PEORIA MAGAZINE January 2023

P L A Y I N G I N P E O R I A

FROM GRIDIRON TO GRAND OLE OPRY DOORSTEP Metamora native Jake Maurer is making a good living playing the music he loves in Nashville

BY KIRK WESSLER

J akeMaurer was 26 years old when he delivered the one-two news punch to his parents. One caused rejoicing: Jake and his college sweetheart, KatieTaake, were engaged. Two caused concern: They were quitting their jobs as teachers in Mattoon andmoving toNashville, where Jake would try to make it as a musician in the countrymusic capital of theworld. “I pictured himon street corners with

his guitar case open, hoping people would give himmoney,” said Jake’s father, Ken, then the longtime superintendent of Metamora Township High School before serving as Metamora’s mayor. But Ken and SusanMaurer knew this much about the eldest of their four children: “Never underestimate Jake.” Today, the Jake Maurer Band is in its 16th year playing five nights a week at the world-famous Tootsie’s Orchid

Lounge on Broadway in downtown Nashville, situated quite literally in the shadow of the legendary Ryman Auditorium, former home of the Grand Ole Opry. The band also performs across the United States and Canada, and on Jan. 28, they’ll play at Five Points Events Center inWashington, just a few miles fromwhere Jake grewup. (Tickets available online at fivepointswashington. org and jakemaurer.com.)

54 JANUARY 2023 PEORIA MAGAZINE