Jay Lawrence: 54 Years of Music & Lehi History | Roots & Branches

Jay Lawrence: 54 Years of Music & Lehi History | Roots & Branches

Professional drummer Jay Lawrence on touring with Liberace, Cher, and Sammy Davis Jr., recording 130 Broadway shows, composing hymns, and finding home in Lehi, Utah for 21 years.

Jay Lawrence on 54 Years of Music, Touring with Legends, and Finding Home in Lehi, Utah

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Jay Lawrence Drummer Lehi Utah Interview - Roots and Branches of Lehi Podcast

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From the casino showrooms of Reno and Lake Tahoe to the classrooms of BYU and the quiet neighborhoods of Lehi — a professional drummer reflects on touring with Liberace, Cher, and Sammy Davis Jr., recording 130 Broadway shows, composing award-winning hymns, and discovering a community worth staying in for 21 years.

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In this episode of Roots and Branches of Lehi , host Ryan Harding sits down with Jay Lawrence , a professional drummer whose 54-year career has spanned casino showrooms, Broadway recording studios, university lecture halls, and church hymn competitions. Born in Idaho and raised in Reno, Nevada, Jay spent his teenage years playing two shows a night for some of the biggest celebrities on the planet before most of his classmates had even chosen a college major. His journey — from a 15-year-old union musician in the Reno casino scene to a retired educator and composer living in Lehi for 21 years — is a rare window into the evolution of American music and the people who dedicate their lives to it.

Jay's story matters to Lehi, Utah history because it illustrates how people from vastly different backgrounds bring extraordinary talent, perspective, and values to this community. After decades on the road with Liberace, Cher, Sammy Davis Jr., the Osmonds, and dozens more, Jay discovered something unexpected in Utah County: a thriving, supportive music culture, a family-centered environment, and a peacefulness that convinced him to put down roots.

For anyone interested in local arts and culture , music education in Utah , faith and creativity , or the stories of Lehi residents with national careers , this interview offers both historical perspective and practical wisdom.

Prefer to listen? This episode is also available on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , and other podcast platforms.

Jay Lawrence

Professional drummer (retired), composer, recording artist, university music instructor (BYU, University of Utah, Snow College), private teacher, and 21-year Lehi resident

1950s–2020s (childhood through retirement)

Ryan Harding

This interview offers valuable perspective on Lehi's cultural fabric and Utah's distinctive music ecosystem:

Throughout the interview, several broader themes emerge that reflect the values Jay discovered in Lehi and the principles that guided his 54-year career:

This episode connects to the broader Roots and Branches of Lehi archive. Explore these related topics:

To enhance this community profile, consider adding these visual elements to the historical record:

Professional drummer Jay Lawrence discusses touring with Liberace, Cher, and Sammy Davis Jr., teaching at BYU, composing hymns, and living in Lehi, Utah for 21 years. Oral history interview from Roots and Branches of Lehi.

Jay Lawrence drummer. Lehi Utah musicians. Utah music history. Liberace drummer stories. Broadway show recordings Utah. Lehi community podcast. Utah jazz education. LDS hymn composers. Reno casino showbands history. Roots and Branches of Lehi podcast.

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