The first time Taylor Jones heard Rush's 2112, everything clicked. The thunderous drums, the ambitious arrangements and Neil Peart's unmistakable playing opened up a whole new world for a kid who was already fascinated by rhythm. Taylor first picked up the sticks at eleven, joining his middle school band after growing up watching his older brother play in marching band. But it was discovering Rush, and later the music of Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin, that really set things in motion. Mitch Mitchell's explosive, free-flowing approach to drumming would become a defining influence, helping Taylor develop a sound rooted in power, feel and musical instinct. By thirteen, a visit to Nashville had planted another idea in his head: this wasn't just something he loved doing. It was something he wanted to do for a living.
Today, Taylor's musical life stretches well beyond his role behind the kit for country star Jake Owen. When he's not on tour, he's just as likely to be found playing with psychedelic-leaning rock outfit Lonesome Joy, whose live release Live at the Coliseum captures a different side of his musical personality. The band has also recorded a full-length album at Nashville's legendary RCA Studio A, giving Taylor another outlet for the rock influences that first inspired him. Between tours, he takes on studio sessions whenever he can, while also running a rehearsal and content studio in East Nashville with Lonesome Joy's singer. From remote drum tracking and music video shoots to rehearsals, podcasts and intimate performances, it's a creative hub that keeps him connected to the wider Nashville music community. Different projects, different sounds, but always the same appetite for making music.
Of course, life on the road with Jake Owen has brought its fair share of unforgettable moments. Taylor has played London's O2 Arena twice, performed at the NCAA College Football National Championship halftime show and taken the stage at the NHL Winter Classic. He's made appearances on national television, including Good Morning America, and shared the stage with the legendary Mavis Staples. But perhaps some of his most meaningful moments have happened under the lights of the Grand Ole Opry. Having performed there twenty times, Taylor has been able to share that experience with his parents, brother and in-laws, turning a childhood dream into something the whole family could be part of. For a drummer who first imagined a professional career during a teenage visit to Nashville, those moments carry a significance that goes far beyond the size of the stage.
And then there's Rogers. Long before Taylor became part of the artist family, the brand already held a special place in his imagination. Growing up inspired by drummers who played Rogers, it was the kit he pictured whenever he dreamed about his perfect setup. Today, that connection is as much about sound as it is about heritage. Taylor gravitates towards drums with weight, punch and character, the kind of low-end power you feel in your chest before a microphone even enters the equation. It's what he finds in his Rogers kits, alongside the versatility and tuning range to move effortlessly between country, psychedelic rock and everything in between. For Taylor, each kit has a personality of its own, bringing together a respect for tradition with the freedom to make something entirely personal. From the records that started it all to the stages he's yet to play, the journey keeps getting better.
Taylor plays Dayton
