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Jake Luhrs
Luhrs performing with August Burns Red in 2017
Born
William Jacob Luhrs

(1985-02-02) February 2, 1985 (age 39)
Montclair, New Jersey[1]
Occupation(s)Founder and President, HeartSupport
Musical career
Genres
InstrumentVocals
Years active2006–present
Member ofAugust Burns Red
Formerly ofShe Walks In Beauty

William Jacob "Jake" Luhrs is an American musician best known as the lead vocalist of American metalcore band August Burns Red. He is also the founder and president of HeartSupport, a non-profit mental health organization.

Musical background

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Luhrs first entered the music scene in Columbia, South Carolina where he was the frontman for a band known as She Walks In Beauty.[2] The band released two EPs on which Luhrs was featured but eventually disbanded. After vocalist Josh McManness left, Luhrs got in touch with August Burns Red through Myspace which started his career with the band. Luhrs has performed on all the ABR albums except 2005's Thrill Seeker and 2003's Looks Fragile After All.

Luhrs has performed both studio and live guest vocal spots for bands such as Pierce the Veil,[3][4] Blessthefall,[5] and For Today.[6] Luhrs, along with Matt Greiner and JB Brubaker and members of We Came as Romans and Blessthefall, appear in parody metal band, Amidst the Grave's Demons video for "Save My Life".

HeartSupport

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In 2011, Luhrs founded HeartSupport, a mental health-based non-profit organization that offers resources and peer support to individuals within the music community dealing with addiction, anxiety, depression, and self-harm.[7][8][9] HeartSupport would later partner with Beneath the Skin (founded by Brittany Mullins, wife of Memphis May Fire's vocalist Matty Mullins), an organization that provides mentorship to individuals seeking to improve their mental health.[10]

HeartSupport is active on their YouTube channel, where a licensed therapist (Taylor Palmby) analyzes the emotional elements behind the lyrics of songs and the visual aspects of their music videos.[11] The channel also hosts interviews with musicians in the metal scene, where the primary topic of discussion revolves around their struggles with their mental health. Past interviewees include Jesse Leach, Andy Biersack, and Ryan Kirby of Fit for a King.[12][13][14] In 2019, the organization released a mini-documentary about As I Lay Dying and the band's vocalist Tim Lambesis, titled Misery Evolving. The documentary focuses on the personal side of the band, detailing Lambesis' prison sentence, his rehabilitation, and how those actions affected the band.[15]

HeartSupport organized a Twitch live stream in support of World Suicide Prevention Day in 2021, titled Choose Life. The stream featured performances and interviews from musical artists such as Brian Welch, Lacey Sturm, We Came as Romans, and more.[16]

In 2023, the organization hosted HeartSupport Fest in Orlando, Florida. The event was a mission-based metal music festival focusing on "diversity, acceptance, inclusion, self-love and self-care, and mental health as priority."[17]

Personal life

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Luhrs is a devout Christian.[18][19] He is a member of a non-denominational church, and was in seminary at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.[20]

In 2016, Luhrs won the Artist Philanthropic Award at the APMA Awards for his work with HeartSupport.[21]

In 2021, Luhrs opened the YourLife Gym in August Burns Red's hometown, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The gym was opened in response to the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and emphasizes the importance of both mental and physical health.[22]

Discography

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August Burns Red

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Main article: August Burns Red discography

Collaborations

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Year Song Album Artist
2011 "Ruler of the Air" (featuring Jake Luhrs) Kingdoms Life in Your Way
2012 "Set Apart" (featuring Jake Luhrs) Immortal For Today
2013 "Carry On" (featuring Jake Luhrs) Hollow Bodies blessthefall
2016 "Dead Memory" (featuring Jake Luhrs) Deathgrip Fit for a King
2017 "Delusion" (featuring Jake Luhrs) Aqua Vitae The Voynich Code
2019 "Redefined" (featuring Jake Luhrs) Shaped by Fire As I Lay Dying
2021 "God of Fire" (featuring Jake Luhrs) Guardians of the Path Fit for a King
"When Everything Means Nothing" (featuring Jake Luhrs)
2024 "Tides" (featuring Jake Luhrs) Apologies Are for the Weak (15th anniversary re-record) Miss May I

Bibliography

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  • Mountains: 25 Devotionals with Jake Luhrs (2018) ISBN 9780999154533

References

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  1. ^ "August Burns Red - Wikipedia: Fact or Fiction?". Loudwire. November 22, 2017.
  2. ^ Welding, Alan (July 24, 2013). "Jake Luhrs (August Burns Red) Founder of Heart Support Explains Where His Mission Began". Pittsburgh Music Magazine.
  3. ^ Emily (August 6, 2015). "Pierce the Veil Perform Caraphernelia With August Burns Red's Jake Luhrs". Kerrang!. Retrieved November 18, 2016.
  4. ^ Sharp, Tyler (August 5, 2015). "Pierce the Veil perform with August Burns Red vocalist, unnecessary-yet-awesome heaviness ensues". Alternative Press. Retrieved November 18, 2016.
  5. ^ Bower, Chad (June 10, 2013). "Blessthefall Releasing New Album "Hollow Bodies" In August". Loudwire. Retrieved November 18, 2016.
  6. ^ wookubus (March 30, 2012). "For Today's "Immortal" To Features Cameos From August Burns Red, P.O.D. & Sleeping Giant Vocalists". Theprp. Retrieved November 18, 2016.
  7. ^ Williams, Trevor (February 26, 2023). "Heart Support 2023". Soundlink Magazine.
  8. ^ "August Burns Red's Jake Luhrs Talks His Foundation, HeartSupport". Revolver. December 17, 2014. Archived from the original on December 19, 2014.
  9. ^ Pamatian, Chris (February 24, 2023). "HEARTSUPPORT FEST DAY 2 FEATURING RISE AGAINST, THE GHOST INSIDE, SPIRITBOX AND MORE AT THE ORLANDO AMPHITHEATER IN ORLANDO, FLORIDA 02/19/23". All Music Magazine.
  10. ^ Nikkel, Mary (March 13, 2024). "HeartSupport and Beneath the Skin Team Up for Even More Mental Health Initiatives". Rock On Purpose.
  11. ^ Schaffner, Lauryn (June 3, 2024). "Therapist Concludes One Thing About Slipknot After Watching All Their Music Videos". Loudwire.
  12. ^ Childers, Chad (May 19, 2019). "Killswitch Engage's Jesse Leach: 'Knowing That I'm Not Alone' Helps With Mental Health". Loudwire.
  13. ^ ""I would just overthink everything"—Fit For A King singer talks anxiety, drinking and faith". Alternative Press. March 4, 2015.
  14. ^ "BLACK VEIL BRIDES' ANDY BIERSACK Talks To HeartSupport About Bullying (Video)". December 29, 2013.
  15. ^ "As I Lay Dying Tell The Tale Of Tim Lambesis' Downfall And Return In New Documentary 'Misery Evolving'". Theprp.com. May 29, 2019.
  16. ^ DiVita, Joe (September 4, 2021). "Love & Death, Lacey Sturm, August Burns Red + More Taking Part In 'Choose Life' Suicide Prevention Livestream". Loudwire.
  17. ^ Kennelty, Greg (October 11, 2022). "AUGUST BURNS RED Vocalist Announces Debut HeartSupport Fest Feat. RISE AGAINST, PARKWAY DRIVE & More". Metal Injection.
  18. ^ Belcher, Josh (August 6, 2015). "Jake Luhrs of August Burns Red". Rocking God's House. Retrieved November 18, 2016.
  19. ^ Sarachik, Justin (November 11, 2014). "August Burns Red Vocalist Say They're "Not a Ministry" Christian Band Who's "Soul Purpose" is to preach; Lets Music Speak Truth". Breathcast. Retrieved November 18, 2016.
  20. ^ Paltrowitz, Darren (October 6, 2017). "Pumping Metal: August Burns Red Frontman Jake Luhrs on Taking Care of Himself, Hockey, Hobbies, and New Album 'Phantom Anthem'". V13 Media.
  21. ^ Chatterjee, Kika (July 18, 2016). "August Burns Red's Jake Luhrs wins Artist Philanthropic Award for HeartSupport at 2016 APMAs". Alternative Press. Retrieved November 18, 2016.
  22. ^ DiVita, Joe (January 6, 2021). "August Burns Red's Jake Luhrs Opens Gym for Mental + Physical Health". Loudwire.
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