Today we’d like to introduce you to Victoria Jones.
Victoria, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Hi. Thank you for having me. I got my start in the church. I was born and raised in Huntsville, Alabama and always had dreams to do big things in music. Growing up and going through school, I was fortunate enough to have parents and teachers that believed in me and invested in my talents. My former highschool teacher Mr. Evan Carter is one that stands out the most because he introduced me to my instrument of choice—the guitar. He was the first to teach me chord progressions and from there I was inspired to write and craft my very own songs. I wrote my first song at the age of fifteen and started my music career from there.
Upon starting my music career, I had no connections or initial contacts within the music industry. I only had a passion and a vision to make my way any way that I could. During the early years of my music career I ran a nonprofit alongside my mother. Our nonprofit was geared towards empowering women to love and embrace their natural-self. We ran many programs that educated on the beauty of natural hair, holistic living and self-love/ self-esteem. Our organization grew to over 500 women online and after years of tending to that and later having to lay it down, one remarkable lady within our organization remembered how I perfomed my music and curated my own shows during the Galas we would put on for the women within our community. She then put me in contact with a local black and female-owned recording studio in my area at the time. 318 Productions was their name. Upon meeting the ladies of 318 Productions, I just knew that I was in a safe place to cultivate my sound and maintain my musical autonomy which led me to record my debut EP “White Butterfly” with them. That project was so special to me because it was so organic and it was the start of everything. Since then I’ve been blessed to independently release many other meaningful of mine and have had my Art thrust me into civic and advocacy roles pertaining to mental health, civil rights, faith and entrprenuership within the Arts. I’ve been blessed to feature in countless media outlets/publications from Al.com to American Songwriter Magazine. I have also been blessed and honored to perform many high-profile events including the 2021 Paralympic Opening, the 2021 SEC Gymnastics Championship covered by ESPN, Birmingham Alabama’s renowned Freedom Fest and more. Out of all the great and high moments that my life in music has provided, I have learned that the greatest key to success is honoring where you are and choosing to trust God throughout the process. It is also so important to show up for yourself and actually work with a spirit of excellence. In doing so, your life and works begins to speak for itself.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The hardest part of my journey has been balancing the multi-facet nature of my career as an independent artist and a community leader within the Arts. Many look at music and solely think concerts, fancy clothes and latter when in reality it is so much more. Music artistry is truly one of the rawest forms of entrepreneurship. Sometimes I’m the forefront of music— being the artist, releasing and performing the music, writing it , recording it in the studio, collaborating/ designing the cover art or working with creative directors towards music videos. Other times I’m sharing my story, landing publications and podcasts and other entities within the industry. Other times, I am completely behind the scenes working alongside City leaders/governing officials, State Arts councils, nonprofit organizations, schools and city leadership to bring change through the Arts and that’s hard to balance. Music is a lot of things and it can (and does) infiltrate so many industries across the board. My newest and greatest role that encompasses all my heart and passion for music is now working alongside the Huntsville Amphitheater to lift all tides of community, Art and economic development—and that, to me, is very exciting.
This year makes ten years of working as an independent artist and being dedicated to the Arts within music. Beyond all my challenges, it is my goal to show that music does not have to look a certain way but it should always impact in multi-faceted ways. I want people to know that music is so much more than a “hobbyist” entity, meaning it can be monetized and valued and marketed in a way that trandcends a passion project and fanatic fans; Lastly, I want convey that music is monumental and instrumental in bringing cultural awarness, impactful/ integrated education, and generated economic growth.
At the end of the day, I just want to show that music and artistry is so much more than what we have seen on TV. There’s a whole unpublicized world of opportunities and ways to thrive and impact communities (and the world) through music in a meaningful way. It just takes time, patience and honoring networks/relationships that you cultivate along the way.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Beyond my life in music and work within the Arts and community development, I teach. Artist development means a lot to me so I conduct online programs geared towards singing and songwriting lessons. Each program is 6- weeks long and is packed with a curriculum to help everyday people and aspiring artist to find their voice and articulate themselves through music. I have a heart to help groom aspiring artist to be well-rounded thought-leaders within their art and sphere of influence. Whenever artistry is felt and presented well, it can impact communities economically, civically and culturally. So far I have been blessed to teach students from Seattle, Washington all the way to Austrialia and I pray the impact continues to grow.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
Honestly, there are so very many people to thank and credit in my story and within success. I am eternally thankful to my parents, friends, family, mentors, spiritual leaders, peers within the Music industry and those who have cherished my music. If I had to generalize and sum up my deepest “thank you” I would give a huge thank you to my beloved City of Huntsville, Alabama. God truly planted me in a beautiful and immensely receptive hometown that has given me so much and has fashioned musical growth both nationally and (in time) internationally.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: v_c_j
- Facebook: Facebook.com/VictoriaJonesMusic
Image Credits
Headshot photography by: Picha De Ro Performance photo: Heath Atchley
