Bringing back an old favorite to the farm! If you haven't experienced BJ's unique brand of Back Porch Soul, you are in for a treat. BJ is bringing the full band including a horn section. BJ creates music that fuses the roots of Funk, Soul, Motown, Rock, Rhythm & Blues and Americana into a blend that delivers on every bit of the Back Porch Soul promise.

Join Us

• $40 per person in advance

• Payment accepted via Venmo (@Brian-Koonin), PayPal (@Bkoonin), or Zelle (brian.koonin@gmail.com)

• No physical tickets — your name and party size will be verified upon arrival

• Your ticket includes a concert poster designed specifically for the event by award-winning graphic designer Perry Brown (limited number available)

• All ages welcome — kids 8–16 are half price, and little ones under 8 and the young-at-heart over 80 are our guests

Schedule

• Check-in beginning at 6:30

• The BJ Wilbanks Band: 8:00

Good to Know

• Food will be available for purchase on site, but feel free to bring your own cooler and snacks — it's Bring Your Own Everything, including chairs and whatever else you need to make yourself comfortable

• Come early to reserve your spot and enjoy the sights and sounds of the farm (seating is first come, first served)

• Shows are rain or shine, no refunds

• Dog policy: If you plan to bring your dog, please refer to the FAQ section

• Camping and glamping options available — email Brian@ponoacres.com for more information

• Getting here: Uber can get you here, but arrange your ride home in advance as pickups can be hit or miss

Pono Acres shows are private events open to friends of the farm and fans of the musicians we host.

BJ Wilbanks bio:

“Georgia raised BJ Wilbanks is a prolific and extremely talented songwriter & producer. He creates music that fuses the roots of Funk, Soul, Motown, Rock Rhythm N Blues, Americana & Country into an intoxicating blend that is all his own. Critics and fans have revered & referred to his style as “Back Porch Soul”- The kind of music that makes you jump out of your seat & dance without even tryin’ to…..His self-titled, 2017 debut album received great acclaim from American Songwriter, All Music, The Boot, Coffee with America, and many other major music outlets. His genuine sound & success as an artist has lead to him to performing shows with the likes of music legends Gladys Knight, Drivin’ N Cryin’, David Allan Coe, and funk rock legends Mothers Finest!” - Teresa Powell

Thrilled to welcome back Jason for his 5th show here.  We recommend reserving your spot quickly as this show sells out every time.  Given the demand, we briefly considered moving it outdoors, but feel the intimacy of a house concert is the best way to showcase Jason's talent.

Show Information

• $60 per person — includes dinner and a commemorative poster designed exclusively for the event

• This is an intimate, limited-seating event — reservations must be made in advance, no door sales

• Payment accepted via Venmo (@Brian-Koonin), PayPal (@Bkoonin), or Zelle (brian.koonin@gmail.com) — your name and party size will be verified upon arrival

Schedule

• Arrive anytime after 6:30

• Dinner served 7:00–8:00 (menu to be shared closer to the show date)

• Music begins ~8:00 p.m.

Good to Know

• BYOB

• Seating provided

• Overnight camping and glamping options available upon request — email Brian@ponoacres.com for details

Pono Acres shows are private events open to friends of the farm and fans of the musicians we host.

About Jason:

At 14, he began singing and playing guitar in cover bands, and was soon writing songs. His early original efforts were greeted with apathy by audiences in his home state, who were more interested in hearing performers sing current hits. At 18, Jason moved to Nashville to seek a recording contract. Despite market interest, he quickly became disillusioned with the business and culture of the mainstream music industry. He decided to return to Mississippi. On the drive home, he encountered an Air Force recruiting station and went in. He enlisted and served for the next six years as an Arabic translator, which left little time to play guitar or write songs.

After leaving the Air Force, Jason moved to Fort Worth, Texas, and got a day job working in a bank's IT department. As an outlet, he began playing open-mike nights and developed a local following. A transformative revelation from this experience was learning that Texas audiences differed considerably from those in Mississippi: they wanted to hear original music, not covers. He began to work on his songwriting, and soon thereafter quit his day job to devote himself to music full-time. 

In Texas, he’s a seminal part of the new generation of songwriters filling the shoes of all the past Texas greats like Guy Clark, Blaze Foley, and Townes Van Zandt. Eady secured his place in the pantheon of new great songwriters in part with the 2021 song “French Summer Sun” that went on to be named the Saving Country Music Song of the Year.