CONCERT FOR A CAUSE
Demun Jones will hold his Jones County Day 2022 concert Sept. 17 at the Jones County Fairgrounds. The concert will begin at 6 p.m. with opening act Cam Smith.
Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at Old Clinton Gas in Gray or online at www. demunjones.com/tour. The entertainer will once again donate the proceeds to the Jones County School System, with this year’s focus supporting arts programs.
David ‘Demun’ Jones’ perception of success is different than most entertainers. He said he does not give back to his community because he’s successful.
“I think I’m successful because I give back,” he stated in a Sept. 8 interview. “My idea of success is not what I have.”
To date, he has donated an estimated $100,000 to the school system. Jones graduated from JCHS in 1995 and has been performing professionally since 2004.
The entertainer gave his first Jones County Day concert in 2016 to help with the funding for batting cages at Jones County High School, and the profits from his second benefit concert in 2017 were donated to teachers in the school system to help fund supplies for their classroom.
The 2018 concert was held to benefit Jones County’s Special Education program in tribute to his late sister Jessica, who was diagnosed with Rett’s Syndrome at age 4. Jessica died in 2004.
The most recent Jones County Day concert took place in September of 2019. He presented the Jones County Marching Band a check for $24,000 after the event.
Jones started reaching out to assist JCHS even before the Jones County Day concerts began. He began with inspirational talks to students, and he and local entrepreneur T.J. Heath partnered to purchase shoes for several of the school’s athletic programs.
The pandemic was the cause of the two-year break from the concerts, and Jones is anxious to fulfill his commitment of doing five concerts for the school system. He said he does not plan to stop giving back after this concert, but it may take another form.
Jones said he chose the art program for the funds this year because he knows the importance of those programs.
“I was always an artist before ever becoming a musician,” he said. “I’m aware not much money is available to support art, but I feel like it’s important. Some of the most influential people come from the arts.”
Jones said he knows sometimes art teachers pay for supplies out of pocket.
“I hope this makes an impact on students and teachers,” he added.
The entertainer said if he did not have the opportunity to draw when he was growing up, he is not sure he would have made his way to music. Jones recalled the art teachers at JCHS who were an influence in his life, including longtime drama teacher Cheryl Scamihorn.
“The arts help us tap into our creativity,” he said.
Jones said the Jones County Day concerts are a lot of work but always worth it.
“I get to give back. That’s a great feeling.”
