Check Out Jason Bynum’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jason Bynum.

Hi Jason, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My name is Jason Bynum I grew up in a big musical family from small-town Oklahoma. As you could expect money was always tight for our family of 8 but what our family lacked in the material we made up for in creativity. I come from an extremely talented musical family and it’s been passed down for generations so naturally, I’ve only ever wanted to play music. I started playing for my church youth band when I was about 14. As I was learning to be a better musician I got an opportunity to go on the road with a traveling theater I was only 17 at the time but I packed up my homeschool books and went on the road for a month. I never saw acting as a career path I still just wanted to be paid to play music. I was able to book my first real tour playing summer camps all over the country. That was the official start of my professional music career.

After playing for a few other artists I was let go from the tour I was on. I was devastated. I wasn’t sure what the next step would be. I ran into my neighbor out in front of my house and explained what happened. She mentioned she and a few friends were starting a band and asked if I wanted to jam and see if I’d be a good fit for playing rhythm guitar. It was magic from our first rehearsal. We worked really hard and got signed to fueled by ramen. That band was Grammy award-winning multi-platinum record-selling band, Paramore. After leaving Paramore in late 2005 I played for a handful of other artists along with opening a show at London fashion week playing guitar on the runway as Cara Delevingne opened the show. I loved playing guitar it was my passion and I had a wonderful career. But all that came crashing to a halt in 2010 when I was hit by the Nashville flood and lost all my guitars and about $160,000 in musical instruments along with all my possessions. Thankfully I still had my car. I went from living in one of the wealthiest communities in Tennessee to an old leaky and drafty warehouse in downtown Nashville that I rented a room out of for $250 a month.

For the first time in my life, I felt truly lost. I always got this question after I left Paramore “what are you going to do now?” My answer was always I’d love to be an actor even though I know how hard that is. After a few years of trying to get back on my feet an opportunity to become an actor and have professional representation came out of nowhere. Since that day I’ve worked on lots of amazing films and tv episodes and the work still coming in. In 2012 while I was working on a film called “The Song” With Alan Powell I booked a role on the ABC television show Nashville. I worked alongside Connie Britton, Chip Esten, and Hayden Panettiere. After that role, I was offered a position to work for Chip Esten as his stand-in and body double and worked on the production in many capacities until 2016. I was also fortunate enough to work with the queen of country music Dolly Parton. She had a palpable presence when she entered the room and couldn’t have been sweeter! I have worked with lots of amazing people over the years and all this to say I am so thankful to be able to work on projects with other amazing actors and crew. Every time you walk on set it’s like making a whole new group of friends. There’s a reason it’s called movie magic.

My latest film is called “Why We Breathe”. It was an offshoot from some of the other roles I have done. I played the character Rodney. He is a real low-life, troubled soul that couldn’t handle his emotions and there are some real physical moments in the movie that may be hard for some viewers. But I felt that it is a very important story that needs to be told having experienced those types of things in my childhood. It’s funny because when I have had to play these complicated roles with truly evil characters I have often had the comment made how is it that you can play such a bad person on film and be so nice in person. I personally feel it’s easier for me to play someone opposite of my own character. That way I can develop all the aspects of that person from the ground up. There’s not as much in the way if that makes sense. So currently I’m getting prepared for pilot season in 2023 and I have a few auditions and things in the works. My goal is to be prepared mentally and physically before the season so I have the best shot possible to work on more films and television shows. It’s a lot of hard work and dedication but I truly love it and I’m willing to put in the work.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Life is full of challenges but it’s how you react to them that makes a difference. I’ve seen unthinkable tragedies in my personal life and career. But honestly, I’ve had to figure out a way to find the silver lining and make the best of the hard times. Things happen it’s how you roll with the punches that matter.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a creative person to the core a professional actor and musician and artist. I love every aspect of living a creative life and that bleeds through to my relationships, my family, and especially my kids.

What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I am an extremely creative self-starter who prides himself in the hard work it takes to make something truly great!

Contact Info:

• Website: TheJasonbynum.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jason_bynum/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jasonasherbynum
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/jason_bynum
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@jasonasherbynum
• Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4424244/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk 

Image Credits
Adam Sanner