Check Out Jerry Jones’ Story

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

Hi Jerry, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey started in middle school when I and my two friends started a singing group called “The Fantastics.”

Upon entering high school (Woodstock), we started performing at different schools in the Memphis area, mostly talent shows… I moved to Memphis where I attended and graduated from Father Bertrand High School (Thunderbolts), where I was a member of the 1966 football championship team…  After graduating high school we went in separate directions… The other 2 members went in the Military and I attended Lane College for 2 years…

I worked with the SCLC with Ralph Abernathy and Andrew Young… In 1968 we went to Washington DC with the Poor People’s Campaign and built Resurrection City at the Reflecting Pool.

I later returned home and got together with some other musicians and started the group Brothers Unlimited where we were signed by Capitol Records and released the album “Who’s For The Young”. I later formed the group Home Grown Funk, and after playing in clubs and concerts in different cities, in 1977, the band moved to Los Angeles where we were signed to a production deal with Ike Turner and we were featured on his album “The Edge”.

We signed with Arista Records and released the single “Confrontation” never really gaining much recognition.The group disbanded and went separate ways. Upon moving back to Memphis and with the help of Ronald ‘Khalis’ Bell (Kool And The Gang), I signed a solo deal with Mercury Records, “Mysterious And Sexy” which was “Pick Hit of the Week” on American Bandstand.

I now mostly perform overseas, in Italy (Porretta Soul Festival) and Spain…. I’ve performed in festivals with ZZ Top, Allman Brothers, Mountain, Tower Of Power, Bar-Kays, Confunkshun, and the list goes on… Music is my life and I owe it to my Mom who is also a singer and my biggest inspiration.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road was smooth and also rough.

Music was always the smooth path, but the business side was the most troublesome, especially with the record labels not promoting the records… losing members to other groups.

I wouldn’t change a thing, except attempting to learn the business side better.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a powerful vocalist, self-taught… I’m mostly known for my band Home Grown Funk.

I’m mostly proud of the record deals I’ve gotten and the respect that other musicians in Memphis have for me… What sets me apart is that I’m original and I’ve always done things my way.

Everyone calls me Big Jerry.

So maybe we end by discussing what matters most to you and why?
Family and friends, after all the years of performing, first and foremost, I’d like to give thanks to God for giving me a voice that is as strong today as it’s ever been, performing at the highest level!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @therealbigjerry
• Facebook: Jerry Jones
• Twitter: @muzicman24
• Youtube: muzicman24