The descendant of four generations of coal miners, Stone Jack Jones was raised in Buffalo Creek, WV. Learning to play fiddle, he eschewed the miner's life for that of an itinerant musician, although he was also employed outside of music at various times, once even owning a strip club for several years. In the early '80s, he fronted a rock band called Kaos in Atlanta, GA. Eventually, he settled in Nashville, where he befriended Patty Griffin and toured with her. He also struck up a relationship with producer Roger Moutenot that led to the recording and release of his debut album, Narcotic Lollipop. Bluefolk, released on Moutenot's Fictitious Records label, followed in February 2006.