JIMI JONES MUSIC
James 'Jimi' Jones Curriculum Vitae 06/15/2024
A dedicated multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, life-long learner, educator, and music industry professional, Jimi Jones has performed from classical music auditoriums to the Grand Ole Opry, toured as support with major artists like Willie Nelson and Luke Combs, served as a guest lecturer to universities as an expert on the music industry, published research used in over twenty countries, led groundbreaking initiatives helping publishers initialize their catalogs with the Mechanical Licensing Collective, and is now looking for the right opportunity to pay forward his education and experience with the next generation of music industry professionals.
EDUCATION
UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI Coral Gables, FL
MASTER OF MUSIC | GPA 3.97/4.00 | DECEMBER 2019
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Major: Music Business and Entertainment Industries
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Coursework in music industry contracts, record label and publishing operations, copyright law, tour management, marketing, finance, and entrepreneurship
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Conducted extensive research as information became available following the Music Modernization Act and the resulting creation of the Mechanical Licensing Collective
FLORIDA SOUTHERN COLLEGE Lakeland, FL
BACHELOR OF ARTS | GPA 3.34/4.00 | APRIL 2011
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Major: Music, Minor: Business Administration
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Coursework in music history, performance, conducting, composition, musical theater, accounting, and management, as well as graduate-level coursework in leadership, finance, and marketing
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Worked with professors and administration to create the institution’s first on-campus recording studio to serve students and the local community
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Performed as Principal Tubist for Wind Orchestra, Symphony Band, Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, Musical Theater Pit Orchestra, and Brass Quintet, as well as Bassist for Jazz Combo, Musical Theater Pit Orchestra, Chapel Band, Beyond Ministries, Wesley Fellowship, and Upper Room
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
JIMI JONES MUSIC Nashville, TN
OWNER | JULY 2007 – PRESENT
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Worked with many different artists, from independent to major label, as a musical director, tour manager, multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, and various production roles; most recently toured with Drew Parker
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Served as a music industry consultant, primarily in artist development, assisting independent artists in achieving specific goals regarding expanding digital and grass roots fan bases, record production, marketing, and releases, hiring and managing supporting personnel including musicians, management, and production
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Partnered with several honkytonk venues on Lower Broadway in Nashville to book talent, hire supporting musicians, manage payroll, and ensure live music continues from 10am-2:30am seven days a week
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Forged working relationships with musicians, artists, managers, publishers, and record labels, primarily in sourcing supporting musicians and providing musical direction for artists for specific tour needs
TIN ROOF Nashville, TN
ENTERTAINMENT & TALENT DEVELOPMENT MANAGER | JANUARY 2023 – MAY 2024
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Oversaw all aspects of entertainment and production for two multi-million- dollar revenue producing music venues in Nashville, Tennessee
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Booked original and cover music as well as non-music entertainment for six stages across two live music venues, totaling over 700 events annually
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Served as company-wide artist development manager, teaching and working with up-and-coming artists on best practices for music industry success, marketing tools, live show development, and production
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Directed event marketing including graphic design, website management, SEO, social media platforms, influencer collaboration and partnerships, municipal listings, flyers, and email campaigns – reaching over 80 million fans
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Spearheaded multiple special projects including the roll-out of a new booking software to manage bookings for a multi-thousand artist roster and over twenty venues, integrating automated population of web events and Bandsintown listings, initializing artist development department, and streamlining company-wide booking process and entertainment accounting practices
BLUEWATER MUSIC Nashville, TN
ROYALTY DEPARTMENT, SPECIAL PROJECTS | JANUARY – DECEMBER 2020
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Administered international royalties for songwriters, utilizing Microsoft Office Suite and proprietary software
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Spearheaded a 1,200-song catalog acquisition from Ash Street Music, including hits Troubadour and Beer On The Table
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Oversaw the publisher's very large catalog implementation into the Mechanical Licensing Collective database
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Assisted leadership and other departments with other projects including contract negotiations and interpretations, royalty calculations, and A&R recruiting and retention
FLORIDA SOUTHERN COLLEGE Lakeland, FL
GUEST LECTURER | JANUARY 2017 – DECEMBER 2019
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Spring 2017: "Transitioning to Nashville Life" overview of the day-to-day life of a working musician in Nashville, and how the information learned in the undergraduate program at FSC assisted in career success
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Fall 2017: "Skill, Style, and Hang" three keys to success as a sideman in Nashville; how building and maintaining skills as an instrumentalist, looking the part, and attitude can make the difference between getting the gig or not
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Spring 2018: "The Nashville Number System" overview including the concept of numbers as scale degrees, best practices for charting, utilizing the 1Chart application, and various degrees of detail in the number charts depending on its application
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Fall 2018: "The Music Modernization Act" and how the passing of this legislation was to affect the music industry as a whole, including the implementation of the Mechanical Licensing Collective, its effect on digital streaming platforms and the general consumer
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Spring 2019: "What's Next?" Introducing the concept of block chain technology as part of the future of the music industry as an evolution to the recently passed Music Modernization Act
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Fall 2019: "Senior Panel Discussion" providing feedback for undergraduate senior capstone projects in the music management program
FLORIDA MUSIC SERVICE Lakeland, FL
SALES & SUPPORT MANAGER, CONTRACT EMPLOYEE | JULY 2007 – AUGUST 2012
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Oversaw all operations for a major sheet music distributor, primarily serving the private and public K-12 schools in Florida
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Overhauled shipping and receiving processes resulting in a 25% increase in profit margin for shipping orders
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Redesigned distributor website of over 63,000 titles
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Exhibited at two major music educator conferences each year, totaling over $100,000 in sales at each conference
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Presented to schools around the state exhibiting solo and ensemble repertoire to students and conductors
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Led digital and traditional marketing campaigns including sponsorship of local academic music programs and music performance assessment events
PRIVATE LESSON STUDIO Lakeland, FL
MUSIC INSTRUCTOR | JANUARY 2008 – APRIL 2011
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Taught private students on low brass instruments, guitar, bass, and piano
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Instructed both fundamental practices as well as specific learning outcomes including solo and ensemble, All County, and All State audition requirements
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Managed scheduling, curriculum, accounting, and student needs in addition to rigorous college classes and other curricular and extracurricular performing duties
PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS
DREW PARKER Nashville, TN
MUSICAL DIRECTOR, MUSICIAN, TOUR MANAGER | MAY 2018 – JANUARY 2023
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Toured nationally, providing performances at every level including clubs, theaters, festivals, arenas, stadiums, and the Grand Ole Opry
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Provided tour support for major artists including Luke Combs, Willie Nelson, Brooks & Dunn, Chris Stapleton, Lainey Wilson, Big & Rich, Mark Chesnutt, and many more
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Filmed as a supporting musician for several music videos, including Party In The Back and While You’re Gone
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As Musical Director, created engaging live show productions for widely varying performance applications, including pre-show and show openings, transitions, song medleys, walk-off music, and band introductions, as well as scheduled, organized, and conducted rehearsals to ensure the highest level of performance at each event from all supporting musicians and the artist; listened back to multi-track recordings of each performance to ensure performance at the highest level, and communicated adjustments or musical critique to supporting musicians and artist as needed
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As Tour Manager, planned travel arrangements, rentals, and lodging; communicated with promotors, buyers, and venue staff to effectively plan successful events from arrival to departure
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As Band Leader, hired, managed, and terminated supporting musicians as needed for each tour season; communicated all tour plans, rehearsals, and other duties or requirements as needed
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As Monitor Engineer, set up equipment, ensured clear RF using best practices to avoid interference, and adjusted mixes for artist and supporting musicians as needed; utilized hardware to create multi-track recordings of each performance to create ‘game tapes’ and for use by artist for promotional purposes
KAREN WALDRUP Nashville, TN
BAND LEADER, MUSICIAN | JANUARY 2015 – MARCH 2018
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Toured nationally, providing performances at clubs, amphitheaters, and festivals
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Provided tour support for major artists including John Michael Montgomery, Trick Pony, and LoCash
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Filmed as a supporting musician for music videos including Trashy Crashed The Party
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As a Band Leader, helped artist to create an engaging show for each specially-designed performance, hired and managed supporting musicians, and assisted with tour management and merchandising duties as needed
THE STEEL WOODS Nashville, TN
MUSICIAN | JANUARY 2016 – SEPTEMBER 2017
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Assisted in the conception and roll-out of the band from its inception
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Attended rehearsals, and helped to create memorable show productions
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Performed many events and showcases in Nashville and abroad to garner the attention of target markets around the country
FILM ACTING EXPERIENCE
LIFETIME
PATSY & LORETTA | UPRIGHT BASS | OCTOBER 2019
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Young Patsy
ABC / CMT
NASHVILLE | ELECTRIC BASS | SEASONS 3 – 6 | SEPTEMBER 2014 – JULY 2018
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Honkytonk Band 1
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The Exes (Sam Palladio and Clare Bowen)
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Will Lexington (Chris Carmack)
HONORS & AWARDS
UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI
MERIT-BASED SCHOLARSHIP
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50% Academic and Experience Based Scholarship (Approximately $30,000) applied toward the Master of Music in Music Business and Entertainment Industries degree program
FLORIDA SOUTHERN COLLEGE
MERIT-BASED SCHOLARSHIP
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$28,000 Academic Scholarship applied toward the Bachelor of Arts in Music degree program at Florida Southern College
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$28,00 Music Scholarship applied toward the Bachelor of Arts in Music degree program at Florida Southern College
BLANTON FOUNDATION
MERIT-BASED SCHOLARSHIP
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$36,000 Scholarship based on academic and musical achievement applied toward the Bachelor of Arts in Music degree program at Florida Southern College
FLORIDA BRIGHT FUTURES
MERIT-BASED SCHOLARSHIP
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$20,000 Scholarship based on academic achievement and community involvement applied toward the Bachelor of Arts in Music degree program at Florida Southern College
BRIGHT HOUSE NETWORKS
MERIT-BASED SCHOLARSHIP
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$12,000 Scholarship based on academic achievement applied toward the Bachelor of Arts in Music degree program at Florida Southern College
SERVICE & AFFILIATIONS
ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC (ACM)
VOTING MEMBER | 2020 – PRESENT
COUNTRY MUSIC ASSOCIATION (CMA)
VOTING MEMBER | 2020 – PRESENT
THE RECORDING ACADEMY
GRAMMYU MEMBER | 2018 – PRESENT
AMERICAN FEDERATION OF MUSICIANS (AFM)
LOCAL 257 UNION MEMBER | 2014 – PRESENT
BROADCAST MUSIC INCORPORATED (BMI)
REGISTERED SONGWRITER | 2017 – PRESENT
MUSIC BUSINESS ASSOCIATION
MEMBER | 2018 – PRESENT
NASHVILLE BASS HANG
MEMBER | 2014 – PRESENT
LAKE WALES CARE CENTER
STAY AT HOME WORK CAMP COUNSELOR | 2008 – 2016
MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY STUDENT ASSOCIATION (MEISA)
TREASURER, WEBMASTER | 2010 – 2011
OMICRON DELTA KAPPA
MEMBER | 2009 – 2011
PHI ALPHA DELTA
MEMBER | 2009 – 2011
PHI ETA SIGMA
MEMBER | 2007 – 2011
UP ‘TIL DAWN
ENTERTAINMENT CHAIR | 2010 – 2011
CONFERENCES
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF MUSIC MERCHANTS (NAMM) Nashville, TN
EXHIBITING ARTIST | 2016 – 2019
PARTICIPANT | 2014 – 2015
FLORIDA BANDMASTERS ASSOCIATION (FBA) Orlando, FL
EXHIBITOR, FLORIDA MUSIC SERVICE | 2011 – 2012
FLORIDA MUSIC EDUCATORS ASSOCIATION (FMEA) Tampa, FL
EXHIBITOR, FLORIDA MUSIC SERVICE | 2008 – 2012
PERFORMER, FLORIDA SOUTHERN COLLEGE | 2010
PERFORMER, FMEA READING BAND | 2008
COMPLETE PERFORMANCE EXPERIENCE
LIVE
-Drew Parker; Musical Director, Bassist, Background Vocalist, 2018-2023
-Michael ‘Chili Dog’ Castleberry; Bassist, Background Vocalist, 2022-2023
-Blaine Bunting; Band Leader, Bassist, Background Vocalist, 2019-2023
-McKayla Abdo; Band Leader, Bassist, Background Vocalist, 2022
-Francelle; Band Leader, Bassist, Background Vocalist, 2019-2022
-Nash County Band; Bassist, Background Vocalist, 2018-2020
-Tori Allen; Bassist, Background Vocalist, 2015-2019
-Justin Andrews; Band Leader, Bassist, Background Vocalist, 2017-2019
-Liza Drake; Band Leader, Bassist, Background Vocalist, 2018-2019
-Goose Gossett; Bassist, Background Vocalist, 2018-2019
-The Hobbs Sisters; Bassist, Background Vocalist, 2018-2019
-Brian Sutherland, Bassist, Background Vocalist, 2007-2019
-Kyle Fields; Bassist, Background Vocalist, 2015-2019
-Kayley Green; Bassist, Background Vocalist, 2018-2019
-Trey Hughes; Bassist, Background Vocalist, 2018-2019
-Jerry Jacobs; Bassist, Background Vocalist, 2016-2019
-Chas Kincaid; Bassist, Background Vocalist, 2019
-Henry Martin; Bassist, Background Vocalist, 2018-2019
-The Outliers; Bass, Background Vocalist, 2019
-JD Shelburne; Bassist, Background Vocalist, 2015-2019
-Kara Smith; Bassist, Background Vocalist, 2016-2019
-Mike Beach; Bassist, Background Vocalist, 2014-2018
-Katrina Burgoyne; Band Leader, Bassist, Background Vocalist, 2017-2018
-Doug McCormick; Bassist, Background Vocalist, 2018
-Steven Metz; Bassist, Background Vocalist, 2018
-Erik Parian (JustSaints); Bassist, Background Vocalist, 2018
-Ronnie Lee Stanley; Bassist, Background Vocalist, 2017-2018
-Scott Stevens; Bassist, Background Vocalist, 2018
-Papa Bear and the Love Den; Bassist, Background Vocalist, 2014-2018
-Karen Waldrup; Band Leader, Bassist, Background Vocalist, 2015-2018
-Cody Webb; Bassist, Background Vocalist, 2015-2018
-Beth Beighey; Band Leader, Bassist, Background Vocalist, 2015-2017
-Matt Chase; Bassist, Background Vocalist, 2016-2017
-Cory Rowe Band; Band Leader, Bassist, Background Vocalist, 2014-2017
-Dustin Bogue; Bassist, Background Vocalist, 2015-2016
-Justin Dukes; Bassist, Background Vocalist, 2016
-Casey Edgar; Bassist, Background Vocalist, 2015-2016
-Kaleb Hensley; Bassist, Background Vocalist, 2015-2016
-Casey Jamerson; Bassist, Background Vocalist, 2016
-Lake Wales Stay-At-Home-Work-Camp; Bassist, Background Vocalist, 2008-2016
-The Steel Woods; Bassist, Background Vocalist, 2015-2016
-Jason Buell; Bassist, Background Vocalist, 2014-2015
-Dexter Roberts; Band Leader, Bassist, Background Vocalist, 2015
-Laurel Taylor; Bassist, Background Vocalist, 2014-2015
-Element3 Church; Bassist, 2013-2014
-Marshall Taylor; Bassist, Background Vocalist, 2013-2014
-Third Wheel Acoustic Trio; Bassist, Pianist, Vocalist, 2013-2014
-Justin Grimes; Bassist, Background Vocalist, 2013
-Florida Southern College Musical Theatre; Bassist, Tubist, 2008-2012
-Penguin Entertainment; Bassist, Tubist, 2008-2012
-TheatreWorks Florida; Bassist, Tubist, 2008-2012
-12:20 Brass Quintet; Tubist, 2007-2011
-Beyond Ministries; Bassist, Background Vocalist, Sound Engineer, 2007-2011
-Florida Southern College Association of Campus Entertainment; Sound Engineer, 2007-2011
-Florida Southern College Chapel; Bassist, 2008-2011
-Florida Southern College Symphony Band; Tubist, 2007-2011
-Florida Southern College Symphony Orchestra; Tubist, 2007-2011
-Florida Southern College Wind Orchestra; Tubist, 2007-2011
-Lake Buffum Baptist Church; Musical Director, Guitarist, Vocalist, 2010
-365 Movement; Bassist, Background Vocalist, 2010
-Florida Southern College Jazz Combo; Bassist, 2009
RECORDED
-Ronnie Lee Stanley; Bassist (single track), 2021
-Tyler Deaver; Upright Bassist (single track), 2021
-Moore Haven First United Methodist Church; Bassist (multiple cover recordings with
video), 2020
-Taylor Borton; Bassist (single track), 2020
-Kennedy Floethe; Bassist (single track), 2019
-Lifetime’s Patsy and Loretta (feature film); Musician Actor, Upright Bassist, 2019
-ABC/CMT’s Nashville, Seasons 3-6 (TV show); Musician Actor, Bassist, Background
Vocalist, 2014-2017
-Shenon Bone; Bassist (EPK filming), 2017
-Heath DeLoach; Bassist (single track), 2017, 2020
-Just Hannah (Jones); Bassist (multiple cover recordings), 2015-2017
-Megan Lee; Introduction (album), Bassist, 2017
-Adam Warner; Welcome to the South (music video), WSMV-TV (TV spot), Bassist, 2017
-Adam Yarger; Bassist (single track), 2017
-Kevin Sport and Hound Brown; Rollin’ Smoke (album), Bassist, 2016
-Cory Rowe Band; Lake View to Hollywood (album), Bassist, 2015
-Third Wheel Acoustic Trio; Self-titled EP, Bassist, 2013
- Jimi Jones; Senior Tuba Recital, Tubist, 2011
-Florida Southern College Wind Orchestra; FMEA Conference Featured Performer, Tubist,
2010
-Black in the Mind; Double Life (single track), Bassist, 2009
-Hollis; Dear Ruthy (album), Bassist, 2008
-Embracing Lief; Seasons (album), Bassist, 2008