Fenton Jones
Fenton G. "Jonesy" Jones (June 2, 1907 – June 30, 2003) was an American musician, best known as a square dance caller. He was widely described as a "nationally-known [dance] caller".[1][2]
Fenton "Jonesy" Jones | |
---|---|
Born | Los Angeles, California | June 2, 1907
Origin | Glendale, California |
Died | June 30, 2003 96) Glendale, California | (aged
Genres | Folk and square dance calling |
Labels | C. J. McGregor, others below |
Jones was born in 1907 in Los Angeles, California.[3] His mother, who died when Jones was seven years old, was a pianist and guitarist.[4] Jones began calling dances in 1940, touring the United States and calling at various square dancing events. He also called dances regularly at his home state of California.[5] He was known for dressing up in a Western-style at his events he worked, once stating that "short sleeves have been eliminated" while describing what he saw as a "rigid" dress code for square dance callers in a 1952 article.[5] Jones also released records of his calls under the C. P. MacGregor Records label, including "My Little Girl", "Down Yonder" and "Oh Johnny".[5] He had previously recorded his calls, first in 1946 on the Black and White then on Imperial, Capitol, MGM and Mastertone labels.[6] Jones also appeared in many films television series in the 1970s and 1980s, most often uncredited, as a square dance caller.[6]
Jones was married to Florence. He is a member of the Square Dance Hall of Fame.[6] He died in 2003. He had resided in Glendale, California for majority of his life.[7]
References
- "Jonesy Jones Will Call At Polio Dance". The Modesto Bee. Jan 27, 1953. Retrieved January 6, 2013.
- "Popular Caller To Be Presented Here". The Grand Coulee Star. September 9, 1953. Retrieved January 6, 2013.
- Fenton G Jones, "California, Birth Index, 1905-1995"
- Brundage, Bob; Jones, Fenton (August 26, 1996). "Fenton (Jonesy) Jones August 26, 1996". Square Dance Foundation of New England, Inc. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved January 10, 2013.
- "Square Dancing Hobby Gives City Folk Time To Say 'Hello'". Lewiston Morning Tribune. September 9, 1952. Retrieved January 6, 2013.
- Fenton "Jonesy" Jones Milestone, 1976
- Fenton G Jones, "United States Social Security Death Index"