Doug Jones - Country Roots Singer - Songwriter - Recording Artist

Forbidden Dream Now in Progress

To borrow and paraphrase a question from Bob Dylan, “How many roads must a man walk down” before his dream comes true? For Doug Jones, who has already had a number one hit and new successes just keep coming, the roads and the dreams are endless. As his journey toward the dream of becoming a fulltime musician progresses, it just gets better.

Doug says, “My dream is still in progress. It’s a journey. Yet, compared to 3 years ago I’ve come a long way! There is still much more to look forward to each day. I’m excited about the opportunity to continue.”

There was a time when he tried to ignore his dream. In his early attempts to break into the business, Doug says he heard all the reasons not to pursue music as a living. Well-meaning acquaintances often discourage artistically talented people from pursuing their dreams by saying it’ll never happen.

“Your chances are slim to none”, he heard over and over again. He also heard all the jokes and admonishments.

“Get a haircut and get a real job.” “You’re crazy” “Why don’t you grow up…” are statements he said he heard repeatedly like broken records.

It did seem as if his dream was impossible and impractical. So the difficult road of earning a living singing was put on hold as he took a “real job” to support his family. Although his first and last gig as a young man was in a wild Sudbury (Ontario) bar when the frightened band were instructed to “play on” through a huge brawl that finally ended with bouncers calling in police to help them break it up, Doug never stopped dreaming of going back to the industry he loves. “I think it’s in the blood,” he said, “My family has a history of music.”

Now though, he finally dares to dream and dares to talk about it. A life-altering experience was stepping in to hear a concert one night and “the old feelings just welled up inside me. I just knew I had to do music again.”

With the love and encouragement of his wife and friends, Doug was ready to try to make the dreams of his youth come to fruition. He knew it wouldn’t be easy but he was committed. The music business is a tough one and Doug realizes, “you’ve got to love it or you’ll never last.”

Now though, he knows it is something he must do.

“I spent many years being somebody I wasn’t,” he explained, “When I’m on a stage I’m alive and when I finish my gig I feel great. It takes me a couple of hours to come down from a natural high. Then I’m ready for the next gig.”

His years in business, before he devoted his time to music, were not wasted. These experiences helped him realize that music is a business just as any other and you have to be prepared to “bust your gut” to be a success. Passion must be kept in concert with “paying the price”.

From experience Doug advises, “Be diligent and learn everything you can about your chosen career. Remember, no matter what career you choose, it’s a business!”

In other ways Doug’s lifelong experiences have helped his business. The songs in his latest CD “Forbidden” are taken from real life situations.

“Some,” he said “are sad. There’s a bit of humour, a little nostalgia mixed with songs of hope.” These are the songs he now features in his concerts. The real breakthrough came to Doug when he produced his own show. The inspiration came from his vocal coach who is an international recording artist. Doug attended one of her concerts and was so impressed that he decided he had to just do one himself!

Thus the Dare to Dream concert was born. It was met with immediate praise and support. Now parts of Dare to Dream are featured in all his shows. In fact, this concert he originally created to play at conventions is also available for fundraising events. An ever-evolving musician, Doug has learned to adapt his concert to suit the occasion.

With all his success you would think Doug would be boasting about it. However, he is cautiously optimistic. He knows the challenges ahead are endless and more difficult to achieve.

“It’s all about how you handle the challenges along the way. The higher you get, the more challenging it becomes,” he explained.

In December 2004 his single “That Feeling” shot to number one on the European Country Music Association and stayed on the European Top 100 Country charts. It also achieved critical acclaim from music stations in such places as Austria, England, Sweden and Australia with comments like this one from James Pearson, BBC Radio Shetland, “Doug, thanks for the great CD - 12 good tracks. You have a great voice, perfect for our audience.” Instead of shouting from the rooftops about his success to all who will listen, Doug says he was humbled. “I gained so much confidence from that experience of having a hit song and I realize all too well that in order to grow, I have to be better each and every time I write a song, perform, or speak to an audience. I think I would have been unappreciative and taken success for granted in my younger days.” Now he is very appreciative indeed for the successes he has had and for the chance to reach for those he still wishes to achieve.

“I cherish the opportunity to pursue my passion,” he said. “My goal is to give my audiences hope and inspiration. Anything I can do, they can do better, but only if they have passion.”

This statement truly reflects his company’s mission statement – “Rekindling Dreams and Ambitions.” From this rekindling who knows what fires and dreams Doug will dare next.