Rascal Flatts' Jay DeMarcus has shared a heartfelt tribute to his late father in a new solo track called "Music Man," released on Friday (January 29).
Written, performed, and produced entirely by DeMarcus, the song celebrates his father, Stanley Wayne DeMarcus' life and love of music. To accompany the new song, DeMarcus also released a lyric video filled with photos of his dad.
"I know that life and love were hard / But you don't ever have to apologize / For being who you are," DeMarcus sings on the track. "Your blood and bones have made me who I am / Music man."
"Naturally, losing my father was a huge life altering moment, but being able to sit down at the very piano he taught me on has been so comforting to me," DeMarcus said in a statement. "The night he passed, I sat down at that piano, and the lyrics to this song just poured over and spilled out of me. Music was such a strong bond between us, it kept us close, while the miles and the years kept us apart. It’s clear to me now that life is never going to be the same after losing a parent, but I’m so grateful for the memories and the legacy he’s passed on to me, and he will forever be my 'Music Man.'"
In October of 2020, the singer announced his father's death in a post on social media featuring a series of photos of the two together over the years. "I lost my musical hero and Father this morning," he wrote at the time. "Known as 'Wayno' to most, he impacted everyone around him, and he was bigger than life to me. I could never explain in just a few words how important the musical bond was that we shared-it meant everything to me."
He went on to thank his late father for teaching him how to play and always encouraging him to do his best. He wrote, "He taught me how to play, pushed me to be the best I could be, and I could not be more grateful for the time spent with him on the stage, and off."
"I have a lifetime of memories that will now be my comfort, as I face this life now without him," he continued. "Rest In Peace my precious Dad, I was always proud to be called your son, and I will miss you forever. Enjoy Heaven, you’ve earned it..."
Photo: Getty Images