A Renaissance Man may be defined as a person skilled in many areas. Allow me to introduce David Lee Jones, a Renaissance Man.
HOW WE MET
Before
Michelle went onstage, I pitched her talent to the A&R rep. He
seemed responsive, but he stressed professionalism. Michelle's set was
dynamite, but I noticed she was sipping from a glass instead of her
usual water bottle throughout her performance. I held my breath as she
took a bow to great applause. . . then proceeded to fall off the stage
in an totally snockered fashion. The school teacher in me wanted to
scold her; the mother in me gave her a hug and told her boyfriend to
take her home. As we summed it up later, Michelle had her break, but she
broke it.
I
stayed for the remainder of the show (my sons' weekend at Dad's), but I
moved from the AR rep's table to the end of the bar where I spent some
time talking with David Lee Jones, the young bartender son of the club's
owner. He showed me his sketchbook, and I was impressed with his
talent. I encouraged him to enter some artwork in the SC State Fair Art
Exhibit. He did, and he placed.
FRIENDSHIP RENEWED
As
time passed, I heard that David Lee was married. I ran into his father
at the car wash with two beautiful grandchildren he said were David's.
David Lee's father and I crossed paths in line at the bank years later.
David was now divorced. After a talk about my kids and his kids, David's
dad asked, "Didn't I hear you've had some books published?"
I told him all about Callie Parrish and the mystery series, and he proudly told me David Lee had a collection of stories published in England--Darkside of the Planet, which I purchased and found full of great mystery, horror, and science fiction tales. We have become good friends.
David and I recently had a joint book signing to celebrate publication of Jones's first novel Moria Varatu. This first in a sci fi trilogy is fast-paced and enthralling, and though I'm not a regular sci fi fan, I've read it twice, and Moria Varatu is a fascinating story.
Geologist
Dr. Brandon Jordan flees to Mars to escape the tormenting loss of his
young son and wife to a rampant global blood virus on Earth. Upon
starting his life on the Red Planet, he stumbles onto an ancient secret
that distracts him from the oppressive depression and sends his life
hurtling into an adventure that not only solves eon's old mysteries on
Mars, but connects to unsolved history back on Earth. In the end, he is
forced to become an unlikely hero in a war that, unbeknown to humankind
as a whole, has spanned across two worlds and unfathomable time altering
the course of humanity.
LET'S GET PERSONAL
David Lee Jones was born and reared in Columbia, SC. After his parents' divorce, he moved to upstate New York and attended West Genessee Senior High School where his writing career began as a reporter for the school newspaper.
After graduation, Jones returned to South Carolina and attended Midlands Technical College where he earned an Associate's Degree in Commercial Graphics Technology. He uses that training in designing book covers.
Jones has a long career as a mixologist, having bartended for his father during college years. (That's when I first met him). He currently tends bar and offers advice and entertainment at Wings and Ale of Lexington in Lexington, SC. Years behind the bar have given him great insight into human behavior and psychology which shows in his dynamic writings. I believe he also has a long career awaiting him in writing.
He's also an excellent performer with a great voice.
Singer, ink & pencil artist, graphic artist and talented writer--my friend David Lee Jones, a Renaissance Man!
HOW WE MET
Twenty
years ago, I was divorced, rearing two sons as a single mother and
supplementing my school teacher's pay by selling magazine articles and
promoting local performers as well as a couple of nationally known
country/bluegrass artists.
One of the local
singers I worked with was a very talented vocalist whom we shall call
Michelle, though that isn't her name. An A&R representative from an
LA record label was visiting a friend in Columbia and planned to scout
at a local club Friday night. Michelle and I made sure she was booked to
perform and outfitted to stage perfection. I'd impressed upon her what a
break this could be to her career, but I also tried to calm her
nervousness.
Before
Michelle went onstage, I pitched her talent to the A&R rep. He
seemed responsive, but he stressed professionalism. Michelle's set was
dynamite, but I noticed she was sipping from a glass instead of her
usual water bottle throughout her performance. I held my breath as she
took a bow to great applause. . . then proceeded to fall off the stage
in an totally snockered fashion. The school teacher in me wanted to
scold her; the mother in me gave her a hug and told her boyfriend to
take her home. As we summed it up later, Michelle had her break, but she
broke it.I
stayed for the remainder of the show (my sons' weekend at Dad's), but I
moved from the AR rep's table to the end of the bar where I spent some
time talking with David Lee Jones, the young bartender son of the club's
owner. He showed me his sketchbook, and I was impressed with his
talent. I encouraged him to enter some artwork in the SC State Fair Art
Exhibit. He did, and he placed. FRIENDSHIP RENEWED
As
time passed, I heard that David Lee was married. I ran into his father
at the car wash with two beautiful grandchildren he said were David's.
David Lee's father and I crossed paths in line at the bank years later.
David was now divorced. After a talk about my kids and his kids, David's
dad asked, "Didn't I hear you've had some books published?"I told him all about Callie Parrish and the mystery series, and he proudly told me David Lee had a collection of stories published in England--Darkside of the Planet, which I purchased and found full of great mystery, horror, and science fiction tales. We have become good friends.
MORIA VARATU
David and I recently had a joint book signing to celebrate publication of Jones's first novel Moria Varatu. This first in a sci fi trilogy is fast-paced and enthralling, and though I'm not a regular sci fi fan, I've read it twice, and Moria Varatu is a fascinating story.
Geologist
Dr. Brandon Jordan flees to Mars to escape the tormenting loss of his
young son and wife to a rampant global blood virus on Earth. Upon
starting his life on the Red Planet, he stumbles onto an ancient secret
that distracts him from the oppressive depression and sends his life
hurtling into an adventure that not only solves eon's old mysteries on
Mars, but connects to unsolved history back on Earth. In the end, he is
forced to become an unlikely hero in a war that, unbeknown to humankind
as a whole, has spanned across two worlds and unfathomable time altering
the course of humanity.LET'S GET PERSONAL
David Lee Jones was born and reared in Columbia, SC. After his parents' divorce, he moved to upstate New York and attended West Genessee Senior High School where his writing career began as a reporter for the school newspaper.
After graduation, Jones returned to South Carolina and attended Midlands Technical College where he earned an Associate's Degree in Commercial Graphics Technology. He uses that training in designing book covers.
Jones has a long career as a mixologist, having bartended for his father during college years. (That's when I first met him). He currently tends bar and offers advice and entertainment at Wings and Ale of Lexington in Lexington, SC. Years behind the bar have given him great insight into human behavior and psychology which shows in his dynamic writings. I believe he also has a long career awaiting him in writing.
He's also an excellent performer with a great voice.
Singer, ink & pencil artist, graphic artist and talented writer--my friend David Lee Jones, a Renaissance Man!
Until we meet again. . .take care of YOU.
I put this post up for Fran and I want to apologize to her and David that I couldn't load all the sketches she had available. Blogger was overloading on art and after an hour I had to give up.
ReplyDeleteI hope we can add the rest to some future entry.
The will of creativity must find a way out.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteWow, I am humbled. Thanks Fran, for all the kind words. Now I find a lump in my throat as I am at a loss for words to give back. All I can give is a heart-felt "Thanks." You are such a great friend.
ReplyDeleteJones has a storytelling talent that keeps the reader riveted and interested as each piece of the plot unfolds. Though MORIA VARATU reminds me a great deal of classic works of science fiction by writers such as Bradbury and Clarke, he manages to take the genre is new and imaginative directions, saddling elements of the thriller and horror onto a science fiction frame that works, and works well.
ReplyDeleteThank you James, you are a good friend. Jamestown Coffee Co is my favorite place to have book signings. Absolutely love your commercial you did for me.
ReplyDelete