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Jiggley Jones is a country music singer whose album
"No Spring Chicken"
is climbing the country charts; here is a link to his website:
Q: What made you want to become a musician?
A: I think it was just a natural progression that came to the forefront when I was in my late teens. I would sing in the church choir and play the clarinet in school when I was a kid but those teenage years, and having popular music as a priority within those social circles, sort of pushed me in that direction. I think that it’s one of those things that you either want to do or you don’t. It’s part of who you are.
Q: What is the theme of “No Spring Chicken?”
A: Musically there really is no theme other then touching on life itself and how we look at it and live with it. The name of the CD, “No Spring Chicken”, is sort of a humorous look into the music business and how they seem to be leaning more and more towards the younger artist. I’m just simply saying, “I’m not a teenager anymore but here ya go, how bout some good solid music from an old guy”, lol. Imagine that.
Q: Who are some of your musical influences?
A: I’ve always said that you are influenced by every musical movement that you’ve ever heard. My influences are many but to streamline the list I would go back to my roots growing up in a household where Classic Rock was the main theme. Neil Young, The Allman Brothers, The Doobie Brothers, The Eagles, etc…
Q: What is the most common misconception about country music?
A: Well currently, if you haven’t paid any attention to Country music, the misconception might be that one still thinks that it’s the same as it was 30 years ago. You always hear non-Country fans bringing up the old theme, “my dog died and my women left me and I’m down on my luck”, but nothing could be further from the truth. Country music is, and always has been a lyrical masterpiece, from a good old American perspective.
Q: What is your weirdest concert story?
A: The one that comes to my mind today, and I’m sure if I thought about it I could come up with a few more, is when I was performing a live show in a band and a fight broke out in front of the stage. Upon pinpointing the people involved, while we continued performing our song, I noticed that I recognized the one participant as our lead guitar player’s older sister. Immediately I looked over at my friend Mike on guitar as he wailed away on his lead, playing it as good as usual. As soon as he finished his last note he put his guitar down and darted into the raucous, coming out with his sister bleeding from the lip. This all took place while the rest of the band continued playing the song we were doing. Needless to say the applause at the end of this one was twice as loud as the rest of the show, lol.
Q: What is unique about country music fans?
A: I’m not sure I would characterize it as unique but I know that Country music fans are the most loyal, dedicated, and diehard fans there is. All you need to do is take a trip to the CMA festival to get a taste of that. It’s a lifestyle, not just musically but attitude wise. A Country music fan will vehemently protect the name of Country music until the day they die.
Q: If your life was a country song, which one would it be?
A: Wow there’s so many to pick from. How about Johnny Cash’s “Next In Line.” I always seem to feel like I end up “next in line”, lol. Always the bridesmaid, never the bride. I’m sure hoping that changes this time around !!!
Q: What kind of feedback helps you the most as an artist?
A: Positive feedback for sure. There’s nothing like the boost you get after reading a good review, hearing someone rave about you music, or getting a warm reception to a live performance you’ve just finished. I have a tendency to feed off of these moments and turn and give it back.
Q: If you could change one thing about the music industry what would it be?
A: I think the industry needs to get back to putting the music first. What I mean is that a great demo should be the reason a record company is interested in an artist. Today you have to have an extensive list of non-musical credits to get their attention. Social media “likes” and “views” and “fans” should be irrelevant. Whether you are already touring or not shouldn’t be a concern nor should the amount of local fans you have. It should always boil down to how good and different the music is that you create. The industry has a job of selling music. The artist has a job of creating and performing the music. More and more the artist has to take the lead and do both. If I couldn’t write music then I wouldn’t be here so why are “you” here if “you” can’t sell good music. The next Led Zeppelin will never arrive unless the music takes over as the absolute priority. I could go on and on about this one.
Q: If you could no longer be a musician what other kind of work would you like to try?
A: I’d like to play short-stop for the Atlanta Braves, lol.
Please note; Eliza’s interviews are done by email. All answers are unedited and come right from the lovely fingertips of her subjects:)
