In 2025, Jon Small’s name has made a comeback in music and entertainment circles—not for a new project, but for the enduring legacy of one of country music’s most innovative videos. The acclaimed director of Garth Brooks’ “The Red Strokes” (1994), Small is being rediscovered by Gen Z and millennials as clips from the bold, paint-soaked video go viral on YouTube Shorts, TikTok, and Instagram Reels.
The scene—Garth Brooks playing a white piano while drenched in red paint, filmed entirely in reverse—has fascinated fans and filmmakers alike. The music video, which won ACM Music Video of the Year, premiered on CMT on November 19, 1994, and is now being celebrated in online retrospectives and newly reissued DVD collections like The Entertainer.
Jon Small’s recent credit as executive producer on Amazon Music Live with Garth Brooks (2023) added more fuel to the resurgence, cementing his position as a visionary of music video storytelling.
Jon Small’s Musical Roots: From NYC Childhood to Rock Drummer in The Hassles
Jon Small was born on January 3, 1947, in New York City, USA. As of 2025, he is 78 years old. He is a Capricorn by zodiac and holds American nationality. While his childhood and formal education are not well-documented publicly, his early years were steeped in music.
Small’s father, Hy Small, and mother, Sydelle Winfield, are listed in public directories, though little is known about their professions. From a young age, Jon gravitated toward rhythm and percussion, which led him to become a professional drummer in the 1960s rock scene. He joined the New York-based band The Hassles, where he performed alongside a then-unknown Billy Joel.
Though no college or school names have been confirmed, Jon’s education in music and the performing arts came through immersion and lived experience rather than traditional academia. His physical stats are not publicly disclosed, though he appears of average build in archival photos and TV specials.
Jon Small’s Marriage to Elizabeth Weber and Life Away from the Spotlight
Jon Small was previously married to Elizabeth Weber, best known for her later marriage to Billy Joel. Their relationship ended in divorce, and since then, Small has kept his personal life largely out of the public eye.
While some sources mention possible children or other marriages, only Elizabeth Weber is confirmed through mainstream databases like IMDb. No verified interviews or press appearances confirm additional relationships or family members.
As of 2025, Jon appears to be single and fully focused on maintaining his professional legacy. He does not use social media or make regular public appearances, preferring a private life away from industry gossip or celebrity culture.
How Jon Small Transitioned from Drummer to Music Video Director
Jon Small’s creative journey began as a drummer during the late 1960s with The Hassles, a New York rock band that also featured Billy Joel. After the band dissolved, Small transitioned into the business side of music—founding Jon Small Management Consultants in the 1970s and later becoming president of Decent Records, affiliated with CBS/Columbia.
By the mid-1980s, he launched Picture Vision, a video production company through which he directed and produced concert specials and music videos for some of the biggest names in music. His most iconic work came in 1994 with “The Red Strokes” for Garth Brooks, a video that premiered on November 19, 1994, on CMT and later won ACM Music Video of the Year.
He followed this with other Garth Brooks classics like Standing Outside the Fire and The Thunder Rolls, helping to elevate the music video as an art form in country music.
Over the years, Small expanded his creative reach, directing or producing televised concerts and specials such as:
- Billy Joel: Live at Shea Stadium (2011)
- Garth: Live at Notre Dame (2018)
- Amazon Music Live with Garth Brooks (2023)
- The Highwaymen: On the Road Again
- Janet Jackson: Live in Hawaii
He has received numerous industry honors, including ACM, CMA, Monitor, ACE, and Billboard awards, as well as credits on Grammy-nominated projects. While he is less active in 2025, his influence remains through legacy projects, music DVD re-releases, and digital video archives.
How Much Is Jon Small Worth in 2025? His Income & Legacy
As of 2025, Jon Small’s exact net worth has not been publicly disclosed through any verified sources. However, considering his extensive career spanning more than four decades in the entertainment industry, industry analysts estimate his financial worth to fall within the mid-seven-figure range. This figure is based on his long history of working on high-budget music videos, television specials, and concert productions for artists like Garth Brooks, Billy Joel, and Janet Jackson.
Jon Small has earned income throughout his career primarily through directing and producing, particularly for high-profile televised music events. His ownership of the production company Picture Vision has likely contributed additional revenue, especially through licensing, distribution rights, and royalties from syndicated concert broadcasts. Over the years, Small’s role as an executive producer on shows like Amazon Music Live with Garth Brooks and Billy Joel: Live at Shea Stadium further solidified his position as a top-tier contributor to the music industry’s visual landscape.
While he does not flaunt a luxurious public lifestyle or maintain a visible online presence, his work continues to generate value through re-releases, streaming platforms, and commemorative collections. In a world where music and visuals increasingly intersect, Jon Small’s influence carries not just cultural significance but also long-term residual financial value. Though he stays out of the spotlight, his legacy endures behind the scenes, quietly powerful, yet unmistakably valuable.
Jon Small Biography Summary: Career, Legacy, and Impact
Jon Small is a New York-born American music video director, producer, and former drummer. He rose to prominence in the 1990s for directing Garth Brooks’ music videos, most notably the award-winning The Red Strokes. He started his career as a drummer in Billy Joel’s early band before moving into management and production. Over the decades, he has produced numerous live concert specials and directed for some of the biggest names in music. Today, he remains a behind-the-scenes icon, with a legacy that continues to influence how music visuals are crafted and remembered.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jon Small
Who is Jon Small?
Jon Small is an American music video director, producer, and former drummer best known for directing Garth Brooks’ award-winning music video “The Red Strokes.” Born in New York City in 1947, he began his career as a musician before transitioning into music video production. He has worked with major artists like Billy Joel and Reba McEntire, earning multiple industry awards over the decades.
What is Jon Small famous for?
He is most recognized for directing The Red Strokes by Garth Brooks, which premiered in 1994 and won the ACM Music Video of the Year. The video is known for its dramatic reverse-filming effect and vibrant use of paint.
Is Jon Small still working in 2025?
While he is no longer actively directing new content, Jon Small remains involved in legacy projects. His most recent credited work was as executive producer on Amazon Music Live with Garth Brooks in 2023.
Did Jon Small work with Billy Joel?
Yes. He played drums in Billy Joel’s early band The Hassles and later produced major concert specials like Billy Joel: Live at Shea Stadium.
Is Jon Small still directing music videos in 2025?
He is not actively directing new videos but continues to work as a producer on select music specials.
What is Jon Small’s net worth in 2025?
No official figure is available, but he is estimated to have earned a mid-seven-figure sum through directing and producing music content.
Is Jon Small on Wikipedia?
As of now, Jon Small does not have a dedicated Wikipedia page, but he is referenced in articles and credits of artists like Garth Brooks and Billy Joel.