Jay McClintock

Raised on a sprawling cattle ranch in Texas as the youngest of four brothers, CJ grew up with wide skies, hard work, and a guitar never far from reach. He fell in love with country music as a boy, singing before he could barely see over the porch rail, and later picked up the bass to anchor a local band.

Driven by a sense of duty, CJ enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, serving overseas and seeing more of the world than he'd ever imagined. That chapter came to an abrupt end when he was critically injured in an explosion — a moment that nearly cost him his life and left him facing a long road back, both physically and mentally.

Medically discharged and living with PTSD, CJ made a decision that would define his second act. Rather than retreat, he set out on a journey of self-discovery — travelling through distant lands, immersing himself in unfamiliar cultures, and slowly finding his way back to who he wanted to be. Music, as it always had, helped light the path.

When he finally took a long-promised skiing holiday in Verbier, Switzerland, he wasn't looking for anything in particular — but what he found was everything. A chance meeting on the slopes brought together a group of strangers who shared his love of music and his hunger for something meaningful. Together, they formed Project AiMe.