The “Rock” of Josh Mayrand’s “Roll”

Upon first glance of Josh Mayrand, the odds of successfully speculating on what the 18-year-old Jacksonville native engages in to shake, rattle and roll his life in a positive direction are slim.

If criteria was based solely on physical appearance and fashion choices, many of those guesses would likely revolve around music in some form or fashion.

That would be a good, but far from complete, characterization of the polite, soft-spoken kid with a bit of street cred.

Not only does Josh celebrate the music he listens to, but the dude’s also quite well-versed when it comes to making music.

“When I was in second grade, I picked up the violin,” the only child said. “I played that all through second and third grades. In fourth grade, I played cello, which I originally wanted to do professionally. I did that for a year, before switching back to violin in the fifth grade. I also picked up guitar, bass, piano and am currently learning drums.”

One particular musical note about Josh’s journey, however, is guaranteed to (initially) perplex even the savviest crystal ball holders…especially after learning of a particular genre of music he passionately stands behind for enjoyment and momentum.

Stay with this story, for it’s filled with change-ups guaranteed to surprise everyone…especially Josh.      

Born and raised in Jacksonville, Josh attended the art schools of – in order – Pine Forest, LaVilla and Douglas Anderson.

“When I auditioned for middle school, I did so on the violin,” he said. “But, by the time the school year started, I wanted to play cello. I was allowed to, but was put in the lowest of four skilled orchestras. Halfway through the year, they moved me up to the second level. I then progressed up to the top tier. I’ve been playing solid since sixth grade. Music became a big part of me.”

Indeed, it did….and it did so in ways no-one could’ve ever imagined.

“I like all kinds of music,” he started. “But, I’m really into the louder stuff of heavy metal, punk rock and indie.”

Now, this is when the story of the Limp Bizkit, Korn and Dropkick Murphys fan takes an interesting and fun turn.

Since July of 2025, the unassuming young metal head has been a staple in, of all things, the St. Mark’s Episcopal Church choir.

“A friend of mine, who I’ve known all my life, started coming to St. Mark’s after a friend of his turned him on to it,” Josh said. “I’ve always had strong faith and belief in Jesus, so I came and watched them sing in the choir. Doing that opened the door to something I became interested in. Everyone there was very accepting of me. I instantly knew that St. Mark’s was a great place with a lot of great people.”

After meeting members of the choir, Josh was invited to join in an upcoming rehearsal.
 
“They were really comforting,” he said. “The first time I came here, I should’ve been dressed up and looking nice. But, I had just come from sleeping over at my friend’s house and still had on the clothes I’d worn the day before. It was bad. But, I showed up and everyone was, like, ‘Hey, good morning’. They had breakfast going at the time, so they offered me something to eat. I was looking around, feeling so out of place. But, I just enjoyed it, because everyone let me enjoy it. That was very nice.”

With no prior choir experience…or even singing skills, for that matter, Josh resorted to an action that had always served him well.  

“I just figured it out,” he chuckled. “I already knew how to read the music, so I read the notes and put them to my voice. I did that for a couple rehearsals and then, eventually, the Choir Director, James, said I could officially come and get the robes. They’re great. Actually, everything here is so beautiful.”

As far as this just being a spontaneous and temporary act to make for a good story, Josh is grounded. He’s grounded in a lot of ways, and they’re ways that make differences.

“I’m not going away from Jacksonville anytime soon,” he stated. “So, as long as I’m around the area, I definitely plan to stay here at St. Mark’s. This is definitely a long-term thing for me.”

Now, here’s where the story makes for a cool surprise.

After meeting Josh for the first time in person and learning of his passion for heavy metal and punk rock music, as one with a similar taste in music, I knew right away this was going to develop into a friendship made-in-heaven.

Following an initial back-and-forth of our favorite bands, many of which we had in common, the Boston-based Irish hard rock band, Dropkick Murphys came up. It’s another rough-sounding group he and I share a passion for.

With four decades of an age difference between us, Josh was understandably taken aback by the fact that I even knew of Dropkick Murphys.

Yeah….kinda-sorta.

As fate would have it, I’ve enjoyed personal friendships with the Boston-based band for over 20 years, especially frontman, Ken Casey. Because of an idea I had while speaking with Josh, I didn’t let any of that information be known…at first.  

After our initial meeting to schedule a day and time for his formal interview, I reached out to Casey, who was on tour with the band. I asked if he’d be willing to record and send me a personalized video message to encourage Josh on his journey through his faith-driven life. When Ken received my text with all the highlights about Josh, he was in Prague….and it was well after midnight. Within minutes, though, a personal video message to Josh and St. Mark’s landed on my phone.

When the day and time came for my on-camera interview with Josh, with cameras rolling, the surprise video was shown to Josh.

“Hi, everybody. This is Ken Casey from the Dropkick Murphys, coming to you from on tour in Prague. I just wanted to take a minute to send a very special ‘hello’ and shout out to my man, Josh, in the St. Mark’s Church choir….lending his ferocious pipes to the cause of doing the Lord’s work. I love the fact that we have a hardcore, punk rock metal head singing in the choir. That is one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen. You can never be too cool for school when it comes to doing God’s work. God’s been so good to me, filled my heart with love, saved my life, given my life meaning. So, when I hear great stories about people like yourself, Josh, I just want to say thank you. Keep up the good work at the church. Keep doing what you’re doing and keep inspiring others. Love to everybody and thanks, again, Josh!”

Between a bevvy of ear-to-ear grins, “No waaaaay” comments and a noticeable glow about him for the entirety of the :93 message, Josh’s reaction was also made in heaven.

I can’t say for sure, but I feel pretty certain that this old man’s stock rose with young Josh after the dust settled and the interview continued.    

“That was amazing,” he beamed. “I walked in here, thinking I’m just going to get asked a couple questions. But, then I get a whole video done from the singer of Dropkick Murphys. I love their songs. That was really awesome, and it was personalized. Ken knew my name, my story, how I’m here and the music. That was a cool experience…really cool.”

As are most compelling stories, Josh – along with his father, Russ – have experienced, both, ups and downs.

“My mom, Emily, is in the hospital with cirrhosis of the liver. That’s a real battle right now,” said Josh, who works for his father’s home repair business. “But, it has brought me and my dad closer. There’s the fact that I’m able to work with him, help him out with his job and just be there for him. That means a lot to the both of us. He’s a great man, and he has always been there for me. We’ve always had a great relationship.”

With Emily’s fight being far and away the biggest priority for Josh and Russ, the father-and-son duo spend much of their time at her side.

“My initial reaction was worry…fear,” Josh said. “Along with my dad, she’s the person who has been there my whole life. But, we’re doing everything we can. She’s fighting, too. So, it’s not like she’s giving up hope.”    

According to Josh, the moves doctors are making for Emily serve as encouraging.

“Doctors are giving us hope and are transferring her to a physical therapy place,” he said. “It’s still a work in progress and they’re giving us information as it comes in, but they’re saying it’s hopeful. So, we’re all holding on to hope. She’s resilient, so I think she’ll make it.”

Sounds like a man with a foundation in faith.

“My parents were always religious. They gave that to me, and I was raised on it,” Josh said. “There was a weird gap when I was younger. Everyone has their ups and downs, so it wasn’t my main focus for a while, mostly through middle school. But, it has always been there, and over time, experiences really confirmed it. This is my thing. I know God is real.

And, it’s not just seeing it. I believe it. I have faith in it.”

And, when posed with the question of how he would like to be remembered, Josh responded as if he had faith the inquiry was coming.

“I’d like to be remembered as a good person who was caring and understanding to others, because it would reflect the image of Jesus,” Josh said. “Nobody can fully live up to that, but we can try as hard as we can. I try to use those in almost every aspect of life. I really want to continue with the music aspect, too. That would be really nice. That’s my passion.”

Music-to-the-ear words from a young man grateful for what he has, hopeful for what he wants and faithful that God will usher him through it all.

So, there you have it. The guessing game is gone. That’s the answer to what Josh Mayrand Maynard is doing with his life to shake, rattle and rock on in a positive manner.

And, he’s doing it all with a style and grace that warrants singing from the mountaintops.