Jon Duncan – The Storyteller’s Story

byRichardGlass

WhenitcomestounderstandingJonDuncansstory,youquicklyrealize,thatlikeanonion, ithasmanylayers.Asamatteroffact,abetteranalogymightbetobe“thisclose”tosolvinga RubiksCube,withallthecolorsmatchinguponmostsides,onlytoturnitoverandfindthere areothercombinationsyouhadneverimagined.

At times, the terms “Renaissance Man” and “Old Soul” are randomly thrown around to intimate multi-talented people, but in the case of Jon there’s really no better way to describe him.

We sat down on a recent Sunday afternoon on a cold gray late winter’s day at the local Library to talk about his journey, his passions, and the things he loves about life, the people around him, and his hometown of Clarksville. A man of many talents and interests, his story is one of a true adventurer who is not afraid to step out and pursue his dreams. A master Storyteller, whether with his Art, Music, Photography, or Writing, Jon evokes emotions from his audiences that goes far beyond his contemporaries. Although his imposing height and presence are the first things you notice, his affable nature, quick smile, and friendly demeanor soon put you at ease. You can tell right away that he is supportive and interested in what you have to say, and what you’re trying to do.

Jon began life in Muscadine, Iowa, born to Eileen and Ronald, a former musician and piano tuner and restorer who relocated to Nashville when Jon was an infant. Settling in the East Nashville area, Ronald was eventually was recognized as one of the top 3 in his vocation.

Back then, East Nashville was not as refined as it is now and was not exactly a place where the Duncans wanted to raise their family. Although Jons Dad (a Korean War Veteran) had previously played coronet in New Orleans, he realized eventually that the life of a road musician was not what he wanted to expose his family to.

WhentheDuncanswereinprocessofmovingto Nashville,theirjourneytookthemthrough Clarksville,anddrivingdownMadisonStreet theyfellinlovewiththearchitectureandthe statelyhomes.Itremindedthemofthe neighborhoodsbackhomeinDavenport,sowhen choosingaplacetolive,Clarksvillewasit.The familymovedtoa30-acrefarmwithhorses (upto18atonetime)intheCunninghamarea, whichiswhereJonandhissisterspenttheir childhoods,andwhereheattendedMontgomery Centralschoolsfromthe3rdgradeonup. Also quite an accomplished artist, Jon worked in colored pencils and watercolors. In fact, he was good enough as a child to have his work chosen to be on a Federal Duck stamp, also winning a County Fair T-Shirt design contest. As an adult he was known for his animal and pet portraiture work in colored pencil, and he created quite a few commissioned pieces from his talents. Speaking of Watercolors, Jon described them as the Fiddle of the Art World (more on the instrument later), saying that both are slightly out of control, but when they come together, they’re magic.

Raised in a conservative household there was no TV on the farm, and the only music played regularly was whatever reinforced the family values. So, it came as a surprise when I asked about his first concert experience when he told me at 18, he and some buddies made a road trip to Pensacola Beach to see “Tool” in concert, He said it’s not necessarily what he would have picked, but when you’re with your friends and are enjoying life, you just go with it.

Afterschool,JohnwenttoworkattheZincPlantin CumberlandHeights,wherehestayedfor 16years.Inhisearly20’s,hehadafriendreturn fromatemporaryrelocationtoPortland Oregon,andwhenshearrived,shebroughtbacka Fiddle.Thiswaswhenthehip“OldTime Music”folkrevivalofthe2000’swasinfulleffectin Portland….andaboutthesametimeOld CrowMedicineShowwasmakingtheirdebut.He begantakingmusiclessons,whichlitthe fireforhisloveofBluegrass,andCountry& Westernmusicwhichdriveshimtothisday.The firstinstrumentheactuallypurchasedforhimself wasacheapFenderMandolin.Healready hadafiddlebythattime,giventohimbytrad (traditional)musicplayerKarlKersey,whohe befriendedwhileCivilWarre-enacting(another layer).

Once he dipped his toe in the musical pool, Jon thought (as all musicians do) it would be a good idea to play in a band. He sought out the advice of former local musician Kenny Vaughn (a long time Mandolin player and member of the iconic Clarksville band, The Beagles) and friend Patrick Schmittou, forming the Western Swing band (are you ready for this….) The Common Taters. Decked out in matching suits and ties, after playing for two years at home, they played a few gigs in 2007. Schmittou played lead guitar, Jon was on rhythm, and all shared vocal duties. Their vibe was an early (pre-outlaw) Country & Western Swing, with a bit of 20’s tin pan alley jazz thrown in for good measure, and they covered such artists such as Bob Wills, Ray Price, Eddy Arnold, and Buck Owens, adding their own unique acoustic Bluegrass flavor. “Kenny Vaughn was my first musical mentor and was a great influence on me in that area”.

Jon currently sits in with Clarksville artists such as Gary Mefford, and has formed a Blugrass group named “JonHenry”, along with friends and longtime scene players Matthew and Brit Dewey, and Heath Rives. The band name is an homage to his late musical collaborator, friend, (and Clarksville Legend), Henry Rives. Oh yeah, he also has a pretty cool harmonica player and vocalist join him on selected numbers. While primarily adding “the fiddle in the band”, he will bring out his guitar on occasion as well. Additional building of his musical muscles came from performing with The Common Taters at Brunies German restaurant a few times, when it hosted live music on the Public Square end of Strawberry Alley.

Askedabouthismusicalinfluencesregardingthe fiddle,DuncanspeaksofBruceMolskyfor pureold-timestylesoriginatingfromIrishand Scottishimmigrantsongsmeantfordancing.He gotthechancetomeetBruceatTheStationInn whileshootingtheAmericanaFestivalin 2022.HisfavoritecurrentfiddleplayerisKyleKnix ofTheTurnpikeTroubadours(Jonsported oneoftheirt-shirts)anddescribeshimthusly:“He incorporatesalotoftheold-timetuning andphrasing(bolddronesanddouble-stops)while playingalongwithmoderndrumsand electricguitarsintheRedDirtgenre(Texasand Oklahomamusic).Hedoesaphenomenal jobwithit,andTurnpike'ssoundwouldbe nakedwithouthisiconicfiddlecontributionson eachandeverytrack.Asanamateur,back-porch typefiddler,Idon'treallyhavethechopsto trulyemulateeitheroneoftheirstyleswhenIplay, butIwouldifIcould!”

John was working at the zinc plant at the time and taking night classes for fun. After posting pics on Facebook from his assignments, realtors started asking for him to shoot houses. He also met someone during this time, before quitting and leaving for the Cultivated Company. While shooting houses on a weekend, he met legendary local photographer Tyler Cruse, who hired him away from the plant to start the Cultivated Co. Although starting out as a laborer at the Zinc Plant, Jon had already worked his way through the system levels to be a trainer and salaried member of management. But he knew that to fully stretch his creative talents he needed to make photography a full-time career.

And since he had decided to go down the creative photo and videography path, Jon figured it might be a good idea to form a solid foundation and get a degree. Although he had taken classes at Austin Peay State in his 20s, Nashville State was his pick for a digital photography class. Fortuitous decision on his part. Because not only did he learn about the ins and outs of a modern single lens reflex camera, that class was where he met his girlfriend Melanie (Mel) (who is another fascinating story herself), and who is the harmonica player I mentioned earlier. Mel is a custom finish carpenter, and talented in her own right. Though they have varying interests and abilities, they form a pretty solid partnership.

Jon has a flyable drone in his photography toolbox as well (yes, he’s a pilot too), which has resulted in some breathtaking still photos and videos from the Clarksville area, especially downtown during our gorgeous sunsets. He’s been a commercial drone operator for around 4 years (and is recognized as one of the tops in the area in experience). He flew almost daily with The Cultivated Company. He’s even currently shooting drone footage with HGTV for the show “Househunters” quite a bit.

You would think that with his love of country and bluegrass music Jon would have a connection with the Rodeo world too, and you’d be right, even if it’s just begun. That entry came by chance, through his friend (and bass player – producer) Daniel Walker. Daniel owns a ranch and puts on a Rodeo there every year. Recruited by a number of Rodeo & Western Sports Event Producers to shoot competitions, you’re taken right into the middle of the action for some awesome photos that are so real you can just about smell the ring. Jon loves working with people in the Rodeo world, calling them, truly – salt of the earth. He said, “If you’re looking for a real slice of Americana, go to a Rodeo.”

So, with this kind of schedule, what would someone do for fun? For a short while, Jon was a Civil War re-enactor. Being a history buff, he became a member of the 1 st Tennessee, based out of Franklin, with a group of younger guys (quite a few with History degrees) who were known for their authenticity. Although short lived (it was too static for him) he did enjoy interacting with the public representing both Union and Confederate impressions of the war from a line soldiers point of view – no politics, purely historical representations. As an added bonus he became a movie star! Well, an extra anyway, in the (not Oscar nominated) “Abraham Lincoln – Vampire Hunter”. While describing it as “a terrible movie” he did have fun and could have been a stunt double for the lead.

When he’s looking to relax, Jon heads to the outdoors. A fan of camping, back-packing, dirt bikes, scuba, and kayaking, he has plenty to choose from. When Jon travels (and he tries to avoid going to the same place twice – although that has happened in Grand Cayman), he is drawn to places with Jungles. He feels like he’s on a National Geographic expedition and all of a sudden is a kid again. He’d like to see some parts of Africa before he dies, saying “They say it feels like home when you get there, no matter where you’re from”.

Although he likes cooking, Jon regularly defers to Mel (because he says she’s the better cook) and leans toward dishes with some serious spices – usually Italian or French – with occasional Caribbean Jerk as well. Asked about his favorite places to eat, he said “With so many great new restaurants here it’s hard for me to call out a favorite, but – I’ve never been disappointed with Yada on Franklin”.

From Red Dirt Country to Rodeos, and Flying Machines to Fiddles, Jon Duncan is a man of many talents, and a darn good human to boot. Whether playing you a tune, snapping a photo, or writing a bio of a friend and musician, you can always be assured you’ll come away smarter and happier after seeing his creations.

You can see more of Jon’s work on his Instagram account @jon_duncan_art or his website, www.jonduncanphoto.com.

Jon covers events, does bios, shoots architecture and fine portraits, and creates industrial and commercial photography. Then there’s the Drone thing, and lest I forget, music videos and band shows.

Do yourself a favor and check him out. And say howdy if you see him around, he’ll be the tall lanky fella with the easy smile.

The adventure continues, and Jon Duncan is definitely “Living Large”.