Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jon Foulk. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Jon , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

I have a boat and I’m probably the last person who should own one. I struggle mechanically. My dad taught me so many wonderful things… but he also struggled to use a flat head screwdriver. Or do the simple math to keep fluids at the right levels for optimum operation. Technology is no different. One time my buddy and producing friend left me alone in his studio for the night to finish a project. The next day he had to completely reboot the studio and it was down for days.

I’ve tried to do many things and succeeded at a few. However, playing piano is the only thing I can truly say I have ever done well. Because, it’s the only thing I’ve ever really given all my efforts and soul into developing. I’m certainly not the most technically advanced, don’t have the most spellbinding runs, … but I play with my heart. It’s the only way I know how and it’s been like that since I was a child.

I wish I could spend time with my younger self teaching him the importance of humility. I would explain to him how to listen and observe more. I would tell him to learn all the songs he knows in the keys he doesn’t know well. But, in all honesty, I think we are all a result of ordained timing and situations.

I see a lack of humility kill more dreams than anything. I think kindness and patience work.

Jon , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m the keyboard player for the southern rock band The Dirty Gospel. I also sing backup harmonies. Up to this point our band has used a pretty successful formula. Garrett brings in the lyrics and basic idea for a song. He starts ripping it. Chris feels out a rhythm. Seth comes in with a bass line to compliment Chris’s rhythm or vise versa – Jared finds a lead guitar part; while I provide the brick and mortar with the B3, funk it up with the Rhodes, or keep it classy with the piano. Once we get a basic idea going we record it. Then, spend time alone working on individual parts complimenting each other as opposed to suffocating the individuality. When we meet for rehearsals we polish our written parts and bring the song to a final, performable, place.

Then we rehearse until we know the song instinctually in preparation for the show.

When the show arrives… we relax and allow ourselves the freedom to showcase something precise yet oddly free. Good rock n’ roll.

While all of this is taking place on a weekly basis; we are becoming family. The audiences find our set incredibly relatable… because they hear their stories in our songs. They see our family as theirs.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I had the mindset as a young musician you always had to be showcasing your fastest, loudest, and fanciest assets. I’ve learned over time the value in simplicity. In most cases less is more… and it makes the “more” insanely dynamic and powerful. If you feel the need to show off – you probably shouldn’t.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

“The War of Art” by Steven Pressfield was a book that really impacted me. I think most, if not all, artists face those days we want to quit. We don’t think we play well enough to be heard. Our band isn’t as good as the ones on the big stages.

I think you have to make the active decision, after a time of true trial and growth, it’s worth pursuing. If you were born to do it – although you still have a choice not to; you “should” to feed your soul.

Contact Info:

• Website: thedirtygospel.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedirtygospel/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheDirtyGospelOfficial/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEB946_OpE_7Tke7cOhvWYg?app=desktop
• Other: Jon Foulk – foulkmusic.com

Image Credits
Images: Todd Dean, Abeth Holloway