Thursday, April 28, 2005
Hidden talent
From the Hickory (North Carolina) Daily Record
He’s big. At 6 feet 2 inches tall and 245 pounds, Levi Jones could easily be mistaken for an intimidating NFL linebacker.
When he sings his love ballads, Charley Pride, the only true black country music superstar, comes to mind.
At 47, Jones worries his age will hold him back when it comes time to sign record contracts. Those in the music business think otherwise.
“His talent is equally as good as any artist who has come out and made it in country music,” said Bunnie Jones, country music record label owner and promoter from her Bossier City, La., home. “First of all, he’s a black guy singing white. But Levi has that little niche that’s different from all the rest. You can tell he’s a major label talent.”
“This is one big black guy singing country music,” Jones said. “That’s not something you can forget.”
Mills, a 57-year-old veteran of country music, saw the same glimmer in Pride’s eyes. It would be much tougher for Jones in those days, she said.
He’s good with his hands, but he’d rather be known for his voice.
“I know I’m good at this, and I can do other things well, but anything less than music would not be as fulfilling,” he said.
Jones travels to Nashville about six time a year to sing in clubs. Locally, he fulfills his dream every Thursday at Pappy’s Cafeteria in Conover, honing his songs for anybody who comes to hear, and for a free meal.
“I call it a love offering,” he said. “They pay me in tips, but I just do it because I love to sing.”
Read the article
Hickory Daily Record
He’s big. At 6 feet 2 inches tall and 245 pounds, Levi Jones could easily be mistaken for an intimidating NFL linebacker.
When he sings his love ballads, Charley Pride, the only true black country music superstar, comes to mind.
At 47, Jones worries his age will hold him back when it comes time to sign record contracts. Those in the music business think otherwise.
“His talent is equally as good as any artist who has come out and made it in country music,” said Bunnie Jones, country music record label owner and promoter from her Bossier City, La., home. “First of all, he’s a black guy singing white. But Levi has that little niche that’s different from all the rest. You can tell he’s a major label talent.”
“This is one big black guy singing country music,” Jones said. “That’s not something you can forget.”
Mills, a 57-year-old veteran of country music, saw the same glimmer in Pride’s eyes. It would be much tougher for Jones in those days, she said.
He’s good with his hands, but he’d rather be known for his voice.
“I know I’m good at this, and I can do other things well, but anything less than music would not be as fulfilling,” he said.
Jones travels to Nashville about six time a year to sing in clubs. Locally, he fulfills his dream every Thursday at Pappy’s Cafeteria in Conover, honing his songs for anybody who comes to hear, and for a free meal.
“I call it a love offering,” he said. “They pay me in tips, but I just do it because I love to sing.”
Read the article
Hickory Daily Record
# posted by Dave Sichak @ 9:23 PM 
