A Star Behind Rascal Flatts: John Jeansonne
Rascal Flatts make a lot of good country music. But it wouldn’t be all that country if it wasn’t for guys like John Jeansonne. He’s the one who rosins up his bow and plays his fiddle hard during every Flatts show, and he’s been doing it for seven years. But this self-taught Louisiana boy has been playing for 30.
“When I was 7, I saw a guy playing the fiddle in a bluegrass band out in the middle of nowhere,” Jeansonne told me. “And something just kind of clicked. I told my dad ‘I could play one of those if I had one.’” After a year of pestering his parents, he got a fiddle for his 8th birthday. (His grandfather traded a saddle for that fiddle, but that’s another blog for another day.)
“I was able to pick out simple little tunes right away. Like ‘Twinkle, Twinkle,’” he said. But he never really got the hang of reading music. That doesn’t seem to bother the guys in Rascal Flatts, though. In fact, they really make Jeansonne a big part of their live show. On paper, he may be a backing musician. But he spends plenty of time at the front of the stage. “Since I’ve been with these guys they’ve always done stuff like that,” he said. “It makes me happy, because the more I get to play, the more fun it is.”
And Flatts probably like the fact that Jeansonne’s work ethic is crazy strong. “Being on the road with the guys is like going on a field trip when you’re in junior high. We have lots of fun, with jokes and pranks and what not. But I spend most of the day practicing in the dressing room of the venue,” Jeansonne said. “When I’m learning a new song, I can just listen to it and play it in my mind. I know where my fingers are going to go before I even pick up my fiddle,” he explained. “It’s like an addiction. The learning just never stops.”
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Kate says:
Jean is the bomb! He kicks butt every night and always looks like he’s having fun. He’s an extremely talented guy!
M’Lynne says:
Amen! He’s great and it says a lot about rascal flatts that they use a guy like him over the traditionally schooled, record label recommended guy. Go flatts!
Mandy says:
John is good, just wish he could do something with that front singers voice!!!!!
RedMaZ says:
You lost me after…”Rascal Flatts make a lot of good country music”
carol says:
AMEN,,,,redmaz….
RedMaZ says:
From my observations, Alison Bonaquro is very much out of touch with todays music scene. Heck, all the fiddle players in Texas, plus the ghost of Bob Wills and Vassar Clements couldn’t make Rascal Flatts Country.
Alison Bonaguro says:
RedMaZ,
How would you suggest I get back in touch, then? Is there music that you think I might like? I’m always open to new ideas, and love hearing from readers.
Alison
countryfan11 says:
Yeah, well anyone who wants to listen to profane lyrics from Folk Uke, as in F’d Up or “knocked up” crap isn’t listening to “music” either (from another blog). I’d much rather listen to Pop country where it’s CLEAN. I get enough profanity around me in life to NOT pay for it on a recording. No thanks. And btw, rap sucks and you can also take Kid Rock with ya too.
I’ll take RF & Pop COUNTRY all the way!!!!
Hubris says:
No answer from RedMaZ?? You cannot possibly have run out of opinions.
RedMaZ says:
Well Alison, its depends on how “Country” you want to get, and whether you like it or not is up to your personal preference. The point being Roots Country exists, and is bigger and better than ever. Personally I’ve been focusing on the Red Dirt Music scene more lately (but that could change at any given time) Artists like Reckless Kelly, Wade Bowen, Mike McClure, Modern Day Drifters, Stoney LaRue etc. But if you want to go hard core Country, you need artists like Dale Watson, Wayne Hancock, James Hand, Arty Hill, Sara Hamilton, Honest D & The Steel Reserve, Joey Allcorn, Ed Burleson…to name a few. I could go on all day, but you get my drift.
To Countryfan11, If I recall, I stated in that blog that I like to go sick and twisted at times. For a group to take Rap lyrics, and put Folk Music and vocals behind it…I think is funny. I like Unknown Hinson too, but I also like the band Hayseed Dixie doing cover tunes of AC/DC Bluegrass style, or Run C&W, doing Motown tunes Bluegrass. To sum up my musical taste by Folk Uke is wrong. My musical taste are unlimited.
Cricket from Froggy 104 says:
Wow, RedMaZ, you must need a nap, because namedropping like that has to wear you out. You remind me of some old high school friends who thought they were cool because they listened to no-name punk bands. Even they have matured since then. How old are you?
RedMaZ says:
I was replying to Alison Bonaguro. If you read her post, she asked how she might get back in touch with todays music scene. These are some of my suggestion of artists I listen to. I really don’t need a nap either. I prefer keeping up on cutting edge music, and from your reply, you should try it too instead of napping. Maybe some of that maturity will come your way too.
Brandi says:
Allison, I really enjoyed your review! Chank (as all of us hard core Flatts fan know him as) is one helluva fiddle player. He gets out there every night and tears it up on that stage. Not saying that the rest of the band doesn’t play their equal parts in getting us on our feet. But I’ve been to 21 Flatts shows in the past 4 years, and I look forward to Chank’s fiddle solo each time. You never know which song he is going to crank out!!
Being the HUGE Flatts fan that I am, I had NO clue that he couldn’t read music.. Now, thats just talent right there. Maybe you could do another blog on the rest of the guys who make up the 5 piece band! I’m sure there is plenty more info about those guys that we had NO clue about!!
Thanks again!!
~Brandi
Alison Bonaguro says:
RedMaZ,
What a list. Thanks so much for putting that together. I actually just threw the advance of Wade Bowen’s CD into the player and so far, I’m digging it. Will keep you posted on my red dirt progress.
Alison
Leah says:
I love Rascal Flatts. Each show I go to is more impressive than the next. Its nice for a change to give the “band” a chance to shine and tell their story. Thanks for sharing John’s story with us.
RedMaZ says:
Glad I could help. I admire anyone with an open mind and a willing to learn about todays music scene Alison. If you have any questions about todays Americana/Roots/Red Dirt Music please feel free to ask.
K says:
Thanks for the great blog, Alison! (:
I think it’s a total shame that the guys don’t get recognized more for not only their musical talent, but also their band’s. I don’t know of many people who selflessly give up limelight at their concerts to showcase other members of their band.
I’ve seen the Flatts many times in concert, and everyone in the band including Gary, Jay Joe Don, Chank, and so many others are so amazingly talented, I love that they are able to show that off.
And Redmaze- I’m sure you’re not the only ones who call the Flatts non- country, but c’mon! Kenny Chesney, anyone? Carrie, Sugarland, Lady Antebellum, Tim McGraw? The Flatts are HARDLY the only artists that should be considered “not country” nowadays. The music has changed and evolved over the past few years, and now, instead of just using the term “pure country” today’s country has many more influences, including- BlueGrass, Rock, Americana, and maybe a little pop.
Change of the sounds of country doesn’t mean it’s not country. Country doesn’t have one specific sound to it, so therefore you hear lots of different variations of artists.
In my opinion, it would be incredibly boring to have the same artists and same sound in country as it it did 50 or so years, eventually people would get bored.
RedMaZ says:
There certainly is a difference between opinion and fact. My opinion is Rascal Flatts are NOT country, but I accept the fact they ARE Pop Country. Along with KC, CU, SL, LA,TM. All are Pop Country acts, and I’m okay with that. They certainly aren’t Roots Country, and I’m very happy about that!
MW says:
Too bad this blog has turned into about whether or not RF is country. I thought it was about a behind the scenes talented musician which John is!! Nice review of John Alison!
Kim says:
Somebody sign that guy!!!! Damn he is sooooo talented!
Ham says:
It’s way to bad that people spend so much time throwing out labels and writing nasty comments about everything and everyone. I reckon the hate probably goes to nearly facet of their life. Why not just listen to the music you like and let everyone else do the same?
K says:
I was not meaning to start anything here, I was just trying to say it’s probably unfair to point fingers at RF for not being country, when there are dozens of other artists out there who deserve that label just as well.
I love the guys anyway, no matter if someone else thinks they’re country or not. Great blog on a great all- around band! (:
K says:
Also, Kim, John is “signed” in a way, he works for RF. I’m sure he loves it, otherwise he’d probably be out there trying to get a job a songwriter or singer.
Pat and Steve says:
John is SO incredibly tallented. He really gives more than 100% every concert. Would love to see him spotlighted more than he is. Great blog–keep up the good work!
countryfan11 says:
Yeah, and we’re all happy they aren’t roots country too. To each his/her own no matter what label you put on it.
Kevin says:
I dont think Alison checking out any of those bands or people is gonna “get her back in touch with todays music scene” Rascal Flatts are a HUGE part of today’s music scene so it seems to me that she is doing just fine at being in touch.