Daily Inspiration: Meet Jon Worthy

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jon Worthy. 

Jon, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I started playing guitar when I was 13 after watching VH1 Behind the Music on Guns N Roses. I loved Slash and their whole vibe so I took lessons for a couple years. I continued to play guitar but wasn’t obsessed by any means. And then in college, I found myself with some more time on my hands and I started playing a lot more guitar and eventually started writing songs. I eventually joined a band and we got to play every weekend at Penn State which is how I fell in love with performing. After college I moved to Nashville to pursue music. I was in a band Easy Roscoe for about 4 years when I first moved to Nashville. Since I only played guitar in that band and wrote some of the songs, I felt Like I still had a lot more to give creatively. So, I started my own solo project simultaneously aka Jon Worthy. I recorded a 6 song EP, started playing shows, and continued to write a lot. From there I kept pouring more and more of my time into my own project and eventually, it became my sole focus. I have released 3 full-length albums, 2 EPs, and about 25 singles. I toured like crazy in 2018 and 2019 with over 120 shows played in 2019. I started playing some smaller festivals and have been picked 4 years in a row by Nashville radio station Lightning 100 as one of the top 32 undiscovered artists in Nashville. Going into 2020 I felt like I had a lot of momentum. I had over 75 shows booked by February 2020 and was going to tour the west coast for the first time. And then of course like so many other people’s lives the pandemic derailed my plans. I was forced to reevaluate how I was going about my music career. I stated producing and put together a home studio. I started getting way more involved in being a producer and what that skillset could add to my career. Eventually, I got into writing music for tv and film and had a Netflix placement on the show Twenty Something’s in December 2021. I am also doing a lot of vocal work and producing songs for artists in Nashville and around the world via various online communities. Now I’d say I am a hybrid between touring artist and recording artist. I have also started a new project with fellow singer/songwriter Kiki Halliday who is a big reason why I got in to sync. We call ourselves KJ Wild and our music is super positive and upbeat indie alt-pop. We have started playing some shows and are currently finishing up 7 songs with our producer and collaborator Adam Agin. I also joined the band, Saint Dorian, as the lead singer. Saint Dorian is super edgy alt-rock and is very collaborative amongst the 5 band members. We’re working on a 5 song EP at the moment. I have also thrown myself into songwriting and collaboration with some of my favorite local artists. I just love creating and it feels so good to write and produce songs with people you enjoy being around.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It’s been a very bumpy road! Constant doubt about the path I have been on. Am I doing enough, am I going about it the right way? How should I spend my time as to best grow and get better? These are all insecurities I deal with every day, but whenever I get to create those feelings go away and I just love making music in any capacity. I’ve had my touring van break down on the road on tour several times. I’ve played gigs to literally 3-4 people. I’ve been told no so many times or never even received a response it’s become normal. But at the same time, it still stings and I think that’s part of what drives me. I want to prove people wrong and look back at the people who said no along the way and have grown and gotten better from when I was rejected.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I would say I am most recognized as an artist and performer. I have played hundreds of shows over the last 4 years and been a pretty consistent road warrior. I let out all my energy, frustrations, fears, insecurities out when I am on stage. It’s pure passion and love and joy. I love to perform. I become a different person on stage and it’s a great release for me. I feel more comfortable on stage performing in front of hundreds of people than I do being at a party with 12 people. I think I am most proud of the way I have grown as a musician and artist. Looking back, I wasn’t very skilled musically. I wasn’t very good at guitar; I wasn’t very good at singing. I wrote a lot of songs, but they weren’t cohesive. Over the years I have put in the work and gotten so much better. Through pure hard work and practice and repetition, I think I have developed a unique skill set to help me achieve my dreams. I feel super confident about my songwriting, performing, vocals, and production and how I can use those skills to better me and my career. Touching upon that idea of growing my skillset, I think what sets me apart from others is my work ethic. I am always working on music. I am always releasing new music, collaborating, touring, whatever it may be I just love having 10 different projects going on at once. I have a drive within me that fuels this constant flow of music and I think that passion sets me apart from people who need more space and time to create.

What would you say has been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
I get so focused on what I am trying to accomplish that I forget it’s still life and you have to try and enjoy what you are doing. Take a deep breath and enjoy the moment because you aren’t getting it back. Collaborate with people you like. If something doesn’t feel right then don’t do it. There are so many avenues you can take that you shouldn’t waste your time working with someone or on something that doesn’t feel fun and right to you.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://jonworthythebends.com/home
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/jonworthymusic
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/jonworthymusic
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/jonworthymusic
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/JonWorthy
• SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/jonworthymusic
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4Jo3IYxXbnkBX8irFxeGX2?si=tYBEyB_8SDWwZFke7-Sc1Q
• Other: https://vm.tiktok.com/TTPdydVgPt/

Image Credits
Patty Powers
Phillip Reese
Adam Settle
Kelsey Runge
Mike Worthy