Duke Jones is off to an electrifying start in his music career in Nashville, especially for someone who's recently began chasing his dream as an artist. In country music, especially in country music, there is incredible talent everywhere you look, but what separates up-and-coming artists and songwriters is authenticity and the indescribable "IT factor." No matter how hard an artist tries to have it, some just don’t have that magic touch. Duke Jones is authentic to the core and for sure has the "It factor.” Back in August when I heard Duke's song "Matches,” it made me turn my head and instantly made me wonder, "Who is Duke Jones and why is he not a star yet???" The rising star has created his own sound and has done a beautiful job blending the modern vibe with the folky singer-songwriter subgenre that has become popularized by artists like Zach Bryan. Jones has already found his sound and identity as a songwriter and an artist, and that puts him light years ahead of others on the rise. Being comfortable in your own skin and being believable in what you are putting into the world is the biggest make or break for up-and-comers. Duke Jones is a diamond in the rough that is bound to have an exciting few years as more fans get to know this powerhouse riser who is going to take country music by storm.
I sat down with Duke Jones and talked about his single "Gone,” moving to Nashville, not knowing anyone, chasing a dream, and how getting out of his comfort zone has led to opportunities. Take a look into the life and music of Duke and how the Georgia native navigates life in Nashville.
Get To Know Duke
"I grew up in Grayson, Georgia. It's about an hour east of Atlanta. I played sports growing up, andI'm actually a black belt in Taekwondo. I also played basketball and football in middle school, and I played lacrosse all throughout high school. In middle school I was in chorus, but I didn't take it seriously. I joined because all my friends were there. Looking back it's crazy because that's what I'm doing now. I didn't get into country music or music in general until the start of 2022. That's when I was like "Hey Ma, I want a guitar," and I really wanted to learn a bunch of songs I liked. Zach Bryan and Morgan Wallen were the only artists I listened to at the time. After a couple months of listening to them, it transitioned into Colter Wall and Tyler Childers too and I just started to love country music. I moved to Nashville for school, but school just wasn't my thing. I've just been trying to make a name for myself. I moved here for music, but I had never written any music at all. One day I asked myself, "Why did I move here if I'm not going to pursue music or write anything?" It was a thought process for me, I didn't want to be thousands of dollars in debt and then start the music thing 4 years from now when I finished school. I dropped out and started couch hopping and eventually found a place. I've been doing music and writing for about 7 months now.”
Listening to "Gone" is the perfect cure to a bad break up!
"Gone" was released on November 13th and I've already listened to it about 70 times... Each listen it gets catchier, and is a fun sing along song that makes you feel like you are on top of the world. It makes me feel like I've conquered a bad break up and I've been single for over 5 years. This track is an easy listen to kick back to with a fun and upbeat production that smacks you in the face, complemented with intentional lyrics of someone getting their swagger back after drowning the sorrows of a bad break up, and finally snapping out of it and realizing your worth and that you're better off with them gone. "Gone" is a cool fusion of the modern sound without being blasted by 808's and a unique, easy listening indie sound. Duke Jones is creating his own sound that you can't put your finger on and is creating his own style and brand as an artist. A must listen...one of my favorite songs of the year!
Inspiration Behind "Gone"
Written By: Duke Jones, Produced By: IQ
"I kind of wanted an upbeat song honestly, because I had written a bunch of slower, sadder songs. Around that time I was going through a break up and it was very messy. I was writing all these songs about it and I was like, "Why is every song sad and sound depressing?" I was in the car driving to Atlanta to record and it was at night, and my buddy sent over that beat. I just played on my car speaker and did voice memos of the melodies, and that's how it came about. It was one of those songs of "I'm fine and I'm moving on, I'm over writing sad songs - I won't miss you when you're gone.” With "Gone" I liked the vibe of it when I wrote it, but I didn't think I wrote a hit or was super excited about it at first. But I thought if I executed it right it could be a cool song."
Q & A With Duke Jones
Q: What was that "light bulb" moment that made you want to pursue music?
A: "I think about being in Nashville. I played on Broadway and got to meet a lot of people who have played that scene for a while and really enjoyed doing it. It made me realize that I really wanted to write my own music and pursue making music, being an artist and writing my own songs, and not always playing covers. It helped me flip a switch from my experience on Broadway. "I need to do my thing, I need to hustle and meet all these people and network.”
Q: What were your initial experiences like so far in Nashville and how have you adjusted to life in Music City?
A: "It was hard at first, because I moved without knowing anyone at all. All my friends stayed and went to school in Georgia - Georgia College, Georgia Southern, or UGA and they all are friends and hangout with each other, and I was the only one who moved away. I didn't go home this summer.I go home a week out of every few months maybe, and I don't get to see my friends a ton because they are in school. It's been hard, but it's made me realize it's important for me to do this and pursue my music dream. They want to be doctors and all these different jobs, so they have to be in school and meet their requirements. For me, I want to be an artist, and being in Nashville that's my requirement. Not seeing my parents and my little sibling has been tough too, but they understand why I have to be here and they support me, which I'm grateful for. They see the vision and see what I want to do, and are very understanding of that.
Everywhere you go there's somebody who's done something or is willing to help you in some way; it's really cool meeting people that are very welcoming. Like I said, I moved here not knowing a soul. I've been here in Nashville for about a year. It's all about finding the groove. Once you meet someone and get close with them, that opens up a whole realm of opportunities, because they know people and then those people are going to know people... it's like a spider web. It takes a lot to get used to. I've really had to learn to step out of my comfort zone, because usually I'm quiet and reserved. This year in Nashville has taught me that I have to talk to people more and just go up to people and say "Hey, I'm Duke Jones and I do music,” "I would love to write," or "I would love some advice," whatever the situation may be. Even though it can be uncomfortable, it's what you have to do to open doors here."
Who are some of your biggest musical influences? How have you created your own sound?
A: "I think my big three are: Morgan Wallen, he's the first artist I started listening to when I first started listening to country music, he's why I bought a guitar. Zach Bryan, I just love his lyrics... they're deep. And Tyler Childers. I also have been influenced by artists like Noah Kahan.
You know when you hear a Morgan Wallen song or a Zach Bryan song, and you know it's them right away? I try to make my music where when you listen you go "who's this?" and you can't put a finger on it. I've tried to incorporate the way Zach Bryan writes about specific things, Noah Kahan, too, it's so specific it's almost weird in a way. I don't want to make Wallen pop country music, it's just not my thing, but I also try to incorporate modern country into my songs. I've gotten feedback from people who say my music sounds like my own genre and to keep doing what I'm doing, and my goal has been to do it my way."
Q: Who's an individual in your life that has helped and supported you chasing your dream in music?
A: "There's a few people. My mom, obviously. I remember her telling me that's what she wanted to be when she was a kid, was an artist like Carrie Underwood. My parents are very supportive of me pursuing music.
And my old high school teacher. When I wrote my first song, I brought it to him because he was the only person I knew. He said he could help me out because he has some connections in Atlanta. He got me my first show at Eddie's Attic and it sold out. It was fantastic!
Also more recently, Vincent Mason's managers have been helping me out a lot and helping me get meetings and getting my name out there. Kyle and Matt have been awesome helping me in this town and navigating my way."
If you are just discovering Duke Jones follow him on Apple Music, Spotify, Instagram, Facebook and Tik Tok
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