J. D. Wilkes
Encyclopedia
Joshua "J. D." Wilkes and now a resident of Paducah
, Kentucky
, is an American
visual artist, musician
, and amateur filmmaker. Wilkes is a Kentucky Colonel
, an honorable title bestowed upon those with a connection to, or are famous residents of Kentucky, by the state's Governor.
He is also an accomplished harmonica
player, having recorded for such artists as Merle Haggard
, John Carter Cash
, Mike Patton
, and Hank Williams III
. He can also be spotted playing harmonica for Hank Williams III in the 2004 "American Masters" film Hank Williams: Honky Tonk Blues.
weekly from 2005-2008. Other works by Wilkes have been seen in Juxtapoz, Snicker, ALARM Magazine
, and TopShelfComix.com. Wilkes illustrated a book titled "Spookiest Stories Ever" for the University Press of Kentucky, released in 2010. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Studio Art from Kentucky's Murray State University
.
In 2006, Wilkes, along with Blake Judd, Todd Tue, and Jacob Ennis, began work on a documentary
film titled Seven Signs, that explored "music, myth, and the American South." The film premiered on December 30, 2007, at the Belcourt Theatre in Nashville, Tennessee
. In early 2009, Wilkes formed The Dirt Daubers
, an old-time roots-influenced side project with his wife, Jessica, and "Slow" Layne Hendrickson. The band's self-titled debut was released in October 2009.
Paducah, Kentucky
Paducah is the largest city in Kentucky's Jackson Purchase Region and the county seat of McCracken County, Kentucky, United States. It is located at the confluence of the Tennessee River and the Ohio River, halfway between the metropolitan areas of St. Louis, Missouri, to the west and Nashville,...
, Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
, is an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
visual artist, musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
, and amateur filmmaker. Wilkes is a Kentucky Colonel
Kentucky colonel
Kentucky colonel is the highest title of honor bestowed by the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Commissions for Kentucky colonels are given by the Governor and the Secretary of State to individuals in recognition of noteworthy accomplishments and outstanding service to a community, state or the nation...
, an honorable title bestowed upon those with a connection to, or are famous residents of Kentucky, by the state's Governor.
He is also an accomplished harmonica
Harmonica
The harmonica, also called harp, French harp, blues harp, and mouth organ, is a free reed wind instrument used primarily in blues and American folk music, jazz, country, and rock and roll. It is played by blowing air into it or drawing air out by placing lips over individual holes or multiple holes...
player, having recorded for such artists as Merle Haggard
Merle Haggard
Merle Ronald Haggard is an American country music singer, guitarist, fiddler, instrumentalist, and songwriter. Along with Buck Owens, Haggard and his band The Strangers helped create the Bakersfield sound, which is characterized by the unique twang of Fender Telecaster guitars, vocal harmonies,...
, John Carter Cash
John Carter Cash
John Carter Cash is an American Country music-singer, author, songwriter and producer. He is the only son of Johnny and June Carter Cash.-Biography:...
, Mike Patton
Mike Patton
Michael Allan "Mike" Patton is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer, and actor, best known as the lead singer of the metal/experimental rock band Faith No More. He has also sung for Mr...
, and Hank Williams III
Hank Williams III
Shelton Hank Williams, known as Hank 3 , is a neotraditional country and punk metal singer, drummer, bassist, and guitarist. In addition to his honky tonk recordings, Williams' style alternates among country, punk and metal...
. He can also be spotted playing harmonica for Hank Williams III in the 2004 "American Masters" film Hank Williams: Honky Tonk Blues.
Biography
Wilkes is known as the founder and only remaining original member of the Legendary Shack Shakers, formed in Nashville, Tennessee, in the late 90's. Wilkes' contributions to visual art include many sideshow banners and comic strips. His "Head Cheese" strip was seen in the Nashville MetromixMetromix
Metromix is a network of local entertainment websites backed by a joint venture between media companies Gannett and Tribune Co. A guide to local restaurants, bars and clubs, events, concerts and movies, Metromix is currently available in over 60 markets. In late 2009, the company launched 27 new...
weekly from 2005-2008. Other works by Wilkes have been seen in Juxtapoz, Snicker, ALARM Magazine
Alarm magazine
Alarm is a quarterly magazine based in Chicago, IL, USA that publishes "Music and Art Beyond Comparison." It covers emerging and mid-career musicians and artists with a focus on independent, underground, or otherwise non-mainstream music and art...
, and TopShelfComix.com. Wilkes illustrated a book titled "Spookiest Stories Ever" for the University Press of Kentucky, released in 2010. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Studio Art from Kentucky's Murray State University
Murray State University
Murray State University, located in the city of Murray, Kentucky, is a four-year public university with approximately 10,400 students. The school is Kentucky’s only public university to be listed in the U.S.News & World Report regional university top tier for the past 20 consecutive years...
.
In 2006, Wilkes, along with Blake Judd, Todd Tue, and Jacob Ennis, began work on a documentary
Documentary
A documentary is a creative work of non-fiction, including:* Documentary film, including television* Radio documentary* Documentary photographyRelated terms include:...
film titled Seven Signs, that explored "music, myth, and the American South." The film premiered on December 30, 2007, at the Belcourt Theatre in Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
. In early 2009, Wilkes formed The Dirt Daubers
The Dirt Daubers
The Dirt Daubers are an American Old-time trio. They are inspired by blues and other traditional Southern music genres. The group formed in Paducah, Kentucky in 2009. The frontman for the band is J.D. Wilkes of the Legendary Shack Shakers. Their self-titled debut album was released on October 13,...
, an old-time roots-influenced side project with his wife, Jessica, and "Slow" Layne Hendrickson. The band's self-titled debut was released in October 2009.
Discography
- J.D.'s Tasteless Chill Tonic, Legendary Shack Shakers, (1996)
- Hunkerdown With Those Legendary Shack Shakers, Legendary Shack Shakers, (1998, Spinout)
- Cockadoodledon'tCockadoodledon'tCockadoodledon't is an LP released by Th' Legendary Shack Shakers on April 22, 2003.- Reviews :The album was reviewed by Stephen Haag of popmatters.com, who concluded "All-at-once reverent, revisionist, greasy, and fun as hell, with summer upon us Cockadoodledon’t should be the soundtrack to a...
, Legendary Shack Shakers, (2003, BloodshotBloodshot RecordsBloodshot Records is an independent record label based in Chicago, Illinois which specializes in roots-inflected indie rock, punk blues, and a Chicago brand of outlaw country...
) - BelieveBelieve (Th' Legendary Shack Shakers album)Believe is an LP released by Th' Legendary Shack Shakers on October 4, 2004.- Reviews :'Believe' was favourably reviewed by Zeth Lundy of popmatters.com who concluded "The next time you take the O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack from the stereo, pining for some oomph to your Americana, reach...
, Legendary Shack Shakers, (2004, YepRoc) - PandeliriumPandeliriumPandelirium is an LP released by Th' Legendary Shack Shakers on February 7, 2006.-Reviews:Ryan Cooper of about.com described the record as "The dark side of the down home" and "unbelievably good". . Kyle Ryan's review for The A.V...
, Legendary Shack Shakers, (2006, YepRoc) - SwampbloodSwampbloodSwampblood is an LP released on September 18, 2007, by Th' Legendary Shack Shakers.-Reviews:Andrew Gilstrap of popmatters.com rated the album at 7/10, commenting "Swampblood finds the band in something of a high-octane back-to-basics blues mode". Embo Blake of HybridMagazine noted that the band, in...
, Legendary Shack Shakers, (2007, YepRoc) - The Dirt Daubers, The Dirt DaubersThe Dirt DaubersThe Dirt Daubers are an American Old-time trio. They are inspired by blues and other traditional Southern music genres. The group formed in Paducah, Kentucky in 2009. The frontman for the band is J.D. Wilkes of the Legendary Shack Shakers. Their self-titled debut album was released on October 13,...
(2009) - AgriDustrialAgriDustrialAgriDustrial is an LP released by the Legendary Shack Shakers on April 13, 2010.- Track listing :# "Melungeon Melody" – 0:34# "Sin Eater" – 3:13# "Sugar Baby" – 1:57# "Nightride " – 2:36...
, Legendary Shack Shakers (2010)