Bassist for Christian band Big Daddy Weave dies of COVID a week after hospitalization
Jay Weaver, the bassist and co-founding member of the Christian contemporary band Big Daddy Weave, died after a battle with COVID-19, his brother and bandmate announced.
He was 42, The Tennessean reported.
“I’m so sorry to bring this news but I’m so excited to celebrate where he is right now,” Mike Weaver said Sunday, Jan. 2 on Facebook. “My brother Jay went to be with Jesus just a couple hours ago.”
The band said on Twitter the day before his death that Jay Weaver had been hospitalized for five days.
He had been previously hospitalized in August 2021 due to side effects with dialysis treatments, the band said. He was placed in the Intensive Care Unit at the time and was released after a few days.
Jay Weaver, who also goes by Jason, also had his feet amputated in 2016, according to Christian Post.
“Jason has had diabetes for 15 years and the illness, although not the direct cause of his infection, severely weakened his body’s immune system and ability to stave off the infection, which resulted in the amputation of both of his feet,” Christian Post said in 2016.
Most Big Daddy Weave band members reside in Tennessee, while Jay Weaver lived with his wife and children in Navarre, Florida, according to The Tennessean. It’s unclear if he was vaccinated.
“I believe even though COVID may have taken his last breath, Jesus was right there to catch him,” his brother said. “I know he’s seeing things now I long to see. My heart’s broke.”
Big Daddy Weave has had six songs top the Christian Airplay charts, most recently in 2020 with “I Know,” Billboard reported.
The band won the Song of the Year at the 2013 K-Love Fan Awards with “Redeemed” and was a nominee for the same award in 2014with the song “The Only Name (Yours Will Be).”
K-Love, a national Christian music station, acknowledged Weaver’s death Sunday.
“Our hearts are saddened to hear that Jay Weaver, former bass player in Big Daddy Weave, has passed away,” the station said. “Please join us as we pray for Jay’s wife, three children, and the Weaver family.”
This story was originally published January 4, 2022 at 5:59 AM with the headline "Bassist for Christian band Big Daddy Weave dies of COVID a week after hospitalization."