Johnny "Yard Dog" Jones: Difference between revisions
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'''Johnny "Yard Dog" Jones''' ( |
'''Johnny "Yard Dog" Jones''' (June 21, 1941<ref name="Earwig">{{cite web |url=http://www.earwigmusic.com/DBJYDJ.pdf|format=PDF |title=Johnny "Yard Dog" Jones |author= |date=October 4, 2010 |work= |publisher=Earwigmusic.com |accessdate=September 19, 2015}}</ref> – September 16, 2015) was an [[United States|American]] [[Chicago blues]] and [[soul blues]] singer, guitarist, harmonica player, and songwriter. He won a [[Blues Music Award|W.C. Handy Award]] in 1998. |
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Despite years of playing in [[nightclub|clubs]] and on the blues circuit, Jones recorded his debut album at the age of 55.<ref name="Albums"/> |
Despite years of playing in [[nightclub|clubs]] and on the blues circuit, Jones recorded his debut album at the age of 55.<ref name="Albums"/> |
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==Life and career== |
==Life and career== |
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Jones was born on a [[plantation|cotton plantation]] in [[Crawfordsville, Arkansas]], [[United States]], but relocated in 1945 with his family to [[East St. Louis, Illinois]].<ref name="Search">{{cite web |url=http://www.bluessearchengine.com/bluesartists/j/johnnyyarddogjones.html |title=Johnny "Yard "Dog" Jones |author= |date= |work= |publisher=Bluessearchengine.com |accessdate=December 13, 2011}}</ref> Influenced by [[Robert Johnson]] and [[T-Bone Walker]], Jones had stated that he was given lessons in his early teens in playing the harmonica by [[Little Walter]]. At the age of 18, he moved to [[Chicago]], [[Illinois]], and was further inspired by the [[gospel music]] recordings of [[O. V. Wright]], [[Johnnie Taylor]] and the [[Spirit of Memphis Quartet]], and Jones played the guitar in several gospel groups for over a decade.<ref name="Earwig"/><ref name="Search"/> He added the "Yard Dog" moniker to help him gain more exposure.<ref name="Mnb">{{cite web |url=http://www.mnblues.com/profile/profile-yarddog.html |title=Profile: Johnny "Yard Dog" Jones |author=Ray M. Stiles |date=1998 |work= |publisher=Mnblues.com |accessdate=December 13, 2011}}</ref> |
'''John Junior Jones''' was born on a [[plantation|cotton plantation]] in [[Crawfordsville, Arkansas]], [[United States]],<ref name="Earwig"/> but relocated in 1945 with his family to [[East St. Louis, Illinois]].<ref name="Search">{{cite web |url=http://www.bluessearchengine.com/bluesartists/j/johnnyyarddogjones.html |title=Johnny "Yard "Dog" Jones |author= |date= |work= |publisher=Bluessearchengine.com |accessdate=December 13, 2011}}</ref> Influenced by [[Robert Johnson]] and [[T-Bone Walker]], Jones had stated that he was given lessons in his early teens in playing the harmonica by [[Little Walter]]. At the age of 18, he moved to [[Chicago]], [[Illinois]], and was further inspired by the [[gospel music]] recordings of [[O. V. Wright]], [[Johnnie Taylor]] and the [[Spirit of Memphis Quartet]], and Jones played the guitar in several gospel groups for over a decade.<ref name="Earwig"/><ref name="Search"/> He added the "Yard Dog" moniker to help him gain more exposure.<ref name="Mnb">{{cite web |url=http://www.mnblues.com/profile/profile-yarddog.html |title=Profile: Johnny "Yard Dog" Jones |author=Ray M. Stiles |date=1998 |work= |publisher=Mnblues.com |accessdate=December 13, 2011}}</ref> |
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Having trained as a [[welding|welder]], Jones moved on to [[Detroit]], [[Michigan]], where he became established as a musician in the local blues scene.<ref name="Earwig"/> In his early days he often played alongside [[Bobo Jenkins]].<ref name="Search"/> In 1991, he recorded his debut tracks for a Blues Factory [[compilation album]], which also included work by [[the Butler Twins]]. Jones moved back to Chicago and was spotted playing by an executive of the [[Earwig Music Company]].<ref name="Earwig"/> |
Having trained as a [[welding|welder]], Jones moved on to [[Detroit]], [[Michigan]], where he became established as a musician in the local blues scene.<ref name="Earwig"/> In his early days he often played alongside [[Bobo Jenkins]].<ref name="Search"/> In 1991, he recorded his debut tracks for a Blues Factory [[compilation album]], which also included work by [[the Butler Twins]]. Jones moved back to Chicago and was spotted playing by an executive of the [[Earwig Music Company]].<ref name="Earwig"/> |
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His debut [[album]], ''Ain't Gonna Worry'', was released on Earwig in 1996. The [[Allmusic]] [[music journalism|journalist]], Scott Yanow, noted, "At the age of 55, Johnny Yard Dog Jones finally had the opportunity to lead his first record date in 1996. His singing is likable and full of emotion as he explores a set of music that emphasizes 1950s-style Chicago blues, along with occasional soul ballads...". The album contained contributions from [[Johnny B. Moore]] and [[Detroit Junior]].<ref name="Albums"/> It was chosen in a ''[[Living Blues]]'' critics poll as the 'best new blues album (contemporary)' in 1996,<ref name="Earwig"/> and a [[Blues Music Award|W.C. Handy Award]] followed in 1998, citing Jones as the 'Best New Blues Artist'.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mnblues.com/review/yarddog-intv.html |title=Blues On Stage — Johnny "Yard Dog" Jones Interview |publisher=Mnblues.com |date=|accessdate=March 16, 2011}}</ref> Jones played at the 1997 [[Chicago Blues Festival]].<ref name="Mnb"/> |
His debut [[album]], ''Ain't Gonna Worry'', was released on Earwig in 1996. The [[Allmusic]] [[music journalism|journalist]], Scott Yanow, noted, "At the age of 55, Johnny Yard Dog Jones finally had the opportunity to lead his first record date in 1996. His singing is likable and full of emotion as he explores a set of music that emphasizes 1950s-style Chicago blues, along with occasional soul ballads...". The album contained contributions from [[Johnny B. Moore]] and [[Detroit Junior]].<ref name="Albums"/> It was chosen in a ''[[Living Blues]]'' critics poll as the 'best new blues album (contemporary)' in 1996,<ref name="Earwig"/><ref>*https://livingblues.com/search/johnny+%22yard+dog%22+jones</ref> and a [[Blues Music Award|W.C. Handy Award]] followed in 1998, citing Jones as the 'Best New Blues Artist'.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mnblues.com/review/yarddog-intv.html |title=Blues On Stage — Johnny "Yard Dog" Jones Interview |publisher=Mnblues.com |date=|accessdate=March 16, 2011}}</ref><ref>*http://www.bluesaccess.com/No_33/handys.html</ref> Jones played at the 1997 [[Chicago Blues Festival]].<ref name="Mnb"/> |
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Jones played on stage with [[Aron Burton]] at the 16th Pocono Blues Festival |
Jones played on stage with [[Aron Burton]] at the 16th Pocono Blues Festival.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nme.com/nme-video/youtube/id/gQcjZ1_O3TU/search/aron-burton |title=Aron Burton and Yard Dog Jones at Pocono Blues Fest video |author= |date= |work= |publisher=NME.com |accessdate=December 13, 2011}}</ref> |
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==Discography== |
==Discography== |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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*[http://www.mnblues.com/review/yarddog-intv.html 1998 interview with Jones at mnblues.com] |
*[http://www.mnblues.com/review/yarddog-intv.html 1998 interview with Jones at mnblues.com] |
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*http://www.davidhoneyboyedwards.com/bio.asp |
*[http://www.davidhoneyboyedwards.com/bio.asp Davidhoneyboyedwards.com] |
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*http://www.bluesaccess.com/No_33/handys.html |
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*https://livingblues.com/search/johnny+%22yard+dog%22+jones |
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{{Persondata |
{{Persondata |
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| NAME = Jones, Johnny Yard Dog |
| NAME = Jones, Johnny Yard Dog |
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| ALTERNATIVE NAMES = Jones, John Junior |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES = Jones, John Junior |
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| SHORT DESCRIPTION = [[United States|American]] [[Chicago blues]] and [[soul blues]] singer, guitarist, harmonicist and songwriter |
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = [[United States|American]] [[Chicago blues]] and [[soul blues]] singer, guitarist, harmonicist and songwriter |
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| DATE OF BIRTH = June 21, 1941 |
| DATE OF BIRTH = June 21, 1941 |
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| PLACE OF BIRTH = [[Crawfordsville, Arkansas]], |
| PLACE OF BIRTH = [[Crawfordsville, Arkansas]], United States |
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| DATE OF DEATH = September 16, 2015 |
| DATE OF DEATH = September 16, 2015 |
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| PLACE OF DEATH = [[Elkhart, Indiana]], |
| PLACE OF DEATH = [[Elkhart, Indiana]], United States |
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}} |
}} |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Jones, Johnny Yard Dog}} |
{{DEFAULTSORT:Jones, Johnny Yard Dog}} |
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[[Category:1941 births]] |
[[Category:1941 births]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:2015 deaths]] |
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[[Category:American blues singers]] |
[[Category:American blues singers]] |
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[[Category:American male singers]] |
[[Category:American male singers]] |
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Revision as of 14:10, 19 September 2015
Johnny "Yard Dog" Jones | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | John Junior Jones |
| Born | June 21, 1941 Crawfordsville, Arkansas, United States |
| Died | September 16, 2015 Elkhart, Indiana, United States |
| Genres | Chicago blues, soul blues[1] |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, guitarist, harmonica player, songwriter |
| Instrument(s) | Guitar, harmonica, vocals |
| Years active | 1960s–2015 |
| Labels | Earwig |
Johnny "Yard Dog" Jones (June 21, 1941[2] – September 16, 2015) was an American Chicago blues and soul blues singer, guitarist, harmonica player, and songwriter. He won a W.C. Handy Award in 1998.
Despite years of playing in clubs and on the blues circuit, Jones recorded his debut album at the age of 55.[3]
Life and career
John Junior Jones was born on a cotton plantation in Crawfordsville, Arkansas, United States,[2] but relocated in 1945 with his family to East St. Louis, Illinois.[4] Influenced by Robert Johnson and T-Bone Walker, Jones had stated that he was given lessons in his early teens in playing the harmonica by Little Walter. At the age of 18, he moved to Chicago, Illinois, and was further inspired by the gospel music recordings of O. V. Wright, Johnnie Taylor and the Spirit of Memphis Quartet, and Jones played the guitar in several gospel groups for over a decade.[2][4] He added the "Yard Dog" moniker to help him gain more exposure.[5]
Having trained as a welder, Jones moved on to Detroit, Michigan, where he became established as a musician in the local blues scene.[2] In his early days he often played alongside Bobo Jenkins.[4] In 1991, he recorded his debut tracks for a Blues Factory compilation album, which also included work by the Butler Twins. Jones moved back to Chicago and was spotted playing by an executive of the Earwig Music Company.[2]
His debut album, Ain't Gonna Worry, was released on Earwig in 1996. The Allmusic journalist, Scott Yanow, noted, "At the age of 55, Johnny Yard Dog Jones finally had the opportunity to lead his first record date in 1996. His singing is likable and full of emotion as he explores a set of music that emphasizes 1950s-style Chicago blues, along with occasional soul ballads...". The album contained contributions from Johnny B. Moore and Detroit Junior.[3] It was chosen in a Living Blues critics poll as the 'best new blues album (contemporary)' in 1996,[2][6] and a W.C. Handy Award followed in 1998, citing Jones as the 'Best New Blues Artist'.[7][8] Jones played at the 1997 Chicago Blues Festival.[5]
Jones played on stage with Aron Burton at the 16th Pocono Blues Festival.[9]
Discography
Albums
| Year | Title | Record label |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Ain't Gonna Worry | Earwig |
See also
References
- ^ "Johnny Yard Dog Jones". Allmusic. Retrieved December 13, 2011.
- ^ a b c d e f "Johnny "Yard Dog" Jones" (PDF). Earwigmusic.com. October 4, 2010. Retrieved September 19, 2015.
- ^ a b c Scott Yanow. "Allmusic ((( Johnny Yard Dog Jones > Ain't Gonna Worry > Overview )))".
- ^ a b c "Johnny "Yard "Dog" Jones". Bluessearchengine.com. Retrieved December 13, 2011.
- ^ a b Ray M. Stiles (1998). "Profile: Johnny "Yard Dog" Jones". Mnblues.com. Retrieved December 13, 2011.
- ^ *https://livingblues.com/search/johnny+%22yard+dog%22+jones
- ^ "Blues On Stage — Johnny "Yard Dog" Jones Interview". Mnblues.com. Retrieved March 16, 2011.
- ^ *http://www.bluesaccess.com/No_33/handys.html
- ^ "Aron Burton and Yard Dog Jones at Pocono Blues Fest video". NME.com. Retrieved December 13, 2011.