Artists

Mississippi Jon Short

August 2008

Specializing in the music and storytelling of the prewar blues masters "Mississippi Jon Short" picks away at his National Steel Guitar with hypnotic passion, typically feeling his way through with his eyes closed and feet stomping time on the floorboards. Based in the Northeast US, he travels and performs between 100-150 shows per year in clubs, blues rooms and festivals from Massachusetts to Mississippi holding residencies at Vincent's in Worcester, MA and Terra Blues in New York City.

Jon uses HERCULES mini acoustic guitar stand GS401B, 3-piece guitar yoke GS503B and auto grab tri-guitar stand GS432B. He says, "I use HERCULES guitar stands because they are strong and durable and very easy to work with on stage and in the studio.

"I keep two GS401B stands in my stage suitcase for opening sets. They are extremely solid stands that securely hold any guitar, and I also like that they’re lightweight and break down to a small size.

"For the full stage and shows with my band I use the GS503B rack. Because of the sturdy construction and superior design I can manipulate its footprint to fit different spaces while still being able to securely hold and show off my guitars. I have full confidence switching instruments, knowing they will be secure whether it’s my heavy, steel bodied National guitar, an old Gibson flattop or ukulele or banjo.

"I love the GS432B rack for my studio and festival busking rig. True to the HERCULES name, it can securely hold my heavy steel bodied guitar and can also accommodate a lightweight ukulele, banjo or Flying V without ever having issues of balance or size. It also breaks down to a compact unit that is very easy to travel with."

Armed with a suitcase kick-drum, National Steel Guitar, a Ukulele and kazoo, his high energy solo performances bring a foot-stomping show that captivates audiences and taps into the heart of the songs, history and folklore of blues and he has been able to share the bill and open for modern and future torchbearers like David “Honeyboy” Edwards, John Hammond and Shemeika Copeland.

Having recently returned from his first European tour, Short has continued his work with Blues in Schools programs passing the music to another generation of performers and audiences. Representing the Downstate NY Blues Association, he competed in the Semi-Finals at the 2008 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN.

Visit www.jonshort.com to find out more.