Better Late than never
Jon Newton’s musical story began in the fifth grade, when he and friends Rick Sisson and Guy Clendenin started a band in their hometown of Alice, Texas.
Before long, they were playing backyard parties. Mike Henry later joined on keyboards, and by ninth grade the group was performing at a local bar called The Hideaway, with Jon’s mother helping with transportation and chaperoning.
Those early years were about learning, playing, and discovering what they could create together. By high school graduation, the band had developed a completely original show. They also knew how to get a crowd moving, mixing their own material with familiar favorites when the room called for it.
After moving to San Marcos for college, Jon continued playing and pursuing opportunities onstage.
His musical memories include opening for Shawn Phillips at San Antonio’s MacArthur Park in front of more than 5,000 people, opening for Navasota at the Armadillo in Austin, and performing around San Antonio and San Marcos.
Lake McQueeney became a favorite stop, while regular performances at the Nickel Keg on the San Marcos square kept the music going.
From Backyard Parties to Texas Stages
Skeet Davidson was part of Jon’s musical journey from the early days. As lead guitarist in their band, The Intruders, Skeet shared those formative years of writing original songs, playing shows, and discovering where music could take them.
In the liner notes for Acoustic Love Songs, Jon affectionately called Skeet his “Muse, Mentor, and Cheerleader,” recognizing the encouragement that helped him keep pursuing his dream.
Though Skeet has since passed away, his place in Jon’s story remains. Jon honors his memory with gratitude for the music they shared, the friendship they built, and the lasting difference Skeet made in his life.
Remembering Skeet Davidson
Even when professional performing took a back seat, Jon kept playing, singing, and writing. His equipment stayed close, ready whenever a song or an idea came along.
Retirement brought an opportunity to share that music again. Jon began performing on weekends at Venezia Italian Restaurant in Midland, Texas, where the atmosphere gave him a place to reconnect with audiences and develop more original material.
Some of those songs became part of Acoustic Love Songs. Others came from earlier years, giving the album a connection to several chapters of his life.
A Return to the Stage
