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How to Order

How to Order
4 ways to order:
  1. EMAIL a note to office@billyjonas.com
  2. or... SCAN form below, & email it to us.
  3. or... CALL 828.232.9962
  4. or... MAIL form to PO Box 8391, Asheville NC 28814 with credit card info, or check made to Billy Jonas.



NOTE: You'll be able to order "Build It Back Again" via  CD Baby, Amazon & Itunes soon... not yet!

Bridging Divides

BRIDGING DIVIDES is my collection of music-based projects and initiatives, all aimed towards healing divisions in ourselves, our families, our communities, and our world. It currently includes:

  • CONCERTS AND WORKSHOPS - by The Billy Jonas Band (funky folk music for all ages), by Abraham Jam (Jewish-Muslim-Christian super-trio), and by Billy Jonas.
  • CO-MISSIONS - anthems and theme songs, created jointly with organizations and institutions, to energize and capitalize social justice initiatives. Primary focus: to address cultural, racial, and religious divides.
  • BRIDGING DIVIDES: Dreaming the Decade in Song - a special project creating new commissioned, dedicated, and sponsored songs to guide us into and through the next bunch of years.
  • BRIDGING DIVIDES CONCLAVE - a gathering of folks (including you!) who are inspired to learn, create, and brainstorm, towards putting more love in the world. Details coming.

Billy Jonas Band

The Billy Jonas Band

Throw out the rules when the Billy Jonas Band hits the stage! It's a musical conversation… a sonic celebration … a splendiferous gathering of old and young, because at a Billy Jonas Band show, the ensemble is… everyone

The Billy Jonas Band

"My favorite instrument is the audience. I work to 'tribalize' the compositions … to create songs that provide an immediate opportunity for the listener to join in."– Billy Jonas


Fun for All Ages

The Billy Jonas Band loves to engage and delight both young and adult audiences. Whether performing for adults, families, school groups, faith communities, or a mix, they strive for a musical excellence that inspires, entertains, and moves people literally and figuratively. With "wild winded word magic" (Dirty Linen Magazine), homemade "industrial re-percussion" instruments, exquisite 3 and 4 part vocal harmonies, plus guitar and bass, they love to create community through song and story. Their specialty: finding and pushing your "wonder" button.

In 2010, the Billy Jonas Band was honored with a performance at the White House!


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BILLY JONAS:
(vocals, guitar, re-percussion) co-founded Oberlin's Big Bang Theory in the 80's, went on in the 90's to funky folk fame and fortune with The
Billys, and now with The Billy Jonas Band goes hummin' and strummin' and bangin' and sangin' across North America, promulgating homemade "industrial re-percussion," genre-bending "funky family folk," and the participatory joy of "everybody's in the band."




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ASHLEY JO FARMER: (vocals, re-percussion) – In turns soulful, sensual and humorous, Ashley adds an exciting vocal dimension to the Billy Jonas Band. She also leads The Ashley Jo Farmer Band (AJFB), political firebrands & festival favorites.

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SHERMAN HOOVER: (vocals, bass, re-percussion) – With a varied background in classical, jazz and progressive rock,
Sherman holds down the funky bottom for the band while adding innovative harmonies to the mix.


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JUAN HOLLADAY: (vocals, marimba, re-percussion) – Juan is a mover and a groover and adds sweet tenor harmonies. His band The Secret B Sides has been voted #1 soul/R&B band in Western NC for 3 years running!


For more info, or for booking, contact Susan@LoydArtists.com, 518.647.5916.



Abraham Jam

Jewish-Muslim-Christian Super-Trio

photo of Abraham Jam, Billy Jonas, Dawud Wharnsby, David LaMotte

"A Muslim, a Christian and a Jew walk into a concert hall...." For real! Abraham Jam is the brainchild of singer/songwriter and peace activist David LaMotte. Since 2015 Billy has been a member, dedicated to fostering dialogue, understanding, and celebration among folks from the three "Abrahamic" faiths. Each concert and/or workshop features a trio consisting of professional musicians from each tradition. Instead of alternating in the sharing of their songs, they participate in making music together, embodying their mutual respect and affection, rather than just talking about it. Members of Abraham Jam have included Billy, Dawud Wharnsby, Dan Nichols, David LaMotte, and Chris Rosser. For more detailed information contact susan@loydartists.com.

Visit the Abraham Jam website here to find out where we will be performing during the months ahead or to book us for a concert in your area. There are also some live videos on the site for you to enjoy!

Billy Jonas

Biography

Biography
Some ask: "What is the sound of one hand clapping?" Billy Jonas asks: “What is the sound of 600 sets of keys jingling on the downbeat? And how shall we inspire the audience to do it?”

For over thirty years, Billy Jonas -- performer, singer-songwriter, composer, multi-instrumentalist, and educator -- has perfected the art of the neo-tribal hootenanny* with audiences around the globe. Using voice, guitar, and industrial re-percussion,* each concert is a soul-spelunking, heart healing, joy-filled journey.

“It began around an evening campfire in the summer of 1972 -- Leaving on a Jet Plane and Blowing in the Wind rising with the sparks into the darkness... communal singing, guitars strumming, and a bucket thumping the back beat. 40 summer campers and 8 counselors became one big, glorious, harmonizing being. I remember thinking: wouldn’t it be great to carry this ecstatic connectedness, and musical magic out into the world?”
- Billy

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Billy developed his craft in the late 1980‘s as a founding member of the Oberlin College Big Bang Theory performance art collective. He refined things further in Chicago during monthly “Bangalong with Billy” shows at the No Exit Cafe, and subsequently in the 1990‘s as a co-founder (with Bill Melanson) of the funky folk* duo The Billys.He currently tours with the Billy Jonas Band, with Abraham Jam (Muslim-Christian-Jewish trio), and solo. The Billy Jonas Band was honored with an invitation to perform at the White House in 2010.

Jonas has received numerous honors and awards, including an American Federation of Independent Musicians 1st place/Gold, multiple Parents Choice Golds, and a New York Times “Best” listing.*
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Originally from Chicago, Billy has lived in Asheville NC since 1991.


* = see FAQ and AWARDS on the sidebar.

For more info, or for booking, contact Susan@LoydArtists.com, 518.647.5916.

BRIDGING DIVIDES

Creating ANTHEMS & THEME SONGS
to ENERGIZE & CAPITALIZE
SOCIAL JUSTICE INITIATIVES

Welcome to Bridging Divides! Please click the link below if you’d like to book a 30-minute discovery session with Billy, to discuss how a commissioned song can serve you and your mission!

https://BridgingDividesDiscoverySessionScheduler.as.me/

If you have preliminary questions, please read below! Also, you can call Billy’s office manager, Ramie, at 828.232.9962, or
email us at office@billyjonas.com

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If YOU are PASSIONATE about healing CULTURAL, RACIAL, and RELIGIOUS DIVIDES,
and want to…

  • INSPIRE others to join you
  • RAISE funds for your cause
  • CREATE leverageable creative capital

… then BRIDGING DIVIDES is your CREATIVE answer.

BRIDGING DIVIDES provides original, customized, emotionally engaging songs to tell your story. Through compelling characters, relatable narratives, memorable melodies, and singable choruses, the songs are tools for connecting minds and hearts with the essence of your mission. Bridging Divides helps you focus your message, and generate awareness, momentum, and support!

BILLY JONAS is passionate about bringing people together and putting more love in the world. He is a performer, songsmith, educator, and facilitator, performing worldwide since 1987. His 10 CD’s, 2 DVD’s, and PBS special have been honored with an American Federation of Independent Musicians 1 st Place, Multiple Parent’s Choice Gold awards, and a New York Times “Best” listing. Billy performs with his ensemble, The Billy Jonas Band, as well as with Abraham Jam (a Muslim-Christian-Jewish trio), and solo. From the White House to the world beyond, each concert is a soul spelunking, heart healing, joy-filled journey.

COMMISSIONS

If you are an individual, a couple, or a family interested in commissioning a personalized, customized song, this will be the place (page underconstruction - for now, email or call us)! If you have an organization, institution, or business with a social justice initiative, and would like to commission an anthem or theme song, please go to the BRIDGING DIVIDES page.

If you have preliminary questions, please email office@BillyJonas.com, or call 828.232.9962.

I look forward to working with you!

Thanks, Billy


Below is an example of a personalized commission:

CAMP BANGIN’ & SANGIN’! WITH BILLY JONAS

For ADULTS and YOUTH

CAMP BANGIN  SANGIN WITH BILLY JONAS

Photo of CAMP BANGIN’ & SANGIN’! with Billy Jonas Adult Week 2023

Camp Bangin' & Sangin’! (CB&S!) is a music, songwriting, and creativity day camp, for adults and young folks. We're excited for 2024 -- we have 4 sessions, each a week long (see below).

COST:

$350/camper ($300 Adult Week)
Limited scholarships available. Contact office@BillyJonas.com for info.

ALL CAMPS THIS SUMMER ARE DAY CAMPS, MONDAY TO FRIDAY, 9am TO 4pm. Adult week has Juneteenth off.

Registration: click HERE - you'll go to the Odyssey Camps page - scroll down to "Camp Bangin' & Sangin'!"

INFO / WAITING LIST: If you have questions, or a camp week you want is full, please email office@BillyJonas.com -- we'll send an answer, or add you to a waiting list.

TIME:
9am-4pm

2024 CAMP DATES:

  • JUNE 17-21, Adults (and their teen children, if desired)
  • JUNE 24-28, RISING 6th+7th GRADERS
  • JULY 8-12, RISING 4th+5th GRADERS
  • JULY 22-26, RISING 2nd+3rd GRADERS

MAIN LOCATION:

Odyssey Community School
90 Zillicoa St.
Asheville NC 28801

- - -

MISSION: In the interest of connection, bridging divides, and putting more love in the world through music, CB&S! seeks to honor and nurture the creativity of every participant, regardless of previous skill, ability, or talent. Everyone is encouraged to make instruments, create songs, and sing/vocalize daily. Participants should plan to attend the entire session, as our work each week will be cumulative, culminating in a group concert.

Camp includes:

  • Singing (learning songs, group singing, and vocal technique)
  • Body percussion (fundamentals of rhythm)
  • Songwriting (creating, editing, rewriting, refining, rehearsing)
  • Performing (learn how to be comfortable on stage)
  • Improvisation (making it up as you go)
  • Homemade instrument making (from found, recyclable, and craft objects)
  • Ensemble playing (duos, trios, full band)
  • Games (music and rhythm games, plus more)
  • Swimming (M-Th, weather permitting!)

Questions? Email office@BillyJonas.com, or call 828-232-9962.

ADULT CAMPERS: click here for an overview. You'll receive a special materials list, separately. For a list of lodging/accommodations, email office@BillyJonas.com.

YOUTH CAMPERS should bring:

  • Swim stuff: towel, sunscreen, suit, goggles
  • Lunch and snack, with cold-pak
  • Water bottle
  • Journal/notebook
  • Recyclable materials — WASHED — for instrument making, including
    - 2 boxes (one shoe box or cereal box, & one slightly larger)
    - 3 or more clean metal soup cans (any size)
    - 3 or more clean plastic containers like milk jugs etc
    - any inspiring recyclable/found items to incorporate into a musical instrument or sculpture.

- - -

Refund Policy
You can request a refund until May 15th.

Children perform music on stage at Billy Jonas Camp Bangin  SanginBilly Jonas teaching children music at Camp Bangin  SanginChildren writes music with Billy Jonas at Camp Bangin  SanginChild writes music at Billy Jonas Camp Bangin  Sangin

Jyothi Ashoti (Show Us Who You Are)

by Billy Jonas

Jyoti and Elana by waterfall



Commissioned by Elana Kann for the occasion of her adopted daughter Jyothi's 16th birthday.

Notes from Billy: Jyoti was born in India, and her name means "ray of light" in Hindi.

Elana: "My family surprised Jyothi with this song as part of her Sweet Sixteen dance party. The DJ helped me weave it in among the dancing. Everything stopped when this song came on -- people gathered around Jyothi, she looked stunned, burst into tears, came over to me, and I held her through the song. It was deeply moving to both of us, and to her guests. Because she had been through some traumatic experiences during the year before, it was also healing I think to hear that alluded to in such a beautiful poetic way. Thank you!"

Jyothi: "I felt overwhelmed when I heard it. In a good way!"

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Discount Page


SUN, APRIL 30 AT 2 PM
BILLY JONAS BAND family show
GREY EAGLE in ASHEVILLE, NC

$11-Advance ticket per person
$9 -Advance of groups 4 or more

~ ADVANCE PURCHASE ONLINE ~
$2 off each $13 ticket

Click a link below

link: Grey Eagle - 2pm SHOW April 30 - ONLINE TIX


JOB DESCRIPTION

Office Manager for Billy Jonas, Award-winning Artist

This is a small, engaged, and sometimes fast-paced team creating good music, spiritually-aligned content, and educational programs that make a difference in the world.

Here's the basics:

• part-time, starting at 12-20 hrs/wk
• work closely with artist
• professional yet relational environment
• positive, proactive, and solution-oriented milieu

Office Manager Qualifications and Skills:

• At least two years’ experience as an office manager or executive assistant.

• Ability to remain agile dealing with rapidly shifting priorities and schedules.

• Must have a keen eye for details.

• Must be a great time manager, a skillful wrangler, and a master multi-tasker.

• Intuitive and proactive when it comes to anticipating personal and business needs.

• Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Comfortable working on projects independently as well as in conjunction with the artist and staff.

• Ideally have experience with crowdfunding and Patreon.

• Knowledge of book (publishing, editing) and video production is a plus.

• Basic graphic design experience extremely desireable (Canva, etc)

• Proficiency with Google Workspace, Dropbox, and project management software.

• Familiarity with Quickbooks

Office Manager Job Responsibilities:

• Resonance with artist's mission and offerings -- please peruse www.BillyJonas.com

• This is a varied job, with some shifting foci each week. The foundational responsibility, week to week, is administrative support to maintain and nurture the flow of information between Billy Jonas World Headquarters, other team members (booking agent, bookkeeper, graphics/web people, publicists, venues), and the world (friends, fans, and potential fans).

Beyond the above, responsibilities may include:

• Conserving artist’s time by monitoring, responding to, and routing emails, mail, and calls; filing correspondences; drafting letters, documents, and spreadsheets; collecting and analyzing information; and initiating telecommunications.

• Calendar maintenance

• Data entry (familiarity with Quickbooks)

• Posting on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tic Toc)

• Delegating tasks to sub-contractors or other team members best positioned to complete them.

• Creating systems for a highly effective work flow and relationship with artist.

• Serving as a trusted adviser who can be called regularly to provide support and insight to the artist.

• Monitoring/managing website and emails in conjunction with other team members.

• Ensuring a positive and high-quality customer experience through all interactions.

Though we may need more hours in the very beginning, for orientation and training, the position starts with between 12-20 hours per week. Hourly rate commensurate with experience. Please submit cover letter, resume, references and any supporting documents to info@billyjonas.com.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Project Coordinator / Executive Assistant for Billy Jonas, Award-winning Artist

This is a small, engaged, and sometimes fast-paced team creating good music, spiritually-aligned content, and educational programs that make a difference in the world.

Here's the basics:

• part-time, starting at 5 to 7 hrs/wk
• work from home
• flexible working hours
• work closely with artist
• professional yet relational environment
• positive, proactive, and solution-oriented milieu

Project Coordinator / Executive Assistant Qualifications and Skills:

• At least two years’ experience as an assistant, preferably working with talent within a creative/entertainment agency.

• Ability to remain agile dealing with rapidly shifting priorities and schedules.

• Must be able to see the big picture, but still have a keen eye for details.

• Must be a great time manager, a skillful wrangler, and a master multi-tasker.

• Intuitive and proactive when it comes to anticipating personal and business needs.

• Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Comfortable working on projects independently as well as in conjunction with the artist and staff.

• Ideally have experience with crowdfunding and Patreon.

• Book (publishing, editing) and video production experience is a plus.

• Proficiency with Google Workspace, Dropbox, and project management software.

Project Coordinator / Executive Assistant Job Responsibilities:

• Resonance with artist's mission and offerings -- please peruse www.BillyJonas.com

• This is a varied job, with some shifting foci each week. The foundational responsibility, week to week, is to help create and monitor timelines for personal and professional projects, both long- and short-term. This requires setting targets for milestones, adhering to deadlines, and keeping the artist accountable.

Beyond the above, responsibilities may include:

• Delegating tasks on the projects to sub-contractors or other team members best positioned to complete them.

• Performing quality control on projects throughout development to maintain the standards expected.

• Adjusting schedules and targets on projects as parameters and/or resources for projects change.

• Conserving artist’s time by reading, researching, and routing correspondences; drafting letters, documents, and spreadsheets; collecting and analyzing information; and initiating telecommunications.

• Creating systems for a highly effective work flow and relationship with artist.

• Serving as a trusted adviser who can be called regularly to provide support and insight to the artist.

• Monitoring/managing website and emails in conjunction with the office manager.

• Providing administrative support alongside staff.

• Ensuring a positive and high-quality customer experience through all interactions.

Though we may need more hours in the very beginning, the position starts with between 5 and 7 hours per week, including two short zoom check-ins with the artist each week. Please submit your resume, cover letter and any supporting documents to info@billyjonas.com.

difference


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Amnesty International
is a global movement of more than 3 million supporters, members and activists in more than 150 countries and territories who campaign to
end grave abuses of human rights.

Our vision is for every person to enjoy all the rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights standards.

We are independent of any government, political ideology, economic interest or religion and are funded mainly by our membership and public donations.

You can help make a real difference by becoming a member or supporter of Amnesty International.


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The Southern Poverty Law Center is a nonprofit civil rights organization dedicated to fighting hate and bigotry, and to seeking justice for the most vulnerable members of society.

Founded by civil rights lawyers Morris Dees and Joseph Levin Jr. in 1971, the SPLC is internationally known for tracking and exposing the activities of hate groups. Our innovative Teaching Tolerance program produces and distributes – free of charge – documentary films, books, lesson plans and other materials that promote tolerance and



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Rabbis for Human Rights – North America (RHR-NA) is an organization of rabbis from all streams of Judaism that acts on the Jewish imperative to respect and protect the human rights of all people. Grounded in Torah and our Jewish historical experience and guided by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, we advocate for human rights in Israel and North America.




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Sierra Club To explore, enjoy, and protect the wild places of the earth; To practice and promote the responsible use of the earth's ecosystems and resources; To educate and enlist humanity to protect and restore the quality of the natural and human environment; and to use all lawful means to carry out these objectives.


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World Wildlife Fund is the conservation of natural spaces and the diversity of species. Using the best available scientific knowledge, and advancing that knowledge where we can, we work to preserve the abundance of life on Earth. WWF protects natural areas and wild populations of plants and animals, including endangered species. WWF promotes sustainable approaches to the use of renewable natural resources. WWF embraces more efficient use of resources and energy and the maximum reduction of pollution. World Wildlife Fund is committed to reversing the degradation of our planet's natural environment and to building a future in which human needs are met in harmony with nature. We recognize the critical relevance of human numbers, poverty, and consumption patterns to meeting these goals. We sincerely appreciate your support and interest in environmental conservation.


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Greenpeace is the leading independent campaigning organization that uses peaceful protest and creative communication to expose global environmental problems and to promote solutions that are essential to a green and peaceful future.
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PEG Partners funds projects in Guatemalan schools to improve learning environments for Guatemalan children, predominantly Mayans. PEG is a 501c3 non-profit organization, which means that your contributions are tax-deductible. We're happy to provide receipts at the time of donations.
501c3 does not mean that we're a big organization with lots of staff and administrative expense. PEG is an all-volunteer effort, with all donations going 100% to projects in Guatemala which are initiated and managed by Guatemalans.


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Read to Succeed, a 501c3 project, was developed because Asheville children who live in poor neighborhoods tend to lag behind other students in the ease with which they learn to read and their ability to stay at reading level. Children who are not proficient readers by the third grade are many times more likely to drop out of school and thus fail to graduate from high school.

Working directly with classroom teachers, Read to Succeed's mission is the early identification of children who are academically at-risk, and through one-on-one tutoring help them gain and remain at grade level in reading. The next training session for tutoring is in Spring 2013. If interested please contact Julie Sherman at mjuliesherman@gmail.com or call 828-251-4949.

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