Today we’d like to introduce you to Randall Kenneth Jones. He and his team shared his story with us below:
Modern-day renaissance man Randall Kenneth Jones has built a marketing and public relations portfolio with respected household names from the IT, healthcare, non-profit, entertainment, publishing, retail, and consumer products & services industries.
Though he wears many hats, Randy’s expertise in the art of storytelling has garnered the most notice. Every human being and business has a story to tell—and an audience that needs to hear that story. Jones helps individuals and businesses develop their most compelling stories for the online or traditional media best suited to deliver their message.
After Randy’s 2010 move from Washington, D.C., to affluent Naples, Florida, the award-winning writer and creative director approached the Naples Daily News and offered to write an independent newspaper column—a blend of personal and professional development. For the next four years, the ultra-inquisitive public speaker and scribe conducted over 100 best-practices interviews.
And the stories just kept coming. Subjects included Pat Benatar, Brian Boitano, Shirley Jones, Sonny Jurgensen, Hoda Kotb, Colin Mochrie, Suze Orman, General Barry McCaffrey, Tommy Tune, Vanessa Williams, and others.
With a Foreword by The Emily Post Institute’s Peggy Post and an Introduction by Erin Brockovich, Randy’s subsequent book, “Show Me: Celebrities, Business Tycoons, Rock Stars, Journalists, Humanitarians, Attack Bunnies & More!” was published in late 2016.
In 2018, Randy and Susan Bennett (the original voice of Siri) teamed up to launch the JONES.SHOW podcast, with Randy as host and Susan as announcer. Described by recurring guest Erin Brockovich as “The best podcast and host ever,” JONES.SHOW continues Jones’s mission to look for the BEST in people.
The show has featured Laura Benanti, Pat Benatar, Duane “Dog” Chapman, Val Chmerkovskiy, Panache Desai, Dr. Judy Ho, Stedman Graham, Lisa Guerrero, Jenifer Lewis, Dr. David Perlmutter, Melissa Rivers, Rita Rudner, Suzanne Somers, Nischelle Turner, Vanna White, Ginger Zee and many more.
In 2022, Jones’s love of Savannah went on full display with the release of his first fiction book, “Ruby: Magic Comes from the Heart,” inspired by lessons learned from his wide assortment of interview subjects. But it was Randy’s time spent with “Dirty Dancing’s” Cynthia Rhodes, whose kindness, curiosity, humanity, and perseverance inspired the creation of Ruby’s protagonist, Cynthia Kyger Grant.
Set in Savannah and published by Mark Victor Hansen of “Chicken Soup for the Soul,” “Ruby” takes the benefits of the self-help genre into a magical fictional format. New York Times bestselling author Janet Evanovich described “Ruby” as “the magic that happens when readers are free to feel—and embrace their own fairy-tale truths.”
A playful yet touching mystery, defined by Jones as “more of a ‘who is she’ than a whodunnit,” “Ruby” follows an appealing cast of mature characters who rediscover and reinvent themselves as they reshape our view of the words “human spirit.” (And it wouldn’t be Savannah without a “spirit” or two lurking about!)
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
From a journalist’s standpoint, it would not have been very interesting if it had been an entirely smooth road. Yes, there have been disappointments; for example, when I fail to secure an interview I desperately want. But I also realize I must not be meant to talk to that person. It also hurts when someone I have my eye on passes away–David McCullough, Leslie Jordan, and Angela Lansbury come to mind.
For the book, I share the struggle of every author: STANDING OUT IN A CROWD. Sadly, we writers have to accept that the written word has decreased in importance. Tragically, there are fewer consumers interested in our books, articles, stories and columns. Of course, when your friends and family love your work, that’s wonderful, but when I started to hear from total strangers how “Ruby” touched them or a loved one, that was a gift. Seriously, a gift. It makes the obstacles disappear and the challenges worthwhile.
And though I don’t live in Savannah, it will FOREVER be a part of me! I am obsessed. I have always been fascinated by the community: “Forrest Gump,” Johnny Mercer, “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil,” etc. In writing this book, the magic that is Savannah infiltrated my soul: The architecture, the folklore, the ghost stories, everything. As it says in the acknowledgments of my book: “Savannah, Georgia, I am in love!” That’s so true!
Plus, a special shout-out to Savannah native Andreia Peters-Brown for her amazing support. She brought Savannah to life for me, which enabled me to feel the history and the magic in a more profoundly meaningful way.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I pinch myself a lot when I look at the high-profile people who have agreed to talk to me. They have all become my mentors, teachers, and, in many cases, friends.
I am most proud that I’m 60 years old, just published my first fiction book, and in the middle of a creative and professional renaissance. I am proof that there is no expiration date on our ability to create or contribute. When I convince others to say “yes” to themselves and pursue their passion, I just won the game of life!
What sets me apart is I’m the only ME there is. No one else can do what I do (like I do it) or tell the stories I’m prepared to tell. Thankfully, that applies to ALL OF US!
And did I mention I desperately want to showcase our glorious Savannah with a “Ruby” movie? No? Well, it’s certainly out there now!
What does success mean to you?
I would have given you one definition just two days ago, but then I interviewed Dee Wallace (the mom from “E.T.” and a self-help author) for my podcast, and she upended my views on ME–a lot! As a student of life, my thoughts on “success” keep changing—as they should!
But I think it’s FUN to challenge my own beliefs. I have no problem recognizing my faults and love discovering more about what makes me who I am. Plus, I want to hear other people’s ideas, theories, and points of view. I find it truly fascinating.
When my work inspires others to follow their own journey of discovery and self-awareness, I’m blessed. What else is there?
Well, there’s that “Ruby” movie—but I digress…
Contact Info:
- Website: randallkennethjones.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/randallkennethjones/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/randallkennethjones
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/randallkjones
- Other: www.RubyBook.info
Image Credits
Jessica
