I AM DESTIN - Cheryl Jones
What is your hometown, what brought you to the
Emerald Coast and how long have you been here?
I grew up in Detroit, Michigan. In 1983, upon an invitation from
a distant cousin who lived in Shalimar, my husband, Denny Jones
(bassist with Jones and Company), and I came to this area. We
performed at Eglin Air Force Base for a special event....and we
performed at Harbor Docks in Destin, before the 1st McDonald’s
in Destin was built. I love how the folks here in Destin encouraged
artistic expression... I felt we could live the artist’s dream...the
American dream...here.
What is your profession and give a brief description of
what you do?
Music is my profession and everything I do stems from being
a musician. Primarily, I am a pianist, vocalist, percussionist,
recording artist, composer, music instructor, philosophy
instructor, adjunct professor, and entertainer. I have honed my
craft by performing and recording six CD’s with the musical
group Jones and Company over 27-plus years; and have earned a
Doctoral Degree in education in support of teaching private music
lessons for my music school, Emerald Coast Music.
What led you to choose this profession?
All my young life I’d had fun with music via family “Jam-
Sessions” and through creating my own songs at the piano.
When it was time for me to go to college and choose an academic
discipline, I was amazed I could actually study music… something
fun and already satisfying. I also realized that performing music
allowed me the opportunity to be, in essence, my own boss. I
interpreted this opportunity as a means for a sense of freedom and
peace for my soul. I realized playing music would allow me to live
the gratifying life I truly wanted to live.
What do you like best about Destin?
Destin is paradise.
What makes it unique?
The entrepreneurial spirit in Destin inspires folks to work really
hard for their dreams… Folks dream big here. They live life large!
One can work to live the dream here and instantly, without travel
plans, truly relax on a beach, boat or golf course, in a water park or
restaurant, and experience fi ne food and goooood music.
Three words that best describe you.
Dedicated, Blessed, Grateful.
Favorite Things you like about Destin.
I absolutely love the variety of quality music and musicianship
that abounds in Destin. Record companies could have a fi eld day
signing the creative talent that is here. Destin is, indeed, a music
city… yes, there are great restaurants, great nature views, golf,
fi shing, shopping—but, for me, it’s music that ties it all together--
-Destin has great concerts and night clubs where music fl ourishes.
God Bless Destin!
Finish this statement, I AM DESTIN because…
When local folks want to show off their city to their family and
friends, Jones and Company is on the list as a feature of the best
Destin has to offer.
98 I Am Destin - Cheryl Jones.indd 1
8/27/17 2:26 PM