Foolish; not a word most people use to describe themselves, but it is a word this singer/songwriter lives by. From his earliest memories, Jeff Bodley recalls being radically in love with Jesus. Jeff’s confidence in the Bible and unwavering Faith in the God of the Universe, have led him to declare what 1 Corinthians 1:18 says, “The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God.” It is with this passion Jeff enters the music scene rendering his first project, “Dance of the Fool.”

This Oklahoma native grew up playing music. After marrying the love of his life in 1991, Teri Stout, Jeff felt the Lord telling him to move. So, with $200 to their name, the newlyweds packed up everything they owned into a 5x8 trailer, and began their journey to Nashville. During the next several years, Jeff’s passion for ministry led him so serve as House Parent in a crisis pregnancy center, Youth Pastor, and Worship Leader. These experiences cultivated within Jeff the desire to awaken the Church to the numbing sensation of “cultural Christianity,” leading him to pen, “Dance of the Fool.” In 1999, competing against Nashville’s finest, Jeff won a nationwide songwriting contest, with his song, “I Will Give to You My All,” earning him comparisons to Steven Curtis Chapman and Michael W. Smith.

In 2002, God challenged Jeff to put the words from “Walk with You” into action, asking him to place full-time music ministry on hold and follow Him to a children’s home. Believing in the unchanging love of their Heavenly Father, with an eagerness to walk with Him, Jeff and Teri sold their home in Tennessee, packed up their three boys, moved to Alabama, and became family to abandoned and abused boys. Plunged headlong into the wounded face of children, hurt and broken, this experience compelled Jeff, giving birth to the song, “I Will Love You.” During this time, in spite of the grueling schedule of raising a family of eleven, Jeff still made time to lead worship at a local coffeehouse church. Four years later, after pouring everything into the mission, Jeff and his family found themselves heading back to Tennessee.

Nestled deep within the heart of the Cherokee National Forest, suddenly without a direction to go…worship to lead…a show to do…Jeff sat, silent. Recalling an age-old desire to play guitar, he began strumming out a tune. Invigorated by the sheer enjoyment of the music he was making, without pretense, Jeff also learned to play the fiddle and banjo. New melodies began flowing and fresh songs taking form. Soon, Jeff heard the Father’s voice say, “It’s Time,” breathing Life into the vision of RivetEye Productions. With a clear mission, guided by the stepping-stones of lessons learned, RivetEye emerged to become a catalyst for the Body of Christ to minister to their respective communities outside of denominational boundaries.

Sitting on the front porch of his rustic home, steadily rocking to the rhythm of his guitar, Jeff recounts the final recording session of “Dance of the Fool”: “I wanted to do the Instrumental Medley as a live run, a true Worship experience. As we started recording, the rain began to fall. I quickly ran a mic out the window and began recording. By the close of the song, the rain ended. Suddenly, the birds started singing with us, in real-time…no overdubs; as if an accolade from the Master Composer….making music with God…so cool!” Then, as a sign of blessing and approval from the Father, a double rainbow, stretched across the sky, greeted Jeff as he walked out the door. And so, with Heaven’s applause, yet…just a man, Jeff straps on his guitar, the words to “Someday” on his lips, and continues onward…dancing the dance.