Joe Jones’ autobiography
By Robert Cloud
What readers may find most engaging in Joe Krause Jones’ autobiography are its humor and honesty.
“I’m Hearin’ It: A Treasure Chest of Memories” shares stories from the life of a retired Iola publisher, an Army Security Agency officer stationed in Japan, rock band member, Rotarian, paperboy and prankster.
The memoir also depicts Jones overcoming alcohol and how his son became his daughter.
Each chapter tells its own story, which reflects the way the book was written. Jones initially created independent stories while a member of a Waupaca writers group.
Biggest fan
“Biggest Fan in the Place” is one of the funnier chapters. Here, Jones tells the story of his efforts to attend an October 1969 Blood, Sweat and Tears concert at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.
A self-described “enthusiastic fan” of the jazz-rock band, Jones arrived early before concert tickets went on sale at the campus Union. He planned to purchase tickets for himself and his wife Maggie.
“When I arrived, the line extended just a short distance down the block and less than 100 yards from the entrance to the union. I’d seen these lines before, and I knew they could extend for two blocks or more. What luck,” Jones wrote.
He then recounts his rising anticipation as the line moves forward, he makes it through the doors, then suddenly as he approaches the window, Jones learns the tickets are sold out because some students had purchased tickets for their dorm or fraternity.
Attempts to buy tickets outside Albee Hall an hour before the concert began also failed.
Jones retreated to the snack bar and sat forlorn with a Vets Club buddy. That’s when he noticed what proved to be his ticket into the concert.
“There was a free-standing, 6-foot-tall industrial, 30-inch, oscillating pedestal fan with a three-foot diameter base,” Jones noted.
The manager of the snack bar was also his friend’s mother. Jones obtained permission borrow the fan. He and his friend carried it through the exit into the Albee Hall gym, set the fan in a corner of the stage, then squeezed into the crowd sitting on nearby bleachers.
While waiting for the concert to start, Jones saw a roadie attempt to turn on the fan, only to discover the cord did not reach the nearest outlet. A second roadie appeared, but they were unable to find a more effective place for the fan or an extension cord.
The fan remained on stage throughout the concert, until Jones and his friend returned it to the snack bar.
Later. Jones found Maggie outside Albee Hall, where she had been waiting two hours for him to return with the tickets.
Guerilla Humor
In his chapter, “Guerilla Humor,” Jones includes several of the responses he wrote in response to direct mail solicitations. To a mailer from a steak company, he wrote, “Do they come in gray?” To a shoe company: “How much does a size 10 1/2 weigh?” When staying at motels, Jones left messages on steamed mirrors: “Don’t look under the bed,” or “They have video.”
When flying, he may print a message on the complimentary barf bag: “Best when reheated.”
Jones, who began collecting coins when he was a paperboy, worked at Krause Publications from Sept. 3, 1973, to Feb. 26, 1986. He sold advertising for Numismatic News, Coins magazine and Coin News.
“I had great admiration for Chet (Krause), He was an excellent businessman, knowledgeable, well respected and down to earth. He was also a good friend,” Jones wrote. “Years later, when I started my own business, Chet served as a sounding board and was always willing to provide guidance and advice.”
One of the book’s most harrowing chapters involves some financial troubles experienced by Jones Publishing. In the summer of 2010, the company suffered losses, a growing debt load and cash flow problems. It took years to dig out of that hole.
Jones sold the company to his daughter-in-law Diana in August 2017.
Transition
While the business was transitioning to a new generation, Jones’ son Ryan was also transitioning. Jones first learned of this change at a family meeting in December 2014.
“Ryan told me what Diana had known for nearly a year and Maggie had been aware of since late summer,” Jones wrote. “He explained that he was not comfortable as a male and planned to transition to female.”
“I didn’t say anything,” Jones told the Waupaca County Post. “My first thought was, either I accept her or I lose her.”
Jones said transgender people need more than acceptance. they need affirmation.
Since September 2022, Joe and Rya have jointly produced a weekly podcast for the LGBTQ community called “Trandescendant.”
As a veteran, Jones was able to receive a business-startup grant from the Waupaca County Veterans Office.
“We have over 2,000 downloads,” Jones said. “We get feedback from people telling us how honest our podcast is.”
“Trandescendant” has covered such topics as “Seven Behaviors that Show Meaningful Acceptance,” “Preparing to Come out,” “Bullying” and “How Religious Communities are Embracing LGBTQ People,” with Father Wilson Roane as a guest.
Jones said 55% of the people who come out and are rejected by one parent consider suicide, while 11% actually attempt it.
“We are saving people one podcast at a time,” Jones said.
Peace
Jones ends his book with a chapter recounting the details of his heart attack and subsequent recovery.
He quotes Paul’s letter to the Philippians: “The peace of God which passes all understanding will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
“I have heard that verse many times, but I never experienced that peace until I came close to death And I came away knowing what I hoped was true. God is real. Life after death is real. My future is in God’s hands, and I have no reason to fear death,” Jones wrote.
“I’m Hearin’ It” is available at the Bookcellar in downtown Waupaca and on Amazon.