Jones has revolutionized the gospel music industry. Bobby Jones Gospel is the first and only nationally syndicated black gospel television show and Video Gospel, which debuted in 1989, is the only national television outlet gospel artists have to show their videos. Born in Henry County, Tenn., Jones always dreamt of a career in music. He excelled academically throughout school, graduating from high school at 15 and Tennessee State University at 19 with a bachelor's degree in elementary education. Jones continued his education by pursuing a master's degree at Tennessee State and a doctorate from Vanderbilt. While pursuing his master's, Jones taught elementary school in the Missouri and Tennessee education systems. In 1980, Jones received The Gabriel Award and an International Film Festival Award for writing and performing Make A Joyful Noise. He and his group, New Life, were nominated for a Grammy Award in 1982 for "Best Performance by a Black Contemporary Gospel Group" for the album Soul Set Free. In 1984, he received the Gospel Music Association's (GMA) Dove Award for Black Contemporary Album of the Year, a Grammy Award for "Best Vocal Duo for a Soul/Gospel Performance" for the single, I'm So Glad I'm Standing Here Today performed with country music star Barbara Mandrell, and an NAACP Image Award. In 1990 he received the GMA's Commonwealth Award for Outstanding Contribution to Gospel Music. In 1994, Jones was nominated for the CableACE Award. He resides in Nashville, Tenn.