Jared C. McStay

Jared McStay was a lot of things-a top-notch golfer, an exceptional musician, co-owner of the iconic Shangri-La Records, a beloved radio DJ, record label co-founder, and an unwavering Grizz fan, just to name a few. But out of all of the labels you could pin on Jared, his greatest achievement is the legacy he'll leave behind as a dedicated husband, father, brother, uncle, son, friend, and champion of the Memphis music community.

Born in Rhode Island on April 16, 1966, Jared moved to Memphis (by way of Atlanta) as a child with his parents, Betsy and Dick, and two sisters, Melissa and Moriah. Family shenanigans and traditions have been an anchor throughout his life. He loved baseball, basketball, and soccer as a kid; was an avid reader; shopped at thrift stores before they were cool; made friendships that lasted through his adulthood; and developed a love of-and dedication to-music at an early age. By tenth grade, he was in his first band. He attended Presbyterian Day School, Memphis University School, Boston College, and the University of Memphis.

Jared became a fixture in the midtown Memphis music scene. In the '90s, he penned songs, played guitar, and sang with The Simpletones (later Simple Ones), which one music critic described as brimming with ""sublime coolness and edgy confidence."" His greatest creation came as he welcomed, along with his first wife, Stephanie Anderson, his son, Vaughn Henry ""Hank"". Jared and Hank always had a strong relationship; they were side-kicks in all things. They bonded over sports, TV, current events, and music. Hank remembers Jared telling him to ""find something you love doing and you'll never work a day""-an ethos Jared himself lived.

In 1999, Jared took the helm of Shangri-La Records, Memphis' oldest independent record store, from his childhood friend and store founder, Sherman Willmott. Later, Jared acted as co-owner of the shop with his wife and partner in all things music, Lori, and friend, John Miller. During Jared's tenure co-owning the store, Shangri-La Records became a mecca for vinyl enthusiasts – both in Memphis and far beyond. Over the years, it made top record store lists in publications like Rolling Stone, Paste, and Business Insider. In an interview with The Commercial Appeal, Willmott said, ""He took Shangri-La from a really good little store into one of the longest-running and most respected stores in the world. That was an exceptional accomplishment.""

Over the years, Jared personally contributed to countless bands and musical projects – The Villains, The Glitches, Total Strangers, Nice Digs, Wuvbirds, The McStays, Relentless Breeze, The Moody McStays, Alicja-Pop, and So Gung Ho, among others. He thrived in every role-bandleader, vocals, guitar, and bass. He was especially adept at penning catchy tunes with thoughtful and, oftentimes, playful lyrics.

Arguably, his greatest collaboration of all, though, is the life and music he created with his wife, Lori. They often joked on their WYXR show about ""meet-cutes."" Theirs would happen in the late '90s at a house party, and their love story would far surpass any rom-com plot device. They created a home and magical backyard that's legendary among friends, neighbors, and music circles. Their house hosted a revolving cast of friends and family through band rehearsals, Grizz game watch parties, karaoke nights, birthdays, and anniversaries. They played in multiple bands together, toured together, wrote songs together, and ran business ventures together. Jared and Lori started Blast Habit Records with their friend and partner, Graham Winchester, with the goal of helping themselves and other local musicians release their own music. They built a fanbase that has stretched far beyond Memphis with their incredibly popular WYXR show, Switchin' to Glide, with a combination of their keen musical tastes, sketch comedy, and undeniable chemistry.

Jared approached just about every endeavor much like you could describe his infectious laugh – with a genuine childlike exuberance and pure joy. Jared brought people together through his love of music and humanity. His impact on the Memphis music community and the city as a whole is immeasurable. But he did it one person at a time.

Jared is predeceased by his parents, Richard and Elizabeth McStay. He is survived by his wife, Lorraine Gienapp McStay; son, Vaughn Henry ""Hank"" McStay; sisters, Melissa McStay (Carlos Gómez) and Moriah McStay Lee (Samuel Lee); nieces and nephews, Holden Gienapp, Madeleine Lee, Samantha Lee, Gabriel Gómez, Claire Lee, Isabel Gómez, and Daniel Gienapp; as well as a large extended family of aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Visitation will be from 4-6 p.m. Tuesday, November 21 at Canale Funeral Directors. Private interment will be held at Elmwood Cemetery on Wednesday. A Celebration of Life will be in December with details to be announced.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to WYXR radio or Music Export Memphis.