Joshua Scott Jones (born July 10, 1980) is an American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and entertainer. Jones is half of the duo Steel Magnolia and has released four solo albums as an independent musician. He plays guitar, bass, banjo, harmonica, drums, and piano.[1]
Joshua Scott Jones | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | July 10, 1980 Houston, Texas, United States |
| Genres | Country, rock |
| Occupation | Singer-songwriter |
| Years active | 2009–present |
| Formerly of | Steel Magnolia |
| Website | www |
Early life
editThough born in Houston, Texas he was brought up in Charleston, Illinois by his uncle Wesley Jones, who worked in a local factory and was a preacher on the weekends, and his adoptive mother Christie. Jones started working on a farm at the age of thirteen. Around the same time, his biological father, David Jones, gave him his first guitar. About a year later, Jones gave his first performance of an original song about racism, while attending the Second Baptist Church in Mattoon, IL.[2][3]
After high school, Jones hit the road and became a street musician playing anywhere and everywhere he could for the next several years. He ended up in Los Angeles for a brief period, sleeping on the floor in a studio apartment on Hollywood Blvd[4] while booking small, uncrowded shows at places like the Knitting Factory and the Viper Room.[5]
In 2003, he landed a job in Nashville selling advertising for terrestrial radio and writing jingles for radio stations 102.9 The Buzz and 102.5 The Party.[6]
During the winter of 2006, Jones met longtime girlfriend and fiancé Meghan Linsey. They began collaborating on music as a duo. Jones's solo music was playing regularly on Nashville radio station Lighting 100 before he began making music with Linsey full time.[3][5]
Music career
editOver the next two years, Jones and Linsey went to London to record with producer Fraser T. Smith.[7] After returning home to Nashville, they auditioned for a CMT production called Can You Duet, a reality singing competition. Judges Scott Borchetta, Big Kenny Alphin, and Naomi Judd selected the pair as season two winners. In the summer of 2009, they signed a record deal with Big Machine Records.[8]
On January 11, 2011, Steel Magnolia released their self-titled debut album. The album went on to have 3 top 40 songs including the number 4 hit "Keep On Lovin' You" written by Chris Stapleton. Jones co-wrote seven of the twelve tracks the album, including the ballad "Glass Houses", which he wrote solo.[9] Jones co-wrote the third single from the album, "Last Night Again", which peaked at number 24 on the country chart.[10]
Steel Magnolia officially broke up in 2012 after Jones completed a rehabilitation program and the romantic relationship between Jones and Linsey ended.[11]
While in rehab, Jones compiled a twelve-song debut record entitled The Healing, which received critical acclaim[12][13] and nationwide news coverage.[14][15] Jones co-wrote and executively produced the entire album.[16][17] The lead single, "Honk (If You’re Tonky)", was written mainly by Jones's long time and late friend Joshua Alford.[18] "Honk (If You’re Tonky)" aired on Sirius XM's The Highway, while the video was shown in rotation on CMT's Pure.[19]
Since the recording of The Healing, Jones has released three additional studio albums, The Rural Deal,[20] How the Story Goes,[21] and a stripped-down acoustic record called Outlier Circa 1980. How the Story Goes includes the song "Honky Tonk Night". Jones says that he woke up from a dream with the melody and title for the song in his head. The video for "Honky Tonk Night" spent time in rotation on CMT Music.[22][23]
References
edit- ^ "Joshua Scott Jones Plans Nashville Showcase During CRS Week – Got Country Online". Retrieved August 31, 2021.
- ^ Pound, Kara. "Joshua Scott Jones: 'I just loved music always'". The St. Augustine Record. Retrieved August 30, 2021.
- ^ a b "'Can You Duet?' champions Steel Magnolia to highlight performers at Obion County Fair". NWTN Today. Retrieved August 30, 2021.
- ^ Duvall, Erin (November 12, 2010). "Steel Magnolia Singer Thumbed His Way to Music Career". The Boot. Retrieved August 30, 2021.
- ^ a b Bjorke, Matt (November 23, 2009). "New Artist Spotlight: Steel Magnolia". RoughStock. Retrieved August 30, 2021.
- ^ Tucker, Ken (December 5, 2009). Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc.
- ^ Northey, Jessica (August 6, 2013). "Join Country Music Chat with Meghan Linsey 8/12 #CMchat". Country Music Chat & Sway. Retrieved August 30, 2021.
- ^ Skates, Sarah (August 10, 2009). "Steel Magnolia Wins "Can You Duet," Signs With Big Machine". MusicRow.com. Retrieved August 30, 2021.
- ^ "Album Details - Universal Music Publishing Group". www.umusicpub.com. Retrieved August 30, 2021.
- ^ "Steel Magnolia". Billboard. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
- ^ Finan, Eileen. "Steel Magnolia Singer's Battle with Drug Abuse". PEOPLE.com. Retrieved September 2, 2021.
- ^ "Album Review: Joshua Scott Jones "The Healing" – Got Country Online". Retrieved August 31, 2021.
- ^ "JOSHUA SCOTT JONES KICK-OFF CMA MUSIC FEST". Country Music News International. June 5, 2014. Retrieved September 3, 2021.
- ^ "Video: Steel Magnolia's Joshua Scott Jones Releases Solo Album". ABC News. Retrieved August 30, 2021.
- ^ "Joshua Scott Jones goes public with his 'Healing'". Fox News. Retrieved September 3, 2021.
- ^ SLN Staff Writer (March 27, 2014). "Joshua Scott Jones Announces Debut Solo Album, 'The Healing'". Sounds Like Nashville. Retrieved August 30, 2021.
- ^ Dunkerley, Beville (June 10, 2014). "Joshua Scott Jones Opens Up on Going Solo". Rolling Stone. Retrieved September 2, 2021.
- ^ Scott, Jason (March 6, 2014). "NashvilleGab | Joshua Scott Jones on a possible Steel Magnolia reunion, being tonky and 'Healing'--EXCLUSIVE". NashvilleGab. Retrieved August 30, 2021.
- ^ Service, Publishing (February 27, 2014). "Joshua Scott Jones - Honk (If You're Tonky)". Daily Play MPE®. Retrieved September 3, 2021.
- ^ Allers, Hannahlee (August 24, 2016). "Joshua Scott Jones Drops Second Solo Album, 'The Rural Deal'". The Boot. Retrieved August 30, 2021.
- ^ "Joshua Scott Jones Album Release". NowPlayingNashville.com. Retrieved August 30, 2021.
- ^ "Joshua Scott Jones". NowPlayingNashville.com. Retrieved August 30, 2021.
- ^ Staff, CMT (October 30, 2019). "CMT Next Up Now, Volume 10". CMT News. Archived from the original on October 31, 2019. Retrieved October 6, 2021.