As 2024 draws to a close, I’m reflecting on a year that’s been nothing short of incredible. It's been a journey of growth, memorable...

More in ‘24 Pt.2   After a local show in College Station Friday, I began my adventure to Key West. An acoustic gig in Montgomery on...

When I spoke of "More in '24" in my previous entry, I had no idea it would come at me quite like the year has started off so far. Although trying, I do hope that it's, in a sense, a sign of greater growth to come in many aspects.

After much reflection on the year 2023 I’ve come to realize that it was very much a farewell year. Not to music but to poor decisions. What I had written off in the past because “no one cared” I’m now choosing to do better, because I care.

In honor of some of the cherished stand-out memories I have of Christmas caroling with my mother's side of the family while growing up I put this song together.

Signed, a War Veteran written by: J. Nelson 11/08/2023

Now that I've got some down time using the van as a mobile deer stand I figure it would be a good time to submit an entry to the JackWagon Journal.

My last night in Nashville was an absolute blast at the Local. I sat in on “The Round” with a fellow first timer, Wesley Pace, a fellow Texan, Logan Tucker, and our illustrious host, Jeremy Edward.

Whelp, the jig was up…. The landlord of the parking lot where I was keeping the van came by as I was getting dressed for my writer’s round at the Tin Roof on Broadway and told me that I needed to vacate since I’d been there so long. Whelp, it was a good run. He was gracious enough for me to stay parked there for one more night, however, because I happened to be headed off for a show. So I gathered my gear, two outfits (one for the photo-shoot and my new Jersey), and headed do

As I prepped for my evening writer's round at the Commodore I found myself perusing the local vintage store for a Jersey for a writer's round I have next week the Tin Roof on Broadway as they are having a theme night in which the singers are to wear jersey's. I've never been one to adorn such an article of clothing on the regular, so needless to say I left the one jersey I do own (a Dan Marino jersey I got when I was a teenager) at home. When I came across a brown suede jacke

Sitting here at MCBG (Music City Bar & Grill) listening to Honky Tonk History stories from Robbie and Garrett (owners of the Wicked Ollie's Vintage Store) and Ernie Reed (former fiddle player for Faron Young, Mel Tillis, Johnny Bush, and Several others) and picking a few on my guitar for them, I figured I would update you on the last couple of days as I prepare for the week ahead as well. I began my Monday tracking down an open mic over at Tennessee Brew works, but by the tim

Driving into the sunrise on deep sleep deprivation is never easy, but to the experience I don't consider myself a stranger. The biggest driving force keeping me awake was the electric energy I could feel as I was rolling into town. Song idea after song idea, they were coming in faster than I could catch 'em. I did manage to half write a few that I look forward to circling back to when I can settle down enough to put the rest of the puzzles together. With no planned spot to st

After a grueling day of getting all (most) of my affairs in order and reorganizing the van for a solo trip, I loaded up and headed toward Tennessee at about 9pm. With the full intention of finding a place to park halfway between College Station and Memphis I found my intention was a bit misguided.

Hanging out on Curt's ranch is always one of our absolutely favorite parts of making our way to the mountains. Getting to take Dude there has always been heartwarming to see how he lights up to see Melvin and Mortimore (Curt's GSP's) but I think he's mostly enjoyed the ranch because it's a place that he gets to be a dog.

With the JackWagon running like a brand-new machine we set our course for Buena Vista, CO. We made our first stop at the DeerHammer Distillery to meet with the staff there and see if they had any recommendations on a great place to camp and they directed us to a campground called the Railroad Bridge. Down a long dirt road that passed through some stone tunnels we arrived at the perfect little campground that this place was. Right by the Arkansas River and by, of course, an ol

After an evening of bouncing around Lonetree, CO, we made one final stop at the Tire's Plus that a Firestone had recommended in order for us to get the van fixed. Pulled the van up to the front door and asked the gentleman tending the desk if they would be able to address the coolant issue. He looked at the van and assured me that their technician would be able to look at it first thing in the morning. So we sauntered up the street to sample some of the craft beers from the L

After spending a great first half of the week catching up and networking with my eastern Idaho friends in preparation for my show in Iona at "Steele N Jo's" bone on Friday, we had a very near and dear detour to make... Dubois, Wy.

As dawn begins break I'm facing west from the east side of Idaho, thinking about the eventful release weekend we've had. Down Bone Rd, into Bone, ID, at the Bone Store, in anticipation of my show at Steele 'N Jo's Bone. My trusty road-dog of 11 years, Dude, lays at my feet watching as the world comes alive, intrigued yet confused as to why there aren't any bones up here for him to chew on. As Meta Jane sleeps peacefully into the morning hours, allow me to tell you about the a

I know, not a very catchy title but it's been a much more productive, and exhaustive, day than that sounds and than I am able to be creative at the moment. Allow me to tell you all about it:

This years installment of the "Rocky Mountain Run" marks my 8th year and 10th trip up this way with sole purpose of exploring and playing music. Honestly, I never imagined that I would do anything like this in the first place. As a teenager we had taken a few trips to the ski-towns of Angel Fire and Taos, NM with one, seemingly particularly long, trip to Durango, CO. For the mountain calling I do blame Durango as that trip to Mt. Purgatory felt extra special. The mountain was