James “Honkytonk” Jones rises from St. Clair prison to the stage at Appleseed’s Celebrate Justice event

James Jones, who was once condemned to die in an Alabama prison, took the stage at the Woodlawn Theatre and sang a love song in front of a crowd of mostly strangers last Thursday night. 

It was Appleseed’s annual Celebrate Justice event, which brought together 200 Alabamians committed to Appleseed’s mission and eager to connect with like-minded people in our community. 

James Jones performs alongside Ritch Henderson and Kathleen Henderson. Mr. Jones spent 43 years in prison following a robbery conviction in which no one was injured. Appleseed secured his release in December 2024.

Months ago, once we realized that James’ dream of recording music was becoming a reality, we hatched an idea that he could perform at Celebrate Justice. We were so confident, we sent invitations to supporters announcing the plan. But Mr. Jones, who is 78, is not just recovering from 43 years in prison, he’s fighting cancer and undergoing regular chemotherapy treatments that sap his energy. So we hedged our bets and noted in the promotional materials that “with a little luck,” Mr. Jones would be joining our musicians on stage.

James Jones singing lyrics he composed while incarcerated on a life without parole sentence

Thankfully, two committed people held fast to Mr. Jones’ dream, guided him through the artful process of putting his lyrics to music, and surrounded him with support – Appleseed case manager Kathleen Henderson, and her son, Americana artist Ritch Henderson. For months they practiced, meeting up in Ritch’s favorite spots in and around the Bankhead National Forest and at collaborator Brett Robinson’s, Alabama Sound Company in Montgomery. They all believed in Mr. Jones. After all, his nickname is Honkytonk.

For his song, Ritch took the lead, Kathleen sang harmony, and Mr. Jones’ joined in for the chorus.

We made a promise, till death do us part

You signed with your love and I signed with my heart,

Together, forever I thought we’d always be.

Tonight you’re in Texas and I’m in Tennessee.

Grief like a mountain, and unchanging wind.

I’ll come to Austin, and we’ll try again.

Love is a garden you simply must tend.

I’ll do anything to hold you just once more my friend.

Imagine writing these lines while trapped in prison, with no reasonable hope of ever being free. And yet, people who are thrown away in prison for sentences of life without parole manage to do all manner of hopeful things: join book clubs, learn useful trades, mentor others, create art and poetry. Appleseed has been fortunate to come to know dozens of individuals once thrown away in prison, and through our legal work and reentry support they are now free and living meaningful lives.

We believe they are worthy of celebration. Based on the response last Thursday night, plenty of our neighbors do as well. 

Appleseed clients, all who were once condemned to die in prison, joined our team at Celebrate Justice.

Headliner Alvin Youngblood Hart, a Grammy-winning artist, performed for the packed Woodlawn Theatre.

The generosity of Celebrate Justice supporters and sponsors ensures that Team Appleseed will continue to represent incarcerated people with extreme sentences who deserve another chance, and to provide them with the support they need once released. We are grateful for a community that believes in our work and never fails to fill the room at our events.