"Jon Jackson’s basically the reason I got into mp3 blogging. Not him personally of course but the idea of a Jon Jackson. A guy with limited resources who lives a rough and tumble life. Who battled alcohol and drug addiction and a stint in a psych ward all while still in high school. Who somehow manages to scrap together studio time, money for gear, CD duplication, etc. etc. to release their life’s dream in the form of a CD. In Jon’s case it took almost half of his annual income and a year of work to accomplish this feat.
The result of all that trouble and strife is Green Apples. This post is not going to bring in much in the way of google searches, no one’s going to link to it (that’s a challenge to all you bloggers reading this btw and I know you’re out there!) and it’s not going to be picked up by Boing Boing, VH1’s Best Week Ever or Idolator. But writing about Green Apples is the one thing I can do to support independent music. Jon puts it best in this entry on his MySpace blog:
'well let me start by saying that up until last year i never considered the possibility that i would ever make an album of any kind. The last year has been the busiest of my life. it has flown by in a blur never to return again. having said that it’s also been one the best years of post-childhood life. i’ve been absolutely blessed to be living where i am and hanging out with my friends everyday and surrounded by the best musicians i’ve ever known.
when i decided to make this album i had one goal with it; that i could pull it out of a drawer in twenty years and say “oh yeah, man i’m glad i did that.” then i could listen to it and laugh at myself. anything more than that would be gravy. also, if i had kids i could say “hey, you might not believe this, but your dad was pretty cool in his day.” and then show them this thing called a compact disc as some sort of proof, to which they would yawn and ask me for $200 dollars to go to a movie.
but i’m getting off the point even though i’m not really sure what the point is…i think it’s knowing that i won’t regret this. even if it gets shit on by everyone that hears it, and even though it’s cost me almost half a years wages, and even though i can barely stand to hear myself sing, i would do it all over again tomorrow without a second thought.'
Anyway if you’ve read through all that you’re probably as intrigued as I was about what this record might sound like. Of course it sounds like Jon’s influences. What musician’s debut record doesn’t? So take equal parts Hank Williams Sr., John Prine and The Beatles, let that stew in the Nashville sun for a bit, add some talented session players (mandolin, guitar, piano) and on a few songs a lovely female vocalist and you’ve got Green Apples. Which may turn out to be the most self assured, confident, musically satisfying, self-released debut record you’ll ever hear."
Rumor has it, Jim Cooper will be too busy campaigning for Vice President with Barak Obama to run district 5 of the U.S. House of Representatives. I hope you've got your acceptance speech ready. I'll chill the bubbley...
shit i wish your number.... we are leaving to go to that uncle dave macon bluegrass festival in a few mins.. i wanted you to come, but alas. you are too busy making your own bluegrass.. well, it's still going tomorrow, fuck i dunno maybe you are already there!!!!!
Nhan is comin'. I'm not sure about me.....got a major paper due Tuesday and that has to take priority over my personal life and any sort of fun. Trying to get it done so I can come out and enjoy life again!
hmm..... i think i got lost on the way to norm's. anyways i was too drunk to enjoy anything. i ended up at some death metal concert instead. my bad. i guess someone else has to take my place as your biggest fan. gaaahh.
ah man. i just now go the message... and i really would have come out tonight... oh well.. i will try and make it to the 21st show... hope it all went well.
wish i could make it but not only do i have to work but i might have broken something in my hand. im sorry. i will make it to one soon. im accident prone, what can i say? we need to get coffee asap though.
i got a blues song i want you to play harmonica for... also, ive decided to make an album titled 'psychebluesy',and put all of my blues/ zeppelinstyle songs on it. about that harmonica.. hmm.. sounds fun right?
i hope i can make it to norms on the 8th. what day is that? i hate math. hang on i have to use my brain... that other side i never use, you know..! tuesday...h mmmm yes i think im off!
dude, I always just hung out with you in the waffle house and knew you were a musician but I never really listened to your stuff until recently. You are really talented.
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