Whiskey Bayou Records signee and soul musician Jeff McCarty has turned loss into spiritual gain. On his latest album, Step Out, the Houma, Louisiana-born vocalist performs 11 songs inspired by life’s grimness and glory. Flanked by the influence of Louisiana bayous and an appreciation for Jimi Hendrix, B.B. King and Frankie Beverly & Maze, McCarty’s original style caught the attention of WBR co-owner, Tab Benoit.

Step Out  boasts an all-star Southern Louisiana lineup featuring blues rocker Josh Garrett on guitar, Corey Duplechin on bass, Tillis Verdin on keyboards and Benoit on drums. Benoit also serves as producer on the album, which is home to “Angel Fly,” the video for which premieres today (December 10) at OffBeat.com

“‘Angel Fly’ is inspired by several deaths in my family and how those deaths affected my life,” says McCarty. “It gave me a positive outlook on death and why it should be a celebration of life more than a mourning of death.”

The Devon Williams-directed video was filmed in Larose. “I want the video to convey the message that while losing someone close to you is very tragic, it should also be a celebration of that person’s life. The ones we lose would much rather see us move on and be happy that they are in a better place,” McCarty says.

Since releasing his CD, McCarty has been hired as the lead vocalist for Louisiana Leroux.