JJ Plasencio is an award-winning musician/producer and engineer in Austin. Mostly known for his bass work with Sixpence None the Richer and Plumb, JJ has also been a Worship Pastor in Austin for more than 25 years. He operates Hot Pepper Studios in North Austin.  Early in his career, JJ hit the road with the Austin-based group, gaining valuable musical and road experience across several albums and hundreds of dates at clubs, theatres and festivals around the world.

Following several accomplished years with Sixpence, JJ exited the band to join Plumb , and he toured extensively with Jars of Clay on the Bubble Makers Dream Tour. After visiting all corners of the U.S. JJ decided to pursue his own musical voice and departed Plumb for Nashville as a studio musician, where he picked up new skills from the city’s rich tapestry of songwriters, recording engineers and producers.

He later moved to Austin where he took up residence at Gateway Community Church as its director of music. That same year, he also finished his debut self-titled album featuring such musical compatriots as Mark Nash (PFR), Dale Baker (Sixpence), and Tiffany Arbuckle (Plumb). Critical acclaim for the album earned JJ a chance to play the massive Cornerstone Festival.  Today JJ continues to perform with national acts as Fernando Ortega, Derek Webb, Sandra McCraken, and Kim Hill, as well as established Austin acts like Malford Milligan and Wide Awake. A first-call engineer and producer (Hot Pepper Studio), his production skills have been noted on local award-winning albums.