“Meet Jon Conley, Musician for Kenny Chesney”

Jon Conley 

Jon is Kenny Chesney’s amazing fiddle player and one of his guitarists, is from Paragould, Arkansas.  He joined the band in 2011. He grew up a child of the 70s and 80s and he was influenced by music of Stevie Ray Vaughn, Jimmy Vaughn of the Fabulous Thunderbirds, Los Lobos, David Gilmour, Mark Knophler, Albert Lee, Willie Nelson, James Taylor and Pete Anderson of Dwight Yoakam’s band among many. He first began playing guitar at the age of 7 and was in a band by the age of 10.

Eventually, he worked with legendary musical country talents, Buck Trent and Jeannie Pruett, in Branson MO.  In 1995, he moved to Nashville.  His first job audition was over the phone– for Wynonna Judd, which he got.  He has also toured with Leann Rimes as her lead guitarist.  He began playing with Kenny Chesney in 2011 for the “Going Coastal Tour” and has been with Kenny’s band ever since—over 7 years. 

Jon is also a songwriter.  Some of his songs have been recorded by Michael James, Gordon Mote, and Leah Faith. His song, “Kisses and Hugs” was included in the Brentwood/Benson “Daddy, Sing Me To Sleep” project, which won a Dove Award. He has also produced records for Scott Willis, Greg McDougal, Amy Davis, and Leah Faith. 

Between tours, his studio experiences have earned him calls from some of the most respected producers in the business. As a session guitar player, he has recorded artists ranging from the late Johnny Cash, Marty Stuart, Wynonna, the Judds, Lee Greenwood, Terri Clark, and the list goes on.

He has performed for President George W. Bush as well as former presidents Bill Clinton and George H. W. Bush. Television credits include multiple appearances on The Late Show with David Letterman, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and Austin City Limits to name a few. He has performed on the CMA Awards and at the 2004 and The Daytona 500.

When Jon is not on tour he continues with his studio musician work, song writing and producing. Jon’s home is near the Nashville area with his family:  wife Katie and his two daughters. We have met jon a few times and even got to chat with him side stage after a home town show in Arkansaw back in 2016. 

 

One to watch is Jon’s Daughter Savannah Conley. She an up and coming artist that Nashville certaily has it’s eye on and so do we!

https://youtu.be/ltoHOlp8DrE

*Huge thank you to LH for the research on Jon and helping as a “Sandbar Contributer” when needed!  Thanks, Jennifer for the picture credit!