Guitarist, singer and songwriter Jackson Stokes found the perfect combination of talent, luck and circumstance early on. Weaned on classic rock, it was somewhat ironic that one of his would-be heroes was actually living across the street from him in St. Louis Missouri. That neighbor just happened to be guitarist Devon Allman, son of the late Gregg Allman and nephew of Duane Allman, the two men who founded the iconic Allman Brothers Band.
With guitar in hand, and some encouragement from his dad, the eleven-year-old opted to knock on his neighbor’s door.
“I would come over and watch his band, Honeytribe, rehearse every Wednesday,” Stokes said. “He mentored me, gave me equipment, and always encouraged me long before I got to work with him. Mainly, he was always a beacon of hope. Just being a kid from St. Louis, sometimes the music dream is just a thing, but having Devon there always made it a possibility. Here we are now, still making it happen.”
Juke Joint in Maryville tomorrow night, could be considered something of a multitasker. In addition to his own Jackson Stokes Band (which also includes drummer Ben Bicklein and bassist Paul Brackens), he remains a “proud” member of the Devon Allman Project. In addition, he’s taken part in the Allman Betts Family Revival every November and December for the past seven years.
Although Allman is two decades older than Stokes, the two clicked almost immediately, forging a bond that’s remained intact ever since. “He completely changed it for me,” Stokes continued. DA made it a possibility to be a professional musician, and still does to this day. My life would not be the same without him, and I am grateful for that. He is definitely a big brother to me in many ways.”
Given the fact that he pursued the promise at such an early age, some might consider him a prodigy. Stokes, however, rejects that idea.
“Some people have said that, but I never have believed that,” he said. “I still struggle with thinking ‘I have something special to offer,’ but no one has told me to stop, only to keep going. So I’ve grown to figure out it’s what I’m here to do — be Jackson Stokes, and show the beauty to others in the world through my songs, shows and point of view.”
Nevertheless, he also said that he’s been empowered by those that came before him.
“I got into music from classic rock, but blues was my first love,” Stokes said. “All I ever wanted to do was talk to learn from the OG’s. Something about that vintage sound always gravitated to me, no fluff, all real, with a great groove. The un-taught nature was beautiful to me; I have always yearned for that while growing up in a very rigid, school-type environment. They created schools for all of us til this day.”
He said it was that inspiration which affected him in a decided way.
“I don’t play blues, just blues-inspired music,” he continued. “But I owe every note to Muddy, Sister Rosetta, Albert, BB, Wolf, and so many more.”
By the time he was 14, Stokes was expressing his musical passion and performing his first professional shows. At age 18, he was playing in high school garage bands, as well as with an All-State school jazz band. In 2012, his pal Devon Allman produced Stokes’ five-song EP titled Witness. It was credited to Stokes’ then-current band, Delta Sol Revival.
“Delta Sol Revival was my first iteration of Jackson Stokes Band,” he said. “I was the lone person running it, writing, and doing it all, so it was a switch. Sideman is a different role than a bandleader, but one can teach a tremendous amount about the other.”
To that end, he credits his bandmates for sharing their support. “These guys have been my ride or die guys for the past four years,” he said. “I couldn’t have grown without them.”
In 2019, Stokes released his first solo album, an eponymous effort Allman produced, This past year, following a highly successful world tour with the Devon Allman Project, he released an EP titled “Passengers,” produced by Luther Dickinson of North Mississippi Allstars and released on Allman’s Create Records, which chose Stokes as its first signee. He’s grateful to the label for making it possible.
“I learned how to work on the highest level from that experience,” Stokes said. “I was able to move up and see what happens at the top tier while I was still building my own project. I also learned how important it is to be a part of a team and support the leader as a sideman. It’s not about you! It’s about the music and the name on the marquee. If it ain’t yours, you better be supporting it as best you can.”
Stokes should know. He’s shared stages with a number of notables, including Robert Cray (who he cites as an ongoing influence), The Wailers, Robert Randolph, Warren Haynes, Lukas Nelson, and Marcus King.
“It is definitely a different pressure,” he replied when asked what it’s like now standing in the spotlight. “You are the investor, CEO, singer, music director, and so many other things. The mind is that much more distracted and full as a leader. But you get to play your music, so with the risk and sacrifice, you get the reward.”
In that regard, he also added that he’s learned to manage his expectations.
“Expectations are the thief of joy, so I just try to take every show as a moment in time,” Stokes said. “Whether it’s 15 or 1,500 people, I try to treat it all the same, and with the same vigor. Don’t let the highs get you too high or the lows get you too low. That’s the best way I’ve found to keep on track through the noise. It’s about sticking to what you do and to your point of view. We should write about what we know, while continuing to learn. But find yourself first and the music will come along with the image and vibe…it rarely goes the other way.” It’s also about embracing an audience, he added.
“It’s not just about you,” he continued. You need the live music-goers and fans who support you … they run it all, you are nothing without fans and people coming to your shows. Understand that, thank them, look them in the eye, take time to talk to them, and be a part of their journey as much as they are yours … The audience is a part of the show.”
As for what the audience might expect from the show at The Shed, Stokes put it succinctly: “All original groovy songs, with some musical stretching to dance and move a bit.”