Willie Jones (country singer)
Willie Jones | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 23, 1994 |
| Occupation | Singer |
| Years active | 2011-present |
Willie Jones is an American country music singer and a former contestant on The X Factor.
Early life
[edit]Jones was born in Shreveport, Louisiana, on September 23, 1994, the son of a preacher. He is a graduate of Green Oaks Performing Arts Academy in Shreveport. He learned to sing in his church choir and appeared in musicals at school.[1]
Career
[edit]When he was 17 years old, he competed in the second season of The X Factor where he auditioned with Josh Turner's song "Your Man".[2] In 2016 he appeared in the Netflix reality show Chasing Cameron.[3] In 2021, he signed with Sony Music Nashville and The Penthouse and released his first album Right Now which features T.I.. [4] Jones also appeared in the 2022 documentary For Love and Country. In 2023, he released his second album/major-label debut, Something to Dance To. However, he was shortly dropped from Sony Music following its release.
In 2024, he was featured on Beyoncé's album Cowboy Carter on the track "Just for Fun",[5] and signed with independent record label Gravel Road Records.[6]
He has toured with artists Shawn Mendes, Michael Ray and Logan Mize.[7]
Influences
[edit]Jones has been influenced by a variety of musicians, including John Legend, Sam Cooke, Randy Travis, Darius Rucker and Kacey Musgraves.
Personal life
[edit]Discography
[edit]Albums
[edit]- Right Now (2021)
- Something to Dance To (2023)
Singles
[edit]- "Down for It" (2019)
- "American Dream" (2021)[9]
References
[edit]- ^ Jen Long (March 15, 2022). "On the Rise: Willie Jones". The Line of Best Fit.
- ^ Alli Rosenbloom (March 29, 2024). "Beyoncé collaborator Willie Jones got his start on 'X Factor.' Now he's featured on 'Cowboy Carter'". CNN.
- ^ Tianna Kennell (June 21, 2017). "Behind the music with reality TV's country, pop star". Shreveport Times.
- ^ Tina Benitiz-Evans. "Willie Jones Knows That The Time is 'Right Now'". American Songwriter.
- ^ Caché Clay (March 29, 2024). "Beyoncé features Willie Jones on 'Just For Fun': Who is the country, hip-hop artist?". USA Today.
- ^ Madison Hahnen (November 20, 2024). "Willie Jones Signs With Gravel Road Records". Music Row. Retrieved November 30, 2024.
- ^ Remina Nair (February 24, 2020). "In conversation with Willie Jones". House of Solo.
- ^ Marcus Dowling (May 14, 2021). "Willie Jones on His New Single and Country Music's Future". Billboard.
- ^ Johnathan Bernstein (January 18, 2021). "Willie Jones Addresses Race in the U.S. in the Stunning 'American Dream'". Rolling Stone.