Brack Jones, the music teacher at Wylie West Intermediate, can be heard singing on the radio locally and globally. His first single “Ode to Tom,” now featured on his 5-song EP, Almost Poetry, has even been played in Liverpool, England. You know, home of the legendary band The Beatles.
Jones, who is also the smooth voice you hear announcing Wylie High’s Pure Gold Band, said the process of songwriting and performing has been one filled with patience, excitement and learning.
In early 2024, friends encouraged Jones to compete in the songwriter competition at the upcoming Outlaws and Legends Music Festival. His Tom Petty inspired song “Ode to Tom” earned him a third-place spot amongst singer/song writers from all over Texas. Although Jones has been writing music since the early 90s, Jones said the opportunity to be heard by “legit” sources in the music industry gave him the motivation to move forward with a long-time hope of producing music.
Not long after, Jones recorded Almost Poetry at Fort Worth Sound with the award-winning engineer/producer Bart Rose, which was released in August. Despite his Apple Music artist page showing people listening to his music on every continent other than Antarctica, Jones was not the first to hear his song played on the radio. His wife and son beat him to it.
“Lillian and Logan heard it on the radio on the way to school one morning and sent me a screenshot. That made it feel real,” he said. “When I heard it on the radio the first time, I was driving the afternoon bus route. Most of the kids on my bus were aware I had music out, and I was able to experience listening to it with them. I almost had what we used to call ‘street cred’ for a while.”
“In addition to hearing it on the radio being a big deal, every step of the process has been really rewarding,” he added. “I even designed the single and cover album art.”
Jones knew he wanted to teach at age sixteen, and over his 28 years working in education, he has taught various subjects at every level, coached and served as a campus administrator. However, music has remained an overarching passion since he was young.
“I think just watching my granddad play, which happened quite a bit, was something I enjoyed. I remember him playing Bob Wills,” said Jones. “It wasn’t music I would have chosen to listen to, but it seems that music transcends time and taste when it’s pretty personal.”
Jones describes his music as Americana – an intertwining of folk, blues and country music – and says Tom Petty has “obviously been an influence.” Future plans for a release party are in the works as well as production of the next set of his songs. Jones says he enjoys performing but would be equally happy to settle in as a songwriter only.
“To hear someone singing my song because they know it and like it, and not because I taught it,” said Jones. “That is a goal.”
In addition to hearing Jones on the radio, you can find “Ode to Tom” and his other music at Brack Jones Music Official youtube.com, on Spotify and Apple Music, or see live performances in the local area.
By Kristen Johnson