Jesse Stokes has been playing guitar since the age of 15. He started out learning cords and then songs of his favorite artists (Hendrix, Zeppelin, Beatles, Steppenwolf, Santanna, Spirit, etc). He formed local bands and began cutting his teeth as a performer.
A the age of 18, he formed his first original band "New Jerusalem" as part of the grassroots Christian Rock movement during the mid-seventies. He performed throughout Arizona and California in concerts where up to ten thousand were in attendance. He performed with many international artists such as "Larry Norman", "Randy Stonehill", "Phil Keagy", "Barry Mcguire" and "Michael Omartian".
In 1978, he moved to Seattle to perform and write with local artists, and performed with original and cover Rock Bands including "The Kenetics" and "The Blame" throughout Washington and Vancover Canada, as he honed his composing skills, constantly searching for that new original sound.
In 1980 Jesse lived in Italy for a year where amongst other gigs, he performed at the Torino 1980 ARCI Festival with international and Italian artists such as Zucchero.
During the '80's, he found himself in Alaska where he performed and recorded with many original and cover Rock Bands including "Razar", "The Kind" and "Restless".
In 1987, Jesse moved to San Francisco and formed his own Publications company "Crystal Ship Publications" Production company "Pegleg Productions" ,and Record Label "Uncle Arrney's Records" in order to take charge of his music career. With the advent and availability of MIDI and digital recording, he built up his own studio "Po' Man's Studios" where his prolific writing was finally matched with control of production. He formed "The Shakers", recorded and produced for Rodell Records in Hollywood.
He became a BMI Recording Artist and Publisher and finally culminated the necessary resources with his experience to form a plan of action to promote and expoit his own music.
From 2000 to 2002, he joined forces with Jack Grossman to co-write and produce "CoMachine", a dark and heavy industial rock concept. Bill Lonero appears on the first CD as co-writer of 2 tracks and provides some amazing guitar work. Jesse produced and published 2 CD's "CoMachine" and "Flag" and continued performing throughout the Bay Area. Concept Music Videos were produced for 5 of the songs on the first CD. With TV, radio and event promotions, the CD 's are still selling at Tower Records, Streetlight Records and CD Warehouse throughout the Bay Area. The CD's are also offered on this website as well as CDBaby.com and IUMA.com.
In 2003, Jesse wrote and produced his first solo CD "Heartland". It is an introspective acoustic album he describes as American Heritage "or Gutbucket". He also wrote and produced music scores for "Eye2Eye TV" for Bent Hellested of VTO Productions on concept videos such as "The Professionals" and "Valhala Calha". He is featured on "Eye2Eye TV" as performer and interviews. He also wrote and produced the theme song for the international environmental consortium "RARE".
Jesse is currently working on his second solo CD "See Hell Comming" which is scheduled for release in Spring 2006. He also performs and writes with up and comming country star RickieJoleen.
2004 - 2005 Jesse formed an original rock band "Nobody Special" . NS performed in local showcase clubs and a three song demo was released for promotional purposes. NS has broke up, and Jesse has since been producing his next solo CD, while performing around the greater Phoenix area.
"As an experienced and well traveled musician of over 30 years, I have developed a keen sense of what it takes to achieve complete control of my craft. This didnt' come easy, as I had to learn the hard way through countless hard knocks and dissapointments of relying on other people to accomplish my goals."
"I can empathize with dedicated artists whom truly love their art and have the confidence to persue it above and beyond just a hobby or a past time. With the proper support at the business and promotional levels, a gifted artist can make things happen in the music business (against all odds)."
"This is why I am willing to share my experience and promotional skills via Crystal Ship Publications , Pegleg Productions and Uncle Arrney's Records in order to help other gifted and dedicated artists struggling to make it."
"Take advantage of my life's experience, and let me help you make the thing you love the most in your life a successful reality."
Jesse Stokes |
