Dennon Jones’s life is encompassed by music. He grew up with multiple influences in his life -- his fiddle teacher Jessica Cooper and his mother Susan Jones being among them -- that inspired him to pursue a career in music.

He has played in multiple bands throughout his life, and he currently plays the fiddle in High Country Hustle, which is working on its second album. Jake Simpson from The Lil Smokies is slated to produce, with Aaron Youngberg slated to be a part of the recording process.

Jones left the house in his hometown of Nederland for the first time at 18 to travel Europe before coming back for six months and settling in Durango. He now teaches an ensemble of 97 students at Escalante Middle School.

It is safe to say that even from a young age, Jones was surrounded by music. His mother is a retired music teacher from Nederland Elementary School. He says that his sister is humble about her musicianship and vocal ability and jokes that his dad always tries to carry a tune. Even at a young age, his parents were very laid back about his practicing, and he says that without Ms. Cooper’s teaching, he wouldn’t be where he is in music today.

He also cites the musical culture of Nederland as an inspiration, as the bluegrass and folk culture of the town rubbed off on him as he played with other locals and continued finding inspiration in those he could share his music with.

He is honored to be able to make music a part of his livelihood and continue in his mother’s and grandmother’s footsteps as a teacher. He loves being able to inspire his students to create and find connections every single day, feeling flattered when a student tells him how much they’ve grown and how many friends they’ve made because of his classes. That feeling is unparalleled to him, and being able to play music on the side is something he will always cherish.

Jones’s band High Country Hustle is playing at the Nederland Farmer’s Market during the Harvest Festival from 12-3 p.m. on Sunday, October 3, 2021.