"This is hard driving grass as it gets. Great sounds guys!"
Scott Vestal - (May 22, 2009)

"You'll probably be hearing a lot more of this group and their fine harmonies down the road. We certainly hope so."
CYBERGRASS - Bluegrass Music News Network- (February 28, 2009)

'This is the second recording from the Jason Boone Band of Mississippi. Their first, when they were a four-piece band, was an all-Gospel CD. This current project is predominantly secular, and the band has added Jeffrey Boone on fiddle. He joins Jason Boone (guitar and vocals), Don Robinson (banjo, guitar, and vocals), Lee Ely (mandolin and vocals), and Johnny Rawls (bass, clawhammer banjo, and vocals) in what is a highly-polished & entertaining group, one that offers a nice blend of contemporary and traditional stylings. There are eight originals (including Don Robinson's banjo instrumental, "Bent Creek") and six covers. Among the most notable originals are Robinson's "Sunday Morning Without You" with its "Highway Forty Blues" feel and two gospel songs, one each from Boone ("He'll Still Be There") and Rawls ("Thoughts So Dear To Me"). The covers of the country/pop classics, "Welcome To My World" and Buck Owens' "Loves Gonna Live Here," are also standout tracks and great selections. Ron Stewart's "Georgia Bound," opens the album with great energy and gets a bright, crisp treatment. With Boone, Robinson, and Rawls, the band has three topnotch lead singers. Boone has the high, clear, slightly-twangy lead. Robinson has the lowerpitched, smoother, and more country-sounding lead. Rawls is sort of in the middle; he's higher than Robinson, but smoother than Boone. Each provides not only a nice contrast, but also helps to underline the core point of the song, be it Boone's energy on "Love's Gonna Live Here" or Robinson's weariness on "For Sale By Owner" or Rawls' sentimentality on "Thoughts So Dear To Me." While all this fine singing is going on, the instrumental work is of high quality and wellconsidered. Good playing, good singing, and good material choices add up to a recording worthy of wide recognition! ' Bill Wagner
Bill Wagner - Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine (Oct 29, 2008) 

'After an all-gospel self-titled debut, the Jason Boone Band now extends into the secular realm on I Hear Mississippi Calling. Beginning with a blazing cover of Ronnie Stewart's "Georgia Bound," the fourteen tracks here range from eight originals to grassed-up takes on country classics like "Welcome to My World" and "Rose Colored Glasses." There are three gospel numbers, including a nice version of the Marksmen Quartet's "Wagon Tracks" and band bassist Johnny Rawls' "Thoughts So Near to Me" (on which Rawls plays wonderful clawhammer banjo). Whereas the sacred selections here, and songs about a moonshiner and the house with "the room where we made love," amount to a bit of an odd amalgamation, the pairing of the original "For Sale by Owner" and "Love's Gonna Live Here Again" comprises a more congruous and clever juxtaposition. Elsewhere, however, the lyrical hooks in "I Just Can't Reach the Top" and "Sunday Morning without You" offer a tad too much cleverness for this reviewer's taste. Such cleverness is unnecessary. Jason Boone (guitar), Don Robinson (banjo), Lee Ely (mandolin), Jeffrey Boone (fiddle) and Rawls possess the musical and vocal prowess to answer not only Mississippi's call, but also one from anyone or anywhere else.' --Tim Walsh
Tim Walsh - Bluegrass Now Magazine (Sep 1, 2008)


'Also celebrating their second CD release is The Jason Boone Band from the state of Mississippi. Their new project is I Hear Mississippi Calling, which highlights the strong tenor voice of the band’s namesake, along with Don Robinson on banjo and lead vocals, Johnny Rawls on bass, Lee Ely on mandolin and Jeff Boone on fiddle. Jason plays guitar. The material is a mix of band originals and country/Gospel hits, all performed in a driving bluegrass style. This relatively new band, formed in 2004, has been making noise on the circuit since they first appeared, and their previous self-titled Gospel CD has been well received as well.' Audio samples can be found on CD Baby or in the iTunes Music Store.
John - The Bluegrass Blog (May 22, 2008)

'The membership of The Jason Boone Band has shifted slightly since they recorded this CD, but they have the smoothness and good-natured onstage banter that comes with experience. Jason Boone plays acoustic guitar and sings powerful high lead and harmony vocals; Don Robinson plays hot banjo/guitar and adds cool country vocals; Lee Ely ("shortest name in bluegrass") plays great mandolin and adds key harmonies; and Jeff Boone plays excellent fiddle. The energy of "Georgia Bound" leaps out of the speakers, and the title song is a wonderfully homesick ode to our state. Other favorites include the gospel "He'll Still Be There;" the harmonious "Rose Colored Glasses;" and a instrumental blast called "Bent Creek." Visit their Web site for info and purchasing information.' www.jasonbooneband.com
Ricky Flake - The Sun Herald (Aug 8, 2008)

'The Jason Boone Band, from Mississippi, brings to you their second recording project, "I Hear Mississippi Calling"...Jason Boone along with Don Robinson, Johnny Rawls, Lee Ely, Jeff Boone, and special guest, Tim Hathorn, have eight original tunes along with six tunes you should be familiar with....From Johnny's "Thoughts So Dear to Me", to Don's original hot banjo instrumental "Bent Creek", to Jason's rendition of "Georgia Bound", all supported with strong mandolin, fiddle, & dobro playing, really shows what this band can do. They have only been together for 3 years, and being one of the strongest bluegrass bands of the south, they'll be around for many years to come. So kick back, buckle up, and take a bluegrass ride with The Jason Boone Band ..."disclaimer"..., Not responsible for speeding tickets!!...'
Tim Crouch, 2-time National Fiddle Champion and Grand Ole Opry Staff Fiddler - Liner Notes from latest CD (Mar 10, 2008)

'I listened to 'For Sale By Owner' and I have enjoyed it quite a good bit. It just jumped out of the speakers at me. It has a great overall feel and sound....The production is really strong as is the performance.... I'm very very impressed with the song.... It says what is has to say and moves on. Nice! You guys have a good thing going. I'm honored to listen. I'll be in touch soon. Congratulations on exceptional work!'
David Koons - Crescent Music & Media (May 27, 2008)

'The Jason Boone Band is a bluegrass group with members from throughout central and southern Mississippi, as well as one from southeastern Louisiana. It includes Jason Boone (tenor and guitar), Don Robinson (baritone and banjo), Johnny Rawls (upright bass), Lee Ely (mandolin, sings harmony), and Jeffrey Boone (fiddle, sings harmony). They count themselves lucky that they all live within an hour and a half drive of one another—many bluegrass groups must travel further to assemble. Jason Boone lives in Brandon and is the owner of a pest control company. Robinson lives in Hattiesburg, where he is a financial representative in the insurance investment business. Johnny Rawls lives outside of Mendenhall and has been a state trooper for 30 years. Lee Ely of Silvarena is an industrial electrician. And the most recent member to join the band, Jeffrey Boone (no relation to Jason) lives in Angie, Louisiana, and is self-employed—among other things, he rents heavy equipment. Most of members of the band are old friends, but Jeff heard about them, hunted them down, and convinced them they needed a fiddler, for which they are grateful today. Most of the band members heard some kind of traditional music at family gatherings when they were kids, and none of them studied their instruments they play in the band formally. Jason heard his grandfather and uncles playing, and he performed on mandolin in an ensemble led by his uncle, J. C. Renfro. Johnny Rawls’ older siblings and mother all played guitar. Lee and his brother were in the junior high band in Clarksdale. He started guitar at age 12, not knowing that his father’s family was full of traditional musicians: "It runs in the blood, but I didn’t know it." He shifted to mandolin because a group he played with needed one. Don’s grandfather was a Baptist preacher, so he first played gospel piano by ear. He and his mother loved to listen to the Grand Ole Opry, and would pretend to be Opry stars Kitty Wells and Little Jimmy Dickens. He took up the bluegrass banjo later, when he was stunned by the virtuosity of banjo master Earl Scruggs. And Jeff took up the violin simply because his father had one around the house. These days, the band has about 30 gigs a year throughout the southeastern U.S. Since they live in different towns and it’s hard to find time to get together, most of their practice time is in a few hours before each show. That’s typical for most bluegrass groups, which, like this one, are usually semi-professional. Why do they play bluegrass? They agree that it’s fun, a "musician’s music," and extremely challenging. Don says that "the most talented musicians in the world are bluegrass musicians. There’s no button to mash, there’s no switch to turn, it’s just you and that pick." Jason adds that "there’s not a lot of genres that combine gospel music with secular music, so it gives you an opportunity to play both. But at the same time, the secular music for the most part does not offend God either. And then you’ve got instrumentals you can play; it gives you some variety." -Chris Goertzen
Chris Goertzen - Mississippi Folklife Directory (Jan, 2008)

'Bluegrass Music at its finest! The Jason Boone Band second CD, "I Hear Mississippi calling" is a great mix of foot stomping orginal Bluegrass tunes and some well chosen covers such as Rose Colored Glasses which has been given the Jason Boone Bluegrass treatment to great effect. This Album is a must for all lovers of Bluegrass Music. The Band is tight, the Vocals are right and the tunes are great.'
Rod Bradey - Cold Country Yarra Valley FM 99.1 Melbourne AUSTRALIA (May 15, 2008)

"Love your music..also thanks for joining Larrys my space.. Larrys wife Linda God Bless"
Linda Rice (Mrs. Larry Rice) (May 13, 2008)

"The Jason Boone Band is one of the best bluegrass bands not just in Mississippi but nationwide. They are a favorite band on my show "Gospelgrass" (Monday nights 7-9P.M. on WXHB-FM 96.5) Their music is so good I always play one of their gospel tunes to open the show! I have enjoyed listening and playing their new cd. It's Great. They also do a fine job as host band for The Petal Night of Bluegrass. Join us on 8/16/08 at 6 P.M. for a great night of Bluegrass in the friendly city of Petal, MS at the Petal Civic Center. Best of luck on the new project fellows. Your ole Bluegrass radio buddy." Dave
David McPhail-Host of GospelGrass,WXHB Laurel, MS (Mar 24, 2008)

"Hey Jason, Got your new CD last week and have been listening to it ever since. Very good--REAL good!! The recording quality is excellent--the studio and engineer are great. Right now my two favorite songs are Georgia Bound and the song about the For Sale sign. Everybody in the band is firing on all cylinders--Don's banjo work is excellent! This one will be an easy sell... Keep up the good work--see you in August!" Stan & Company
Stan Nelson, Hurricane Creek (Apr 23, 2008)

"The Jason Boone Band’s newly released CD “I Hear Mississippi Calling” is vastly different from their first CD. The first CD was great; don’t get me wrong; it is often in one or another of my CD players. I do believe I have 5 “favorite” songs on that one CD! Jason has such a strong voice and the harmonizing is phenomenal. “I Hear Mississippi Calling” is another indication of how well this band is put together. While the first CD is made up of gospel songs, “I Hear Mississippi Calling” has a variety of songs, some you have heard before (but not the “Jason Boone Band” way) and some original songs. This second CD shows more versatility between the various talents in this group. Each of the members, Jason, Johnny, Don, Lee, and Jeff exhibit great talent in their own, preferred choice of instrument. When you put all five together, the chemistry sizzles and the harmonizing is, of course, phenomenal! I first met Jason and the band about 2 ½ years ago. I knew then, after hearing one song that they would someday, eventually, play my bluegrass festival. Well, that day came at the 3rd annual “Fiddlin’ with the Frogs” bluegrass fest in 2007. After the first set, I hunted down Jason, sat him down and discussed a return engagement for 2008! I was approached by more than a few people who were more than happy when told The Jason Boone Band was returning in 2008. This group has always been a joy to listen to and it is inevitable they will expand their horizons as the word gets out. I am looking forward to the third CD, but not for a while, please as I am not yet finished listening to either the first or second. See you at Frog Hollow Labor Day weekend!" Beth Muschinski President, Frog Hollow Campground/RV Park, LLC Music Promoter, al
Beth Muschinski - Fiddlin’ with the Frogs Annual Bluegrass Festival(May 5, 2008)

"The Jason Boone Band continues to get even better. The latest CD "I Hear Mississippi Calling" is very good, indeed. And an outstanding group of men. Keep up the good work! J D Cannon, April 28, 2008"
J D Cannon - Fan and friend (Apr 28, 2008)


© 2009 The Jason Boone Band