05/26/2026
For Waterloo native Ash St. John, music has always felt like home. Now, after years of performing across the Midwest with the Jake Nelson Music Band, he’s bringing that music back to the Cedar Valley for a hometown performance.
A 1999 graduate of Waterloo West High School, Ash says his musical journey started early thanks to teachers and mentors who recognized something in him before he fully recognized it himself.
“My first orchestra teacher Mrs. Johnson at Black Hawk introduced me to the violin,” he shared. “My private teacher Mrs. Martin was a special friend and close mentor. She believed in me before I did.”
He also credits longtime Waterloo music educators Mary and Steve Citta, along with orchestra director Mr. Fanelli, for helping grow his passion for performing. Those influences, combined with hours in school orchestras, choirs, and garage bands with friends, were the foundation for his music career.
In 2004, Ash moved to Minneapolis searching for more opportunities. Years of growth as a performer and musician, led him to the Jake Nelson Band, a five-piece country rock group based there.
“I joined like seven or eight years ago starting on fiddle,” Ash said. “Now I play piano, fiddle, a little guitar and sing sometimes. We started out in the bar scene, however now we mainly play larger festivals and street dances.”
Yet Waterloo never stopped feeling like home.
“There is just something about the Cedar Valley,” he said. “It’s been a long time since I played there. I played Waterloo Days years ago and at The Hub, but that’s at least 10 years ago now. I’m excited to show the Jake Nelson Band to everyone. We have something for everyone and the talent of all the guys is top notch.”
Ash says performing back in Waterloo carries a different emotional weight than shows elsewhere.
“I’ll be able to look at downtown Waterloo and have a flood of memories,” he said. “I’m sure the music will have a different feel for me through that lens.”
His family still in Waterloo helped make a career in music possible.
“There is no way I could have pursued music without their support,” he said. “It’s just too hard of an industry without support.”
He hopes younger musicians from Waterloo see that dreams built in the Cedar Valley can grow far beyond it.
“Inspiring and mentoring young musicians holds a special place for me,” he said. “I know how influential that was for me and I want to be that person for others.”
The upcoming hometown show Live Music at the RiverLoop Amphitheatre: Jake Nelson Band is expected to reunite Ash with former bandmates, extended family, old friends, and supporters who have followed his journey since the beginning.
“I’m just the same guy rocking out that they knew back in the day,” he said with a laugh. “Now it’s just changed form.”
