The Jones Family
The Group's Beginnings
For many years, the Joneses have been singing "in private," mostly in the car
while driving. The family sang in the car everywhere they went: to school, to
church, and especially on long drives to visit relatives. They sang along with
their favorite tapes and records, too. Although mostly "folk" or "public domain"
the songs they sang covered a wide range, from Sacred Harp hymns and
Raffi favorites while the kids were small, to renditions of The Bobs and
Talking Heads numbers and folk songs of rather questionable morals. The
main thing they all had in common was good harmonies and no need for
accompaniment (it's kind-of hard to play guitar in a small station wagon.)
while driving. The family sang in the car everywhere they went: to school, to
church, and especially on long drives to visit relatives. They sang along with
their favorite tapes and records, too. Although mostly "folk" or "public domain"
the songs they sang covered a wide range, from Sacred Harp hymns and
Raffi favorites while the kids were small, to renditions of The Bobs and
Talking Heads numbers and folk songs of rather questionable morals. The
main thing they all had in common was good harmonies and no need for
accompaniment (it's kind-of hard to play guitar in a small station wagon.)
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The Jones Family made its official debut in 1993 at a church talent show in
Taiwan, where they were living while Chuck was doing his doctoral research.
Chuck and Brenda had both been singing in the church choir at the
English-language service at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church and agreed
to sing a folk song for the mostly Chinese-speaking congregation. Chenoa,
who was 9 at the time and stage-shy, had to be cajoled into singing in public.
They sang "Country Life," and were well-received. Trevor, a toddler, stomped
on the pews and listened.
Taiwan, where they were living while Chuck was doing his doctoral research.
Chuck and Brenda had both been singing in the church choir at the
English-language service at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church and agreed
to sing a folk song for the mostly Chinese-speaking congregation. Chenoa,
who was 9 at the time and stage-shy, had to be cajoled into singing in public.
They sang "Country Life," and were well-received. Trevor, a toddler, stomped
on the pews and listened.
The family did not sing in public again until 1997, at their church's (Saint
Andrew's) parish retreat, when they participated in annual talent show. They
sang in every show from then on, doing most of their practicing on the 3-hour
ride to the retreat site. This might well have been the extent of their public
appearances, but God works in mysterious ways...
Andrew's) parish retreat, when they participated in annual talent show. They
sang in every show from then on, doing most of their practicing on the 3-hour
ride to the retreat site. This might well have been the extent of their public
appearances, but God works in mysterious ways...