Jay OP Denny

Jay “OP” Denney was born in Fort Rucker Alabama and grew up as an Army brat with 33 moves by the time he was 18.  He graduated from High School in Izmir, Turkey in the Ephesus coliseum, then graduated from Auburn University with a degree in Aviation Management, He then obtained a Master’s in aerospace operations from Embry Riddle, MBA from Columbia University, and a Doctorate in Strategy and Political Science from NATO Defense College in Rome, Italy.  

Jay lived his dream as an F-15 fighter pilot serving an Instructor at the Fighter Weapons School in Nellis, NV; a Squadron, Group and Wing Commander, as well as the Military Liaison to the Under Secretary of the Air Force and the Director of the National Reconnaissance Office.  After retiring from the Air Force, he was a Captain with Southwest Airlines, a Commercial Truck Driver, and a Real Estate Agent.

His musical roots began when his dad took him to visit a friend who owned a club in Oklahoma City when he was 5.  As he stared at the beautiful drum set, the owner said, “go play them!” and he never stopped!  His Mom got the first set that year and paid for it with years of migraines😊

Formal training started in fourth grade in drums. Moving on to guitar, trumpet and French horn in Junior High and High School and finally back to a kit in a Baptist Church choir in Montgomery AL.

OP played drums with various “almost” bands through college (mostly interested in the girls who showed up), featuring early rock, funk, and disco. Band favorites were The Commodores, Lakeside, the Motels, Doobie Brothers, Rush, and AC/DC.  In the Air Force, OP was able to hook up with various groups within the AF squadrons.  In Germany, he was in a band called the “PreSet Freqs” that played many times in Germany, then played for the troops in Al Kharj and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, primarily playing heavy rock.  During an assignment to Hawaii, he was able to play for a year with a band known as “One Bald Guy and the Chick Magnets”, playing mostly grunge, new wave and some classic rock.

He had never played or listened to country music until a chance meeting where he got to play with Mark Wills, Trick Pony, and Darryl Worley.  He never looked back and now loves it all!

For the last two years, he has played with the Crosspoint Church Orchestra and Contemporary bands and follows Gordon Jackson wherever he wants to play.  It is awesome to share the music and the worship experience with great people wherever we are.  Married to the wonderful Teresa “Tee” Denney, they have 3 married sons and 2 dogs.  They enjoy playing and singing together as a part of 20 West!