New update at ToBH

I posted a new update at Trail of Broken Hearts. I added a new section called "McL Archives". This section include bits of info and updates of Jon going as far back as 2003 when he started out, all thanks to Archive.org.

Check it out here:
http://trailofbrokenhearts.webs.com

Here is one of the items I posted: an 800x600 desktop of Jon. Right click and view image to view full size.

Jon brings the action-violence-comedy-drama-reality to you!

OK, maybe he (and I) exaggerated a little bit, but there's a video feature Jon will be doing every Wednesdays called "Video Wednesday."



Check his Youtube channel for the upcoming weeks' videos:
www.youtube.com/jonmclaughlin

Newcomer McLaughlin 'Enchants' music fans

Here's a small review of Jon by High Point University in North Carolina, posted in their Art & Entertainment section.
--------------------------------------

By: Scarlett Hester
Issue date: 8/21/09 Section: Arts & Entertainment

With an industry riddled with imposters and wannabes, it's hard to decipher genuine musicians behind all of the glitz and glamour of the media. Apart from all of the sex, drugs, and rock 'n roll, a person can begin to wonder: what happened to the music? What happened to talent?

Well, a small-town man can bring a breath of musical fresh air to those who want answers to all of those questions. Jon McLaughlin, an Anderson, Ind. native, knows how to rock a piano and exercise those vocal cords. Full of pure, raw musical talent, McLaughlin first appeared on the music scene with his debut record "Indiana" in May 2007.

However he may be more recognizable for his appearance in the Disney film "Enchanted." Remember the guy standng next to a piano in the ballroom serenading the ball-goers? Yep, that was him. His single "So Close" is what truly launched his musical career and led to the release of his sophomore album "Ok Now" in October 2008.

Written by Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz for the movie, "So Close" received an Oscar nomination.

Both albums, "Indiana" and "Ok Now," showcase McLaughlin's vocal range as well as his agility and confidence behind a piano. Unlike other artists, McLaughlin remains true to his music. Stylistically, there aren't any major changes between the albums, which is reassuring for listeners.

If there is any downfall to Jon McLaughlin it would be that his lyrics can be cliché. However, while they are cliché, it is a nice change of pace to hear songs about everyday things. He is able to add a catchy blues-like jazz twist on his songs, which complements the words he sings well.

It's obvious just by listening that this musician pours his heart and soul into his music. McLaughlin's music can definitely be classified as the "feel-good" kind of music. It's hard to not want to sing along or walk with a slight bounce in your step with his musical genius pouring through your ear buds. Despite your taste in music, it's hard to deny McLaughlin's talent.

So go ahead: grab a Jon McLaughlin album and get swept away into musical oblivion. Crank up the volume on your iPod, and prepare to smile.

Original source:
http://media.www.campuschronicle.org/media/storage/paper1319/news/2009/08/21/ArtsEntertainment/Newcomer.Mclaughlin.enchants.Music.Fans-3755546.shtml

Interview with Jon

Here's an interview posted by a writer from the Examiner on Jon's Facebook


Interview with Indiana born recording artist Jon McLaughlin
by Steffani Fox

I recently interviewed Indiana born musician Jon McLaughlin and he was more than happy to share his his musical ponderings with The Examiner. For more information on his upcoming Indianapolis show click here.

Do you miss Indiana and how often do you visit?
- I miss Indiana SO much. The good thing is that I'm in town pretty often for different reasons. Maybe once a month I'm in town. But my wife and I just bought a house in Indy so we'll be moving back in a few months. Couldn't stay away.

Who are some of your influences?
-I've always wanted to be Billy Joel and Elton John. Billy John - that's who I've wanted to be since I was a kid. I think Billy Joel is one of the greatest lyricists ever. And another is Ben Folds. I remember the exact moment when I heard Ben Folds Five for the first time and, not to be dramatic, but I would say it changed my life. I've always wanted to be Billy and Elton but once Ben Folds was the guy who got me to actually give it a shot.


How did you manage to turn your accident into something so positive?
-Well at the time of the accident I had been into classical piano for 11 years already. So it was just time for a break (pun intended). I don't really know what would've happened if I had never had that accident but I was so burnt out that I really think I needed some time to just be a teenager and not think about music for awhile.

Who inspires you?
-I always feel like I'm not a real songwriter - for whatever reason - I don't write enough songs to be a songwriter, or I don't enjoy it enough to call myself a songwriter, or I'm not artsy enough, etc... So I really try to draw inspiration from ANYthing I can. Books, articles, conversations, movies, tv shows, blah blah...I feel like I need all the info I can get if I'm going to try to fake my way through this:)


Who are some of the major acts you've opened for?
-I've done tours with Kelly Clarkson, Sara Barielles, Marc Broussard, Paolo Nutini, and the amazing Jonny Lang. All great artists and some of the absolute nicest people in the world. I really haven't had any bad experiences on the road as far as touring with other bands.

Is there one particular song that truly moves you?
Among a long, long list of others - "Jolene" by Ray LaMontagne.


Thanks Jon and we look forward to your show on August 13th at the Indiana State Fair!

Original source
http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-18321-Indianapolis-Concerts-Examiner~y2009m8d8-Interview-with-Indiana-born-recording-artist-Jon-McLaughlin

New Album Info and Tour Dates

This e-mail was sent by Island Records HQ with a message from Jon himself:

"Dear Friends of mine -

Well, I have been at home for the past few months doing a ton of writing for another record and it has been a really, really, really great time. Good to just get off the road for a bit and live a somewhat normal existence for a second. And I promise I'm working hard to get these songs written and recorded and out for your gentle judgment/enjoyment ASAP.

In the mean time though I have some shows coming up that I wanted to make sure all knew about - here is the list...


August 13th - Indiana State Fair - Indianapolis IN
August 15th - Parkview Field - Ft. Wayne IN
August 29th - Augustana College Centennial Hall - Rock Island IL
September 4th - Southeastern Church - Louisville KY
September 11th - Wake Forrest U. Manchester Plaza - Winston-Salem NC

So there you go! New songs will be played and therefore heard so hopefully you all can make it out - Hope the summer's going great!

-j- "

For more info on the tour dates, check his myspace. :)

Jon McLaughlin - Brasilian Sites

Here are 2 new sites dedicated to Jon McLaughlin for Portuguese-speaking fans made by 2 Brazilian fans of Jon.

Thalita's site: Jon McL Brasil
http://jonmclbrasil.blogspot.com/


Natália's site: Jon McLaughlin Brasil
http://www.jonmcl.net


Even if you don't speak/understand Portuguese, they're really nice sites worth checking out. The girls did a great job, so props to them. Good luck with your sites! ;)

Piano Man Feeling 'OK Now'

Jon
By Laura Edwards

Warmer spring weather means it's time to roll down the windows and pull out your sunglasses. Jon McLaughlin's new album, "OK Now" is perfect for blasting from your speakers as you drive down the road. TC talked to Jon about his music, what he was like in high school, and life in a small town.


He's been playing the piano since he was a boy, but now with his unique sound and probing lyrics, Jon McLaughlin is showing the world a new kind of piano man.

Dressed in a well-worn hoodie and faded jeans, Jon McLaughlin is the picture of mellow. He doesn’t fit the stereotypical mold of a guy with two successful albums and an Oscar-nominated song under his belt. There’s no false persona, no egotistical fronts — just a guy who genuinely loves playing music and sharing it with others. Talking to Jon, you realize he knows who he is and where he’s going. And he’s going big places.

Jon started taking piano lessons at age 4 and continued his classical training for years. However, as high school approached, Jon became less and less excited about playing piano.

"At that point I had only really played classical piano, which I was really bored with," Jon said. "When you are in high school, it’s not cool to play classical piano."

So instead of music, Jon focused more on swimming, soccer and enjoying his high school years.

"In high school, I was kind of dorky, but I thought I was cool," Jon said. "I went to high school during the everyone-bleach-your-hair phase. I had bleached hair from like 8th grade to my senior year. I am surprised I even have any hair left now." The bleach may have fried his hair, but it couldn’t burn music completely out of his mind. Toward the end of high school, Jon’s family started going to a church with a bigger youth group. Some of the students in the group were in a band, and were in need of a keyboard player. Jon began playing with the group and his love for music was rekindled. In college, he began writing songs, and the rest is history ...

Jon's latest album is "OK Now," and the 80s pop sound, though drastically different from his first album "Indiana," is still rooted in piano.

"I just went with what I wanted to do at the time," said Jon. "I love 80s pop music but it's definitely not what I had started out with all the time. I definitely started at the piano."

The upbeat 80s vibe goes well with the theme of the album -- taking one moment at a time.

"A lot of the record is looking at life in the moment and basically not getting bogged down worrying about the future or the past really," Jon said. "Just kind of living at the moment."

Jon even carries the message specifically to high schoolers with he song "Four Years." Jon said the song was one he's been wanting to write for a long time to help teens remember that high school is not a matter of life and death.

"I wanted to write to all the high school kids so there's something out there saying [high school] is not everything," Jon said. "In four years, it's going to be over, whatever you built. It's kind of like a mini version of life. Whatever you do is going to be over in four years, good or bad."

As Jon's singles get more airplay, he's bound to catch the ears of thousands of new fans around the world, but no matter where he is on the charts, or what stage he's playing on, Jon seems to be the kind of guy who will always have two feet firmly planted on the ground.

Amy, Jon's wife, plays a big role in that. Because she goes on tour with him, she is by his side through all the ups and downs of making it as a professional musician.

"I've been really blessed to have a lot of great relationships in my life," Jon said. "But I would have to say the one now that's the most important in my life, the day-to-day the one I totally couldn't do without, would be my wife. She's the one. We're together all the time. Out of the year, we're together 364 days. She's the one the who's out on the road with me. When the shows are terrible she's there, when the shows are great she's there."

Jon has also attributed part of his calm, one-step-at-a-time philosophy to his small hometown of Anderson, Ind., an (almost) suburb of Indianapolis.

"[Being from a small town] influences me," Jon said. "I think no matter where you're from it does. If I grew up in Antarctica, I would write songs from that perspective. I think even if I were to never go back to Indiana, I'm still a guy who grew up in Indiana and never looked back. I can't change 25 years of being in the same town."

With a firm grasp on his past and a bright future in front of him, this traveling piano man is taking it one day at a time, and that's more than OK now.

----------------

About Jon

What song gets stuck in your head?
"All the Christmas songs."

What is your least favorite chore?
"Washing the windows. I'm terrible at it."

What was your high school mascot?
"We were the Highland Scots."

If you weren't in the music industry, what would you want to do?
"I'd want some field where there's no gray areas, like accounting... but I'm not good at accounting, so not that."

Do you have a bad habit?
"I correct people's grammar, like double negatives."

What's the last thing you do before you go on stage?
"Stretch a little bit and then jump up and down to get the blood flowing."

What is your favorite article of clothing?
"This really nice tux-jacket kind of thing. I don't even know who makes it, but it's one of those names I should know. I wear it like once a year."

TC Magazine Spring 2009 Issue
http://www.tcmagazine.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=64438

Indiana State Fair - August 13, 2009

Jon McLaughlin comes back to his home state to play the Indiana State Fair
August 3, 2009
Steffani Fox

" Jon McLaughlin is a pop singer-songwriter-pianist originally from Anderson, Indiana. He has been ticking the ivories since he was a young child. While attending Anderson's Highland High School he was involved in an accident that shattered both of his wrists. It was a painful event that could have easily ended McLaughlin's career, but he persevered and picked up his love of music by studying the fine art at Anderson University.

In 2006 McLaughlin signed with Island Records and on May 1st, 2007 released his debut album, Indiana, staying true to his hometown roots and gaining radio play and widespread fandom. His song, 'Beautiful Disaster' is an emotional and poignant story about a teenage girl going through rough times and its message is relatable and resonating.

McLaughlin's second album, 'OK Now' dropped in 2008 with the popular single, 'Beating My Heart'. When touring, McLaughlin puts on intimate, yet dynamic shows and makes his fans truly feel he is singing for them. His lyrics are thoughtful and profound, yet relatable and his charisma draws the crowd to their feet.

He undoubtedly sings from the heart and in doing so, earns the hearts of his many fans (many of them right here in Indiana). So, head out to the Indiana State Fair on August 13th, grab yourself a fried Twinkie, and settle in for a new caliber of music while supporting Indiana born Jon McLaughlin.


Indiana State Fair Events on August 13th:
9 a.m. –
9 p.m. Hoosier Heritage Day activities – State Fair Boulevard
Noon –
6 p.m. Family Day Midway Special – Midway
6:30 p.m. The Daily Parade presented by National City, now part of PNC – Main Street
6:30 p.m. WFMS Indiana Entertainer Night featuring Philip Steven & the Open Road and Casey Jamerson – Celebration Park
7p.m. Indiana MusicFest presented by Metromix.com featuring Jon McLaughlin, The Elms & The Why Store – Hoosier Lottery Grandstand "

http://www.examiner.com/x-18321-Indianapolis-Concerts-Examiner~y2009m8d3-Jon-McLaughlin-comes-back-to-his-home-state-to-play-the-Indiana-State-Fair


If you're in the Indianapolis area, be sure to check out Jon live on August 13th! You can attend the concert for free if you pay the fair admission.

8/13/2009 9:30 PM at Indiana State Fairgrounds - Hoosier Lottery Grandstand - 2009 Indiana State Fair - Indiana MusicFest
1202 East 38th Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46205
Cost: Free with Fair Admission