Biography

Randy Jones lives in some of the most beautiful country in Kentucky. Making his home in Strunk, a small town in McCreary County, Randy has access to the beautiful Daniel Boone National Forest, Cumberland Falls, The Big Southfork National Scenic Recreational Area, beautiful Rock Creek, and many other natural attractions that draw people from near and far. Randy lives in this beautiful area with his wife, Paula, and son, Caleb.

Randy began playing mandolin at age 8 and joined his dad’s band The Southfork Gentlemen. They played many shows together, giving Randy the stage and road experience he would need to take him further in his music career. Living in a rural area also kept Randy free from distractions, allowing him plenty of time to develop his skills on mandolin, guitar, and bass. A year long stint with Larry Sparks gave Randy his first experience with a professional road band. Randy has since gained much experience with live sound gear and road living.

Randy also developed an interest in recording and producing music. Beginning with just a cassette recorder and an old reel-to-reel recorder, Randy learned to overdub parts until he had put together completely produced songs. As crude as some of these recordings were, they were the building blocks that led to the studio skills Randy possesses today. Specializing in bluegrass and acoustic music, Randy’s mixes are clean and crisp, rivaling those of state-of-the-art studios in Nashville.

Randy has operated his own recording studio, called Southfork Recording Company, for the past 11 years. During that time, his skills at recording, editing, mixing, and mastering music have increased tremendously. Randy looks forward to using those skills to work on projects for professional bluegrass bands across the nation. With the ability to transfer files across the Internet, Randy can also produce professional mandolin and guitar tracks for any artist that needs them, no matter where the project is being recorded.

In March 2011, Randy was offered the position of mandolin player/tenor singer with the acclaimed Lonesome River Band, working with Sammy Sheolor (banjo), Brandon Rickman (guitar), Mike Hartgrove (fiddle), and Barry Reed (bass). His acceptance of this position has met with the approval of audiences across the nation both at live shows and on the new Chronology series from LRB. Working with Lonesome River Band, Randy has played at some of the best venues our country has to offer, including Late Night with David Letterman, The Grand Ole Opry, and some of the best bluegrass festivals and auditoriums in the land.

2012 promises to be another exciting year for Randy while traveling with LRB. He is looking forward to visiting the Rocky Mountains and the state of California for the first time this year. He is also looking forward to meeting new people and making new friends. "That's one of the best things about being in LRB. I get to meet some wonderful people while I'm on the road. I'm getting to know some of them and they have become special to me." Check the schedule page to find out when Randy is coming to a town near you and make plans to come out and see the show. Be sure and browse the store page for Randy's new CD When Old Lonesome Comes Around.