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Carver Jones didn’t set out to become a musician in the traditional sense. In fact, when he first hit the road, it wasn’t with any grand plan in mind. “Going to Oregon, at least on the songwriting side of things, just kind of opened up a whole new perspective and way to, like, pull things in that I would have never experienced here in Nebraska,” he said.
There was one pivotal moment during Jones’ busking stint in Oregon: a chance encounter with Drew Kaklamanos—who would later become Jones’ manager—marked a turning point. “Drew’s brother found us on the street,” Jones shared. That meeting led to Kaklamanos connecting Jones with Cody Tarpley, an artist he’d been managing for years. Jones recalled, “He sent Cody some voice notes and songs of me playing, and Cody was really into it. They came out to Omaha, and we just recorded a whole bunch of records at an Airbnb. He brought a whole mobile studio.” What began as a simple introduction turned into something far more significant. “We kind of became like family. Cody’s kind of just like a big brother,” Jones said.
Tarpley’s mentorship opened doors for Jones, helping him navigate the studio environment for the first time. “He taught me a lot, just because I had never really been in the studio before and properly recorded songs. He helped me take my visions from just me singing with the guitar to making actual records out of it.” That mentorship was instrumental in transforming Jones’ raw talent into something tangible.
Jones also recounted a chance opportunity with another talented musician and producer, Doug Schadt. “That was kind of just like a random thing,” he said. Jones was staying in New York at the time the opportunity came up. “They just invited me over to come do some songs and hang out, and we ended up making two songs,” he explained. For Jones, being in rooms with artists like Tarpley and Schadt proved invaluable. “They’re just really great musicians and artists, and it helps me get better in any scenario I’m in with those guys.”
Jones met with McKenna Grace, an artist signed to the label Photo Finish and vividly described the collaboration that followed. At Grace’s house, Jones shared the beginnings of a song called “Middle Name.” “I had written the first part of it a few weeks before, and when I played it, she was like, ‘Oh, let’s finish that.’ So, we ended up writing the song right then and there.” The experience solidified his admiration for Grace’s talent. “McKenna’s super talented—one of the more talented people I’ve been in a room with. Writing with her just clicked.”
While Jones’ journey has been full of spontaneous moments and serendipitous meetings, his bandmates have also been a grounding force. Longtime friend Alec Allhijjawi, who plays bass and works as a creative director for music videos, has been by his side since they were teenagers. “We met through a mutual friend when we were 15,” Jones said. Their shared love for music and film deepened their bond. After high school, Jones chose not to pursue basketball, and Allhijjawi became one of his closest collaborators.
Jones later connected with drummer Max Soderberg, whose passion for Grateful Dead music exposed Jones to new influences. “Max is a huge Grateful Dead fan, and I didn’t have my ears to that at all before,” he said. Now, the three of them have formed a close-knit musical collective. “We’re together every day, bouncing inspiration off each other. They’ve opened my mind to things I wouldn’t have been as interested in before.”
At the heart of Jones’ music lies the concept of world-building—creating something larger-than-life that still feels deeply personal. His debut body of work centers on the idea of chasing a dream, taking risks, and diving into the unknown. “The American dream isn’t really real, but your American dream is,” Jones explained. “There’s no set standard for what success or the American dream looks like. It’s whatever gets you out of bed in the morning and gives you life.”
For Jones, music isn’t just about the songs themselves—it’s about the journey. It’s the road trips, the late-night collaborations, and the friendships forged along the way. His path may not have been traditional, but it’s unique, and it’s shaped a vision of the American dream that’s as inspiring as it is all his own.
Follow Carver Jones on Instagram @carverjones1.
This article originally appeared in the March/April 2025 issue of Omaha Magazine. To receive the magazine, click here to subscribe.
