Frye is taking talents to Nashville

While majoring in communications at Ball State University in the late 1980s, Jay County native Tom Frye didn’t expect to go into a career as a singer-songwriter. But the former Jay County High School wrestler learned to play a few guitar chords from his roommates, and soon after began writing his own songs.

“I never really thought, ‘I want to write a song,’ it just kind of came out,” Frye said. “I’d really never had any vision of playing music, but God kept bringing people into my path to mentor me and push me out of the nest when I really didn’t want to go.”

Now, three decades later, the Jay County resident is planning on making another unexpected change. He’s moving to Nashville, Tennessee.

Frye has written more than 100 songs during his career. He plays a number of instruments and sings vocals in the Frye Family Band. Along with daughter Maggie, son Jonathon, Eric Reynolds and Seth Neal, the band plays a variety of contemporary Christian music. Frye has also served as the contemporary worship pastor at Westchester United Methodist Church.

“I really found that was kind of my niche, writing music and getting to share it,” Frye said. “But to get to do it with my kids is just icing on the cake. And to see them have their own songs and their own thoughts that they’re sharing … I can’t really put words to it. It’s just very satisfying.”

Frye’s oldest daughter, Kaylyn, also added vocals and played with the band in the past, but has taken a break from performing after recently getting married.

Now, Frye and his wife Lisa, are moving from their long-time home in New Corydon to Nashville, where Frye will have more opportunities to collaborate with other songwriters.

“Jonathon and I were at a Compassion (International) artist retreat in January, and my rep said after the retreat, ‘Tom if you were down here I’d have work for you,’” Frye said. “We’ve gotten plugged into a really good songwriting community down there. The next day after the Compassion retreat I was meeting with this guy I’ve been writing songs with, and he made the comment, ‘Tom if you were down here I’d write more with you.’

“I’m thinking, ‘I just heard this two days in a row.’”

Frye and his wife Lisa decided to make the move to a rural area 30 minutes west of Nashville, and Lisa, a social worker and former Persimmon Ridge employee, moved down in advance and has been working at a retirement facility there since May. They sold their home in New Corydon and bought one in Tennessee on the same day. But the final move this week will take them away from the county they’ve called home for most of their lives.

Frye’s middle child, Maggie, is starting her junior year at Taylor University. She said growing up around music and being a part of her dad’s band has been a formative experience for her.

“I think for some people it’s really unique, but for our family it’s just normal,” she said. “I think the coolest part has been all the time we got to spend together growing up … Even though my mom wasn’t actually a part of being on stage she was always there as a support.”

“People ask me a lot, ‘Are you excited about the move?’” Frye said. “I always tell them that I’m leaving a good place and that I’m going to a good place. So I’m looking forward to it but I’m also dreading the goodbyes. And just the familiarity of being here. Forgetting your wallet when you go to get something at Williams Auto Parts and them saying, ‘Oh just get me next time.’”