Jon Kott Band Returns to The Library with a New Brand
The Jon Kott Band (formerly Mo Jiles Band), of Katy, Texas, embodies the essence of Texas Red Dirt music with a refreshing Texas-Rock edge. Founded in early 2023 by Jon Kott, the band’s heartfelt songwriting and rousing performances quickly earned them an impressive following throughout the south—especially in Oxford, Mississippi.
Mo Jiles Band has been a regular fixture at The Library Sports Bar on The Square for many years now. Now, with a new brand and a lineup change, The Jon Kott Band is ready to come get the party started this Oklahoma weekend, October 25 and 26. We caught up with Jon Kott to get the scoop on what his band has been up to.
What has the transition from Mo Jiles Band to Jon Kott Band been like for you as a group? Has it been a complete rebrand, or just a new name? Its been pretty much a rebrand. I parted ways with my bandmate of 10 years, Tim Stephens, and felt that it was a great catalyst to finally make the complete transition to JKB and put MJB to rest.
I was already writing a ton and putting music out as Jon Kott Band but Mo Jiles Band was taking up all the touring time. So, I hired a new lead player, added a pedal steel player, and did a complete overhaul of the setlist by adding JKB originals and moving the focus of our covers to Texas Red Dirt, Southern Rock, and Country Classics.
Your new single, “Three Sheets,” has a heartbreak vibe—what was the writing process like? It’s easy to write heartbreakers like “Three Sheets” when you’ve been doing what I do for this long … I feel like it takes more effort not to write songs in that vein. Bars, late nights, long drives, and hangovers tend to happen more often than I’d like to admit but they can make a solid song.
What’s next for the band besides touring to support the new single? Any more recordings coming up? We are actually releasing a new single titled “Self Defense” on November 1, and we just entered into a new recording deal with EMG in Houston, Texas, to produce our next full-length album to be distributed by Sony ( The Orchard ), so we are currently running a fundraising campaign to help cover some of those costs. For details visit: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/join-us-for-the-ride/x/38110938#/
The Library Bar in Oxford is a frequent stop on your touring schedule—what do you love about Oxford and the crowds you draw at The Library? What can new fans expect at your show for the Ole Miss – Oklahoma weekend? I’ll never forget the day [John] Desler found us in Gulf Shores and said he owned The Library and wanted us to come play there. I thought he was full of shit, and I had NO CLUE what The Library was and had never even been to Oxford, Mississippi! But am I glad as hell I met that dude! The Library has been like a home away from home for me/us for the last decade. It’s hands down THE BEST venue to play out of the circuit we play in. Dare to say the best in the entire SEC. As for October 25 & 26, we hope the shows will be even better than usual because we play a lot of the music the Oklahoma folks will appreciate, too. After playing this past Saturday night at Fred’s in Baton Rouge after the DEVASTATING loss for the Rebs, we are ready to wash that off with a Rebs W over the Sooners! HYDR!
The Jon Kott Band is live at The Library Sports Bar Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, October 24, 25, and 26, 2024.
