"There is a stigma of race when it comes to the blues. The color of your skin has nothing to do whether you have the blues or not, everyone has the blues one way or another."

Doug Jones: Music City Emotions

Doug Jones is songwriter, and musician based in Nashville, Tennessee. Doug says: "My sound is a reflection of listening to classic blues from all eras. The creative drive comes from my soul as a blind and disabled person the lost of senses and mobility opens up all my emotions." Worked with either playing, songwriting or promoting Johnny Neel, Bruce Willis, Shaun Murphy, Johnny Duke, Joanna Cotton, Chris Anderson, Shane Theriot and others. Nashville’s Spec Records is a brainchild of producer Doug Jones. When Doug Jones moved to Music City from Delaware in the 1990s he was following the tracks of his friend Johnny Neel, the famed keyboardist who did a stint with the Allman Brothers starting in the late 1980s.                                                (Photo: Doug Jones)

Played guitar and harp with many bands. Doug says: "I started Songjones Media as a brand to support all areas of the music business; publishing, promotion & marketing and record label support. StraightUp Sound is owned by Johnny Neel and I manage the studio for him. I also occasionally will be asked to play guitar or harmonica for other artists recordings."  

Interview by Michael Limnios

How has the Blues and Rock Counterculture influenced your views of the world and the journeys you’ve taken?

I have always felt the blues in my life when I listen and when I write and perform blues. Blues allows me to express my life struggles and feelings about the state of the world.

How do you describe your sound, music philosophy and songbook? Where does your creative drive come from?

My sound is a reflection of listening to classic blues from all eras. The creative drive comes from my soul as a blind and disabled person the lost of senses and mobility opens up all my emotions. 

How started the thought of Songjones Media? What do you like most about your work in Straight Up Sounds studio?

I started Songjones Media as a brand to support all areas of the music business; publishing, promotion & marketing and record label support. StraightUp Sound is owned by Johnny Neel and I manage the studio for him. I also occasionally will be asked to play guitar or harmonica for other artists recordings.  

Which meetings have been the most important experiences for you? What was the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Actually the most important meetings were my music business classes, I returned back to college at Belmont University in Nashville to obtain my degree in Music Business, so all the class meetings helped me in my career to be better equipped to understand all areas of the music industry. The best advice is to respect everyone and be humble.

"I started Songjones Media as a brand to support all areas of the music business; publishing, promotion & marketing and record label support. StraightUp Sound is owned by Johnny Neel and I manage the studio for him. I also occasionally will be asked to play guitar or harmonica for other artists recordings." (Photo: Doug Jones is songwriter, producer and musician based in Nashville, TN)

Are there any memories from gigs, jams, open acts and studio sessions which you’d like to share with us?

I have so many this is a tough question; each gig, session, or jam have different memories. I guess one of my favorite story is a real blues situation. One time  with another blues artist who booked the gig and was the driver as I’m blind, so we were on our way to the gig and we get pulled over because his car rear turn signal light was out and we got pulled over by police my friend was arrested for passed overdue fines they took him away an left me there alongside the road with my amp and guitar so fortunately I had my phone and call ahead to the other band member to come get me off the road which we did and finished the gig took the money and bailed out my friend.  

What do you miss most nowadays from the music of the past? What are your hopes and fears for the future of?

I miss raw and real emotion from real struggles. I have good hopes for the blues as there are some really great young talent that have what it takes to carry the blues forward into the 21st. century. Their struggles may be different then the past, but they are still overwhelming life struggles.

What would you say characterizes Nashville music scene in comparison to other local US scenes and circuits?

I think Nashville has grown into allowing all styles of music to coexist. Also, there are so many great musicians and songwriters here that it is always inspiring for everyone who lives or visits.

What are some of the most important lessons you have learned from your experience in the music paths?

Make sure you learn as much as you can about music business. Respect all other industry persons as you never know who might be someone who is important to help. 

"I miss raw and real emotion from real struggles. I have good hopes for the blues as there are some really great young talent that have what it takes to carry the blues forward into the 21st. century.  Their struggles may be different then the past, but they are still overwhelming life struggles." (Photo: Doug Jones)

What is the impact of music on the socio-cultural implications?

There is a stigma of race when it comes to the blues. The color of your skin has nothing to do whether you have the blues or not, everyone has the blues one way or another.

How do you want it to affect people?

In different ways; make them laugh, cry, dance, or just think about themselves and their surroundings.