Jody Bilyeu rose from the shambles of a confused childhood, guided part way out of nerdhood by his church and school chum Brad Pitt, who in the early eighties had to tell him, for instance, that boot-cut and straight-leg jeans weren't the same thing. Inspired by Dave Pruitt of the Columbia trio the BelAirs, and receiving his "calling" at a Robert Cray show one sweaty night at the old Lindbergh's on Springfield's Commercial Street, Jody began his music career as a blues guitarist, developing his playing in the juke joints of Fayetteville, Arkansas, where he attended graduate school. He took up the mandolin seriously only when asked to do so by his cousins when Big Smith was in its infancy. He quickly learned the instrument, literally onstage, and in the process developed a totally unique style. As Big Smith has added more electricity, Jody is able to flex his electric six-string muscles once again. Jody and Mark's mother is a classically trained pianist and she encouraged her boys to take up the instrument, but under the influence of such players as Andrae Crouch and Ray Charles, Jody has infused his love of black gospel and soul piano with the southern gospel styles of his parents to craft the energetic playing heard in Big Smith's music. A certified Doctor of English and multi-published poet, Jody lends his talent for words and his songwriting voice to the band's repertoire. He recently called a halt to teaching at Missouri State University in order to pursue music full-time. But serving as father to Joel and Ruby is his favorite job by far.
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Jody Bilyeu rose from the shambles of a confused childhood, guided part way out of nerdhood by his church and school chum Brad Pitt, who in the early eighties had to tell him, for instance, that boot-cut and straight-leg jeans weren't the same thing. Inspired by Dave Pruitt of the Columbia trio the BelAirs, and receiving his "calling" at a Robert Cray show one sweaty night at the old Lindbergh's on Springfield's Commercial Street, Jody began his music career as a blues guitarist, developing his playing in the juke joints of Fayetteville, Arkansas, where he attended graduate school. He took up the mandolin seriously only when asked to do so by his cousins when Big Smith was in its infancy. He quickly learned the instrument, literally onstage, and in the process developed a totally unique style. As Big Smith has added more electricity, Jody is able to flex his electric six-string muscles once again. Jody and Mark's mother is a classically trained pianist and she encouraged her boys to take up the instrument, but under the influence of such players as Andrae Crouch and Ray Charles, Jody has infused his love of black gospel and soul piano with the southern gospel styles of his parents to craft the energetic playing heard in Big Smith's music. A certified Doctor of English and multi-published poet, Jody lends his talent for words and his songwriting voice to the band's repertoire. He recently called a halt to teaching at Missouri State University in order to pursue music full-time. But serving as father to Joel and Ruby is his favorite job by far.
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