Kacey Jones

Artist Information

Biography

Audiences have been laughing with Kacey Jones for decades. She's been laughed at outside the Nashville city limits by the likes of People Magazine, USA Today, CMT and GAC television, Entertainment Tonight, the nationally syndicated "Bob and Tom" radio show, on NPR as Garrison Keillor's guest on "A Prairie Home Companion," and "The Woodsongs Old Time Radio Hour."

With Kacey Jones there's a lot to laugh about. Hers was, after all, the brilliant mind that conceived one of Nashville's most unique and revered all-girl cult groups, "Ethel and The Shameless Hussies," who broke above the waves in the late 80's on MCA Records.

In 1998 Kacey recorded and produced, "Men Are Some of My Favorite People" for Curb Records, considered a classic among collectors of intelligent humor mixed with great music. During this time she also produced Kinky Friedman's critically acclaimed album, "Pearls in the Snow," featuring Tom Waits, Lyle Lovett, Willie Nelson, Delbert McClinton, Dwight Yoakam, and other legends. The CD hit #1 on the Americana radio chart in 1999. A year later, Kacey recorded a duet with Delbert McClinton, "You're the Reason Our Kids are Ugly" that remained at #1 on the European Country Chart for nine weeks straight.

In 2000 Kacey hooked up with The Sweet Potato Queens and was named their "Official Songstress" by Boss Queen and best-selling author, Jill Conner Browne. Kacey wrote their theme song, "Be Particular." She's written and recorded many songs for the Sweet Potato Queens and performs LIVE each year at their annual Ball & Parade in Jackson, MS...the third largest St. Paddy's Day Parade in the United States.

Movies were next to fall under her spell and in 2002 Kacey landed three original songs in the cult film "SORDID LIVES" starring Beau Bridges, Olivia Newton-John, Leslie Jordan, Bonnie Bedalia, and Delta Burke. The DVD has sold over a million units to date. "Sordid Lives, The Series" launched nationally on television's LOGO Network in July, 2008. Director, Del Shores, called on Kacey for additional original music. Several of her songs were included in the first season's episodes and the soundtrack CD includes Kacey's "I Could Get Over Him if I Could Get Under You."

"Kacey Jones Sings Mickey Newbury" (IGO Records) was released in August, 2006. The CD is a tribute to her songwriting hero and features album liner notes by Kris Kristofferson, who also appears in her music video, "San Francisco Mabel Joy." Kacey's interpretation of Newbury's beautiful, melancholy songs acheived critical worldwide reviews.

Her latest CD, "Donald Trump's Hair" contains 13 songs written or co-written by Kacey, including the title track, an homage to "The Donald's do."

Kacey's music has received excellent reviews in The San Francisco Chronicle, Music Connection Magazine, PEOPLE, Country Weekly Magazine and Amazon.com, to name a few.

She's an accomplished guitar player with a blues meets country singing style...combine that with a brilliant sense of humor and her LIVE show is, in a word, unforgettable. Her influences include Roger Miller, Dolly Parton, Mae West, Kris Kristofferson, Bette Midler, Shel Silverstein, Billie Holiday, Randy Newman, Tom Lehrer, Mickey Newbury, Loretta Lynn, Ray Charles, Joni Mitchell, Dan Hicks, Janis Joplin, Etta James, and Sophie Tucker. In November, 2010, Kacey will launch a new comedy radio show, "Goldberg & Jones" with co-host, Jesse Goldberg.
www.airplaydirect.com/goldbergandjones

Instrumentation

Kacey Jones - acoustic guitar and vocals. Depending on the venue and the situation, Kacey is sometimes accompanied by a lead guitarist and/or bass player. At large venues, such as The Sweet Potato Queens' Ball and Parade, (25,000 people) Kacey occasionally sings LIVE to her original pre-recorded tracks.

Discography

Donald Trump's Hair (IGO Records - 2009)
KACEYOKE (IGO Records - 2008)
Nipples to the Wind (stage play soundtrack 2007)
Kacey Jones Sings Mickey Newbury (IGO -2006)
Every Man I Love Is Either Married Gay Or Dead...LIVE - (IGO - 2005)
The Sweet Potato Queens Big-Ass Box of Music
(IGO - 2004)
Show Up Naked, Bring Beer (IGO - 2003)
Never Wear Panties to a Party (IGO - 2002)
Every Man I Love is Either Married, Gay, or Dead
(IGO - 2001 studio album)
Pearls In The Snow, The Songs Of Kinky Friedman (1999 - Produced by Kacey Jones)
Men Are Some of My Favorite People (Curb -1998)
Detour West (Cinnamon Records - 1992)
Born to Burn (Ethel and The Shameless Hussies)
(MCA Records - 1988)

Links

• Facebook
• MySpace
• Twitter
• AirPlay Direct
• Donald Trump's Hair.net
• Kacey Jones Sings Mickey Newbury

Audio

• Donald Trump's Hair
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• Christmas in Rehab
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• I Can Always Get Skinny But You'll Never Be Tall
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• Waitin For the Guy To Die
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• I Could Get Over Him (If I Could Get Under You)
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• Every Man I Love is Either Married, Gay, or Dead
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• But I'm Not Bitter
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• Surrounded By The Blues
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• Some Memories Are Better Left Alone
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Video

But I'm Not Bitter

Photo Gallery

Press

• The San Francisco Chronicle [+ Show ]
  

  Jones, known for her comedy albums and hanging out with Garrison Keillor at Lake Wobegon, breaks you...Jones, known for her comedy albums and hanging out with Garrison Keillor at Lake Wobegon, breaks your heart so many times on this exquisite disc, you have to think just a bit of her life experience adds to the genius. Country blues have never been bluer, or more eloquent, and Jones' seen-it-all voice is the perfect match for Newbury's poignant worldview. From the ache of "Ramblin' Blues" to the infectious bounce of "San Francisco Mabel Joy," Jones honors a singular talent as only another singular talent could.
  -Dave Wiegand - 08/06
  

• Barnes & Noble [+ Show ]
  

  Jones's readings are note perfect, the rich arrangements are beautifully conceived, and the soul of ...Jones's readings are note perfect, the rich arrangements are beautifully conceived, and the soul of Mickey Newbury lives again, vivid as ever in his timeless, literate songs.
  --David McGee - 08/06

• Country Line Magazine [+ Show ]
  

  Kacey Jones may very well be staring a Grammy nomination in the face at the end of the year, this al...Kacey Jones may very well be staring a Grammy nomination in the face at the end of the year, this album is that powerful and it would be a fitting tribute to both artists, the giant in the world of songwriters and the gifted, loving singer who cared enough to say thanks.
  - Greg Roberts

• El Dorado News-Times [+ Show ]
  

  Several months ago, I heard Kacey on "A Prairie Home Companion." It was love at first listen. Her tr...Several months ago, I heard Kacey on "A Prairie Home Companion." It was love at first listen. Her tribute to Newbury is one of the most gorgeous albums I've ever heard. I can't imagine how this CD could have been done any better. Every single track touched me to the bone.
  -Roderick Harrington

• The Nashville City Paper [+ Show ]
  

  Kacey Jones' previous releases have spotlighted her quick, biting wit and satirical prowess, most no...Kacey Jones' previous releases have spotlighted her quick, biting wit and satirical prowess, most notably, Every man i love Is Either married, Gay, or Dead. But she not only plays it straight on this Mickey Newbury tribute, she expertly and accurately communicates each song. Newbury isn't nearly as famous as he should be, but Kacey's treatment of his songs will inspire those who hear them to delve deeper into his rich and overlooked catalog.
  --Ron Wynn

• Rambles - a cultural arts magazine [+ Show ]
  

  I don't know how you'd improve on a tribute album so sensitively conceived and executed as this one....I don't know how you'd improve on a tribute album so sensitively conceived and executed as this one. Jones' riveting interpretations lift these gorgeous, heartbreaking songs to a kind of tragic glory.
  --Jerome Clark - 10/06

• PEOPLE MAGAZINE [+ Show ]
  

  There's a long tradition of female music humorists---from Minnie Pearl and Judy Canova to Catherine ...There's a long tradition of female music humorists---from Minnie Pearl and Judy Canova to Catherine Bach---and Kacey Jones fits right in. Bottom Line: Here's one Kacey who hasn't struck out.

• MUSIC CONNECTION [+ Show ]
  

  The well-versed vocalist, famed for her work as an entertainer, songwriter, publisher, producer and ...The well-versed vocalist, famed for her work as an entertainer, songwriter, publisher, producer and indie record label owner, shows an eclectic range of influences---this is funny stuff that is intelligent and singable.

• Nashville Scene Review [+ Show ]
  

  JANUARY 22 - 28, 2004 -- MUSIC--LOCAL Sweet Cheek Veteran Nashville singer-songwriter Kacey Jon...JANUARY 22 - 28, 2004 -- MUSIC--LOCAL
  
  Sweet Cheek
  Veteran Nashville singer-songwriter Kacey Jones finds niche for her womanly humor
  By Michael McCall
  
  Kacey Jones
  Sweet Potato Queens' Big-Ass Box of Music (IGO Records)
  
  Talk about tit for tat: After two decades of musically representing bold and bawdy women, Kacey Jones is
  finally becoming a national phenomenon. The Nashville veteran's sudden popularity comes after jumping
  on an appropriate party platform: She's now a glorified member of the royal court of the Sweet Potato Queens,
  the loose-knit organization of full-grown, wild women inspired by the libidinous musings of author
  Jill Conner Browne in her series of humorous books that began with the 1999 best seller, The Sweet Potato
  Queens Book of Love.
  As the Sweet Potato Queens grew into a social movement--complete with an annual March convention and parade in Jackson, Miss.--the membership recognized a bosom buddy in Jones. Recent albums like Never Wear Panties to a Party and Every Man I Love Is Either Married, Gay or Dead fit the SPQ aesthetic as snugly as a size-too-small dress.
  Not one to pass up a rowdy party or promotional gimmick, Jones signed on as the club's official songstress and put together her own Sweet Potato Queens' Big-Ass Box of Music. The 21-cut CD surveys several of the cheekiest songs from her repertoire, such as "Gimme a Younger Man." Jones augments the best-of list with several new tunes, including "Show Up Naked, Bring Beer" and "I Could Get Over Him (If I Could Get Under You)," which includes juicy couplets like "I'm tired of being blue / Red hot's my kind of hue."
  The tie-in has greatly boosted Jones' profile. On Jan. 10, she performed several numbers on A Prairie Home Companion, including a duet with host Garrison Keillor. She's also booking club dates from California to Florida.
  Musically, Jones is a robust vocalist who prefers comically exaggerated arrangements set to swing, old-time rock, up-tempo blues and country shtick. In "How Do You Like These Babies Now?," a woman celebrates her new breast implants (after being spurned by a beau who leaves her for a younger, bustier rival) to a Benny Goodman-style tune, complete with an Andrews Sisters chorus that jazzily harmonizes the line, "bum-bum-tittie-bum-bum, tittie-tittie-bum-bum."
  Jones has been hoeing this field since her days as the leader of Ethel & The Shameless Hussies, a trio who put out an album called Born to Burn for MCA Nashville in 1988; the disc included the likes of "One Night Stan" and "Last Night I Really Laid Down the Law," the latter about an intimate negotiation with a police officer over a traffic ticket.
  Jones has had brushes with bigger breakthroughs before, such as when she contributed several numbers to the soundtrack to the movie Sordid Lives, which won the Grand Jury Prize at the New York Independent Film & Video Festival. And as owner of Kinkajou Records, she releases albums by Kinky Friedman, Alan Rhody and other singer-songwriters. This time, though, it looks like she really is busting out all over.
  

• Kinky Friedman [+ Show ]
  

  "Newbury's fabled lusch lyrical talents lend themselves to Jones' lusch musical interpretations. I'..."Newbury's fabled lusch lyrical talents lend themselves to Jones' lusch musical interpretations. I'm not calling either of them a lush...just a union made in heaven."
  -----Kinky Friedman

Setlist

Typical 90 minute set - Original songs by Kacey Jones segued songs from her tribute to Mickey Newbury:

1) Oh, Holy Smoke
2) Every Man I Love Is Either Married, Gay, or Dead
3) The Redheaded Man Who Would Not Move
4) Waitin' for the Guy to Die
5) I Wanna Be Up Front Like Dolly

6) Donald Trump's Hair
7) I Can Always Get Skinny but You'll Never be Tall
8) Chocolate Stuff
9) Christmas in Rehab

10) I Could Get Over Him if I Could Get Under You
11) I Miss My Man but My Aim's Gettin' Better
12) Dressin' Up for the Pizza Man
13) Down At The Piggly Wiggly
14) Well-Behaved Women Rarely Make History

15) Just to Torture Myself
16) I'm Living Alone and I Like it
17) You've Always Got the Blues (Newbury song)
18) Apples Dipped in Candy (Newbury song)
19) But, I'm Not Bitter
20) I'm the One Mama Warned You About
21) We're All in This Alone
22) Put the Seat Back Down
23) My Own Bed
24) It's Gonna Take One Helluva Man
25) The Glory of Love

Basic Requirements

Calendar