I grew up in the hills just north of Rathbun Lake, a rural part of Southeast Iowa that shaped the way I hear and create music. Life out there moves differently. There’s space, quiet, and time to think, and all of that found its way into the way I write and play.
These days I call Wapello County home — still a small place, but with more of that town rhythm and the river running through it. The change in environment brought new perspectives and new inspirations, and both the countryside and the river towns continue to shape the music in their own ways.
Music has always been how I make sense of things, and the guitar is the voice I use to tell that story. It’s been with me through every season of my life, shaping the sound of every song I write. Whether I’m performing on stage or recording in the studio, the guitar isn’t just an instrument — it’s the way I speak.
John-Paul Jones Group is where those songs take shape. The sound blends the feel of the blues, the power of rock, the emotion of soul, and heavier elements without fitting neatly into a single genre. Everything starts with the guitar and the song — the rest grows from there.
Over the years, the band has evolved through different sounds and lineups, but the purpose remains the same: create music that feels real and perform it with connection and intention. We’re a concert-performing band focused on live musicianship, dynamics, and the kind of energy that only happens in the moment.
The songs begin with whatever life hands me — the quiet of the countryside where I started, the river-town pace of where I live now, and everything I’ve learned along the way. The guitar has always been the way I turn those moments into something I can share. Every riff, chord, and tone choice comes from trying to capture a feeling honestly.
Playing guitar in front of an audience is one of the most meaningful parts of what I do. There’s something about that connection — the response, the energy, the way a single note can change the room — that you can’t get any other way. Recording brings its own kind of honesty too. The studio reveals everything, and the guitar becomes a kind of mirror for whatever the song needs.
When we perform songs by the artists who influenced me, we interpret them in our own voice instead of trying to recreate the originals. The guitar plays a big role in that — shaping the feel, guiding the arrangement, and helping the music take on a life of its own.
Over the years, I’ve released full-length albums, singles, and recordings that trace where the music has traveled. Each project marks a chapter — new sounds explored, new themes discovered, and new ways of expressing what I was feeling at the time. Through all of it, the guitar has been the center of that expression.
I’m grateful for everyone who has been part of the band through its different eras. Every musician has brought something unique. But no matter how the sound evolves, the heart of it stays the same: write what’s honest, play it with care, and let the music speak for itself.
If you connect with music that has depth, feel, and intention behind it, I’m glad you’ve found your way here. Thanks for taking the time to learn about the story — I hope the music finds a place in your day.
Fan Shot Video of John-Paul Jones Group Performing at AIF Conference.
Fan Shot Video of John-Paul Jones Group Performing at AIF Conference.
Fan Shot Video of John-Paul Jones Group Performing at Iowa State Fair Susan Knapp Stage
Jp in action on the Market on Main Stage in Ottumwa, Iowa
A photo shoot shot at CopperTop Studio Hut.
A photo from Patriot's Picnic at VFW Post - Ottumwa, Iowa
A great shot of Jp from the Burbon On Blues Festival.
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