Formula Indie Sessions _ Interview with Brandon Scott Jones
Brandon Scott Jones is a Nashville-recorded, award-nominated country music artist whose music is rooted in real-life experiences, faith, and storytelling. After spending 21 years as a firefighter and putting his dreams on hold to serve others and raise his family—including an autistic child and two others—he has stepped fully into his calling as an artist. His music reflects the journey of a man who has lived life, faced challenges, and continues to pursue his purpose with determination and faith. Blending traditional country influences with a wide range of musical styles, Brandon creates songs that connect on a deeply personal level and aim to inspire, uplift, and impact lives.
What is your earliest memory connected to music?
My earliest memory of music is my mom singing to me all the time when I was little. But what really stands out is at night—she would sit down at the piano and play and sing, and I would fall asleep to that. There was just something about hearing her voice and the piano together at the end of the day… it stuck with me in a way I didn’t understand at the time, but I do now.
How did your passion for creating music begin?
My passion for creating music really started when I wrote my first song at thirteen years old. That was the first time I realized I could take something from inside me and turn it into something real. What I found was that when you create music, you’re creating something that lasts. It’s like building a living statue—something timeless, something that can be there forever. That realization is what really drew me in and kept me going.
Who have been your main influences as an artist, and how have they shaped your sound?
My first tape was No Fences by Garth Brooks, and I wore that thing out. That was really my introduction to music that told a story and made you feel something. Growing up, I listened to artists like George Strait, Brooks & Dunn, and Alan Jackson, but I also spent a lot of time listening to 90s alternative rock and even got into 90s hip-hop. I’ve always loved all kinds of music, but the biggest influence on my own sound has been Garth Brooks and his ability to connect through storytelling and emotion.
What themes or messages do you explore in your music?
I believe there are stories to tell, and through life experiences, we turn those into songs. For me, it’s about taking what I’ve been through and putting it into something that can reach someone else. The hope is that along the way, something in a song—a line, a word, or a story—connects with someone
who’s going through something similar. If it can help them get through a tough time, or even just let them know they’re not alone, then it’s done its job.
Can you describe your creative process when writing or recording a song?
It’s kind of funny—songs usually come to me at the most random times. I might be walking outside or driving down the road, and I’ll hear an idea in my head. I’ll catch a line or a concept and think, ‘That’s
something,’ and then I’ll sit down and start building on it. Once I get that initial spark, the rest of it tends to come together from there. It’s not always a structured process—it’s more about being open to those moments when inspiration hits and then turning that idea into something real.
What do you hope listeners take away from your music?
I hope when people listen to my music, they get a glimpse of who I am—not just as an artist, but as a man, a father, and a person living life like everyone else. I want them to hear the stories and maybe find something in them that helps them through their own situations. At the end of the day, it’s just real life. I’m nobody special—I’m just a guy chasing his dream, and if something I’ve been through can help someone else along the way, then that means everything.
How do your personal experiences influence your songwriting?
Every moment, every breath we take, every step we walk on this earth shapes who we are—what we experience and how we see the world. All of that molds the way we think and who we become. So for me, a lot of what ends up in my songs comes directly from my life and the things I’ve been through. It’s real experiences and real perspective, and that’s what I try to put into the music.
What challenges have you faced in your music career, and how have you overcome them?
One of the biggest challenges is that I’m not formally trained—I’m homegrown. I’ve had to learn most of this the hard way. Along the way, I’ve figured out where to spend money, where not to spend it, and how easy it is to waste it if you’re not careful. There’s been a lot of trial and error. But through all of that, my determination has never changed, and my faith has stayed strong. I truly believe it’s all going to come together the way it’s supposed to.
What are your goals for your music career in the future?
My goal is to get my music in front of as many people as possible. If something I’ve experienced or a story I tell can help someone, that means everything to me. I truly believe you can change someone’s life through words and sound. Someone could be having a bad day, hear a song, and it puts a smile on their face—or gives them a different perspective. At the end of the day, my goal is bigger than just music. It’s about helping people, bringing people closer to God, and doing my part to make the world a better place along the way.
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians?
If you want to be an artist, be an artist. If you want to be a singer, be a singer. If you want to be a writer, be a writer. You can do anything you want in this life. Anything is achievable—but you have to believe it to achieve it. Anything is possible with God. The difference between someone who’s made it in the music industry comes down to determination, willpower, and work ethic. I’ve lived that myself. I put my dreams on hold for a long time, spent 21 years as a firefighter, and learned a lot about life along the way. But I never let go of what I knew I was meant to do. If you want it, go do it. Be willing to put the work in, stay committed, and trust that it’s possible. And that little kid is now a Nashville-recorded, award-nominated country music singer.
