It’s a sound you’re used to hearing when leaving stores, the ring of the bells next to the red donation kettles. How about a live musician?
A kettle bell entertainer in Land O’ Lakes is working his way back up in life through his music.
“It’s the time of year I get to get out and play every day,” said Jay Caruthers, a Salvation Army volunteer.
Caruthers hardly ever gets to play his trumpet anymore but you probably wouldn’t be able to tell. Over the Christmas season it’s been a full time job, 7 to 8 hours a day, 5 days a week.
“It really puts me in the spirit,” he said.
Caruthers attended Burklee College of Music but it didn’t last long.
“I got off track by the time I was like three years into college I was completely lost,” he said.
He said he was using drugs and lost his way but recently he got a helping hand from the Salvation Army.
“I’ve been through a couple of their adult rehabilitation centers," he said.
Now clean and sober, he can enjoy music again and the feeling of giving back to an organization that’s helped him get back on his feet.
“It’s just so great to be able to participate in the whole thing and help put people in the Christmas mood so it kind of makes my holiday for me too,” he said.
Caruthers said he hopes he can continue to play past Christmas. He will be looking into playing for assisted living centers. He can be reached at 813-748-5648 or caruthersjay@gmail.com.