Jake was born on September 30, 1970 in Rockdale, Texas to Kirby Dan and Dorothy
Faye Jenkins. He began his musical career at a very young age (3 or 4) singing
at family get-togethers. He wanted an autoharp after his fifth grade music
teacher encouraged him to practice his singing with a musical instrument. A few
trips to the music store and after father Dan saw the price tag of an autoharp
it was decided that Dad would make him a musical instrument. The choices were a
guitar or a banjo - Jake chose a banjo. His father made the banjo from walnut,
buckskin, and a cow horn. His mother was a huge influence on Jake's music, an
accomplished pianist and music instructor herself.
He graduated from Rockdale High School in 1989 and graduated from South Plains
College in 1992, studying bluegrass music, specializing in the banjo. In his
studies he learned instrument making and became a certified luthier. He worked
at Collings guitars in Austin, Texas from 1993 until 1996 making guitars, and
traveling part time with The Karl Shifflett and Big Country Show. He began
traveling with the band full time in 1996. During, that time he wrote and
recorded "Worries On My Mind", which became number one on the bluegrass charts
as well as a top ten song on the Texas music charts. He went on to write
numerous other songs such as "Cold, Cold Love" and "Turn Around" that also found
top honors on the bluegrass charts. He became known and recognized as an
accomplished musician in bluegrass music, mastering the banjo and playing
guitar, mandolin, string bass and just about any other instrument with strings.
He married Rhonda Smith on December 14, 1996 in Spur, Texas and some years later
left full time music pursuits to be close to home with Rhonda and their three
kids that began coming along early in the new century. He became an Equipment
Operator for the Lubbock Fire Department and loved the camaraderie and the
excitement involved in the brotherhood of firefighters.
He was an avid outdoorsman and a hunting guide on the Pitchfork Ranch. He loved hunting,
boating, fishing, gardening and repairing vintage trucks and
recreational vehicles. His absolute outdoor passion was flying. There was not a
day that went by that he was not flying or tinkering with his vintage Stinson
108 plane.
But music remained a constant in his life. He continued to write and
perform whenever he could. Around 2005 he was working with Texas artist Miss Leslie and then in 2009 agreed to join Hickory Hill. Our part time performance
schedule was a perfect fit for him to be able to share his talents with minimal
impact on his work and family activities. And what a blessing for us to be
able to share time on and off stage with such an incredible guy. He was a
perfect fit for us as well. We feel a deep sense of loss.
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Tribute to Jake Jenkins CD from The Karl Shiflett and The Big
Country Show benefitting Jake's family is available.
