We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Eric Jones a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Eric, thanks for joining us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

It was 1999. I was a drama director at a local church where I was volunteering. I did have a day job as a Health Professional (PHARMACIST). I was given an opportunity to have a local interview for a Christian Television talk show. I had the opportunity to discuss. the pleasures and pain of being the leader of a drama ministry. The Emmy winning actress Jeanette Cliff George who was the artistic director of the Regional A.D. Players Theatre was also a guest. She was a very busy person and was going to leave before I went on the air. But after a brief conversation, she decided to stay. Somehow, she saw confidence and poise. The camera loved me. After my segment, she told me….” I really need to talk to you in two weeks.” I asked her assistant what that actually means? The assistant’s response was that she only gives it to someone who she wants to become an A.D. Player. I was flattered but I initially thought that my career in Pharmacy was more important, and I gently declined. Fast forward late 2000. I was laid off from my pharmacy job and the same assistant from AD Players asked me if I wanted to act in a stage reading of a play. I accepted since I had no prospects. After the rehearsals and later set performance, I was hooked. I never looked back. Sometimes you can’t plan your destiny, destiny plans for you. You just got to take the ride.

Eric, 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?

Eric Jones is a Medford, Massachusetts born, Minnesota & Texas-raised artist. Mr. Jones is a graduate of Texas Southern University, B.S. Pharmacy. He is the CEO and founders of Morningstar Media Group along with his sister Lea Jones who is the COO. He has been involved with the Christian theater circuit since 1995 as a writer, actor, director, and composer. His writing credits include Children of the Passage, Three Crosses, Postcard Journeys through Christmas, Hallelujah Follies, Sweet Freedom, American Skin Freedom Quilt, Liberators and Fired! The Musical, American Rifle at the Fade to Black Theater Festival, & Audition at the Fragmentation IV; Acting credits include: The Elder in Children of the Passage, Rev. Tuck in Three Crosses, Seward in Winter Garden, Mr. Gable in Postcard Journeys through Christmas. Film Credits; Mortal Love for the 48 Hour Film Project Houston 2011 (Screenwriter & Actor), Curveball for the 48 Hour Film Project 2012(Story Writer, Actor & Producer) winner of 5 awards for Best of Film ceremony Dreamland Murders (Story & Co-Scriptwriter, Actor & Producer); winner of 6 awards for Best of Film including Best Screenplay Nomination.
Dreamland Murders also won the 2015 Silver REMI Award at the 2015 World Fest Houston Film Festival for Best Dark Comedy Recently. Mr. Jones won Best Screenplay Short at 2020 National Black Film Festival for The Knowledge Men and his Musical Liberators was accepted into the 2018 Chicago Musical Theater Festival, and he won the 2020 NAMT 15 Minute Musical Challenge for his musical WHITE MAN’S BURDEN. Mr. Jones is a 2022 MFA Graduate in Screenwriting
at Houston Baptist University and got his professional certification of Film Producing at UCLA School of Film
and Theatre. He currently produces the popular Houston based Public Access Channel show the 25 Songs of Christmas every holiday season for 13 years now. Morningstar Media Group is now producing a teaching series called The Artist Guide which are master classes in performing arts that can be sold on their website www.morningstarmediagroup.org/

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

I love being a creative because it’s the only place where I can truly be myself. When I worked for corporate America for 25 years, I had to conform to their culture, their values and I had to make follow their bottom line. When you are an Independent Creative, you are the boss. You create your own culture and values. Plus, it allows me to create original TV and Theatrical productions that focuses on a BiPOC, faith-based Lense which is not fully embraced by mainstream media. I provide a service and a need out there.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I learned that through collaboration there must be an undeniable understanding that the end result was created not by you but by a team. Stop being territorial! Leave your EGO at the door. I worked on a project with a person who had the original concept but didn’t know how to write. Along the way, we collaborated and created a great work of theatrical art. When the festival circuit came around, we applied and got into quite of few festivals. However, the person started to act like the whole thing was his idea. He didn’t want to share credit. I had to wind up leaving the project with financial loss.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.morningstarmediagroup.org/
• Instagram: @Msmgllc
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MSMG1/?show_switched_toast=0&show_invite_to_follow=0&show_switched_tooltip=0&show_podcast_settings=0&show_community_transition=0&show_community_review_changes=0&show_community_rollback=0&show_follower_visibility_disclosure=0
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/morningstar-media-group-llc-corporation-583709211/
• Twitter: @25XmasSongs
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC13Zy7WYqP_b9v8P2LwIwmg
• Other: https://www.25songsofchristmas.com/

Image Credits
Credit is by Eric C. Jones and Lea M. Jones