Jon Shannon Williams is one of the most colorful of the musical characters we have here in the Valley.
You may catch him in one of his club acts, busking in the foyer of the Sebastiani Theatre, or sitting in the Plaza strumming his signature acoustic guitar. We asked him how he came to such a troubador’s existence.
Many musicians in our generation cite the Beatles on “Ed Sullivan” as that moment when they knew music was what they wanted to do. When and what was it that made you realize you wanted to be a musician?
I actually never set out to be a musician, it just– kind of happened. There was always music at my house and we had a piano and I used to play with it, write some songs. It was my solace for when I felt down or had troubles in my life. I guess when I heard someone else play one of my songs and I heard my own lyrics out loud, I guess that was the moment I knew.
Your first instrument – what was it and do you still have it?
I do still have it and still play it. I’ve painted it several times. It wasn’t a particularly expensive acoustic guitar, but I’ve never found one that sounds like it. I bought it from a follower of the Grateful Dead who was moving to Hawaii.
Who are your primary musical influences?
Hmm … Pink Floyd, David Bowie, Talking Heads. Definitely the Talking Heads, and lately Michael Franti. Franti has such a positive message and his songs are just so upbeat… really digging him lately
What’s on your iPod these days?
Ironically, my own bands, Ten Foot Tone and Driven. We’re working on a new CD for Ten Foot Tone called “Taste Good” so I’ve been listening to our songs a lot.
Tell us about your current acts.
It’s funny that both of them kind of came from the same place, but are in two totally separate places in my life now. Driven was the act years ago and some of the members of that act turned into Ten Foot Tone, and recently the guys from the original Driven and I have brought it back. There are a couple songs that both acts do, but the acts really have different goals and agendas. It’s like the right hand and the left hand. There are people that want to be lead singers and people that get to be. I’ve never had the rock star dream, I just always wanted to be a good performer. I’ve also been doing a number of solo shows lately as well.
If you could have written one song, which one would it be?
“Imagine” by John Lennon. Why? Not sure. It’s not actually my favorite song, but it puts religion and politics in its place. I like that part.
James
Marshall
Berry
jmberry@sonoma?music.com
UPDATED: Please read and follow our commenting policy: