Band Member Bios
Jessie Kay
Lead Vocals
From singing along to CDs in her dad’s garage to commanding the stage as the powerhouse frontwoman of The Jessie Kay Band, Jessie Kay has always been drawn to music. She began performing in her church band, playing rhythm electric guitar and singing, and quickly discovered her love for live performance. Her early experiences included countless karaoke competitions — highlighted by winning the Otsego County Fair competition hosted by Northern Star Productions — as well as featuring other well known local acts such as Jason Wicks, The Driftwoods, and Nicholas Stark and These Dudes at various Upstate New York venues.
Jessie’s path to The Jessie Kay Band took a modern twist when bandmate Cal found her through a MySpace ad — proving that great talent can pop up anywhere! Known for her rich, emotive vocals and commanding stage presence, Jessie brings authenticity, energy, and heart to every performance.
When she’s not performing, Jessie embraces a life as full and dynamic as her music: she’s a barrel racer, a race wife, a mom, a CDL holder, and a silversmith who crafts for fun. Her multifaceted life informs her music, giving her performances a unique warmth and relatability that fans instantly connect with.
Cal LaClair
Guitar
Based in Deansboro, New York, Cal has been mastering the art of country lead guitar for over 25 years. Known for his in-demand playing and electrifying stage presence, he brings authenticity, energy, and showmanship to every performance, striving to deliver the best possible experience for audiences everywhere.
Over the years, Cal has opened for national headliners including Montgomery Gentry, Eric Paslay, Randy Houser, Joe Nichols, Lindsey Ell, Michael Ray, Nate Smith, and Uncle Kracker, earning a reputation as one of the region’s premier country guitarists. His career includes stints in respected country bands such as The Beadle Brothers, Tompkins Drive, Fulton Chain Gang, and Lonesome Dove, performing all across New York State and the Northeast at both intimate venues and large-scale events.
Whether shredding a solo, creating a signature tone, or engaging the crowd with his high-energy performance, Cal is dedicated to authenticity in his playing and entertaining every audience he meets. With decades of experience and a passion for connecting through music, he’s an integral part of The Jessie Kay Band’s powerful sound and dynamic live shows.
Mark Circelli
Bass
A lifelong musician and proud Utica native, Mark has been holding down the low end in local bands since the late ’90s. After picking up the bass in high school during the 1980s, he quickly developed a passion for rhythm, groove, and the unique role the bass plays in shaping a band’s sound.
Over the years, Mark has performed with several respected Central New York cover bands, including Radionix, Remedy 2.0, and SoundBarrier. His steady presence, polished playing, and dedication to the craft have made him a familiar and well-respected figure in the region’s live music scene.
An avid bass collector, Mark brings not only deep experience but a true love for the instrument to every performance. He has played at countless local venues — from intimate clubs to some of the area’s marquee stages, including the Saranac Thursday stage and the Gig and Turquoise Tiger stages at Turning Stone Resort Casino.
Mark thrives on performing alongside talented musicians and takes pride in helping recreate the popular songs audiences know and love. For him, live music is about connection — bringing people together, one groove at a time.
Brandon Baldwin
Drums
Brandon Baldwin brings intense precision and a meticulous attention to detail to every beat he plays. His remarkable musical journey began at just 15, and he spent 16 years performing with the renowned country band The Beadle Brothers, honing his craft and earning a reputation as a powerhouse drummer.
Known affectionately by his bandmates as “The Secret Weapon,” Brandon’s technical expertise and deep musical knowledge shine both onstage and behind the scenes. He has performed at large-scale festivals and has shared the stage opening for national recording artists including The Band Perry, Justin Moore, Montgomery Gentry, and Michael Ray.
Beyond drumming, Brandon is a formally trained Audio Engineer with years of experience under his belt, and is the owner and president of Mohawk Valley Productions, a full-service sound company specializing in live sound, gear rentals, and mobile recording. Brandon’s combination of musical skill, technical mastery, and live performance experience makes him an invaluable part of the band’s sound and success.