Johnny "Yard Dog" Jones

Johnny "Yard Dog" Jones (born John Junior Jones, June 21, 1941) is an American Chicago blues and soul blues singer, guitarist, harmonica player, and songwriter. He won a W.C. Handy Award in 1997.

Despite years of playing in clubs and on the blues circuit, Jones recorded his debut album at the age of 55.

Jones was born on a cotton plantation in Crawfordsville, Arkansas, but relocated in 1945 with his family to East St. Louis, Illinois.  Influenced by Robert Johnson and T-Bone Walker, Jones was given lessons in his early teens in playing the harmonica by Little Walter. At the age of 18, he moved to Chicago, Illinois, and was further inspired by the gospel music recordings of O. V. Wright, Johnnie Taylor, and the Spirit of Memphis Quartet, and Jones played the guitar in several gospel groups for over a decade.  He added the "Yard Dog" moniker to help him gain more exposure.

Having trained as a welder, Jones moved on to Detroit, Michigan, where he became established as a musician in the local blues scene.  In his early days, he often played alongside Bobo Jenkins.  In 1991, he recorded his debut tracks for a Blues Factory compilation album, which also included work by the Butler Twins. Jones moved back to Chicago and was spotted playing by an executive of the Earwig Music Company.

His debut album, "Ain't Gonna Worry", was released on Earwig in 1996. The Allmusic journalist, Scott Yanow, noted, "At the age of 55, Johnny Yard Dog Jones finally had the opportunity to lead his first record date in 1996. His singing is likable and full of emotion as he explores a set of music that emphasizes 1950s-style Chicago blues, along with occasional soul ballads...". The album contained contributions from Johnny B. Moore and Detroit Junior.  It was chosen in a Living Blues critics poll as the 'best new blues album (contemporary)' in 1996, and a W.C. Handy Award followed in 1997, citing Jones as the 'best new male blues artist'.  Jones played at the 1997 Chicago Blues Festival.

(Johnny "Yard Dog" Jones with Aron Burton at 16th Pocono Blues Fest 2007)

(Johnny 'Yard Dog' Jones photographed at the 16th annual Poconos Blues Festival in 2007)