Name: Jared Jones
Hometown: Springfield, Missouri
Listen To: “You’re Meant To Be With Me,” “I Need You To Live,” “We’re Perfect Company (The Wedding Song)”
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/musicJaredJones
Twitter: https://twitter.com/musicJaredJones

“I’m going to be the most successful singer/songwriter the world will ever know.” – Jared Jones’s Twitter Bio

When did you decide that you wanted to be a singer and a songwriter? Why?
It was in 8^th grade. This was where I reached the maturity, therefore capability, to take notice of just how beautiful girls are. There was one girl in particular who, just by seeing her and hearing her speak, created this very real feeling inside me that made me feel like I was floating. If there was a purpose for living, she was it. Immediately after this discovery (that same day I saw this girl for the first time), I sat down with my guitar and began to write my first song. It offered relief from this overwhelming feeling. From then on, writing became a necessity. It’s the only way I know how to deal with the situations life throws at me. 

Where do you find inspiration for your music?
Usually girls, but overall, just life experiences. Whether good or bad, all my songs have come by living life.

Who are your greatest influences?
My father. He was in a tragic car accident when I was 9 years old. Every memory I had of him after he passed was him sitting around playing his guitar. When I was 13, I opened up his guitar case and knew I had to learn to play. There was even a book in his case that taught beginners how to play. It was a struggle at first but I couldn’t help but thinking how proud he would be if he knew I was playing. Simply put, I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for him.

How has your journey as a singer and a songwriter been so far? It’s been challenging. The hardest part of starting out as a small-time songwriter or musician is that you don’t have much of an audience to direct your work to. The term artist seems most appropriate here. It goes without saying that a true artist pours his or her heart and soul into their art. As an artist, my art is literally a piece of me and means a great deal to me. It can be disheartening when you release something that you’ve put so much of yourself into and no one is there to share with you in the excitement. I never take for granted the times people go out of their way to come up to me after a show or after they’ve heard my music for the first time and tell me just how much they enjoyed my music. It means the world to me.
 Of all your songs, which are your favorites and why? What motivated you to write them? My favorite song would have to be the first one I ever wrote. Only a handful of people have even heard it. It is by no means my “best” song but it means the most to me. It’s where I started my journey as a songwriter. It reminds me of the best feeling I’ve ever had and it reflects a much simpler time in my life where all I had to worry about was girls, the occasional homework assignment, and making it home before curfew.

If you could go on tour with any musicians/artists/bands, who would you choose and why?
Dashboard Confessional. They have always been my favorite band. Chris Carrabba’s songs have helped me through all of my relationships, whether it was getting through the breakups or just enjoying the good times. 
I’d have to include Taylor Swift too. I think it’s extremely impressive how much she’s already done with her career at such a young age. Whether you like her music or not, you have to respect what she’s done. Plus, a tour with her would be a good chance to introduce myself so we can finally start dating. haha

What do you hope to accomplish in your music career?
I want to be heard by the world. I won’t stop until I reach that point.

Do you have any advice for people that are trying to be musicians?

Before you even start, make sure that it is absolutely your greatest passion and that there isn’t anything else you’d rather be doing. Otherwise, when things aren’t going your way, you’ll break and you’ll give up. Remember that only you can be fully aware of the greatness that lay inside you. Work hard and don’t ever give up until that greatness comes to light and the whole world finally sees what you’ve seen in yourself all along.