Rob Mayes returns to the UP Entertainment family this weekend when his latest project, Just Jake, premieres on their streaming service Up Faith & Family, before hitting UPtv later in the month. In the film, Mayes portrays Jake Collins, a would-be country singer who finds notoriety when a clip of him singing goes viral and results in a recording contract. While writing songs for his debut album, he experiences writer's block and heads home for inspiration. Upon arrival, he encounters his high school sweetheart Amber Gibson (Brittany Bristow), and as the two reconnect, more than a spark of inspiration is ignited.
While Mayes is no stranger to the rom-com genre, the character of Jake is probably the closest to himself among the many he has portrayed. "It really does mirror a lot of my own life," he revealed in an exclusive interview with MediaVillage. "Here I am living in Nashville, writing, making, and releasing a whole bunch of country music, but I think it's safe to say, 'No, I don't think I've gone viral yet,' wink, wink. A screen did pop up on my Instagram the other day and my song Grandpa's Hands was tagged in hundreds of beautiful videos of people's grandparents. Amazingly, it has resonated with so many people."
Just as the film's character touched Mayes on a personal level, his introduction to it was also personal. "The director Brandon Clark is a good buddy," he explained. "We met at the RomaDrama convention in Palm Beach, where he was wearing a PIA hat, which is the great country songwriter Dallas Davidson's publishing company Play It Again. I was like, 'Dude, how do you know PIA?' and I really wanted the hat. We hit it off and hung out. When he came to me and said, 'We'd love for you to portray this character Jake in this movie,' it was an instant 'yes!' Being able to be in this movie in any capacity, much less the lead, and combine my love of music and acting, then be able to tell a story that in some regards reflects my own life is so cool."
As a country artist, Mayes is used to writing songs solo, however, Just Jake allowed him to explore the process with some of country music's biggest talents. "Man, that was amazing," he beamed. "When Brandon said, 'We have Heath Warren, Will Weatherly and Eric Van Houghton all excited to write some songs for the movie, I'd love to include you in those rooms,' wow! I'd never met these guys before. We all sat down and were off to the races. There was a lot of energy in the room. When you're trying to write something vulnerable like a love song, it can be a lot.
"Half the guys ended up going into different rooms to chase an idea," he continued. "I sat there with Will Weatherly, and we chased [our] idea. Then Brandon came over and said, 'You are needed in the other room as these guys are chasing a really cool idea.' We all played the ideas to each other and married the two. That was the etymology, and creation of Without You, the [film's] big hero song."
Sharing both the screen (and stage) with Mayes in the film is Brittany Bristow (pictured at top with Mayes), another actor who is no stranger to the rom-com genre. Mayes was very familiar with her work but had no idea of her incredible vocal prowess. And the script called for them to duet on the new song! "I didn't know, and I don't even know if she knew," he laughed at how good she is. "She was nervous in the studio, which is always a little nerve-wracking, especially with people you haven't worked with before and you're using you're voice in a vulnerable way. We went in there, she started singing and we were like, 'Oh, holy cow, are you kidding me?' She's said, 'I don't know, is it okay?' We're like, 'Okay? This is magic!'"
Both Mayes and Bristow also worked behind the scenes as executive producers. Being a part of the collaborative process only added to their enjoyment. "This [was] my first time as an executive producer," he said. "I was grateful to have [done] it and we had a blast; from writing these songs, to being on set every day. Then making a movie that is going to touch people, in a realm that's so near and dear to me. And to have Brittany … There's a skill to dropping into these [types] of characters and letting them exist in a space that is hopeful, uplifting, with a positive message. It's really a rewarding space to work in.
"There's a message too about keeping the faith," he added. "Be it faith in yourself, in what you're doing, in a higher power, or whatever it is for you. [Sometimes] we need help, and something to believe in that's bigger than us. Or our purpose, and why we're here doing all this stuff."
In addition to the film, Mayes will be releasing new music. A duet of Without You, in which he is accompanied by former American Idol contestant Lauren Mascitti, is currently available for pre-save on all major music streaming platforms, and will be released on May 19. His version with Bristow will soon be available, too.
"I'm ready for everyone to see this movie when it hits UP Faith & Family, then UPtv," he said in closing. "We made something really special with a lot of heart that is very true, honest and real. I can't wait for everyone to see this movie, and hopefully, love the music.">