JAY ALLEN - BLANK STARES (Official Music Video)

***ALL PROCEEDS GO TO ABE'S GARDEN & THE FIGHT AGAINST ALZHEIMER'S***

My name is Jay Allen. I'm a country music artist and songwriter signed to Sony/ATV in Nashville, TN.

My mom has early onset Alzheimer's, and at the age of only 52, she's now showing signs of stage 6. It's something that has affected my family deeply, something that we can't escape, and it brings me to my knees most days.

I grew up in small town rural Iowa with mom(Sherry), dad(Joe), and my two baby sisters(Cassie and Amber). We didn't have a lot, but our parents always seemed to find a way, sometimes working 2-3 jobs each to make sure we had enough. Looking back, it was a humbling childhood, but what I think affected me most was my mother's affection and selflessness towards all of us. She always put her children first, no matter what the sacrifice. If we wanted some stupid toy for Christmas, she would work the overtime or pick up an extra shift. She didn't care what it took, she just wanted us to be happy.

When I was in middle school, I remember asking my mom what she would change to make her life better if she could go back in time.

Her response was, "I wouldn't change a thing. I was made to be a good mom. I live for you kids."

Now that I'm older, I hold onto those words as I watch this horrible disease steal away a beautiful woman. Sometimes I want to yell at God when I hear her stumble through a simple sentence, or when I look at her and feel like she's not even there anymore. It makes me so mad, and it kills me that I can't fix it. But then there are the moments of hope, when dad brings her to visit Nashville and we dance all night at The Sutler…or when she grins and taps her foot to the live music…or when I wrap my arms around her, and she takes a deep breath and says, "I've missed you, Jay."

Her words, the good memories, and the moments of joy - that's what I hold onto.

As a songwriter and up-and-coming artist, I feel that I have an obligation to be a positive role-model, and to also give back by utilizing the gifts that God has blessed me with. In realizing the importance of this, I finally found the courage to write a song about my experience, called "Blank Stares". My vision is that this song will raise awareness, bring hope to those affected, and most importantly, become a weapon in the fight against Alzheimer's.

So please, download your copy of "Blank Stares" today, share, and dream with me. Music is powerful. Let's do something with it.

With all my heart,
Jay Allen

FOLLOW JAY:

Written by Jay Allen and Jason Nix
Music produced by Jason Nix
Video produced by Steve Freeman

© Sony/ATV Music Publishing

[sheilasansing]

Unless you experience this you can't imagine how hard it is to lose someone from this. God bless you for writing this song

[randygreen]

Maybe someday I’ll be able to make it through this whole song. I’ve been holding my mother’s hand through this journey for almost 7 years now. She hasn’t reached the jumping off place yet and until that time comes I cherish every moment with her. She may not know who I am but I sure know who she is! Anyone watching this video, call your mom and dad or visit if you can. As often as you can.

Update
Here we are three years later and my mother’s battle with Alzheimer’s ended a week ago tonight. I’m still reeling from the loss of the most important person in my life. I was able to hold her in my arms as she passed away. I brushed her hair with my fingers and sang “You are my sunshine” gently into her ear like she’s done for me my whole life.
I was blessed to spend a decade being more than my mother’s protective shadow. During these years I became her best friend and that one person in her life that she could depend upon. Her fear and confusion was replaced with the comfort of knowing that she was loved, wasn’t alone and that she was protected.
Thank you Jay for this song and we’ll be playing it at her celebration of life in a few days. ❤️❤️

[johnkline]

Having a wife that is 15 years into Alzheimer's, this brought tears to my eyes. She is no longer at home, but I visit her several hours a day. God bless you, Jay.

[justjacki]

God lead me to you. My mom died 2 days ago after her battle with Alzheimer’s and today I picked out her casket with my 82 year old father. My parents celebrated their anniversary last week, celebrating sixty years of marriage. That was the day hospice delivered a hospital bed for my mom the enormity of the circle of life was humbling and heartbreaking at the same time. I don’t know how to live without my mom, I’ve never spent a day on this planet without her and my heart is sad. I want to play your exquisite song at my mom’s funeral on Thursday, thank you for sharing the gift of your talent and the beauty of your mom.

[Pink__]

I love you mommy. Day 1 of resigning from my job as a front line nurse and moving back home to care for my mother. I wouldn’t want it any other way 💕🙏🏼 Mommy, let’s take this journey together and I promise you I won’t let go 💕🤝💕

[katiewillert]

my mom has Alzheimer's, I'm her health care directive and poa, shes 56, in a wheelchair in a nursing home for the rest of her life, she doesnt remember me or her grandkids, I try to do the best i can but my heart hurts, I literally have her voicemails from 3 years ago on my phone just to hear her voice from when she was still herself 💖

[jessieFrank]

My 53 year old mum was diagnosed at age 50 and is now in full time care with no capacity. You’ll never truly know the heartbreak until you experience this disease in a
Loved one. Grieving daily 💔

[k.r.]

After 8 yrs of being sole 100% disabled CAREGIVER of TWO PARENTS WITH DIFFERENT DEMENTIAS - dad just died & now I watch my precious mother dying! No1 helped! I cannot sleep, I've cried 8 yrs straight! I HATE this disease! I listen to my mom's phone msgs often! And sometimes I "see" her & she "sees" me but most days she's just disappearing! And I cry & cry & cry! God bless ALL caregivers! Others do NOT get it!😢

[carolynb]

I saw you on The Voice today. Thank you so much for writing this beautiful song and for bringing attention to the fight against Alzheimers! I rushed to the Internet so that I could hear the whole song. I lost my mom from this horrible disease two years ago. It was so hard watching her lose herself more and more every day. I played your song 3 times in a row and cried the entire time 😭but I also thought about all the good memories I have of my mom. I have voicemails and videos I saved of her too! Your mom would be so proud of you! Thank you for writing this beautiful song for all of us who are caring for or have lost someone to Alzheimer’s ❤🙏

[jillshank]

I’ve been caring for my husband who has cognitive impairment from MS since 2008, even as I fight for my own life against a rare form of leukemia which required a bone marrow transplant. During my recovery we were told that he now has dementia- Alzheimer’s. He disappeared into the darkness of our neighborhood at midnight last night, requiring me to search between the homes with my flashlight and high beams. So many small things I’ve seen slip away. This was by far the most frightened I’ve been. Thank you for this song…. I needed to let some of the pain out❤

[VickieEdmondson]

My Precious Mother was diagnosed when she was 63 years old. She Fought for 16 years when it finally took her life. Two of her Six sisters passed away from Alzheimer’s too. Thank you for all you are doing for the Alzheimer’s patients. God Bless you.

[justjacki]

Today was my mom’s funeral & we shared your beautiful song and I will cherish it for the rest of my life, thank you😇

[liciapellegrini]

I’m obsessed with finding videos of my mom just to hear her talk. She was diagnosed with dementia at 63, and now has basically no vocabulary. I can relate to this song so much.

[debbietblonde]

My husband just turned 61 this week. He has dementia since 53 that we know of. So thank you. I'm sorry about your mom.
It's so hard to know they are locked inside. Prayers for all.

[joannrenedentonthune]

My mom passed away last New Year's Eve, having Dementia and taking care of her, watching her slowly disappear isn't something I'd wish upon anyone. Being by her side til the end was difficult and I wouldn't change a thing. Miss her. Sorry for your loss.

[francinescott-hetrick]

You probably wont read this since you wrote this a few years ago. I am sitting here crying. When you wrote this was my first stroke and my son was 15. Broke my back and neck before the stroke. wheelchair bound. Then stoke. I fought 5 years to walk again. I fought so my son didnt have to look at me and feel helpless. I started walking last year. I just had another stroke in Aug. My boy who is now a man was about to move out to start his life but he stayed to help me yet again. I am bawling hard. listening to this song I can feel the love of my son of all these years of him helping me. This stroke wasnt too bad. My mind has a hard time but my body is allowing me to keep going. Thank you for writing this.

[DK-wlne]

Jay, saw a news spot on you singing this with your mother on stage and it brought me to tears. My father passed at the age of 59 from early onset Alzheimers when I was 18 (I'm 45 now). To this day, the worst day of my life is the day he forgot who I was when I was visiting him on my 16th birthday. Nothing prepares you for this, not really... The road ahead is going to be frustrating, and brutal and make you question every scrap of faith you have - my advice is open yourself to those who love you. Let them support you as you support them as well. And most of all, try to remember the love and adoration you mother had for you and always remember that's still in there, but the disease conceals it.

All the best Jay. I wish you all the support and peace someone going through this can have. No one deserves this disease. Not the people afflicted or the loved ones who suffer through it.

[wowcool]

i interpreted this song in a COMPLETELY different way. before seeing this video i always thought this song was about addiction. having addict parents i really related on that level. music is such a powerful thing, for the reason we can all listen to the same song and relate on different levels. it is such a beautiful, touching song, regardless of the intended meaning.

[americaninfidel]

I can't stop crying! As a nurse. I see so many with dementia and Alzheimer's. Helpless.

[marigardenmtrs]

Bob, a loving husband, dad and grandpa is now rapidly disappearing deeper into Lewy Body Dementia (LBD). We are losing him, only very short awareness of us and his life. He was so vibrant and loving for over 61 years. It is a very long and painful farewell. We are grateful and thank you for your beautiful song.