Becky Jones

Becky with Gerry and Dewey after the Kalispell concert July 1992

Meet Becky Jones from Santa Barbara, California.

Amidst research , I stumbled upon these great web sites! (Way to go Steve and Rick!) I'm so happy to have "met" others who are as appreciative of the great music America gives us. I currently live in Santa Barbara, CA with my husband of almost 5 years! (More on him and how AMERICA put us together!) Though we "temporarily" live in California - we long for our small home town of Kalispell, Montana nestled in THE FLATHEAD Valley, where we both grew up!

"Only in your Heart" spoke to my heart as a teenager and remains a favorite (some of the lyrics being somewhat poignant at this particular point in my life) I took vocal lessons for 10 years, singing at weddings, funerals, recitals, etc. Despite solo work I always found my favorite musical endeavor to be BLENDING AND HARMONIZING with others. Hence began my love with AMERICA and their acoustic, lyrical, non-competitive harmonies. I used to (oh gosh, ok, I still do) listen to AMERICA's music and practice blending and harmonizing with them. I know of no other band or group with such a fun and great vocal blend!

6 years ago, I moved back to my beautiful hometown and directed a 2 week music festival whose goal was to expose Montanans with a local exposure to a variety of music (Classical Chamber orchestras, Cajun music, 3rd world music, opera, etc.). America was our headliner! The concert, despite chilling strong winds, attracted 3000 Montanans and was held at Meadow Lake Resort Golf Course with Glacier National Park as it's backdrop.

I'll never forget the privilege (and fun!) of ushering AMERICA around (mostly via golf carts!!!). Nor could I forget the very tired and frustrated bus driver who (due to MY lack of fore planning) was forced to drive the tour bus over several golf greens before landing at the stage (ooops!). He was sooo frustrated, as well he should've been, but with some sympathy and sincere apologies he warmed up and emulated the friendliness of the entire band and road crew.Throughout the day, Gerry and Dewey invited my family and I onto their tour bus and we chatted. If memory serves me correctly it was Dewey who was keenly interested in real estate there. He thought the area was beautiful (He OBVIOUSLY has good taste!).

It was an incredibly warm wind storm that night, where even the scaffolding for the lighting succomed. The "Raging Cajun" was the opening act which was well received. BUT, when AMERICA hit the stage, 3000 Montanans went crazy!!!!!! They played all our favorites and introduced us to some new and wondrous music! And on they performed with humor and good will towards the sunny but windy weather! At the end of their last set, some half crazed gal got up on the stage inciting the audience for encores. In a panic, I tried paging all my security folks. None answered so I had to gently pull her inebriated little soul off the stage. I then went to Gerry and Dewey and said ("with a big old pleading grin") "Come on guys, I need an encore." "Oh yeah, Rebecca, OF COURSE!! In fact...we're doing THREE! But you're going to do the last one with us!" Once revived (!!) I said "Oh, no, I couldn't!" Thank goodness they insisted! So there I was -- my 15 minutes of "Andy Warhol fame" singing Horse with No Name with AMERICA. On stage, lights the works! They even handed me a percussion instrument . Some of the best fun was that I got to share this special moment with my closest friends and families having a memorable time of their own!! :- ) The concert was followed by a private party for AMERICA at the Golf Clubhouse....... of course, I made sure my family and friends got to join in!

Our local entertainment critics (I know........can you believe there are some way up there in no-wheres-ville??!!) very accurately wrote "THERE WAS HARMONY AND LOVE BETWEEN AMERICA, AND ITS AVID AUDIENCE!" I'll never forget the fond memories AMERICA left me. The band members were so kind, friendly and courteous. I'll always appreciate that special happiness they gave me as well as their music that continues to soothe my soul.

Not so inconsequential to these events is that it was at this AMERICA concert in Montana where my hubbie, (old high school "buddy" ) swears he fell in love with me (he is in fact the photographer of the photo above). Bruce is a great guitarist and artist as well as Executive Producer of our Digital Special FX Studio for feature films. We've produced American Werewolf in Paris, and Spawn. The studio just wrapped "Paulie the Parrot" by Stuart Little (author of Charlotte's Web) and is now on to Star Trek 9. I work from home scheduling shot coordination. Because of our industry we have occasions to meet celebrities from time to time. We typically find that meeting them is like talking to anyone else you hardly know. Though `most' are kind, we've never found any of them to be more down to earth and friendlier than Gerry and Dewey!

As I read all of the fans different bios and saw the myriads of photos America has taken of them, with their fans, I came to realize -- with certainty -- that AMERICA band members don't take for granted the opportunities they have to share their happiness and success with others. And they continue to do so, at the expense, I'm certain, of their own personal lives.

Rebecca (Becky) Jones

Feel free to send your comments or questions to Becky.