Jones

By Peggy Ratusz

It’s a Sunday evening as I write this feature. I’ve just returned home from a brewery gig. Whenever I come home from any gig or show, I experience a wind-down period I refer to as “show aferglow,” especially if the performance was well received and/or well attended. I just spent 3 hours making music with my friend, the superlative guitarist and vocalist and the featured artist this month: Kelly Pierce Jones.

Tere’s no shortage of really, really good guitar players around here. But what separates Jones from others is his stylistic sincerity. Te story of his life is refected in his genuine sensibility.

“I saw the Beatles on Ed Sullivan when I was 8 years old and I got that they were something big. I noticed the girls screaming, the matching suits and the hair, but I wasn’t necessarily turned on by music.”

As a pre-teen, he took guitar lessons and even then he says, “I remember learning to play simple melodies from Hal Leonard music books, and I couldn’t connect with them.”

So he put the guitar in the back of the closet and quit taking lessons.

His older brother bought a membership to Columbia House Record Club a few years later. In the case of Columbia House, its members would receive discounted records or cassettes — ofen up to a dozen for as little as a penny — and in the fne print agree to buy a limited number of items at full list price over a period of time.

His desire to emulate his brother, who obviously enjoyed receiving and listening to records that were packaged and mailed to him personally, Kelly’s fascination triggered his deciding to order Jimi Hendrix’s frst album: “Are You Experienced.”

“Opening that record and just seeing the album cover, I thought oh man! Tis is so cool! I put it on my turntable and I absorbed it. I listened to it every chance I could. It sparked my desire to start playing guitar again.”

He began exploring the language of music using an old gut string acoustic lying around the house. He knew that there was more to it than just a desire to be good at playing. Very soon he became keenly aware that the facility of playing the guitar required the use of his whole body; his arms, his hands, his wrists, his fngers. Once he experienced Hendrix, the juices began to fow.

An increasing desire to want the sound to feel a certain way captivated him. “Te diference between wrong notes and right notes and then adding groove came much later. It takes a long time to get there but I started to realize how important it was that I fnd and bring out my own voice.”

When he was four years old, his family moved from Dimmeydale, WV to the 4-story farmhouse his paternal great grandmother owned and lived in, in Wheeling. So in his pre-pre-teen years he’s learning to ride a bike and roaming free on acres of land, listening to records, experimenting and exploring the idea of learning to play guitar under the roof and sky of his ancestors.

At some point, Kelly explains “my parents started questioning what I call the 50’s family template.” As a result his family home ended up being where friends gathered for regular volley ball and keg parties.

“My mom was liberal and turned my dad onto progressive ideas. He started to grow his hair long; he grew a beard and mustache and started hanging out with people half his age. He was a doctor so in the 60’s he was part of the country club cocktail crowd. But eventually these younger friends opened him up. Tey turned him onto Te Grateful Dead, Waylon and Willie. It informed and infuenced me about life and love watching these people interact with one another.”

It became increasingly apparent to Kelly that pursuing a career in music was something he could manifest and accomplish. He joined the Jazz band in high school and played with his friend, Grant Sinclair who was the brother of his future wife, Debi. Afer high school he attended Berkeley College of Music with a concentration in Jazz guitar.

At Berkeley, Kelly says he compared himself to others too much. “I started to lose my ability to value my own genuinely valid individuality.”

One of his schoolmates was none other than guitar virtuoso, Steve Vie. Afer attending one of his gigs, Kelly began to rethink his approach to playing. “Vie had this aggressive approach to his instrument. He’d play a solo and in the middle of it he’d hold his guitar out in front of him by the strings, shaking it and grabbing the whammy bar. It was no longer just about executing melodic rifs, it was about sheer abandon and ferce expression of feelings.”

So in the decades since Berkeley, Kelly Jones married his drummer pal’s sister and high school girlfriend Debi

Sinclair and they moved from New York to Wheeling to Asheville.

Dedication to his instrument along with tremendous support from his wife and two kids, Jones has parlayed into a career flled with unforgettable experiences.

A few months ago he played Carnegie Hall with Catholic/Christian artist, John Angotti. For more years in a row than he can remember, a West Virginia band he was in, opened for country music icons like Taylor Swif and Brad Paisley at the infamous “Jamboree in the Hills Country Music Festival”, a 28 year long annual event held in Saint Clairsville, Ohio.

I’m a fortunate band leader that Kelly is available for me to hire more these days. He plays regularly with virtuosic versatile vocalist, Blake Elledge, along with special events outft, Emerald Empire. For many years he was Jesse Barry & the Jam’s guitarist. He tells me his future goals include releasing original compositions that he’s held hostage in his basement studio for far too long.

As we wrap things up, Jones adds a fnal thought: “It’s my life’s task to continue to be comfortable in my own skin. Tis gives me permission to embrace other people’s success instead of comparing theirs to mine.”

Sat June 3rd – Whiteside Brewing (Duo), Cashiers, NC 6-9pm

Sun June 4th – Sierra Nevada Brewing (Full Band), Mills River, NC 2-5pm

Turs June 15th - Rocky’s Hot Chicken Shack South (Duo), Asheville NC 6-8pm

Sat June 17th – Te Grey Eagle Patio Show (Duo), Asheville, NC 5-7pm

Sat June 24th – One World West (Full Band)

Invitational Blues Jam, Asheville, NC 4-7pm

Turs June 29th – Te Outpost (Full Band)

Asheville, NC 6-9pm

Peggy Ratusz is a vocal coach, song interpreter, and songwriter. For vocal coaching email her at peggymarie43@gmail.com

SPF is your BFF

Sunscreen is an essential part of any skincare regimen, especially during the summer months. Most of us know that it’s important to apply sunscreen before going outside, but many of us don’t know why sunscreen is so important or how to choose the best type to use. In this article, we’ll explore the benefts of sunscreen and provide some tips on how to choose the right kind for your skin.

First and foremost, sunscreen is crucial for protecting your skin from the harmful efects of the sun. Te sun’s rays contain ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which can cause skin damage, aging, and even cancer. Sunscreen can help prevent these negative efects by creating a barrier between your skin and the sun’s rays. Tis barrier comes in the form of either physical or chemical protection.

Physical sunscreens are made with mineral-based ingredients such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. Tese minerals sit on the surface of the skin and refect the UV rays away from the body. Tey are ofen suited for people with sensitive skin or those prone to acne, as they are less likely to cause irritation. Chemical sunscreens, on the other hand, work by absorbing the UV rays and converting them into heat. Tey are made with ingredients such as avobenzone or octinoxate and tend to have a more lightweight, non-greasy feel. Ultimately, the choice between physical vs. chemical sunscreen comes down to personal preference and skin type.

When it comes to choosing the best type of sunscreen for your skin, it’s important to consider your skin type and the sun’s intensity. For example, people with fair skin or a family history of skin cancer may need a higher SPF (sun protection factor) than someone with darker skin. Te American Academy of Dermatology recommends that everyone use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, as this will block out 97% of the sun’s UVB rays. However, it’s worth noting that the diference in protection between an SPF 30 and an SPF 50 is minimal (just 1-2% more protection) and may not be worth the extra cost.

Another factor to consider when choosing a sunscreen is water-resistance. If you plan on spending time in the water or sweating, it’s important to choose a sunscreen that is labeled as “water-resistant” or “very waterresistant.” Tese sunscreens have been tested to ensure that they provide protection for a certain amount of time (usually 40-80 minutes) while your skin is wet or sweating.

In addition to regular sunscreen application, there are a few other things you can do to protect your skin from the sun. Wearing protective clothing such as long-sleeved shirts or hats with a wide brim can help shield your skin from the sun’s rays. It’s also important to avoid peak sun hours (typically between 10am and 4pm) and seek shade whenever possible.

Now that we’ve covered the basics of sunscreen, let’s take a look at some of the best sunscreens on the market. One popular option for those with sensitive skin is the La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mineral Sunscreen. Tis physical sunscreen is made with 100% mineral flters and has an SPF of 50. It’s also fragrance-free and non-comedogenic, making it a great choice for those prone to breakouts.

Another popular sunscreen option is the Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen. Tis chemical sunscreen has an SPF of 100+ and is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes. It also has a lightweight, non-greasy feel, making it a great option for everyday use.

For those who prefer natural or organic skincare products, the COOLA Mineral Sunscreen is a great option. Tis physical sunscreen is made with organic, non-GMO ingredients and has an SPF of 30. It’s also reef-friendly, meaning it’s safe to use in oceans and other bodies of water without harming marine life.

In conclusion, sunscreen is a vital component of any skincare routine, especially during the summer months. Whether you prefer a physical or chemical sunscreen, it’s important to choose a product with a broad-spectrum SPF of at least 30 and to reapply every two hours or afer swimming or sweating. By taking these steps, you can help protect your skin from the harmful efects of the sun and enjoy a healthy, glowing complexion.