About Us
The Story of C.M. Jaye Music
A Legacy, A Movement, and a Music Revolution
The Story of C.M. Jaye Music
It Started with Larysa Jaye:
A Visionary, A Dreamer, A Storyteller
Born from Two Paths, One Purpose
In 2024, siblings Larysa Jaye and Carlos McNeely (known in literary circles as C.M. James) embarked on parallel creative journeys, she in music, he in literature. Larysa's days were filled with recording sessions, live performances, & T.V. appearance. Her evenings often concluded with late-night drives home from gigs. Simultaneously, Carlos spent countless nights immersed in writing, crafting narratives that would later be published and recognized by the Library of Congress and awards.
Their shared passion for storytelling sparked countless conversations, each exchange fueling the other’s creative drive. While Carlos was carving out a space for authors with untold stories, Larysa was dreaming up a platform for musicians who defied industry norms; artists with raw talent, authentic voices, and experiences that didn’t fit neatly into a box.
The siblings would constantly exchange ideas, inspiring one another along the way. Larysa often urged Carlos to manage her career, but he resisted.
"Music isn’t my field, Larysa. I don’t know it. It can be messy."
But in July 2024, their worlds officially merged when Larysa asked him for help, not with management, but with her memoir. She wanted to transform her lyrics into literature, capturing the stories behind her songs. This, he agreed to. Writing was his world. Together, they began compiling her words, archiving the meaning behind every lyric, preserving her artistic soul on paper.
Larysa had always believed in giving a voice to artists who didn’t fit the conventional mold, but as she approached 40, that vision became more urgent. She wasn’t just thinking about her own career anymore; she wanted to create opportunities for others. For years, she talked about supporting artists who had grit, raw talent, and real stories to tell, especially single mothers, minorities, and those who didn’t fit the traditional image of country or soul artists.
What mattered to her was authenticity; the kind of voice you can feel in a song, one that carries experience and struggle. When she first brought that idea up to her brother, he told her, "Now that, I could help with. Not the artists themselves, but maybe the business side." She had spent years talking about it, now she was finally ready to act. She had already created her own music label, Larysa Jaye Music LLC.
As she approached her 40th birthday, that vision became even more urgent. As fate would have it, while Larysa celebrated her 40th birthday in October, Carlos was making another major leap, officially launching C.M. James Writes LLC publishing. They marked their milestones, exchanged future plans, and discussed ideas for 2025.
Then came their last conversation.
They both discussed what was next. Carlos mentioned, almost offhandedly, that he was considering stepping into the industry, but only to help songwriters, assisting with lyrics and connecting them to music professionals.
Larysa’s response was immediate. Emphatic. Unshakable.
“You are a genius, Carlos. Seriously! Do it!”
For the first time, the roles were reversed. His younger sister, the one he had always pushed toward greatness, was now the one pushing him. It was a shift he hadn’t anticipated but deeply felt. He hung up that night, smiling, thinking:
"My little sister is really coming into her own. So much so, that she’s giving me the push this time." As he chuckled.
Two days later, she was gone…
A Vision Turned Mission:
Larysa’s passing shook Carlos and family to their core. The grief was unlike anything he had ever known, a lifetime of memories condensed into a single, unbearable moment.
But with that pain he felt there was a new purpose, he had made a deal to help her with her vision and continue her music.
If she couldn’t bring her vision to life, he would.
Thus, the idea of C.M. Jaye Music LLC was born, not just in her honor, but in her image. A label dedicated to artists like her; raw, real, soulful voices that don’t fit the mold but deserve to be heard.
Larysa now would be the first “signed” artist of C.M. Jaye Music, posthumously , ensuring that her voice and message live on. Her being the label’s foundation, the gatekeeper of its vision, and her legacy; the heartbeat of its mission.
Now C.M. James Writes LLC has officially published Larysa’s lyrics-to-literature memoir, "Love & Lyrics: The Nashville Dream,” a personal book, featuring her words and her story compiled and completed by her brother. Released on Valentine’s Day 2025, this book is more than a collection of lyrics. It’s a love letter to music.
One of many of her final recorded songs, "No Other Face," is set to release in the spring of 2025, an upbeat, powerful track designed to reintroduce her not just to Nashville, but to the world.
Her full posthumous album is expected to be released by Summer 2025, a body of work that will showcase her passion, her soul, and her undeniable legacy.
The Future of C.M. Jaye Music
The search:
C.M. Jaye Music will sign artists who reflect Larysa’s vision; artists with grit, authenticity, and a story to tell. She was passionate about giving opportunities to voices that often go unheard. This aligns perfectly with C.M. James Writes LLC, which was built on the belief that:
“Everyone has a story to tell. Let’s share yours with the world.”
Now, her brother carries that same belief into the music industry, honoring her vision while merging it with his own passion for storytelling.
From Two Paths to One Purpose:
Larysa saw the vision. She knew his talents weren’t limited to books. She knew he had what it took to bring stories to life, whether on the page or through song.
This isn’t just a music label. This is a movement.
A movement fueled by two siblings who spent 2024 on different roads, but toward the same destiny. One authoring books, the other writing songs, both unknowingly shaping the foundation for something greater than themselves.
C.M. Jaye Music:
“Old Soul. New Sound. Rebel Roots”
Kansas Born and Raised, Tennessee Distilled
From the Heartland to the Heart of Music
DiCarlos McNeely (Call him Carlos, never add the Di), also known by his pen name C.M. James, is the driving force behind C.M. Jaye Music. As the older brother of the late Larysa Jaye, Carlos has seamlessly blended his diverse experiences to honor her legacy while fostering new talent in the music industry.
Born in Kansas City, Kansas, Carlos and Larysa grew up surrounded by rich musical influences. While he gravitated toward hip-hop and R&B, she pursued country, blues, and soul, carving out her unique sound. Despite having different fathers, Carlos always regarded Larysa’s father as his own, reflecting the tight-knit bond they shared. While Larysa embraced the stage, Carlos found his passion behind the scenes.
After attending the University of Kansas, Carlos sought new opportunities and relocated to Tennessee—coincidentally, not long before his family, including Larysa, made the same move. While Larysa immersed herself in the Nashville music scene, Carlos focused on networking and entrepreneurial ventures, charting a different course.
Carlos’s journey has been anything but conventional. Early on, he navigated high-risk, unconventional paths, learning the art of negotiation, strategy, and resilience in ways most business schools don’t teach. Recognizing the need for a more sustainable and legitimate path forward, he transitioned into professional sales, applying those same sharp instincts and business acumen to build long-term success. This shift broadened his entrepreneurial mindset and laid the foundation for what came next.
Fast forward: During the pandemic, Carlos founded a virtual assistant agency, followed by a property management company. Then, in 2024, he launched C.M. James Writes LLC, a publishing company born from a challenge—friends urged him to write down his stories, and he did. What started casually turned into a movement.
He published his first book on Valentine's Day 2024—and exactly one year later, he had 12 published titles, some hitting bestseller lists in their genres and earning recognition from the Library of Congress. His passion for storytelling naturally extended into helping other authors publish their works, turning C.M. James Writes into a home for independent writers.
Carlos never expected—nor initially wanted—to become an author or start a publishing agency. His focus had always been on sales, business ownership, and management, where he thrived. While he had a creative mindset, his drive was rooted in strategy, fast-paced ventures, and high-energy business moves.
Yet, something kept pulling him toward writing, and even more so, toward helping others publish their stories. At first, he couldn’t explain it. It was a slower process, less profitable than his other ventures, but something told him to keep going. Instead of ignoring it, he leaned in—writing, publishing, and guiding other authors to bring their books to life.
Looking back, he realizes that every step was leading him here—to this moment, this purpose. And after Larysa’s passing, that purpose became even clearer.
Carlos’s path from Kansas roots to Tennessee vision wasn’t a straight line. Every experience shaped his approach to business and creativity. What started as raw ambition sharpened into strategy and purpose—fueling C.M. Jaye Music today. His focus remains the same: staying real, staying driven, and making sure every move counts.
Learn about the Sunflowers and Whiskey
Project:
An Upscale Dive Bar
See the plans in transforming the traditional dive bar into an upscale venue that celebrates authentic music and community spirit. Sunflowers & Whiskey combines the unpretentious charm of a dive bar with refined aesthetics, offering a unique space for artists and patrons alike.
