Jonathon's true love is simply to play: anything, any style. Growing up in Nashville, Tennessee in the 80s, one might think he was into country music, but not at first. Jonathon actually began training as a classical pianist at the age of 7 at Vanderbilt University's prestigious Blair School of Music. Coming from a somewhat musical family, his parents pushed him to practice hard. After a few years he began entering competitions and won two statewide contests for performance and composition. At the age of 15, he won first prize in a concerto competition where he performed a Mozart concerto with the Nashville Youth Symphony. During the same period, Jonathon began playing percussion heavily, becoming accomplished in snare drums, timpani, and marimba. Jonathon attended several music camps for percussion and classical piano including the internationally recognized Brevard School of Music in North Carolina. At this point, he felt there was still something missing. He discovered he could use his talents in piano for other types of music such as jazz or other "commercial" styles. He became involved in his high school jazz band and went on to play in mid- and all-state jazz bands. This opened the door to a new world.
Jonathon searched out any kind of music he could get his hands on and learned to play it. Soon he became a huge fan of Stevie Wonder, Billy Joel, Bruce Hornsby and other legendary piano players and keyboardists. He would sit for hours at the piano playing through books and books of "pop" music. He simply loved to play. After taking a short break from music after 12 years of serious dedication, Jonathon decided to enroll in Belmont University in Nashville to pursue a commercial music degree where he graduated with a bachelor's degree with an emphasis in music technology.
Since graduation, Jonathon has been extremely successful in the highly competitive Nashville scene as a keyboardist for many of Country's top artists such as Kevin Sharp, Jaimie O'Neal, George Canyon, Billy Currington, pop artist Charles Kelley and hot new country group, Lady Antebellum. Jonathon has also enjoyed a world tour with Engelbert Humperdinck. For the past 4 years, Jonathon has played with Platinum recording artist Sara Evans. Jonathon has also been featured in many TV appearances such as: Evans' "Real Fine Place" video, Jeff Foxworthy's "Big Night Out," the ACM and CMA awards, the Tony Danza Show, the CMA Music Festival, CMT "Insider" and many others.
Regardless of his extremely busy schedule Jonathon can always find time for his second love – riding his Harley across the scenic back roads of Tennessee. A well-rounded person in music and in life, Jonathon is an accomplished musician capable of playing anything acoustic or electric. He believes music is a universal form of communication, and loves nothing more than to relate his life experiences through his music.
