| J.D. Wilkes | |
|---|---|
Wilkes in 2007 |
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| Background information | |
| Born | April 18, 1972 - Baytown, Texas, United States |
| Genres | Punk blues, psychobilly, country blues |
| Occupations | Musician Artist Filmmaker |
| Instruments | Vocals Harmonica Banjo |
| Labels | YepRoc, Bloodshot, Colonel Knowledge, Arkam, 30 Tigers |
| Associated acts | Legendary Shack Shakers The Dirt Daubers Reverend Horton Heat Hank Williams III The Dixiecrats |
Joshua "J. D." Wilkes (born April 18, 1972, Baytown, Texas), and now a resident of Paducah, Kentucky, is an American visual artist, musician, and amateur filmmaker.[1] 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.[2] He is also an accomplished harmonica player, having recorded for such artists as Merle Haggard, John Carter Cash, Mike Patton, and Hank Williams III.[3] He can also be spotted playing harmonica for Hank Williams III in the 2004 "American Masters" film Hank Williams: Honky Tonk Blues.
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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 Metromix weekly from 2005-2008. Other works by Wilkes have been seen in Juxtapoz, Snicker, ALARM Magazine, and TopShelfComix.com.[4] Wilkes illustrated a book titled "Spookiest Stories Ever" for the University Press of Kentucky, released in 2010.[5] He holds a Bachelor's degree in Studio Art from Kentucky's Murray State University.[6]
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." [7] The film premiered on December 30, 2007, at the Belcourt Theatre in Nashville, Tennessee.[8] 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.