Jason & Rachelle Atkins

Jason & Rachelle Atkins

Jason Atkins, aka Greazy Keyz, has quickly become a household name. He is the beloved organist for the Charlotte Checkers (for ten seasons and counting), the Charlotte Knights, AND the Kannapolis Cannonballers. There is a whole section dedicated to his fans in The BoPlex referred to as the Greaz Pit and a burger named after him called The Greazy Cheese. The energy is always electric when he is in any arena or stadium and when I tell you that this man doesn’t “need” any more press, I’m serious. Almost every newspaper, online magazine, radio station, and blogger in town has done a piece on him. He doesn’t “need” any press, I just like talking to him and about him. He’s probably one of the most wholesome vibes around town.

When he is not the acting MVP for regional sports franchises, he is the host of a podcast, “Local Music Somewhere” on rBeatz Radio. Interviewing other area musicians, Jason is engaging and warm. As of recent, he has had Jay Garrigan from The-Eyebrows, Bruce Hazel of Temperance League, and the legendary percussionist James Brock as guests. He is happy to share this platform with other people in the music industry. He will never run out of content as his list of friends in town is neverending.

You can catch him at his decades long residency at Smokey Joe’s Café on Monroe with the band the Smokin’ J’s Tuesday nights. Music is how he makes a living. It takes up a whole lot of his time. That’s okay with his adoring wife, Rachelle. It is a cliché, but behind every great man is (an even) great(er) woman. She has supported him every step of the way and, now, he can return the favour. Rachelle, after years of working in construction, completed a degree in creative writing and just published her first book. I call it the first because there is NO way that the people are going to let her stop at just one.

Sleep like Starfish is a memoir by Rachelle, or Shel, as her close friends endearingly call her. This is a must read. She takes us on a journey through a challenging childhood, emotional adolescence, and, now, a triumphant adulthood. The bravery that it took to publish this piece of work is awe inspiring. Excelling in a male dominated field, she has put herself to the test, and is making an A+ all while navigating empty nesting and a medical history that baffles (“Lyme disease, fibromyalgia, chronic inflammatory response syndrome, Epstein-Barr virus, AND breast cancer”). Jason is right by her side, making certain that she doesn’t ever feel unsupported. I can tell you that this is a power couple; again cliché, but true.

There are a number of bookstores that carry Sleep like Starfish including mainstay Park Road Books. She has done a slew of book readings and will be traveling to Cincinnati and Louisville soon to appear to some other future fans. I am so proud to know both Jason and Shel personally and you can get to know them, too. These are the most humble people you will ever meet and their legacy (children) are growing up to be fantastic (and also humble) musicians, models, and photographers. Follow Greazy Keyz plus his beautiful authoress wife on all of the socials and at a game or reading soon. You’ll be glad that you did.

words: Ellen Gurley
photos: Daniel Coston
art: Sarah Pollock

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