Local Legends are too often mythical characters who’s impact on a community can run deep, date back centuries and for some who hear the story of them can be left to wonder…
What made them so Legendary?
Tucked in the central northeast portion of Indiana is the small little town of Hartford City, an old agricultural town, and home to a corporate giant 3M,with locals who cannot wait for the high school basketball season to start every year.
Unless someone spreads the rumor, Derek Jones is coming home to play his music.
Locals call in sick, break up with boyfriends, call baby sitters and postpone weddings to see, hear and shake hands with what is truly a real life LOCAL LEGEND…
When asked about his music “What inspires you”, Jones’ response was simply put, "People. All people inspire me and when people tell me my songs have helped them, that’s an incredible feeling”. It's obvious this is reason so many people from Hartford City love him: his passion and his talent.
Jones grew up playing drums but didn’t pick up a guitar until he was 23. He’s always been a long time lover of music and figured he was going to “try and make it”. Well make it he did. He moved to Nashville with nothing, lived in a hotel for 3 months but kept his nose to the grindstone and 4 years later he played The Show That Made Country Music Famous… Grand Ole Opry!
While in the midst of making his music, he also tours with the multi-platinum selling recording artist Billy Ray Cyrus, he has played on Morning Television Shows, and he worked along side of some of the most well respected artists in the industry… yeah he’s made it alright!
With inspiration coming from many of his life stories, Derek made mention that one artist who has impacted his career, the famous country artist Jamey Johnson. They met playing a show together at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville when someone asked Johnson to sign a flag. As a former US Marine, Johnson politely declined and mentioned in his own words he felt it was desecrating to the flag, which Jones said, “made me respect him even more”.
Jones is passionate, talented, and the community of Hartford City loves him. His high tech, deeply complicated formula for making Legendary music is simple… he says, “he’s in love with performing and to be honest I’m not cut out for the 9-5 bullshit”. With his music widely available for downloads on iTunes, Amazon, Spotify and other popular sites, Jones tickles the ears of friends, family, and many, many fans all over the globe.
We highly suggest digging into any of these sites to find, download and hear this truly talented, well respected artist do this thing. And if you're ever in Nashville, taking the time to find him on stage is a MUST!
Hartford City is proud of this musician and Local Legend Clothing is very honored to feature this talented musician on our site while sharing a small snapshot of his story. The artists who sing with him share a love for their trade that runs deep, while stories of the real life Local Legend Derek Jones continue to be told over and over in that small country city of Hartford City Indiana.
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