Out Of Jail By Now playing now. Hit the  button to hear Postcards and Secrets. |
Shawn Jones, you are cute, cute, cute, no doubt about it! Women love musicians. Do women follow you around everywhere?No, they don't. Not me anyway!
Oh, pish. I don't believe it. You're darling! When did you realize you're a musician?
I don't really consider myself a musician. I just try to be creative with what I write.
Shawn, you're a total musician!
I guess you could say that I came out singing. I sang in church from the earliest I can remember. I could always carry a tune. In high school, my brother did some recording, and he let me play guitar in the background for him.
So you started playing guitar when you were a freshman?
Well, I grew up listening to Jim Croce, James Taylor and John Denver. I really liked acoustic-style folk music. But I have a very large appreciation for music! I even like a little bluegrass and classic rock, too, like Bob Seger and the Eagles. I think it’s balanced well.
And you're from here?From Grand Rivers. I graduated from Livingston Central High School.
What do you do now?
I work at USEC, in the power operations department.
Oh, that sounds very, um, powerful.
Like Motel 6, we keep the lights on for ya!
Good one! Speaking of power, what is it about your song, "Out Of Jail By Now?" Everybody loves it! It's hysterical! How does that line go again?
"If I'd a shot you when I wanted to, I'd be out of jail by now."
I mean, Shawn, even sweet, sweet Gretchen Smith sings along with you!
Everyone sings along. It's funny how that song really hits a note with a lot of people.
How did you come up with it?
That came from a guy I work with. He said that line. And I said, "That is the perfect hook line for a country song." And so I wrote the song. I’ve been through divorce, five years ago, and so I knew a lot about how he felt.
I think anyone who's been through a divorce — or knows someone who has — can relate to that song. Shawn, it is so cute. Can you sell it? Actually, I joined the Nashville Songwriters Association two months ago. The West Kentucky chapter has a Pitch a Publisher session where a publisher comes in and listens to one minute of the songs submitted, and picks up to 10 to keep.
Then the next morning, there's a breakfast for several publishers. They'll listen to those 10 songs in their entirety and decide which they want to keep and polish. I was fortunate enough to have "Out Of Jail By Now" accepted.
Wow! How exciting! So what happens next?
They've got my contact information. They may never call, but they might.
Of course they'll call!
I hope so. I’ve been going to Nashville for meetings. And one of my resolutions this year was to play the BlueBird Café. I've played there three times this year, and I played "Out Of Jail By Now" twice. It got a great reaction.
Congratulations! And you're performing at the Paducah Riverfront on Saturday, September 13?
Yes, I'm performing with nine other members of the West Kentucky Songwriters Group, and with Justin Hatcher's band and Stan Webb. I’m sure we’ll have a large time.
And you perform at church?
Yes, I attend church at Pathway Baptist in Calvert City. And I’m usually in the rotation to perform there.
I loved your Post Secret Secret Songs performance in August.My good friend Gabe Camacho approached me about writing a song to go along with one of the postcards of my choice. I ended up not picking out a particular postcard. Instead, I wrote a song about the whole theme of that show. It's called "Postcards and Secrets."
Gabe helped get you all's Paducah Writers Group rolling, which is so awesome.
It's a good thing. It really gives people an avenue, often to just vent. The open mic is for anyone who wants to read something they've written, or something someone else has written. But we encourage people to write their own stuff. It's free and fun, and for me, it gives me the opportunity to test new songs.
So you pretty much just play?
Sometimes I'll read. I've always had an appreciation for the arts — painting, sculptures. I like to attend plays and galleries. I've always liked poetry. I have written poetry for years, some of love — some about my boys. Mostly of romance.
Tell us about your kids! Luke will be 21 in December and goes to WKCTC. He works at the Gap. And Grant is 17. He's a junior at Marshall County High School. They are great guys and extremely talented.
Do you write every day?
No, I don't. Some people can write three or four songs a day. I don't do that. I write when the mood hits me.
What comes first, the music or the words?
Most of time I try to find melody on the guitar. The melody comes first for me, but sometimes it’s the words. I keep a recorder in my car, so if I think of things, I record them. I’ve even called home to my answering machine to leave lines before I forgot them.
So do you perform at special events?
I used to do weddings all the time, but I haven't done it for a while. Everyone must have gotten married!
The first wedding I sang at was my wife's wedding, but I wasn't the one who married her. We were best friends in high school. When I came back from college, they were going through a divorce. Then she and I started dating.
How long were you married?
Eighteen and a half years.
Wow. Are you still friends?
If you love your children, you will strive to always be on good terms.
Wow, that's so great! So you're open to meeting someone else?
Yes, I'm open. I'd like to find somebody.
You should totally find somebody. You are so sweet, Shawn Jones! What kind of gal would you like to find?
That’s really a tough question! There are attractions on the outside and inside. A sweetness with others. A smile I can’t seem to turn away from. A desire for her I can’t explain.
Oh, and I want God to send me a picture!I am a born again Christian. I’m not perfect — I’ve made my mistakes. I would like to find a Christian girl who shares much of what’s important to me and God.
Family is important to me. I love to travel, snow ski and play golf. I like camping — anything outdoors! Also I love the arts — plays, bookstores, even antiques. I like the nostalgia, going back in time. I like getting a map, driving down back roads and eating in diners or greasy spoons. Just finding those off-the-beaten-path treasures.
OK, lemme just get this straight. You're an athletic singer/songwriter and poet. You go to church and you enjoy antiquing and greasy spoons. And you're darling. You will definitely find her. When you do, will you write her a song?
Well, I’ve already written some poetry and songs for her. Now I’m just waitin' on that picture!
