Johnell “Jay” Caver Jr. was born January 30, 1967, in Detroit, Michigan to the union of Johnell Sr., and Sharon (Kirkwood) Caver. Jay has been a member of the Detroit Jewell Dominion Church of the Living God, all of his life. He began playing guitar in 1985, after being inspired and taught by his Uncle Derrick Kirkwood, also of Detroit, Michigan.

Jay was influenced greatly by several other guitarists in the church such as Ronnie Mozee, Angela Grace, etc. Over the years Jay has received many awards, accolades, and honorable mentions for performing and recording with groups such as Sonnie Day, Robert Randolph, the Calvin Cooke Ensemble and the Amazing Grace Praise Band, of which he is a group member.

Jay was given the title of “Traveling Evangelist Musician,” by Bishop N.A. Manning, leader of the Jewell Dominion Church of the Living God. He is one of the most sought out musicians of the Jewell and Keith Dominion churches and was inducted into the 2016 Sacred Steel Hall of Fame.