JF Band History

The formation of the Jackie Fox Band has been a long and sporadic experience for sure. It started at Jackie’s home one afternoon in 1999 when his car club buddy Gary Cockriel came over for a visit. After the usual small talk about Corvettes and the car club they gathered in Jackie’s office where he had several guitars displayed. Jackie had a long musical history and had been involved with several bands over the years. Gary showed an immediate interest and made the comment “you know I had a Fender bass when I was a child and let it go and have regretted it ever since.” So the two sit down and began what would eventually become “the band” as we know it today. The two played together often and with numerous other musicians through the years but were never really satisfied with the combination of talents.

Gary was a new musician and was eager to learn, his musical influences were generally that of rock and roll but with a hint of gospel and country. Jackie’s interests combined influences including everything from bluegrass to heavy metal but he always returned to his basic love for Motown, rhythm and blues and rock and roll. The two friends knew that someday the right people would come along and they’d know it. Basically they wanted to associate themselves with people that not only shared their musical interests but wanted to play. Gary knew of a drummer that played in his church orchestra and thought he might be interested but the two kept missing each other and could never really discuss the possibilities. His name was Kent Busey, a distinguished drummer/musician with a long history of making great music of every genre not only in Bowling Green but in surrounding counties.

Meanwhile one night in downtown Bowling Green Ky while at an outside concert they ran into a mutual friend who’s boss at work played guitar and was looking for what would be his first band. This all sounded good but Gary and Jackie had auditioned several musicians over the years and they soon began to know after the first couple of notes whether or not the musician was what they were looking for. Basically their plan was to have Gary on bass and vocals, Jackie would share lead guitar duties with another guitarist while splitting his time on keyboards and also heading up the lead vocals job. So, the people they were looking for already had their work cut out and ready for them. After contacting the guitar hopeful they finally had the audition/jam session. In walks a tall thin Harvard graduate with a guitar in his hand and sunglasses (it was almost dark outside!)….needless to say they began to think “here goes another casualty!” They were introduced to Gordon Johnson a life-long musician who had never really played in a “gigging” band. As they got started on an old favorite Wilson Pickett tune “knock on wood” they felt a connection they hadn’t felt in a long time. Here was an intelligent down to earth guy that had rhythm, timing and talent! Song after song they played into the night, they knew! They just knew! Afterwards the three musicians sat and talked about their “mission,” their “goal” in playing. They also realized they all pretty-much wanted the same thing, to play the music they loved and to play to people that appreciated it!

Now we need a drummer! We contacted the church musician (Kent) and sat up an audition for one Thursday night at Gary’s studio (garage turned studio). Thursday night came, we all were there ready to play! Nervous with anticipation they began….Gary, Kent, Gordon and Jackie. Suddenly the machine began to run! Kent really made the music connect, this was it! They knew! Gary’s commanding back-up vocals coupled with his tenacious, rhythmic bass style ever present, Kent’s melodic timing and precision style keeping the machine on a steady pace, Gordon milking every ounce of passion out of his Gibson SG, Jackie providing the rhythm and backbone of the mission at hand both on the keyboard and on the guitar.

Once in a lifetime certain people come together to do a job with instinct, integrity, passion and commitment.  It becomes second nature to play the songs you were meant to play, these songs mean so much to people, these are the songs we grew up with, they have meaning and rhythm! They’re real! Genuine! Soulful! The Jackie Fox Band was formed, it was in gear and ready to go! Since that time the group has performed to many audiences both young and old. The most familiar phrase they hear, “this is just the best music!” We agree, it’s what we do, it’s what we love, it’s second nature!