Conversations with Steve Jones

Today we’d like to introduce you to Steve Jones. 

Hi Steve, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I just want to take this opportunity to thank you for the chance to share my story. It’s been an interesting road traveled to this point. 

My name is Steve Jones. I am 46 years old. Generation X and a 90’s kid through and through. I like to tell people that I was born in front of a tv. Movies, music, television, and talented creative people were my mentors. My brain is filled with way too much pop culture knowledge. All I ever wanted to do was be involved in the creative field. 

As of today, I have my little world of that every day. It’s a small world that I hope only gets bigger. 

My main goal today is to help highlight talented people musicians, YouTubers, actors, podcasters, and more. If you have a talent, I would love to highlight it and share it to the world. Digital Art, Video Editing, lighting, drums, music, and more, is what comes in my basket of goodies. It is truly my passion. 

It has been a long road traveled so far. My family moved to Franklin, TN in 1985. We rented a home in Cottonwood subdivision in Franklin, TN., for a short time, but ended up moving to a home my family purchased in Maplewood subdivision in Franklin, a short time later. I started playing drums at 14. I worked for my father (who has been the one constant rock in my crazy life) during the Nascar Race Season in the summers. My father worked in Sports Marketing for 16 years. My paydays for one summer allowed me to buy a drum set, forever upsetting the neighbors and my mother as well. 

My Father’s office was on Church Street, downtown Nashville. I grew up in downtown Nashville. 12 years old walking down the block at noon to get San Antonio Taco. It was a very interesting start to that stage of my life. It also set the foundation for how I deal with the world in general today. 

It is still one of my favorite times in my life. Out there in the real world. My father and I always bonded during those times. The McDonald’s story is something we still laugh about to this day. 

I learned how to address people, chit-chat, and interact with them by watching him. My demeanor on the phone is all copied from him. All of my social skills with people and customers comes from him. All of which came in handy working in the retail and customer service industry. 

Once I turned 16, I decided it was time to go wild, as a lot of kids do. My next 4 years is a chapter by itself. I plan to tell that story too. I spent time in Nashville acting. My best job was on a Tracy Lawrence video called “I see It now” I played one of three greasers playing a prank at a high school dance. I met a lot of great people on this large set that included 200 extras. I had a ton of fun. 

Fast forward to 23 years old. Calmer times, engaged for a short time but not right for each other. The office I worked for in downtown Nashville was closing. I just needed a job and two blocks over on 2nd Ave, Graham Central Station (GCS) was hiring. I thought to myself, why not. I had no idea the next 4 years would be with this company. 

To this day, GCS is still the most amazing work experience I have had with a company. I worked every spot I could. Barback/Bartender/Door/ and finally DJ. This company also employed the Best General Manager I have ever worked for, Frank Ryle. A true mentor. Obi-Wan all the way. 

We find out who we are several times in our lifetime and I think my time with GCS was the very first time for me. I was 25-26 at the time. 

I also traveled to Colorado Springs, CO to open up another Graham, but due to the economy at the time, the club closed (2003-2004) 

Rounding 30 and it’s time to get out of the nightclub biz. Returned to kitchens by working for The Bluebird Café. Living in Hillsboro village. A real quiet time for me. With an interesting group of friends. One was a comic book artist and a few others were musicians. I lived vicariously through them and their wild times, while I stayed Homebound and started to learn to edit videos. 2005 is the year that I dug in and started learning software. Programs such as Sony Vegas, Acid Pro, etc. 2005 is really when this journey began. I joined back again with my father with a product called Auto Glove. I really enjoyed making promo videos for that company. This project really gave me the taste for that type of work. 

Moving ahead 15 years (2 of those years in Los Angeles), to today and looking ahead to 2022 I have recently acquired the tools to become a Multimedia Freelancer. Digital Artwork, Video Editor, DJ, Musician, and more. 

After living in Colorado twice, Florida twice, Los Angeles, Michigan, Arkansas, and Kentucky, I have spent the last 9 years in franklin, 3 miles from our first Franklin, in Cottonwood subdivision. A very long loop that more or less took me full circle geographically. 

Our family had had a long-running joke. When we wanted something, we’d say “We’ll get it when we settle in”, even if it was 15 years later, we’d eventually get whatever it happened to be. Well, I’m settled in and I am looking forward to working with a lot of creative people in 2022. 

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not been a smooth road. Keeping up with the Joneses isn’t easy. I came from a very dysfunctional family. We just couldn’t get along. I was over High school and over my family, I left at an early age. 17-18. Burned my candle at both ends and was in rehab by the time I was 19. A few years go by and I get engaged at 23 for a short time. Her family was a bit to religious for me, bordered on cult-ish. 

At around 25 I find my way to the Nightclub Business. These years are pretty good. Great job, money, single, etc. I dated a girl who was 19 when I was 25. It was short-lived. She is still one of the most interesting people I have ever known. 

Years later I would date an older woman with kids. It lasted about 2 years. 

Today I have recently ended a 15-year relationship. So needless to say, my love life has been a bit of a struggle. I will be staying single for a while, lol. 

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My time acting at 19-20 was great learning experience. I love lighting and great camera angles. I have been working the last year with lighting and camera work. I have been filming with different resolutions and film speed. Very excited to shoot some small projects in 2022. 

I have a DJ setup that I love using for small events. There is a real satisfaction to hosting a gathering where people have a great time. MC/Host is available too. I hope to do more of those in the new year. 

I am currently working daily in the world of Digital Art. Ready for creative projects. Flyers, Posters, and get yourself Comic Book’d. An awesome transformation into your comic book alter ego. 

I have recently gotten back into the drums. Getting back into the rhythm with an Alesis Nitro Mesh Electric Kit. Partners with Garage Band. Looking for projects. 

Last but not least, video editing. Short promos, music videos, Welcome Message for your fans, all the way short films. Ready in 2022 with Final Cut Pro and other great software. 

This journey of work has been most of my life but really started pushing for it about 15-16 years ago. 

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
My first real risk-taking move was moving out of my family’s house at 17-18. No one was getting along and I got the live here our rules moment. My only thought was, “Oh you mean I can leave this crazy mess?!” I moved out to Murfreesboro and made just about every wrong decision there was to make. Ending up in Rehab at 19. 

I took a lot of risks. I wouldn’t do most of them now for sure. 

Every move to a new state was a risk for me. My move to Panama City at 21. I moved down there with $350 and stayed for a year. I knew no one but I arrived in January. Just after Hurricane Opal hit down there. Spring Break comes along and MTV shows up the rest is history. I came back to Franklin a bit tired. lol. 

I was given a chance go to Colorado, Springs CO to open up a club. (2003) I moved all the way. I signed a lease and then Bush declared war and the town died. It’s what happens to army base towns. No jobs to be found. Lasted about a year and return to Franklin once again. lol 

I went out to Los Angeles for work and also a relationship. The one most recently ended. I went out there to manage some talent. This person was making a comeback in a certain genre. I set up meetings and set the stage for us to do things in LA. One of the problems that managers have at times is when the talent is hard to manage. This was the case. After 2 years I returned to Franklin Tn in 2009. 

I have a few instances like this. I went down to Miami 05-06 to do video editing for a friend from the nightclub business. He had a spot as GM at a popular bar chain. The one that had the movie about it. Once I got down there, he was already wrapped up in things he shouldn’t have been doing. Company found out and fired him. I returned to Franklin, once again. 

So, in my time of searching for work that I crave to do, I have taken some chances and overcome a bit of disappointment. The risks took place all over the United States. Michigan, California, Florida, Tennessee, Colorado. I traveled a bit. lol. 

I could go on with more. It’s been a journey for sure. LOL 

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://juststevejones.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juststevejones/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SteveDudeJones
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/juststevejones
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8wA4AfsXy3Cgg3DwCEWKxQ