parman - Bass/Vocals
Parman spent the next decade serving his country, graduating from the Air Force Academy and flying AWACS missions over Iraq and Afghanistan as a commissioned officer. After completing his military service, Parman came back to his Missouri roots, where he now has a successful career in real estate. Parman taught himself guitar and bass almost a decade ago, and his imposing 6’8” figure can be spotted to Craig’s right at all JC&W shows, holding down the bass line and contributing backing vocals. Parman also has a talent for songwriting, having co-written “Steel Toes” and “This Ain’t the Islands” on JC&W’s forthcoming second album.
