UltimateJonMcLaughlin

Merry, Merry Christmas Everyone

2010-11-29T19:46:00.000-08:00

... is the title of Jon's upcoming Christmas single.

The track can be previewed on the link below and will be available for purchase online on December 7th.

http://www.amazon.com/Merry-Christmas-Everyone/dp/B004ECCPWQ/ref=sr_1_29?ie=UTF8&qid=1291086895&sr=8-29

Jon Releasing Christmas Single

2010-11-20T19:12:00.000-08:00

Jon will be releasing a Christmas song he wrote himself. The release date has yet to be announced.

From his Facebook/Twitter on November 10:

"Just picked the cover for the Christmas song! It's coming soon, my friends! (meaning the song...and Christmas too)"

More to come..

Koffeehouse Featured Artist of the Week

2010-08-05T20:31:00.000-07:00

By: Koffeehouse Editor, Christopher Eric

He's had two Top 40 Billboard singles ("Beautiful Disaster," "Beating My Heart"), toured with the likes of Koffeehouse favorites OneRepublic, Colbie Caillat, Sara Bareilles, Duffy, Paolo Nutini and Kelly Clarkson, and licensed songs to hit shows like Scrubs, Ghost Whisperer and A Little Thing Called Life. But it was Jon McLaughlin's jaw-dropping performance of the Oscar-nominated So Close during the live worldwide telecast of the Academy Awards-- the same song he sang when he starred as himself in the Disney hit-movie Ella Enchanted with Patrick Dempsey and Amy Adams-- that was a career defining moment for the 25 year-old pop rock singer-songwriter and pianist from Anderson, Indiana. The appearance re-ignited his Island Records debut album, spurring a 1,514% overnight sales increase at Amazon, sending it to the #1 spot on its Movers & Shakers chart, and his single, "Beautiful Disaster", attracted over 420,000 digital fans (including Koffeehouse) when featured as the iTunes Download of The Week.

On the eve of heading out to Los Angeles to perform at Koffeehouse's 4th Annual "Evening of Independence" Concert to benefit MusiCares on August 7, 2010 (www.koffeehouse.com), Jon opened up to Koffeehouse about a wide-variety of subjects, including arm-wrestling Ryan Tedder, what is was like to play in front of a billion or so people, and making Perez Hilton's "hit list."

Q&A with Jon McLaughlin

KH: We might as well cut to the chase, Jon. One of your biggest fans is Perez Hilton who has posted at least one picture of you on his site and has referred to you as “dreamy” and “yummy.” Are you blushing, flattered or disturbed?

JM: Well when it comes to Perez Hilton, you know, he can get pretty ruthless so I'm just glad I'm on his good side (smile).

KH: You’ve played live before one of the biggest TV audiences in history when you performed So Close from Ella Enchanted during the Academy Awards. So were you more nervous when you sang the national anthem for Koffeehouse before 20,000 screaming fans at Game #2 of the Celtics v. Magic NBA Conference Finals, or singing in front of Jack, Gwenyth and Leo?

JM: The Oscars definitely! I've never been more nervous than I was standing at that microphone behind that curtain. The only way I would've been more nervous is if I were just singing in a room with just Jack, Gwyneth, and Leo.

KH: Any pre-show traditions or superstitions? Anything you MUST do before you get out on stage?

JM: I've tried all kinds of things. None that have stood the test of time. So these days I'm pretty chill before a show - just the usual vocal warm ups, hot tea, jumping jacks, pull-ups, push-ups, push pops, pop tarts...

KH: We know you recently got married (Amy) which spurs us on to ask whether being in a healthy, happy, long-term relationship basically one of the worst things that can happen to a singer-songwriter?

JM: Well, I do think it's true that we get some of the best songs in history out of heartache, but I think it's partly because heartache is so universal. I love breakup songs, always have, always will - I have the greatest marriage ever I'm pretty sure, but I can always write a song about heartbreak. You never forget what heartbreak feels like.

KH: You write most of your own songs, but you’ve performed songs written by others. Which gives you more satisfaction: writing a great song, or performing someone else's song great?

JM: Definitely writing. As much writing as I've done in the last 8 or 9 years, there have only been a few times when a song has come along and really got me excited and there's just nothing else like it in the world. Nothing can phase me on the days I write a song that I feel really good about.

KH: We hear that regularly playing piano builds strong forearms. So what happens when you and Ryan Tedder (frontman of OneRepublic) arm-wrestle?

JM: It's been awhile since I've seen Ryan "Forearms" Tedder, but we played a show together in Chicago once and he had a broken foot and was walking around on crutches so arm wrestling was out of the question because, you know, the cast would throw his center of gravity off and...it just wouldn't have been fair.

KH: What's your "freeway only" song? You know, that song you will blast while driving alone on the freeway, but you’ll turn it down low at a stoplight because you'd be embarrassed if people knew you actually liked that song.

JM: "I Think We're Alone Now" - by Tiffany. Do NOT tell anyone.

KH: Can Jon McLaughlin listen to and enjoy Jon McLaughlin songs in the car?

JM: Well I've taken the last year off just to do some writing for the new record so I actually end up listening to new demos I've made quite a bit. I wouldn't say I always enjoy listening to them though!

KH: You’ve worked with a lot of fantastic singer songwriters like Jason Reeves, Brett James and Troy Verges. Have you ever sat down for a songwriting session and a song just magically came together without much effort?

JM: I wrote a song with a guy named Gabe Dixon, one of my favorite musicians. We wrote a song called "Far From Home" which went on the Gabe Dixon Band's last record. That was one of the rare times when I sat down at the piano with someone and ideas just started flying. Most of the time I write pretty slow though.

KH: So we hear that you had a writing session with Jason Reeves and somehow stumbled upon writing a song about Amy Winehouse. We gotta know how that happened.

JM: He pulled up his MacBook and on his home screen there was a news story about Amy Winehouse and how she and her husband had just been in a fight with each other and they looked like they tore each other up! So it started out with us just looking at the pictures and reading the article and talking about how crazy / crazy-in-love they were and then ended up writing a song from their perspective called, "You Are the One I Love".

KH: So F*&%, Marry, Kill is soooo 2008. Let’s play Tour, Duet, and Delete. Tell us the one artist you’d want to tour with, the one artist you’d want to record with, and the one artist whose song you’ve been meaning to delete from your iTunes library.

JM: I would tour with Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers - I would never get bored watching their show every night. I would love to do a duet with Billy Joel. And ever since I saw Harry Connick Jr. in concert a few months ago, I've been meaning to delete everything of his from my library. I can't stand how freakishly talented that guy is! Makes me want to quit music altogether!

KH: We know you are working on recording your new album. What can your fans expect from the new album? And how long does Perez have to wait for some new material?

JM: The new record is coming along really well. I've never taken so much time to do it right before and I've never worked so hard on anything before. So I hope Perez and all my other fans love this record and love what they hear because the music I'm making now is definitely me. I'm not trying for anything or trying to be anyone else but myself.

Well, don't worry Jon, we'll only tell a few thousand people about your Tiffany secret.

Source: Facebook Note by Christopher Eric (tag: Jon McLaughlin)

New Songs on Youtube

2010-06-18T17:43:00.000-07:00

Two of the 3 new songs performed at Military Park have been uploaded on Youtube.

Promising Promises

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aS5ZfACRk_8

You Are What I'm Here For

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_i3ISDxSCE

Military Park Show - June 5, 2010

2010-06-06T15:58:00.000-07:00

I don't have details about the Military Park show that took place yesterday afternoon, but I did find a photo set on Flickr, you can view the pics in this link :

http://www.flickr.com/photos/96267909@N00/4673440390/in/set-72157624087363841

One of the pictures was of the setlist and on it showed some brand new songs he performed (bolded below):

http://www.flickr.com/photos/96267909@N00/4673440390/sizes/l/in/set-72157624087363841/

Beating My Heart
Always On My Mind
Promising Promises
You Are the One I Love
You Are What I'm Here For
Come Together (cover)
Why I'm Talking to You
Indiana
Four Years
Maybe It's Over, But I Don't Feel It
Human

encore:
Beautiful Disaster
Industry

I found the other 'untitled song' he performed in NYC is "Maybe It's Over, But I Don't Feel It", which is a line he sings during the chorus.

From Malibu to Carmel (not the one by the sea)

2010-06-01T23:52:00.000-07:00

Here's a great, new interview with Jon that has him talk about moving from California back to Indiana, the writing process for the upcoming album, his early days as a performer, and a sneak-peak of his upcoming show in Military Park, IN that shouldn't be missed (this weekend!).

http://www.nuvo.net/nuvo/jon-mclaughlin-from-malibu-to-carmel-not-the-one-by-the-sea/Content?oid=1380249

3 Other Unreleased Songs

2010-05-04T17:45:00.000-07:00

I've discovered 3 more unreleased songs last night. It's amazing how these songs pop up out of nowhere. Two of them didn't have titles and are fairly recent, and the other has a title and was recorded over 2 years ago.

The Words (followed by Industry) - this is the oldest unreleased track I found. It would have probably ended up on OK Now. Performed at the UGA on April 2008.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tsx23YM4S98

Untitled - performed at the Indiana State Fair, last August. This would be a great album opener for the upcoming record.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qz4Tv0ODyk

Untitled - performed at the Launchpad in Albuqueque, NM (2009?)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDoZSaDONW8

I will be putting up the audio very soon, enjoy these videos in the meantime.

Indiana - Live In-studio Acoustic

2010-04-30T14:27:00.000-07:00

Here is a live in-studio acoustic performance of Indiana at Sweetwater Sound's studio, released for the second volume of Majic Miracle Music compilation (in 2007) to raise money for a local children's hospital in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

http://www.sendspace.com/file/74e0jn

Enjoy :)

Origins Rocks Earth Month Concert Highlights

2010-04-29T18:52:00.001-07:00

Here is a video highlight of the Origins Rocks Earth Month at Webster Hall in NYC featuring Jon, Ryan Star, Juliette Lewis and Macy Gray.

Music: "Beauty In The World" by Macy Gray

Here are some pictures from Zimbio:
http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/I0JntVWeMsI/Macy+Gray+Concert+Benefit+Origins+Global+Earth/efK4WqDxBg9/Jon+McLaughlin

2 Sets From Flickr (Photos by Jacob Blickenstaff)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/47463137@N02/sets/72157623946970988/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/47463137@N02/sets/72157623936957484/

Another Untitled Song

2010-04-28T17:12:00.000-07:00

I found this video that was recorded at the Origins concert. Jon performed another new song right after his Billy Joel cover of "New York State of Mind." As I've listened to some the lyrics, it could be the song "You Never Know What You Have" that he's mentioned before. If anyone knows the actual title, please let us know! :)

Check it out here:

Download the audio here:
http://www.sendspace.com/file/7siocr

And it seems like he has performed "Be Someone" in the past. This one was uploaded in September of last year.

Be Someone - New song

2010-04-20T10:57:00.000-07:00

Last night I had the opportunity to attend the free Origins Rock Concert in New York City at Webster Hall. Jon was one of the 3 artists performing. His guitarist Dylan Williams and drummer Chad Kinner tagged along. Luke was M.I.A.

He performed after Ryan Star to an underwhelming/poor crowd (that's how I saw it). It seemed like a Ryan Star and Macy Gray audience in attendance.

His setlist:

Industry

Beating My Heart

Why I'm Talking to You (with crowd participation)

New York State of Mind (Billy Joel cover) > Untitled New Song

Be Someone (new song)

Beautiful DIsaster

When I heard him say he was going to sing a new song, I immediately pressed the record button on my camera -- no video, just audio. I was too nervous to hold up my camera. Based on previous recording experience, I've always had bad luck by being told no video recording was allowed.

Here it is:

http://www.sendspace.com/file/uyvt0o

The song is great, love the melody. The album version should be just as great. Jon said the new album is coming out soon after he's done recording it (which he should be doing any week now).

A few pictures from my Facebook:

Enjoy!

-Miguel

KSFS Acoustic Lounge & Throw My Love Around (Live)

2010-03-22T15:02:00.000-07:00

I recently discovered a full-length radio program that was released a couple of years ago. It features an interview with live cuts from Jon's live show at the Great American Music Hall, presented by KSFS in San Francisco (originally released online in September of 2007). In the program, Jon discusses growing up, the beginning of his career, and life on the road. The full program and individual performances can be downloaded here:

http://trailofbrokenhearts.webs.com/multimediaaudio.htm

In addition, I found a great live recording of "Throw Your Love Around" with Stephen Kellogg from November 1st of 2009 at archive.org. It's available by clicking on the link above as well. The live video recording of this performance is available a few posts down.

Enjoy

Self-Titled album to be Re-released and New Album Info

2010-02-17T20:12:00.000-08:00

According to an Amazon.com listing, Orangehaus/Megaforce Records is going to re-release Jon's self-titled album under the title "The Early Recordings" at the end of March this year. The album was originally released by student-run record label Orangehause in 2004 while Jon was attending Anderson University.

You can view the listing and pre-order the album here:

http://www.amazon.com/Early-Recordings-Jon-McLaughlin/dp/B0037OA1XC/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1266464153&sr=1-4

The product details says that it's going to be an Enhanced CD, so the multimedia portion of the disc might include video footage of the recording session, among other things.

The product descriptiion also mentions that Jon is set to release a new album later this year. We'll just have to wait and find out until it's confirmed by Jon and Island Records.

This is very exciting news. A new album is on the horizon and his old record label is making his earlier work become widely available so that his fans can get a glimpse of what he was like before signing with Island.

2 video clips from the Yamaha concert

2010-02-11T18:48:00.000-08:00

Here are 2 video clips of Jon at the Yamaha concert where he performed recently. His performance of 'So Close' is nowhere to be found yet.

Industry

Why I'm Talking To You

McL plays NAMM concert

2010-01-17T17:24:00.000-08:00

Jon shared the stage with the likes of Jason Mraz, Nat King Cole and Michael McDonald at the NAMM Day 2 concert on January 16th in Anaheim, CA. The NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) is an annual dealer show that features performances from artists.

Source 1:
http://www.ocregister.com/entertainment/set-229543-songs-singer.html

The night's strongest performances came from singer-songwriter-keyboardist Jon McLaughlin and, later, Jason Mraz.
McLaughlin displayed his amazing skills when seated at the piano, and how his fantastic voice brought added power to his performance. His set was anchored by poignant versions of "Beautiful Disaster" and the exquisite "So Close" (featured in the movie "Enchanted").

Source 2:
http://soundcheck.freedomblogging.com/2010/01/16/namm-day-2-jason-mraz-vince-gill-michael-mcdonald-more-stand-out-at-yamaha-concert/17863/#more-17863

Beating My Heart Live at the IN State Fair

2010-01-04T14:45:00.000-08:00

Live performance of Beating My Heart at the Indiana State Fair in August 2009, with various clips of activities happening at the event. Directed by Dan T. Hall

Jon on WZPL Smiley's Christmas Carol

2009-12-17T20:23:00.000-08:00

This is a bit late, but Jon will be a special guest at WZPL's Smiley's Christmas Carol tomorrow morning at 7am, December 18 [it's almost midnight as of this posting]. I'm not sure of any other details. For those in the Indianapolis area who know about this and plan to attend... have fun!

http://www.beefandboards.com/

http://www.wzpl.com/pages/5875735.php

http://blogs.wzpl.com/hunter/2009/12/17/quickpost-200/

Tomorrow at Beef & Boards SMILEY’S CHRISTMAS CAROL — Jon McLaughlin, Subway Jared, Carl Brizzi, & Pat Carlini. Show starts at 7a

http://www.facebook.com/notes/wzpl-fm-indianapolis-z995/wzpl-smileys-a-christmas-carol-live-radio-theatre-7a-beefandboards-starring-jonm/395315035416

Throw My Love Around - Live Performance

2009-12-16T21:23:00.000-08:00

A performance of 'Throw My Love Around has finally surfaced on Youtube. It's a song that Jon rarely played since his 'OK Now' release or hasn't played at all to my knowledge:

Throw My Love Around (with Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers)

Backstage video

2009-09-15T12:02:00.000-07:00

Here's a new video posted by Jon of Jon and the guys hanging out backstage before the concert at Wake Forest University last friday.

New Song Title Confirmed

2009-09-01T18:13:00.000-07:00

Jon confirmed on his Facebook/Twitter that he had just finished a new song! Not sure if he meant finished recording it or writing it. It's a love song called "You Are My Girl Tonight".

http://twitter.com/JonMcLaughlin

"Just finished a new song. There is nothing like the day I finish a new song. It's called 'you are my girl tonight' ...it's a love song."

Please let us hear it soon Jon! :)

New update at ToBH

2009-08-23T14:40:00.001-07:00

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!

2009-08-22T14:49:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-21T22:44:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-10T07:17:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-06T16:22:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-06T14:44:00.000-07:00

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'

2009-08-04T17:10:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-04T10:01:00.000-07:00

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

Jon in new Demi Lovato song

2009-07-23T12:37:00.001-07:00

Jon McLaughlin co-wrote 2 songs on Demi Lovato's new released album Here We Go Again: "Falling Over Me" and "Everytime You Lie". Jon also apparently provided background vocals in the song "Falling Over Me", mainly the chorus.

Listen to the track here:

Palestra Music Interview

2009-07-09T19:27:00.000-07:00

Found an old but interesting interview video of Jon at the Sundance Film Festival.

"The Palestra Music Team sits down with piano man Jon McLaughlin at the Sundance Film Festival."

View here
http://www.thepalestra.com/pop-up.php?id=3479

Download here
http://www.thepalestra.com/videos/3479.flv
.FLV format - 15 MB

Trail of Broken Hearts Updates

2009-07-03T15:50:00.001-07:00

Hey guys,

I'd like to thank everyone who's been checking out the site so far. I've already had a few people sign up (thanks!). The site has been updated recently. I added some of the videos that have been posted here in the Multimedia section, as well as all of Jon's independent album releases before Indiana and a few more rarities all in one place. Go check them out when you can ;)

Hoping for some new Jon updates really soon! Will keep you guys posted as soon anything new comes in :)

New Jon McLaughlin Fansite

2009-06-12T19:38:00.001-07:00

Hello readers,
Just to give you an update... I just created/launched a new Jon McLaughlin fansite called "Trail Of Broken Hearts". Everyone is invited to sign up.

http://www.trailofbrokenhearts.webs.com/
(based on lyrics from the song "Human")

For those wondering, it doesn't mean I'll be giving up posting here. I'll still be updating as usual (whenever new updates pop up). I will definitely be updating over there like I do here. The site will mostly share info about Jon McL and a lot of files (music and pics) will be more organized. It's small but it's a start.

If anyone wants to suggest anything, contact me, or use the Contact form on the site :)

Thanks for checking it out.
Many thanks to Low-D for still keeping this blog up ;)

-Geckoman/Miguel

Jon's Twitter Updates

2009-06-06T21:23:00.001-07:00

Here are a few recent Twitter posts from Jon regarding writing songs (upcoming album? :) ) if you haven't followed:

Nothing compares to finishing a song. Can't wait to see what you guys think of them...5:28 PM Jun 4th from Tweetie

---

writing/sweating5:27 PM Jun 3rd from web

---

Almost done with another song and I have no idea what it's about10:20 PM Jun 1st from web

---

long day of writing....turning mind off now9:50 PM May 27th from web

from: http://twitter.com/jonmclaughlin

Jon McL E-mail update

2009-05-13T11:33:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone -

Well, it's been a little while since we've talked via mass email and the only person who loves chatting via mass emails more than you is me. So here we are. I thought it was about time I let you all know what I've been doing since the end of the tour.

The answer - writing. "Writing what?" you ask?....songs. Yeah, writing songs (weird that you had to ask). It has been so amazing to just be in one place for awhile and be able to spend some time getting some new material together. And the new stuff is REALLY coming in! I can't wait to get it out to you guys so you can hear it. Soon. Very soon.

It's also been really nice to just live some life (that isn't life on the road). You know, cooking, watching movies, getting stuck in traffic, etc... Yes, it's true, if you live on the road long enough you will even miss getting stuck in local traffic jams. I post all this stuff on Twitter and Facebook (and occasionally MySpace) if you don't follow along already!

Facebook.com/jonmclaughlin (I have 2 facebooks, one's an artist and one is my regular human one).

Twitter.com/jonmclaughlin

Also - My friends in the band Parachute (who came out on the Salute to 2009 Tour with us) have an album coming out MAY 19th!!!! Great guys. Great band. You should get their album!

Well, I hope you all are having wonderful lives and hopefully I'll see you soon!

God Bless!

-j-

Jon McL: Deeper Than You Think

2009-04-15T18:00:00.000-07:00

Jon McLaughlin: Deeper Than You Think
By Supergina

Photo by Julia Barber

I had a lot of assumptions before talking to the almost 27-year-old singer/songwriter Jon Mclaughlin. You might have heard his song, “Beating My Heart,” on the radio. Most of my assumptions weren’t positive. I figured, oh great, another singer songwriter guy who has all his songs written for him and probably has an ego the size of Texas. He will probably put on a boring show by himself and a piano and I’ll have to sit through it. Come to find out that this Indiana-born polite man is actually quite the opposite. I thoroughly enjoyed talking to him and absolutely loved the energetic full band set he played with his band that he considers brothers. It was a pleasant surprise.

On March 1, I showed up to the Hard Rock Cafe in Sacramento to find the place closed, getting ready for the show. They allowed me in since I was “press” and then I proceeded to wait for the tour manager to get onto Jon’s bus. Contrary to my belief, he didn’t start with a bus. During their last U.S. tour, he toured with his band (the same one he is with now), Dylan, Lucas, Chad and Bobby, in a van and trailer. Living in a van and trailer, you really get to see the longevity of a band. Jon says, “The bigger you get, the more sort of disconnected everyone gets, not that you have to, you just have more opportunity to separate. On a bus you can do whatever you want. You’re in the town, it’s your day, but in the van, everyone is in it together. You’re stopping at truck stops together, you’re doing all this stuff together. As far as the progress of success, it’s sort of bittersweet.” Despite their having a bus, they mostly still maintain the duties of unloading and setting up their gear, as well as loading everything back up. Jon enjoys the humbling act, but won’t mind when he gets to the point that someone else can help out on a permanent basis.

On the bus, I briefly met Bobby, one of their guitarists, before he retreated to the back of the bus for Jon and I to do the interview. I am never a fan of awkward question-and-answer interviews. In that setting, the artists usually seem to have a preconceived notion of what is going to happen, what questions are going to be asked, etc. I set the recorder down and we just talked. Throughout the conversation, I learned that not only does Jon have an infallable sense of purpose and drive, he is one of the most laidback genuine people I have had the privilege to interview. One thing that I was very interested in knowing about Jon was his collaboration efforts with various songwriters on his latest album, “Ok Now.” Here’s what he had to say about that: “Songwriting is such an odd thing. It’s hard to be objective and it’s hard to even know if you are supposed to be objective about it, ya know. I didn’t want any help with it. I just wanted to do my own thing but I had all these great opportunities to write with these people. I could definitely see myself looking back and being like, why didn’t I take advantage of writing with these guys who are so established that I can definitely learn something from. Writing with them has definitely helped me. All of the co-writing that I have done I felt like I have learned for sure, from just writing with people. I have learned what I don’t like and what they do that I liked, all that kind of stuff. My goal is kind of to get to the point where I just want good music to go and be put out. I want good music that I am a part of, I don’t want to just take other people’s songs that someone has written for me, not that there is anything wrong with that, it’s just not what I want to do.” Hearing this from Jon was so refreshing. I was relieved to hear that he is an artist who values his musical integrity and doesn’t want to fall into the singer/songwriter pack of some of the top 40 artists.

Photo by Julia Barber

In talking about music, he mentioned that he is really into Bright Eyes lately. He just recently discovered their sound a few weeks ago and he says it has been inspiring him ever since. In his past interviews he has divulged his ’80s fandom, but this time however, he didn’t seem to focus on it very much. It seems that he is really trying to expand his sphere of influence when it comes to songwriting, and is looking forward to new things that may inspire him to write.

After the interview, I went back into the Hard Rock and had a chit-chat with the sound guy. He told me that Jon’s band was one of the tightest soundchecks he has ever done. The guys all wear in ears on stage and have a separate stage mix that they have dialed in for every show, so it’s fast. He just has to get the levels out to the crowd and then they’re basically done. He said they only ran through one song or so and that was it.

There were some radio station listeners waiting outside to get into the show. Shortly after opening doors, the opening band, The 88’s, started. I was so tired and the free drink I received from the Hard Rock actually made me even more sleepy, instead of perking me up as I had hoped. The 88’s kept me awake for the most part. They had an interesting retro type sound. A little dancy, a little weezerish. I am glad that I stayed to see Jon and his band play, even though I was exhausted. I asked Jon about the whole him and his band thing, and he said, “Over the past two years it has definitely become a band more than just me playing with some hired guys, not that it ever was that. They’re my band, I love ‘em. They do contribute a lot of ideas live and stuff, we all contribute. I have two guitar players and we have started some songs together as of late.”

Jon’s live show was much better than I expected. Not only are the musicians in his band talented (can you say, five-part harmonies?!), they’ve got stage presence too. It really was like seeing a band and not at all like a singer/songwriter show. If it wasn’t for Jon’s energy, I could have almost been more mesmerized by Bobby, the guitarist in his tight pants and boots wailing on guitar solos left and right. It could have been because I was sitting on his side of the stage and he kept making eye contact with me so it was distracting me from watching Jon. Either way, Jon definitely has his own style. He vaguely reminded me of Jonathan Jones - ex waking ashland frontman turned singer/songwriter. Jon doesn’t sit much on stage, he more hovers over the stool in front of his piano. He does a sort of “stand, lean, lunge” into the keys. He licks his fingers quickly (perhaps for entertainment value?) before taking on the keys. He uses very quick movements and raises his hands higher when playing than I am used to, so it almost looks as if he is slapping the keys - sometimes his hands were just a blur.

On the one song where Jon was front and center (a Beatles cover of “Come Together”), I watched and remembered what he had told me on the bus: “It’s different because I am always used to having something, even if it is just a guitar. It’s kind of a security thing so it’s been really good to just for a couple minutes on this song it’s just me. It’s just you, which is a really naked feeling; you either go one way or the other, and if you go the right way it’s very liberating, it’s cool.” Remembering that and watching him made me giggle and hope that he was up there not feeling naked. He is definitely more comfortable behind the piano.

I was very entertained by the show, and from the looks of the extremely varied crowd, they were too. I had done a quick demographic sweep while I was there, and there were anywhere from 16-year-old fans, to middle-aged women, as well as men of all ages and types. If there was no show going on, there was no way – from the looks of the crowd – that I would have been able to tell what type of musician was playing that night. I was sitting next to two hardcore fans who had met Jon in Santa Cruz. They were both 18 and had driven from Auburn to see him. They were really excited and knew almost all the songs.

I am thankful that I did the interview with Jon. It really changed my opinions on this singer/songwriter, and will hopefully allow me to be more open-minded next time I hear a top 40 hit, instead of scoffing, “sell out.” Jon’s career is very important to him, but so is his wife (he has her name tattooed on his arm) and his potential family. Eyes glimmering, he says that he is hoping there will be kids in the future, and that he can work that into a touring schedule. He has a very realistic view of the future that actually inspired me. He says, “I feel like you just have to keep a completely clean slate and just see, especially with the life that we lead, it’s like, just see what happens. I am trying to just be a little more ya know, stonerish without being a stoner, just kind of go with the flow. What else are you going to do?” I’d like to just leave it at that.

Posted: April 15, 2009

Original source:
http://fringemag.com/features/jon-mclaughlin-deeper-than-you-think

UPDATED: Human (Alternative Version)

2009-04-08T13:49:00.000-07:00

Here's another new track I acquired: an alternative version of Human from Indiana. The vocals and music are completely different. The song is listed as a "new radio edit", but it sounds more like a demo.

http://www.sendspace.com/file/0ux145

Here's the full version of the track. It used to be on Jon's myspace playlist. Thanks to reader saugun for providing it!

http://www.sendspace.com/file/0ltv3p

Enjoy :o)

ETA: I apologize for the lack of updates recently. There hasn't been any news concerning Jon now that the album promotion/tour has ended. I will post whatever new items I find on the web from time to time.

Beating My Heart (Early live version)

2009-03-29T14:09:00.000-07:00

Here's an early live version of BMH, performed in 2007 when Jon opened for Kelly Clarkson.

Thanks to Homertilicus for sharing the link.
As he pointed out, this version has a piano solo instead of a bridge before the last chorus. Obvious change being that a bridge was added and the piano solo was removed in the final cut of the studio version.

Enjoy

Dance Your Life Away (Alternative Version)

2009-03-26T13:14:00.001-07:00

Here is an alternative version of Dance Your Life Away from an OK Now promotional CD I received. Looks like this version was going to be released until it was changed to the current version that we already have.

Dance Your Life Away (Alternative Version)
http://www.sendspace.com/file/67yyd0

If you listen *really* carefully, you'll notice the difference (actually it's just obvious ;) )

Enjoy!

Something To Believe In

2009-03-24T17:59:00.000-07:00

Here's a track featuring Jon McLaughlin titled "Something to Believe In". It appears in Randy Jackson's Randy Jackson's Music Club, Vol. 1.

Something to Believe In
feat. Van Hunt, Jason Mraz and Jon McLaughlin

http://www.sendspace.com/file/xq1n4j

More Pics - Jon McL in 2005

2009-03-19T19:10:00.001-07:00

Here are more pics of Jon, this time from 2005.
Photos by robalan

http://www.flickr.com/photos/robalan/sets/72157612327976837/

Borders CD Signing - Washington D.C.

2009-03-12T23:38:00.000-07:00

Here are a few pics of Jon's CD signing at Borders in Washington DC, USA on 12-17-2008 from Contactmusic.com

More here:

http://www.contactmusic.com/pictures/jon_mclaughlin/1-1

A Day On The Road

2009-03-03T17:01:00.001-08:00

Here's Jon's new Youtube video where he shows us what a typical day is like on the road. There's even a shower scene! (not like that though... :P )

D/L video here (.mp4 format- 22 MB)
http://www.sendspace.com/file/7v7fqo

3 New Songs + Concert review

2009-03-02T12:35:00.000-08:00

Here are three new songs that have been captured on video for the past couple of months during Jon's concerts. Hopefully this is a sign of a new album coming soon (perhaps at the end of this year or early next year!?)

Tentatively titled: You Belong With Me

Audio mp3:
http://www.sendspace.com/file/mngjma

Eyes On You (this one was actually performed early 2008 and would have ended up on 'OK Now', unfortunately it didn't)

Audio mp3
http://www.sendspace.com/file/mhjdzm

Untitled (jokingly titled "Streets of Philadephia" at the night of the performance)

Audio mp3:
http://www.sendspace.com/file/sl6y1c

Additionally, here is a brief review from our friend Homertilicus, who attended the Jon concert at the SOMA in San Diego, CA on the 27th of February.
-----------------------------------------
The concert ended fairly early. Doors were at 7:00pm. The opening act, Blue In The Face, took the stage at like 7:30pm. Jon came out at about 8:30pm. He played until 10:25ish and the show was over.

After the opening act finished, Jon's band started setting up. The stage didn't have a curtain, so we could see all the stagehands and band members setting up their equipment. I saw Dylan and Bobby come out and test their guitars. There was a stagehand testing Jon's keyboard and mic. And I guess the sound level was waaay too low since Dylan had to recheck it and retest it a few times until we finally heard sound from it. They set up for a while, then they disappeared backstage.

With no curtain to block their entrance, the band members finally took the stage and picked up their instruments. Jon just came right out with them. He didn't make a later entrance or anything grand. He just walked out on stage with everyone in the dimly lit stage and put up his hand to greet the crowd. There was only about 100 people there, maybe less. The venue was small and it wasn't even filled. I think it's because Soma is a punk rock/hardcore venue - so no one knew Jon was playing there. There wasn't a marquee or anything outside that had Jon's name or anything.

Jon opened the show with "Always On My Mind" playing guitar and then moved into "Beating My Heart". The setlist was, and I don't remember the exact order: "Always On My Mind", "Beating My Heart", "Perfect", "You Are The One I Love", "Human", "Amelia's Missing" (with extended instrumental break, yay!) "Indiana", "Why I'm Talking to You", "Come Together" (Beatles cover), "You Can Never Go Back", "Piano Man" (Billy Joel cover), "Mary Jane's Last Dance" (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers cover), "Indiana" and "Four Years". The encore was "Mary Jane" and "Four Years". Oh and he played a new song, which he says is untitled, but it's pretty clear that it's called "You Belong With Me" since that's the main part of the chorus and keeps getting repeated. It's an uptempo piano rock song. The music is reminscent of U2's "Beautiful Day".

He said that when he's having fun on stage, he likes to sing songs that aren't his, but songs that most people will know. He said he sings enough songs that no one knows - his songs. When he sang "Mary Jane", he dedicated it to a girl in the audience who said it was her birthday and he even said happy birthday to her after the song. And he dedicated it to his former college dormmate who was in the audience but didn't raise his hand to be recognized. Jon said his roommate was always playing that song in college, so he sings it now.

After the show ended, the crowd dispersed really quickly. There were a lot of people hanging out in the lobby waiting for Jon to come out, but they quickly left after like 10 minutes. Then the security kicked everyone out, so we waited outside the front entrance. Then the security locked the front doors and told people that Jon wasn't coming out and that we should all leave. A lot of people left, but a group of girls circled around the back of the building. I followed them with my friend. We waited around by the backstage exit for Jon. And another group of girls waited by his tour bus. After waiting for a little while, I noticed that the girls by the tour bus were taking pictures. I didn't know if Jon was there cuz I couldn't see him and I thought that maybe the girls were just taking pictures by the bus. Turns out, Jon was on the bus and he came out to take pictures with everyone and sign whatever they had.

So the group I was with by the backstage exit made our way over to Jon. I got a picture with him, he signed my CDs and laughed when he saw I had his self-titled indie album. He was like, "whaaaat? I don't even own this one anymore...." and he smiled. I shook his hand this time and thanked him. Even though I've met him once before, I was still super nervous. I wanted to take a separate picture with just me and him, but there was a group of girls still waiting and Jon was cold. He was still wearing the same thin little T-shirt he had on stage and he was like, "geez, why's it so cold here tonight" when he was signing my CDs. Ironic, right? Since he just said on stage that San Diego has fantastic weather. Poor guy. It was like 50 degrees, but he was sweating on stage and I think his shirt was still a little wet so that made him colder. Still, he stayed out there and greeted everyone and signed stuff for everyone. There must have been like 20 people all together. He's a trooper and was super nice.

Jon's voice was on point at this show. He sounded absolutely fantastic on every song and never hit a bum note. I love that even with a small turnout, he still gave a passionate, energetic performance. The upside to the venue was that the sound was fantastic. When I saw him in LA at the El Rey Theatre, I stood too close to the stage and missed the "sweet spot" of the sound system. So it was hard to hear him clearly since the sound system was positioned to be best heard by the center of the room. At Soma, I was in the sweet spot and close to the stage. The bass was thumping so hard you could feel it and everything was clear. Loved it!

Here are some great pics he took at the concert:

http://i43.tinypic.com/34yyy3d.jpg

http://i44.tinypic.com/2zp0409.jpg

This one is epic
http://i44.tinypic.com/2ibl2tj.jpg

http://i39.tinypic.com/aubk40.jpg

http://i41.tinypic.com/2a83tbt.jpg

http://i40.tinypic.com/29lbodw.jpg

http://i42.tinypic.com/29wk9d3.jpg

http://i43.tinypic.com/zt82v6.jpg

http://i42.tinypic.com/bc5l5.jpg

http://i41.tinypic.com/auwa3n.jpg

His signed CDs:
http://i39.tinypic.com/25fpx83.jpg

**Please do not take his pics and claim them as your own. You can ask him in the shout box if you want to post them anywhere else (if he doesn't mind).**
-----------------------------------------
Thanks for the review bud!

And enjoy everyone :o)

TOUR SPOTLIGHT: Jon McLaughlin

2009-02-23T20:20:00.000-08:00

Here's a concert review of Jon's recent performance at Chicago's House of Blues by CMC (Christian Music Central).

02-23-2009
by Andy Argyrakis
Tour Spotlight: Jon McLaughlin
“OK Now Tour”
House of Blues/Chicago, IL
Friday, February 20, 2009

Between an Oscar nomination for the single “So Close” (from the Disney movie Enchanted) to tours with Kelly Clarkson, O.A.R., Sister Hazel and Paolo Nutini, it’s easy to assume Jon McLaughlin is entirely concentrated on the mainstream market. However, the Island Records artist has made a point to do a reverse crossover of sorts, signing in the secular scene, but making sure subsequent CDs are available in Christian bookstores, making himself available to faith-based media and peppering statements of faith into several songs.

Considering such a solid foothold on both sides of the fence (alongside the mega hit in-the-making “Beating My Heart” from his second national release OK Now), the Indiana native had no trouble selling out Chicago’s House of Blues. Though it’s impossible to gauge what the audience believed from a spiritual perspective, they were overwhelmingly supportive of McLaughlin’s music, participating in a 90-minute sing-a-long that found the piano popper with modern rock backers covering all the major bases of his career and cover songs that shaped those very steps.

The show opened with the punchy piano ditty “Industry,” an honest look at the music business that found the troubadour stripping away the mask of pretense to promote genuine artistry and integrity. The ultra-infectious “Beating My Heart” followed, placed surprisingly early in the set given its endless radio play these days, but nonetheless a worthwhile decision that involved the entire crowd from the onset. “Perfect” played out as an affirming anthem of marriage with McLaughlin showing off his “Amy” tattoo during blissful lines like: “Cause I found someone to walk me through this life/The brightest sun has opened up my eyes.”

By “You Can Never Go Back,” the headliner traded in his spot in front of the keyboard for an electric guitar, in turn, kicking up the vibe to a grittier feel. Though that transition would continue a couple more times throughout the night, McLaughlin seemed most at home tickling the ivories, even dismissing the band at one point to perform a solo rendition of Billy Joel’s “Piano Man,” explaining that very artist and song got him started on his own musical path.

In reality, McLaughlin’s style in the studio runs closer to an Abercrombie & Fitch version of Ben Folds, though he shed most of the preppiness on stage to interject some rough-necked blues into the original “Why I’m Talking To You,” along with a psychedelic side throughout The Beatles’ “Come Together.” The urge to remake another oldie came during the encore, thanks to a true to form jangle rock cover of Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers’ “Mary Jane’s Last Dance,” though going to the cover well a third time seemed a bit excessive, especially for someone with two full-length albums and a slew of indie projects.

Nonetheless, the show still left room for plenty of fan favorites, including the self-esteem driven “Beautiful Disaster,” the six-string strummer “Always On My Mind” and the through provoking ballad “Human,” which as the title implies, was a heart on sleeve assessment of human nature. “Four Years” provided the most impact on both sonic and semi-spiritual planes, expanding beyond the recorded version into an extended jam that emphasized the fleeting time frame of a student’s high school experience: “Next time you’re walking through your school/Take a look at who’s surrounding you/Or hounding you/Cause it’s all just castles in the sand.” Between those positive sentiments and vibrant musical expressions, McLaughlin remains a steady force in today’s pop climate that can simultaneously entertain and enlighten.

Also check out these great pictures taken at the concert:

More at:
http://s258.photobucket.com/albums/hh261/CCM_Magazine/Jon%20McLaughlin/

Original source:
http://www.cmcentral.com/rss/8627.html

A Chat with Jon McL

2009-02-11T21:40:00.000-08:00

By: Mike Farley (mfarley@bullz-eye.com)

01/02/2009

He grew up listening to Elton John and Billy Joel and Harry Connick, Jr., and later, Ben Folds. Today he is his own piano-playing singer and songwriter, and an awesome one at that. Armed with his debut on Island Records, OK Now, Jon McLaughlin (no relation to the older jazz guitarist) is not out to try and match the success of the icons he has looked up to, but to channel those influences into a great set of music, which he’s clearly done. And McLaughlin has learned recently not to take fantasy football advice from a former NFL player.

Jon McLaughlin: Hey Mike. It’s Jon McLaughlin. How are you?

Bullz-Eye: Good. How are you doing, Jon?

JM: Good.

BE: Cool. So are you on tour yet or are you in Indiana?

JM: We go on tour…we sort of start on Sunday night. We’re in Indianapolis on Sunday night and then we head up to Milwaukee and start our circle around the country. Last circle of the year.

BE: Are you based in Indiana still or do you live somewhere else?

JM: I just moved out to California a few months ago. It’s kind of weird. All of our stuff is still stored in Indiana and we’re still pretty much…we spend more time in Indiana than out here for sure.

BE: So, I love the new album. I submitted a review last week.

JM: Oh thanks.

BE: This is your second?

JM: Second one with Island.

BE: Did you do anything before that on your own?

JM: Yes. I did a little solo piano EP before I signed with Island. And then I did a record while I was in college. The university I went to had a student-run label that they started up while I was there. So I did a record there, like a self-titled thing.

BE: What school was it?

JM: Anderson University in Anderson, Ind.

BE: OK. That’s a really cool thing that they did. So, ironically where I first heard you, I know Adisena because we work on Ludo together. But I first heard you because I grew up in New York and I’m a huge Mets fan and I heard you on WFAN doing that Mets song. I was listening online and I was like, man, who is that guy? He’s got a great voice. And I asked the producer and he told me. And I’m like, yeah, I remember Island telling me about him.

JM: That’s funny. That was the funniest radio thing I’ve ever done. Obviously it’s kind of a different show than I’m used to. I think we got there at like 8, and we were there, we were on the air from 8 until 10:30 or something, just hanging out.

BE: Those guys must be crazy too, to be on the air with.

JM: Yeah, well you know I got some fantasy tips from Boomer. Hadn’t really helped me out much.

BE: That’s funny. So did they just present you with those lyrics and tell you to sing this to “Hey Jude?”

JM: Yeah, well their whole show that day was talking about the Mets and how frustrated they were with the Mets. And they were like, do you want to sing a song about the Mets? And I was like sure. I don’t follow baseball at all. So I was like sure, you know, I have no loyalty to any team. I can build up or break down any team. Yeah, they just wrote out some lyrics.

JM: It used to be more in the beginning when I was starting out. What most often would happen would be I would go play at a club. And they always spell my name wrong. And they would spell it like the jazz guitarist -- they would put the “h” in the Jon, which I don’t have an “h” in my name. Especially in towns like Memphis or Nashville or Dallas or Cincinnati even, they’d put it up on the marquee and people would come out for the show thinking that it was the jazz guitarist. We would always have, every now and then one or two guys that would come out for the show. Some of them were great, some of them would end up staying for the show and buying a record. But some of them, even before the show, they would see that it wasn’t the jazz guitarist, they’d get pissed. A couple of guys in Cincinnati got really pissed one time. We were playing at Century Theater. And they thought it was like false advertising. (Laughs) I’m like, dude, I can’t help it. They spelled my name wrong on the marquee. What am I supposed to do?

BE: I could imagine seeing a lot of old, crusty people that are fans of his that were pissed.

JM: Yeah. It’s funny. The craziest thing that’s ever happened, and it’s been a while, but that was probably two years ago or so. And that kind of died down a little bit. People started getting it right on the marquee and information got a little more available. But I played a show in Chicago last year, and I’ve never met him before -- but I was playing a show in Chicago and he was playing a show in Chicago the same night. And there was some, like we went out to dinner before the show, my band and I and we were headed back to the venue. And they came and got us, one of the venue guys, and they were like, your tour manager needs to come work this out at the door because we’ve got a group of college kids at the door who are trying to -- at that time the show had sold out. And they were trying to get into the show because they’d bought tickets for his concert and went over to the House of Blues where he was playing. And they were walking around the House of Blues thinking, this is just not right. And then there were some people who wanted to go to his show who bought tickets to my show. It was the craziest thing. So our show had sold out and his tickets were like $50 a piece, so they had spent a couple hundred bucks going to his show. So we put them on the list and got them in.

BE: Wow. That’s a nightmare. And that will probably never happen again.

JM: Who knows. I kind of hope that it does. It was kind of fun.

BE: Well cool. So the state of radio is really different now than it was even 10 years ago. Do you feel like your role in the Disney movie kind of helped you in that regard?

JM: I think that it did, yeah. I think that, not that I was really involved in the business 10 years ago but, everybody knows that it was different. I guess the further that you go back in time it was just a “way” you did things. You recorded a record and you got on the radio and you played shows, and that was it. Now it’s just different with MySpace and YouTube. It’s more of a tool now to get a song like in “Grey’s Anatomy” as opposed to getting an add on a radio station. It’s weird because the thing with “Enchanted” was never, you know, I didn’t know the movie going into it. I didn’t know that it was going to become such a big thing. It was kind of this thing that I did on the side. But it definitely turned into something and taken on a life of it’s own.

BE: Sure. Everything like that helps for sure. Do you see any acting rolls in your future because of that?

JM: I’ve always said that I’d be open to doing something like that. I used to do a bunch of plays and musicals when I was growing up. I would definitely be open to it. I’m not going to not sleep at night reading scripts and stuff. At least not at this point in my music career, but it’s not exactly the focus. But I would definitely be open to it. I think that would be great. And being on the set of Enchanted for a while…it’s definitely a lot of work. Just that one scene that I was involved in. And I came and visited the set on some other scenes that they were doing. It’s interesting. It’s interesting seeing a totally different side of entertainment. It makes you want to be involved in it.

BE: Yeah. They probably treat you like royalty too.

JM: It was really interesting to see it. When I was there for a week, it took a week to shoot that scene. They had tons and tons of dancers and extras and all that. As far as the cast, we all had our own little dressing rooms up in this one little hallway. It was really weird. It was kind of low-key. You never really know what it’s like if you’ve never been to a movie set. So I’m picturing like Patrick Dempsey in between takes with someone to come up and carry him to his trailer or something like that. But it was pretty like, everybody just hanging out. I mean we’re there till like 3 in the morning. Even if it starts out like that, with that kind of treatment, I’m sure everybody just gets on the same playing field and we’re all just here to do a job. The hours get long.

BE: So this is a two-part question. What is the songwriting process typically like for you and who are your biggest songwriting influences?

JM: Well when it comes to songwriting it’s definitely Billy Joel, like all the way for me. I have a lot of…a couple of guys that are big influences on me. Billy Joel is one, Elton John, Ben Folds and Harry Connick. And I think that they all have different roles in the life and inspiration of Jon McLaughlin. Like Billy Joel was my first image of a rock star. Ever since I was five years old I’ve wanted to be Billy Joel. With Billy Joel, just the songwriting, as a lyrist the guy’s just amazing. There is just no one better than him. And Harry Connick as a player is just unbelievable. He’s just one of the greatest piano players ever.

BE: I think a lot of people forget that too.

JM: Yeah. The guy is unbelievable. He does all his own arrangements, string arrangements, orchestrations. He’s a genius. And Elton…probably more so than Billy, I mean Billy’s more just the guy at the piano that plays that amazing song. Elton is kind of that larger than life kind of rock star side of it. And when it comes to Ben Folds, like I grew up listening to those other three guys. But Ben Folds I can remember the first time I heard that kind of music for the first time. It’s only been in the last 10 or 12 years that I’ve been familiar with Ben Folds and the Ben Fold Five and all that stuff. And I think that Ben Folds is the reason I felt like I could actually do this. Like you have all those other influences from all those other guys that I grew up listening to and I thought it was great. But then when I heard Ben Folds, it was like, okay now I’m going to actually try to do this myself.

BE: Absolutely. And now that you mention that, I can hear all those influences in your music, now that I’m thinking about it.

JM: Yeah. Those guys are just amazing. Before I die, I’d love to have a slumber party with all of them.

BE: (Laughs) So that would probably be one of those artists, or all of them would be your ideal tour too, right?

JM: Any of them. I would love to -- the weird thing is -- not that I’m on the same level as at all as any of them but, we’re all piano players. We’re all doing a similar sort of thing. It would be odd to team up with such a like thing but I would gladly go out and play. Or be a piano tech for any of them.

BE: Well cool. So what is your favorite thing about the road and your least favorite thing about the road?

JM: I really, really love the road. I’m still young and I’ve been on the road pretty full-on for the past three years, maybe four years. It’s kind of gone in waves. Right now it seems pretty easy. You kind of just get used to living out of a suitcase and anything different would just be kind of weird. It’s tough to say what I love the most because I really, really just love it. I love all the guys in my band…I’ve known them for quite a while. They’re like long, long close friends. It’s not just like we’re a band. If we’re home, those are the guys I’m probably going to hang out with anyway. So I just love those moments on stage. For example, we played a show about a week ago. There was just something about the night. The band was just playing great. Everything was just flowing great. The crowd was great. You play those songs that people are singing along to. Just those moments where I just kind of like, on stage, look around and look over at Dylan playing guitar and think, this is just the greatest thing ever.

BE: That’s really cool.

JM: Least favorite thing about the road is probably -- the band. I can’t stand any of those guys.

BE: (Laughs)

JM: (Laughs) Probably the thing that’s toughest about the road is just…it’s kind of an all or nothing thing. Whenever I go through a town where we know some friends or something like that and we go to dinner and they talk about their Wednesday night poker club or something….that’s the worst part because I’m not going to have a Wednesday night poker club. There’s no home life.

BE: And you’re married, right?

JM: I am. And she goes out on the road with me as well.

BE: Oh, I was going to say it’s gotta suck being away from your family, but…

JM: Yeah, no, it does suck…like my brother, he and his wife just had a baby last year. So things like that. You see them like once every month or two months or something. And she’s like twice the size than she was the last time I saw her. I’m like, she’s not going to even know her Uncle Jon. Things like that.

BE: There’s time for that. She’ll know you when she sees you on TV, I guess.

JM: Yeah. I’ll be that guy that comes in and buys ice cream once a month. (Laughs)

BE: (Laughs) So having your wife with you rules out having groupies chase after you?

JM: We have some people here and there. But it’s really great and it’s, I don’t know, I don’t want to seem unrealistic and naive but it’s not really tough living a married life on the road. At this point there’s not much that’s difficult about it. It’s all been great. She loves being on the road unbelievably. We’ve been married for two and a half years now and we’ve been really solid on the road for at least two years and five months of that. Somehow she’s still up for it.

BE: Well you’ve got a good woman then.

JM: Mm humm.

BE: Well that’s about all I’ve got. Do you have anything else you want to add or plug?

JM: Just the new record. That’s about it.

BE: You want to give anyone fantasy football advice?

JM: I would have to say, if there’s anyone to ignore when they’re talking about fantasy football, it would be me. I’m dead last in my league and last week half of my guys were on a bye week and I didn’t even notice. I’m not so good with managing my team at all.
BE: Oh that’s not good. I have a good team, but even I had a bad week last week.

Original source:
http://www.bullz-eye.com/music/interviews/2009/jon_mclaughlin.htm

My 2nd Jon McL Concert Experience

2009-02-08T14:01:00.000-08:00

Just thought I'd post a bit about my second Jon McL experience.

Date: January 31, 2009
Where: Blender Theater at the Gramercy in New York City, NY

This was my second time seeing Jon perform live and it was a pretty good show. I say 'pretty good' because a couple of unfortunate things happened: 1) Jon got sick in Boston [the concert before this show], so his voice was a little groggy but he did his best to put on a great show and 2) the fire alarm at the venue went off 4 times while he was performing (3 times during his performance and once before he went on)

Here was his setlist to the best of my ability (not all songs are in order):
Industry, Beating My Heart, Always On My Mind (interrupted), You Are the One I Love, Amelia's Missing, Perfect, Beautiful Disaster, Why I'm Talking to You, Human, Come Together (Beatles cover-- interrupted), Four Years (interrupted) and Indiana.

A few songs were performed differently. You are the One I Love and Amelia's Missing lasted a little longer their album versions and Beautiful Disaster was completely revised, it sounded nothing like the album version, but it was great to hear an updated version of the song.

I recorded his performance of 'You Are the One I Love'. It's a really great version live, the video doesn't do the song justice. Check the video out:

After the concert, I, along with few dozen people waited downstairs at the venue's bar to see if Jon would come out and greet the fans. About 40 mins. of waiting, it appeared that he would not be coming out and the staff started wrapping up to leave, so we were asked to leave. So I stood outside in the freezing weather for about 20-30 mins. At one point I almost wanted to leave but I didn't give in and waited just a bit more. In my mind, I kept thinking this was probably going to be the last time I would ever get the chance to actually meet Jon after a show.

Eventually his band members started to come out one by one, including his wife Amy. Then finally JON came out! I called out his name and walked over to him. I was really nervous and freaking cold I could barely talk and it didn't make me introduce myself properly so I quickly asked him if he could sign his albums for me (Up Until Now, self-titled, Songs I Wrote and Later Recorded, Indiana, and OK NOW), which he did! I thanked him so much for it and probably shook his hand three times. We only talked for a couple of minutes and as we were approaching his touring van, a group of people were waiting there hoping to meet him, so I thanked him once again, told him to take care and left so the other people can have some time with him. =)

He is such a sweet, down-to-earth person, I hope that never changes. I left a very happy person that night... I'll never forget it. =)

Here are some of my pictures of the concert:

Human (Radio Edit)

2009-02-06T16:31:00.000-08:00

Here's a radio edit of the track "Human" from Indiana. It's a shortened version of the song that was released to radio stations.

http://www.sendspace.com/file/egd4if

Enjoy :o)

Jon McL featured in Yamaha All Access 360

2009-01-28T23:17:00.000-08:00

Check out Yamaha's All Access 360 feature on Jon McL. There's a 4 minute interview video, a couple of new photos and other tidbits of Jon scattered throughout his feature page :)

http://www.yamaha.com/allaccess360/

You can download the video here:
http://www.yamaha.com/allaccess360/podcasts/V17-10-JonMcLaughlin.m4v

Right click and save as to save. :)

Industry Music Video

2009-01-25T15:41:00.001-08:00

Here's a high quality version of the Industry music video (60 MB, .MOV format).

http://www.sendspace.com/file/w5nvwz

Enjoy :o)

Behind the Scenes - For You From Me MV

2009-01-20T16:53:00.000-08:00

Here are 3 behind the scene clips from the FYFM music video. The first one is hilarious :)

Beating My Heart @ House of Blues

2009-01-14T14:16:00.000-08:00

Here's a video of Jon and the band playing Beating My Heart at the House of Blues. Great quality!

In an additional note, check out Jon's Youtube page, it has been re-activated!
http://www.youtube.com/user/jonmclaughlin

Salute to 2009 video by Jon McL

2009-01-13T15:48:00.000-08:00

Jon posted a video on his myspace, remembering 2008 and giving a salute to 2009. Check it out:

Salute To 2009

Thanks to Amanda for the link

Places I Already Know (Band Version)

2009-01-11T13:24:00.001-08:00

Here's a band version of "Places I Already Know", a track from the Songs I Wrote and Later Recorded EP. This version appeared on Aware's compilation Ear Snacks, Vol. 6.

http://www.sendspace.com/file/ldhgbq

Enjoy!

OK Now: Live 2008

2009-01-08T23:57:00.000-08:00

As Jon prepares to start his 2009 tour, I've decided to make this post a dedication to his previous tour. Here are various live performance clips of his songs from OK Now in 2008.

Beating My Heart

Smack Into You

Always On My Mind

Dance Your Life Away (snippet)

Why I'm Talking To You (I was at this show ;) )

You Can Never Go Back
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCGIKYOwzkc

We All Need Saving
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYkfKYP0K5k

Four Years
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83XqI7dFK3o

You Are The One I Love (warning: the video has a lot popping noise towards the end)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhEc7QgXhNY

Enjoy! :D

Clizbeats Presents: Jon McL's Story

2009-01-06T16:25:00.000-08:00

Clizbeats Productions, Inc. Presents Jon McLaughlin's Story
December 15, 2008

His music has been used on radio, TV, and movies. But with all that success, few know the story behind the singer/song writter whose work has been embraced by everyone from Disney to Def Jam. While promoting the recent release of his sophomore album OK Now, Jon McLaughlin called into Clizbeats, to introduce himself. We were so Impressed, we had to make sure you had the chance to hear all about it for yourself. Clizbeats Productions, Inc. Presents, Jon McLaughlin's Story.

Download entire interview here (15 mins):
*Right click and save as to save or click on link to listen only*

http://www.clizbeats.com/JMcLaughlin/Jon%20Mclaughlinsstory.mp3

Original source:
http://www.clizbeats.com/2008/12/clizbeats-productions-inc-presents-jon-mclaughlins-story-.html#more

Enjoy :o)

Jon McL on KISS 95.7

2009-01-03T15:02:00.001-08:00

Here are 2 videos of Jon performing Beautiful Disaster and an AMAZING version of Industry at KISS95.7 FM's studio in Connecticut.

D/L them here (10 MB each):
http://www.sendspace.com/file/bjarr6

http://www.sendspace.com/file/xfo6o5

Enjoy :o)

Happy New Year!!!

2008-12-31T15:25:00.000-08:00

Half of the world has celebrated the new year already, so I figured I'd throw this in now. It's a New Year wallpaper my friend Ellen made.

*Click on the pic to open or right click and "View Image"*

Have a lovely 2009 everyone!! Let's hope for more Jon goodness!!

Happy new year for Jon McL, his wife and family as well!!

Jon McL on The Jack Diamond Morning Show

2008-12-29T13:50:00.000-08:00

Here is a short video of Jon on the Jack Diamond Show; includes a small interview and a performance of "Breaking My Heart" (hmm?).

Thanks again to Amanda for finding the video!

Enjoy :oP

WIXX Interview & Performance

2008-12-28T20:37:00.000-08:00

Here's an interview and performance at WIXX 101 in Green Bay, Wisconsin from 2007

D/L here (.mpg4 format - approx 60 MB)
http://www.sendspace.com/file/tkyc8z

Enjoy :o)

Merry Christmas from UltimateJonMcLaughlin

2008-12-24T11:41:00.000-08:00

I know it's a day early but some people might not be here to see this message.

Merry Christmas to all those who celebrate it!! Hope you all have a wonderful day filled with happiness xoxo

*credit to my friend Ellen for the graphics*

Performances of Pre-Indiana Songs

2008-12-18T19:38:00.000-08:00

I found a couple of good videos of Jon performing pre-Indiana songs on Youtube:

Questions

Love

Places I Already Know

Conversations (aww, he forgot some of the lines.. still good!)

One of Four (he changed it to I'll Carry On -- I wonder if he might re-record this with the band in the future with that title?)

If anyone finds any others, let me know! Enjoy :o)

Jon McL Covers

2008-12-14T13:35:00.000-08:00

Here are a few videos of Jon covering a bunch of songs from his previous tours. I managed to gather the best ones and here they are for you to see:

Rocket Man (Elton John)

Forever Young (Rod Stewart)

Message in a Bottle (The Police)

Walking In Memphis (Marc Cohn)

Piano Man (Billy Joel)

Mary Jane's Last Dance (Tom Petty)

Not a cover but it fits in this category (almost!):
U.S. National Anthem

'People' Live

2008-12-10T12:48:00.000-08:00

Here's a live version of People I found online. Apparently it's from a special edition of Indiana, but since there's no actual release of that version (that I know of). Looks like someone ripped the song from a video and included the track.

http://www.sendspace.com/file/hj8dio

Enjoy :o)

Update: Up Until Now album

2008-12-05T15:01:00.000-08:00

http://ultimatejonmclaughlin.blogspot.com/2008/10/surprise-for-ultimatejonmclaughlin.html

The Up Until Now album post has been updated with scans of the CD artwork.

I also updated the post with a new d/l link that includes scans of all the artwork from the album and the tracks at the rate of 224kbps in the same .rar file. Alternatively, you can download the scans only if you don't mind having the other version you downloaded as is.

Enjoy :o)

Jon McL @ WZPL 99.5's Jingle Jam 2008

2008-12-04T23:19:00.000-08:00

Jon recently performed for WZPL's Z99.5 Jingle Jam 2008 in Indianapolis, IN on December 1st.

He appears from 7:35-8:35 (exactly a minute :P)

WZPL also uploaded a podcast from Jon's appearance at their radio station that morning, which you can download here:

Part 1 (Interview & Beating My Heart acoustic performance)
http://www.sendspace.com/file/pcu06x
Part 2 (Interview, a Beatles' cover of Hey Jude & Why I'm Talking To You acoustic performances)
http://www.sendspace.com/file/bf2995

Hey Jude (acoustic) - mp3
http://www.sendspace.com/file/g2uuuv
Hey Jude (acoustic) - video
http://www.sendspace.com/file/dcg4ls

Why I'm Talking To You (acoustic) - mp3
http://www.sendspace.com/file/aif0rs

Beating My Heart (acoustic) - video
http://www.sendspace.com/file/m02qo8

Enjoy :o)

A Christmas Song video

2008-12-04T18:54:00.000-08:00

Here's the video of Jon performing A Christmas Song at the Bonnie Hunt Show on December 4, 2008.

D/L here (13 MB - .mpg4 format):
http://www.sendspace.com/file/3c1y8w

Thanks to Homertilicus, we now have the full performance of the song:
http://www.sendspace.com/file/bz4kc9
48 MB - .wmv format
Thanks again!

Enjoy :o)

Doing Indy Ep. 102

2008-12-02T19:43:00.000-08:00

We're revisiting a video today. It's an up and close personal video interview of Jon with Seth Hancock, who worked with Jon on the For You From Me music video.

You can D/L the video in HQ from the Indy site here (right click and save as):
http://www.indy.org/podcast/doingindy/m4v/Episode102.m4v
Video size approx. 168MB in .m4v Quicktime format

Enjoy! :o)

Jon McL Promotional Pictures & More

2008-11-29T11:20:00.000-08:00

This post will be a little different. Someone in the Shoutmix asked about Jon pics and of course I agree that other than live concert pics, there are not enough of them out there. I dug up these few promotional and non-promo. pics of Jon:

Indiana Promo pics in high resolution:

http://i35.tinypic.com/1f8jeu.jpg

http://i35.tinypic.com/wcoiud.jpg

http://i34.tinypic.com/2e575p5.jpg
2 wallpapers:
http://i38.tinypic.com/20fopi9.jpg

http://i33.tinypic.com/vxp5hi.jpg

You can find high resolution promo. pics from OK Now at amazon.com
(Scroll to the bottom until after the site's editorial review)
http://www.amazon.com/OK-Now-Jon-McLaughlin/dp/B001AX9DRC

Other pics from 'OK Now era'
From the Hoopla magazine:

Jon McLaughlin at the Virgin Unite Rock the Kasbah Gala on October 23rd, 2008.

Here is the entire set of pictures of Jon at NYC's 102.7 Fresh studio:
http://www.fresh1027.com/Jon-McLaughlin/3057112

Few more that are too big to post:
http://i33.tinypic.com/2nqw3ms.jpg
http://i37.tinypic.com/2ykfm10.jpg

From 102.5 (2007 & 2008)
http://www.star1025.com/pages/2834821.php

http://i35.tinypic.com/wak20y.jpg
http://i37.tinypic.com/2hhkx2b.jpg
http://i37.tinypic.com/34ez1g1.jpg
http://i33.tinypic.com/jfzz8h.jpg

You can find many more pics at http://www.flickr.com

Enjoy! :o)

Jon on MLB Entertaintment

2008-11-28T23:32:00.000-08:00

Here is a short live performance at the U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, IL before a White Sox Game. On acoustic guitar: Dylan Williams.

Beating My Heart

Industry

You Can Never Go Back

D/L videos here:
http://www.sendspace.com/file/1e019u
http://www.sendspace.com/file/s0z2nj
http://www.sendspace.com/file/iqo5f1

Enjoy :o)

Songs I Wrote and Later Recorded

2008-11-22T12:19:00.000-08:00

Here is Jon McL's 3rd independent release (Up Until Now and Jon McLaughlin being the first 2) titled Songs I Wrote and Later Recorded from 2005. All tracks here were performed on piano only and one of the tracks was later re-recorded/re-released for the album Indiana (Anthem).

Tracklist:
1. Conversations
2. Anthem for American Teenagers
3. Spot In Line
4. The Whole World
5. Love
6. One of Four
7. Places I Already Know
8. A Song You Might Hear In a Wedding

http://www.sendspace.com/file/rlv3b2

Enjoy! :o)

P.S. Love and A Song You Might Hear In a Wedding are <3

If you missed downloading his first 2 independent albums Up Until Now and Jon McLaughlin, you can still download them here:
http://ultimatejonmclaughlin.blogspot.com/2008/10/surprise-for-ultimatejonmclaughlin.html

http://ultimatejonmclaughlin.blogspot.com/2008/11/jon-mclaughlin-self-titled-album.html

As well as his My Debut's Coming promo EP here:
http://ultimatejonmclaughlin.blogspot.com/2008/10/my-debuts-coming-ep.html

2 for 1!

2008-11-20T19:56:00.000-08:00

Here are two videos of Jon. The first one is his appearance and performance on the Today Show in 2007. The second one is an interview at the MSG Studio in NY, also from 2007.

Download videos here:
http://www.sendspace.com/file/m7uqno

http://www.sendspace.com/file/loywuk

Check back the next day or so. There will be a surprise post. :o)
Enjoy!

Jon McL - AOL Breakers

2008-11-19T20:23:00.000-08:00

Here are 3 in-studio performances of Jon on AOL Music.

Beautiful Disaster

Indiana

Human

You can download the videos here:
http://www.sendspace.com/file/s34vij
http://www.sendspace.com/file/5i2chn
http://www.sendspace.com/file/bruh33

Enjoy :o)

Jon McL on Binside TV

2008-11-18T20:10:00.000-08:00

Here's another interview of Jon on Binside TV.

Watch Jon McLaughlin: Music Spotlight in Music Videos | View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com

Download HQ version from the site here (38 MB - .mp4 ipod format):
Right click on link and save as to save.
http://ex-cache.veoh.com/cache/external/8eb47aadcc709a83ee043b27c8c5aed429362af8.mp4?permalinkId=v498253tM3MARcc&ct=c0866d12ec7abd15a45c5046af9f7b34065ce79cf436361a

Enjoy :o)

For You From Me Music Video

2008-11-17T19:46:00.000-08:00

Here's the music video of For You From Me, a Jon McL-Seth Hancock partnership with The Indy Partnership: Indiana's development organization that serves the Indianapolis region.

You can download the video at high quality (42 MB - .m4v format) from the Indy.com site here:
Right click and save as to save.

http://www.indy.org/podcast/JonMcLaughlin/m4v/FYFM.m4v

Enjoy :o)

Jon McL on Fast Focus TV

2008-11-16T19:40:00.001-08:00

Here's a video of Jon from FastFocusTV. The video is comprised of his Indiana 'EPK' video with other extra small clips of him talking edited in.

D/L video here (14 MB - .wmv format):
http://www.sendspace.com/file/g5jcwg

Enjoy :o)

Jon McL on SCTV

2008-11-15T20:36:00.000-08:00

For the next few days, I'll be posting media files (interviews and performances) of Jon from the Indiana "era", starting with his appearance on SCTV.

D/L video here (24 MB - mpg4 format):
http://www.sendspace.com/file/nark77

Keep checking back for the updates and enjoy! :o)

Fresh 102.7 Live Acoustic Performances

2008-11-14T14:40:00.000-08:00

Here are 2 videos of Jon's live in-studio performance at Fresh 102.7 in New York City.

You Can Never Go Back

D/L video here:
http://www.sendspace.com/file/wxzf7o

Beating My Heart
D/L video here:
http://www.sendspace.com/file/ezh3xs

D/L MP3s tracks here:
http://www.sendspace.com/file/jjnh72
http://www.sendspace.com/file/ns2iip

Enjoy :o)

Beautiful Disaster (Radio Version)

2008-11-12T19:47:00.001-08:00

Here's the radio version of Beautiful Disaster that was available in a promo CD distributed by Island Records. This track sounds more like it was in its pre-production stage, but it's still good nonetheless.

http://www.sendspace.com/file/7b2gm9

Enjoy :o)

106.7 KFRX Private Performance

2008-11-12T09:12:00.000-08:00

Here is a video of Jon performing live in-studio at 106.7 KFRX in Lincoln, NE on October 30, 2008. A few lucky fans were invited to this one-of-a-kind private concert.

Setlist (acoustic):
Beautiful Disaster
Beating My Heart
Human
Beating My Heart (in-studio at KFRX)

Click on the links to view the video or listen to audio.
To Save: right click on the link and save as.

.WMV format (183 MB)
http://a4.video2.blip.tv/0380000318388/Bobgo2930-JonMclaughlinLive637.wmv

.M4V format (270 MB - iPod compatible)
http://a5.video2.blip.tv/0460000318321/Bobgo2930-JonMclaughlinLive965.m4v

.Mp3 format (18 MB)
http://e7.video.blip.tv/1070006013897/Bobgo2930-JonMclaughlinLive243.mp3

Enjoy :o)

Jon McLaughlin: Self-Titled album

2008-11-09T15:04:00.000-08:00

Here is Jon McLaughlin's self-titled album from 2004 available for download:

Tracklist:
1. Some Tight Fix
2. Industry
3. Blue Skies
4. Already In
5. Once Again
6. Questions
7. The Way
8. Loving Me
9. Giving You Reasons
10. Throwing a Line (with hidden track: Cool with the Outside)

D/L here:
http://www.sendspace.com/file/vqpmsl

I also scanned the contents of the booklet as well as the back insert:

http://i37.tinypic.com/21b8z78.jpg

http://i35.tinypic.com/2vbapg5.jpg

http://i33.tinypic.com/2ymvwr5.jpg

http://i36.tinypic.com/10n6det.jpg

http://i35.tinypic.com/2cpck0n.jpg

http://i36.tinypic.com/nbtaw0.jpg

http://i34.tinypic.com/30ijqty.jpg

Please keep checking back for more surprises. There's a bunch of multimedia files left to be posted (old and new!) ;-)

If you missed downloading his very first EP "Up Until Now" from 2003, you can still find it here:
http://ultimatejonmclaughlin.blogspot.com/2008/10/surprise-for-ultimatejonmclaughlin.html

Enjoy :o)

Headphone Infatuation: Exclusive Interview with Jon McL

2008-11-07T14:24:00.000-08:00

Interview by Alex Nagorski

Fresh on the heels of his show stopping performance at this year’s Academy Awards, singer/songwriter Jon McLaughlin is ready to burst onto the scene as the next musical American heartthrob. Having his music featured on countless television shows and movie soundtracks, McLaughlin is gearing up for the release of his sophomore album and his takeover of the charts. Right before his packed headlining show at the renowned Bowery Ballroom venue in New York City on July 14th, he took some time out to talk to me about touring, the new record, tabloids, and yes, his bulge.

AN: You have toured alongside some of the biggest names in the music industry, including Kelly Clarkson, Sara Bareilles, OneRepublic, Duffy, Paolo Nutini, and Colbie Caillat. How different is it for you this time around that you’re headlining?

JM: It’s a lot different actually. A headlining tour as opposed to opening up is for me … there are many pros and cons. When you’re opening up, the pros and cons of opening a show are, the good thing is that you don’t have to be responsible for everything. You know like everything is not on your shoulders, like if the show tanks, the promoter’s not coming after you. So you get to, or at least I’ve got to tour and open up with some really great artists who pull in a lot of people so you don’t have to worry about a crowd being there. I love the aspect of, or the idea of getting up on stage as an opening band and having no expectation. Like most of the people out there don’t even know who you are, they have no expectation of you, if anything they’re expecting to probably not listen to you or like you. And I love getting up on a stage and trying to win them over because it’s just fun, everything is light, they don’t have any expectation of you, you don’t really have any expectation of them, you just do your thing. You either love it or you hate it, it’s like you’re just putting it out there, you know? And on a headlining tour there are pros and cons as well because it’s, it’s … the greatest thing about a headlining tour is, like the other night we were in Philadelphia, you know you can play a song and you can kind of just step away from the microphone, keep playing and the crowd sings your song. Which is really the ultimate goal in this whole thing, like that right there – being in a room playing a song that you’ve written and having this room full of people you’ve never met in your life singing these thoughts you’ve written down. I mean you can get a bigger room and more people, but that’s it, that’s the end game of this whole deal. You get that when you’re headlining and you don’t necessarily get that when you’re opening up. It’s fun though, you get to play longer, you get to jam a little more, you don’t have to watch the clock. I definitely would take a headlining tour over an opening tour but whenever I go out on an opening slot, I’m just kind of like stress free, nothing can bother me in the world.

AN: Did you know that both you and Kelly (Clarkson) had songs titled “Beautiful Disaster” when you embarked on the tour with her or was that just a weird coincidence?
JM: I did know that. I knew that she had a song “Beautiful Disaster,” after I wrote it though. I heard it somewhere - I heard like an acoustic version of it and I really liked it actually. And I think that I had heard her studio band version, but I just didn’t pick up on it being the same name. It is kind of funny though, but I don’t think she ever played it on that tour, so it was okay (laughs).

AN: This past year has been pretty big for you, a lot of it attributing to the fact that you were featured in the hit Disney film “Enchanted.” The song you sang in the movie, “So Close,” went on to be nominated for an Oscar and you actually got to perform it at the Academy Awards this year. In fact, sales of your first album increased by 1,514% overnight after that performance. What was it like singing on that stage in front of practically every big name in Hollywood?
JM: It was ridiculous. In a way it was like a nice break, a nice vacation. Obviously it’s a crazy, not normal event and it’s amazing to be a part of something like that. Just to be able to go was amazing. It was cool, we went in for a whole week, we got to do rehearsals everyday, which I loved because I loved being in that theater and being around everybody. I wanted to do rehearsals everyday. That part of it was a little, as compared to what I do normally, was a lot less stressful because we don’t have any gear, I just show up and sing and that’s it. You either like it or you don’t. But actually going to the Academy Awards was like going to the senior prom times a million, going to your senior prom with like Penelope Cruz and George Clooney. It’s just crazy, there’s no way to explain it. Hopefully I’ll get to go again.

AN: Your new album “OK Now” is being released on October 7^th, and on your website, you say you went into the recording studio with the “intent on undergoing both a musical and stylistic transformation.” What can we expect to be different on this album from your first record “Indiana”?
JM: Um, It’s not going to be as “Jon sits down on the piano for 12 songs” kind of thing. I get away from the piano a little bit. It’s kind of just a little more extreme. I feel as a whole, as far as a piano player I just pick my shots a little more, or a little better. There are some songs that are definitely piano based and a little more piano solo type things, but there are some songs I didn’t even play piano on. Most of the record I didn’t even write on piano, I wrote on guitar and I think that comes across in the production as well. We kind of did more 80’s vibe, synthesizer, guitar stuff and didn’t stick to the same thing. Like the last record that I did, I wanted every song to be piano, bass, drums, guitar, organ, and that’s it, nothing else. Maybe some strings and that’s it. And on this one, for whatever reason, I was just down with doing some different stuff, like maybe I won’t play piano on this, maybe this song doesn’t have to start out with solo piano and then the band comes in. I just kind of got tired of that and wanted to switch it up a little bit and use some synthesizer, use some different sounds and make it a little bigger. It’s definitely more pop and it’s a direction I didn’t see myself going in at all two years ago, it’s almost the opposite direction, but it works and it was necessary I think.

AN: So were you worried about your fans’ reactions to this change in sound, as opposed to just releasing an “Indiana” part two?
JM: Um, a little bit. We’ve already gotten a little bit of feedback from fans saying “where’s the piano?” The first single, even though it does technically start out with a piano, it’s not piano based. And I knew that was inevitable, but that happens with every record. Every record that a band does, I would say like 95% on the next record are like “where’s the last record?” And they’re like “we’re still selling it, this is just a new record.” Which is just a tendency, people want “Indiana” again – different songs but “Indiana.” They’re just like stay there, we don’t want anymore, we got it, we got who you are just do it again. And it’s fine. It’s just growing pains. I’m not worried about the fans once they get the full record, loving the record because I would not put it out if it weren’t ready, if it weren’t up to what I feel like is a standard where I’m not wasting people’s time and money. I just wouldn’t put it out, what’s the point?

AN: You recruited help from many new people on this album including Grammy winners Tricky and The-Dream who helmed Rihanna’s 2007 anthem “Umbrella” and John Fields, who has produced hits for bands such as Lifehouse and The Jonas Brothers. In the future if there was anyone you could work with on a third album, who would it be?
JM: Ohh, I don’t know. There are so many. That’s almost a thing that’s a real question because even though I won’t make another record for a few years I should probably start thinking about it now because there are so many great people out there. I worked with John Fields on this record on all but one song, and I worked with him because I heard this band named Rooney, I heard the record they just did with him and after I heard that record, I was like “he has to be the guy to make this record.” And because of that, every time you hear a great record you’re like, who produced it? What a genius! There are all kinds of guys out there. So, if I had to pick an artist to collaborate in the studio with, I feel like I would want to get together with the band The Raconteurs and I would want to record the record as them being the band and them as the producers, and we all just get in the studio, all 5 of us, for a month and see what happens.

AN: Based on the tracks that I’ve heard so far from “Ok Now”, I find it extremely interesting because it’s so clearly a modern pop/rock record, but there’s still something very vintage about it in the sense that it throws me back and makes me think if The BeeGees or Billy Joel were still making music today, this is what it would sound like. That being said, who would you cite as your biggest influences in making this album?
JM: Well the song that you’re referring to, I’m sure, is “You Can Never Go Back,” and I wrote that with the sole intent of writing a Billy Joel song. 1978 – what would Billy Joel write? And it turned out to be that and the verse of the chorus brings a little old feel, but the whole thing is a definite throwback to a 70’s/80’s kind of thing. And I think that’s where Fields came in. I think that the writing as a song, lyrically especially, it’s a throwback, and then Fields came in with his sound that somehow in the end, we managed to have something that gets the point across of where we wanted to go but doesn’t feel like it’s not relevant or that we’re trying too hard to go back there.
AN: Yeah, definitely. Even when I heard the first single, “Beating My Heart,” I thought it sounded kind of like a very new wave U2 meets Coldplay.
JM: Yeah! You know that’s the other thing I can accredit Fields to because I did not go into the studio thinking U2 at all, and it just ended up with U2 all over the record. There are a lot of influences for sure that came into play. Whereas I came into the studio with “Indiana” first off thinking Ben Folds, Billy Joel, and Elton John – no one else will influence this record. Then on this one, I just walked in kind of open to whatever and you get all kinds of artists in mind.

AN: I read that one track on your record, “You Are The One I Love,” was inspired by the tabloid coverage of fellow singer Amy Winehouse’s troubled relationship with her husband Blake. What about their relationship and the way the media handles it inspired you to write this song?
JM: Well I wrote that song with a guy named Jason Reeves who I met in L.A. one day to write. I don’t know why but I think we just got online, he just opened his computer. We hadn’t written anything yet and his default page was CNN or something like that, and there was a picture of her on the cover. It was back in December when they got into that big fight and there were all those pictures of her and bloody feet, just like weird disturbing stuff. We just read it for fun and were like “haha this is so crazy,” and then we read some of the quotes she said about Blake and how she had cancelled her tour because he’s in jail and she can’t live without the guy. We kind of were like “wow, this is a really crazy and messed up passionate love affair”, which was kind of cool. The song that we wrote is not exactly what you would expect if someone were to tell you this was a song written inspired by the tabloids, written about Amy and Blake. We focused more on that they really love each other, and there’s kind of a cool love story there in the midst of bloody shoes (laughs).

AN: Speaking of tabloids, since your introduction into the limelight at the Oscars and being named one of Us Weekly’s “10 Hot Guys Of Summer,” have you had to deal with much of the dreaded Hollywood paparazzi or negative press on gossip blogs and such?
JM: Well, you know there’s been some stuff. There was some tabloid stuff after the Oscars. There was some stuff dealing with … I’m going to blush when I say this … dealing with a website, I can’t remember what it’s called, something like bigbulge.com or something like that. Someone sent some picture in making reference to my bulge. Someone took a picture of a rehearsal that we did, and I swear the picture is … is a little … like I think they got into Photoshop a little bit and pulled some stuff out. But that was the only blog thing. One of my friends found it and I was a little more concerned that they found it then it was actually there because what are you doing on bigbulge.com? (laughs).

AN: That’s so odd, haha. So as someone who grew up in a conservative Midwestern home, has the transition from Indiana to the L.A. scene affected your music at all?
JM: Yeah, actually. I think a lot of the music I’ve written in the past three years has been influenced by that change. On the last record, the song “Indiana” is actually a song about the music industry. It comes off as a song about a girl but the girl in its’ true meaning is the music industry and being accepted and being loved by the music industry. On this record, the song that is kind of the “Indiana” of this record is a song called “The Middle” which basically is my song of me just wanting to go home sometimes, just wanting to go back to the Midwest and kind of just chill out a little bit. Everyone’s just kind of a little more chill, it’s like everybody’s cool with just going to the bowling alley Wednesday night and going to there 9-5’s and having barbeques on Saturdays, you know whatever. It’s like the whole middle of this country is suburban and obviously that’s home to me.

AN: You also recently recorded a song with Jason Mraz for Randy Jacksons’ first production album. What was it like working with such industry heavy-hitters and how were you approached to lay down this track?
JM: It was completely, like, what’s the word? As half-hazard as it could get. I was doing an interview with Randy on his radio show and literally I just stopped in, drove over to his studio, I’d go in we did the interview, I can’t remember if we were done or we were still on the air and Randy was like “So you’re in LA, so what are you doing tonight?” and I was like “nothing” and he was like “You want to come by my studio and record a song?” and I said “sure” and that was it. So I was like “what time” and he’s like “why don’t you come by around, whatever, 9?” So I went by, he was there eating cereal I think, we were there for like an hour, recorded the song. I had never heard the song before, I just came in, listened the song, recorded it and left, and that was it. It was kind of crazy. It was one of those things where you wake up the next day and you’re not sure if it actually happened.

AN: On this tour, should we be expecting to hear more songs from “Ok Now," “Indiana,” or is it half and half?
JM: Um, it’s not quite half and half. It’s a little … it’s almost half and half, maybe it is half and half. As much as I would want to play the entire record of “Ok Now” I realize it’s not out yet. That’s like the hardest thing in the world because you just want to play the new stuff. Yeah, we’re doing about half and half. I’m only playing the ones from “Indiana” that are our staple live songs.

AN: So are you going to do another headlining tour after the record comes out?
JM: Probably, yeah. We didn’t hit as many markets on this tour as we could have, so that leaves us a lot of room to hit those markets in the fall. I’m not exactly sure what the fall is going to be like, we’re kind of weighing our options right now but I think that it would be important for me to go out and do another nationwide headlining tour afterwards.

AN: So then for my final question, what song from the new record are you most excited about having your fans hear?
JM: (Pauses) I think that you’re trying to ask me what my favorite is in a way that where you’re not asking my favorite, because you probably always get “oh no I don’t have any favorites, they’re like my kids, I can’t choose a favorite.” I’m not sure if that’s true, I think you can choose a favorite.
AN: Well in terms of playing live, for example?
JM: You know I don’t know because it really changes. We could be really excited about one song at first and then on another song maybe we change something up the slightest bit and now that’s my new favorite song. As far as right now, on the record there’s a song called “We All Need Saving,” that’s probably the one I’m most excited to get feedback on and for my fans to hear because it sticks out on the record as an acapella kind of thing, and definitely the kind of calm song on the record.

AN: Alright, well thanks so much for your time, I’m really looking forward to hearing the new album!
JM: Yeah, thanks a lot man, I appreciate it!

Original source: http://headphoneinfatuation.blogspot.com/2008/07/exclusive-interview-with-jon-mclaughlin.html

Almost Pop: Billboard Magazine Scan

2008-11-05T15:38:00.000-08:00

Almost Pop
McLaughlin Dabbles in Crossover Sounds On Island Album
by Mikael Wood

Click on pic to view full size & right click and save as to save. :o)

Revisiting: Making of the Video Beating My Heart

2008-11-02T10:55:00.000-08:00

I posted a link to Island Records' site showing the making of the video "Beating My Heart" video a couple of weeks back. Now it is available for you to download here:

http://www.sendspace.com/file/4cn2lp

Enjoy! :o)

Jon McLaughlin travels back to the future

2008-10-31T13:34:00.000-07:00

by David Lindquist
Posted: October 31, 2008

Jon McLaughlin says a flashback to the 1980s set in motion his second album for major-label Island Records.

The Hoosier native shared a bill with Rod Stewart, Debbie Gibson and Richard Marx last November at a Los Angeles nightclub.

The occasion was a benefit concert for ailing guitarist Don Kirkpatrick, an in-demand studio musician who played on McLaughlin's first Island album, "Indiana."

McLaughlin played early in the lineup, and he caught the other performers from a fan's perspective.

"It was awesome," says the 25-year-old, who grew up in Anderson. "They were playing these songs, and I thought, 'Oh, I forgot about this.'

"It sent me back to my neighborhood swimming pool when I was 10 years old. After that, I was way into the music that was my childhood upbringing."

McLaughlin's new album, "OK Now," showcases bright melodies and pop arrangements reminiscent of MTV's early days, with USA Today comparing the recording to vintage work by Daryl Hall and John Oates.

"OK Now's" producer, John Fields, helped craft the chart-topping Reagan-era sound of the Jonas Brothers.

McLaughlin is no rival of the Jonas Brothers, but his popularity is on the rise. "OK Now" debuted at No. 49 on Billboard magazine's Top 200 chart, and current single "My Beating Heart" was listed at No. 23 on the Adult Top 40 chart at press time.

Branching out

Known as a keyboard ace, McLaughlin wrote the songs of "OK Now" on guitar.

"I think that changed my ear," he says. "I was so used to writing on piano and playing piano. You write a song on guitar, and you hear different stuff."

"Indiana," released in May 2007, framed McLaughlin as a sensitive singer-songwriter. When he sang at this year's Academy Awards ceremony, performing "So Close" from the "Enchanted" soundtrack, McLaughlin was introduced to millions of television viewers as a ballroom crooner.

The Anderson University alumnus still marvels at his experience at the Oscars, where he sat in the third row in close proximity to Harrison Ford and John Travolta.

"There are rows of 10 seats or so, and you're packed in there," he says. "It's surreal. You don't even know what to think about it. You sit and wait for someone to come and say, 'You can't sit there. You have to leave.'"

Although McLaughlin moved to California this year, he displays a fondness for his home state on "OK Now" track "The Middle."

"Hollywood is just another place I don't belong," he sings. "Let's go to the middle ... live a little closer to what is true. I'll be me. You'll be you."

Scheduled to perform during halftime of today's Colts-Patriots game at Lucas Oil Stadium, McLaughlin says he hasn't spent an extended length of time in Indiana since signing to Island three years ago.

"I have to write songs like that, because I miss it so much," he says. "It's like anything. If you're in love with a girl, you write a million songs about that girl. The songs come out."

McLaughlin adopted a new look to accompany the release of "OK Now," and fans have noticed his shorter hair and more formal wardrobe.

Although he insists he simply grew tired of having longer locks and wearing T-shirts onstage, some observers speculate that Island executives are behind the changes.

"It's funny when people write in (to claim) L.A. Reid is forcing me to wear this shirt," McLaughlin says.

Then and now

Committed to the contrast between "OK Now" and "Indiana," McLaughlin cites the challenge every artist faces when making a high-profile sophomore album.

"You're always caught between a rock and a hard place," says McLaughlin, who made his first recordings for Orangehaus Records, an independent label run by Anderson University students, in 2003.

"If you make the same record, you're going to be criticized for being stale. But if you do something new, people are going to criticize you for not being the same."

McLaughlin says he's happy with the measured pace of his career growth.

"We haven't sold 10 million records, but we haven't taken any steps backward," he says. "It's given me time to form really great friendships with the people who work (at Island). That takes a little bit of the business out of it.

"It makes us feel like this is 'our' second record. It's not this one artist from Indiana who's on our roster."

Upcoming Jon McLaughlin performances

Nov. 2, Lucas Oil Stadium as halftime entertainment of the Colts-Patriots game.

Dec. 1, Murat Egyptian Room as part of "Jingle Jam," presented by WZPL-FM (99.5). For more information, visit www.jonmcl.com.

Source:

http://www.indy.com/posts/12928

Jon McL on the TexMix! Show

2008-10-30T20:16:00.001-07:00

Here's a video clip of Jon on the TexMix show I uploaded on Youtube. He talks about performing at the Academy Awards, Disney songs, cutting his hair, and playing at The Stubbs in Texas.

D/L video here:
http://www.sendspace.com/file/7nl7gw

Enjoy :o)

So Close Performance

2008-10-27T21:02:00.001-07:00

Here is the video of Jon performing 'So Close' from the Disney film Enchanted at this year's Oscars!

Download here:

.wmv version
http://www.sendspace.com/file/wlr2d8
--------------------
.mpg4 version
http://www.sendspace.com/file/9i6yr5
**iPod compatible!**

Enjoy :o)

MyFox25 Boston: Live Performances

2008-10-26T19:08:00.000-07:00

Here are 4 download links of videos of Jon performing at MyFox25 in Boston in early 2007 before his album Indiana came out.

From January 26, 2007:

Human

http://www.sendspace.com/file/t4sluc

Beautiful Disaster

http://www.sendspace.com/file/37qt24

From April 6, 2007:

Perfect

http://www.sendspace.com/file/bpc5d6

Indiana

http://www.sendspace.com/file/pfqz4e

Enjoy :o)

Live Performance of Proud Father

2008-10-24T19:38:00.001-07:00

Live performance of Proud Father from the Rockboat VIII which took place from January 19-January 24, 2008.

The album version can be downloaded here:

http://www.sendspace.com/file/n153oz

My Debut's Coming EP

2008-10-19T18:16:00.001-07:00

My Debut's Coming EP (2005) - PROMO
Recorded at Gaither Studios in Alexandria, Indiana

1. Industry (5:16)
2. Already In (3:23)
3. Conversations (4:08)
4. Throwing A Line (4:00)

D/L here: http://www.divshare.com/download/7533000-bc2

Jon McL on The Bold & The Beautiful

2008-10-19T14:46:00.000-07:00

Here's the video of Jon's appearance on America's daytime drama The Bold & The Beautiful performing Beautiful Disaster.
Airdate: 24 August, 2007

Beating My Heart performance - Bonnie Hunt Show

2008-10-15T09:44:00.000-07:00

Video performance of Jon at the Bonnie Hunt show, as seen on October 15, 2008.

http://www.bonniehunt.com/as_seen_on/081013/15wednesday/popup_player.html?pdl=jonmclaughlin1015

D/L here: http://www.sendspace.com/file/5aardg

Jon McLaughlin: I Love The ’80s

2008-10-14T12:22:00.000-07:00

By Andrew Greer

Not too long ago Jon McLaughlin was roaming the halls of Anderson University as a music student when he began to make waves with his American heartland brand of pop, sharing his stellar singer/songwriter set in clubs, colleges and churches throughout the Midwest.

Fast forward to 2008, and the classically trained piano-popster is busy readying the release of OK Now (Island/Def Jam), his energetic, ’80s-influened follow-up to Indiana, last year’s breakout debut and ode to his Hoosier heritage.

Now with a little experience under his belt and credit to his name, Jon discusses his new record, faith in the spotlight and gigging at the Oscars.

CCM: Your bio describes you as an American heartland singer/songwriter. But OK Now makes a bolder, more progressive musical statement than Indiana. What inspired the creative difference?

Jon McLaughlin: OK Now is definitely different. I’m a huge ’80s fan, and I totally went back to my ’80s pop roots. There’s a lot of Billy Joel and Huey Lewis & the News kind of influence on this record. I loved it.

CCM: What is the story behind the first single, “Beating My Heart”?

Jon: This whole record is about me enjoying my life as it happens. I have a hard time just relaxing. I tend to get really stressed out. I always look back in time and wonder why I was so stressed out. “Beating My Heart” is a song about breaking it down to what really matters, not getting so stressed out about the little things in life.

Not to be cliché, but it gets down to this: God put me on earth for whatever reason, and I don’t really have to know that [reason] right now, right here.

CCM: Do you feel the call to relax has been a necessary move with the pickup of your career in the past couple of years?

Jon: It is definitely necessary. I just had a birthday. I’m gone all the time. My brother just had a little baby. I think I’m dealing with time moving by way too fast. Right now there’s not a whole lot I can do about that other than I might as well not stress my life away.

CCM: Being a recording artist in the mainstream music world, what do you feel your role is as a Christian when it comes to performing and making records?

Jon: Once I started writing songs in college, I would go play at a state school, and people would say, “You go to Anderson University. Are you a Christian artist?” I’d go play at a chapel and sing a song that didn’t have the name Jesus in it, and they would say, “I thought you were a Christian artist?”

So for a long time, I was annoyed and frustrated with having to choose a side. On paper, now that I’m signed to a mainstream label (Island Records), I’m a mainstream artist. But I’ve always felt the desire and responsibility to play in a church or play in a club or college.

Source: http://www.ccmmagazine.com/news/stories/11582930/

Hoopla Feature Artist

2008-10-12T16:50:00.000-07:00

Jon McLaughlin Ready to Release Sophomore Effort, Ok Now

Words and Photos by Joe Koch

Photo by Joe Koch

After releasing his debut, Indiana, on Island Def Jam records, Jon Mclaughlin is now ready to put forth his sophomore effort, OK Now, which hits store shelves Oct. 7. I recently caught up with Jon at his hotel in Niagara Falls, N.Y. before his show with Eddie Money. He filled us in on his new record and what it's like to perform at the Oscars.
After Indiana, Jon felt it was time for a musical and stylistic transformation. His first major label release Indiana was the first time he had to co-write with anyone; he also felt the need to prove how capable he was at the piano.
Prior to this he had released an EP, which was solo piano, that he recorded eight songs in two hours. It was "a throw and go style," said Jon. "I've always been a huge Ben Folds Five fan. I love the mentality of whatever happens that ends up being the record." Originally, Jon wanted Indiana to sound like Ben Fold's album, Whatever and Ever Amen. Ben opted to not record with guitars and let the piano be the driving force behind the music. Jon quickly realized that it really didn't fit his music style. But don't get me wrong, Jon's piano playing shines with impressiveness on Indiana.
Ironically, the opportunity for him to perform the hit song "So Close" from the 2007 Disney movie "Enchanted" did not come from his ability to play the keys. Jon was able to play an old-school crooner. It gave him an opportunity to try something different, ultimately influencing his new record.
The highlight came when he found out at the end of 2007 that the movie was up for an Oscar and he was asked to perform "So Close" at the 80th Annual Academy Awards ceremony.
"I had recorded it about a year and a half before it premiered. Then when I watched it for the first time and then the second ... I was like, 'This is a classic Disney movie,'" explained Jon. He had no idea that it had the potential to get nominated for an Oscar. "The excitement builds about a month before and then you show up a week in advance to do the rehearsals, then you're walking down the red carpet with George Clooney in front of you and you perform and you go to the after party," said Jon. "Then it's over and you go back to your hotel room and you think, 'How do I go back to living my life after I've just been to the Oscars?' It's crazy." He refers to it as a career defining moment.
The Oscar performance was the perfect event to refuel people's interest in Jon Mclaughlin's music. Indiana saw a 1,514 percent overnight sales increase at Amazon.com, which hopefully will peak people's interest in Jon's new release.
Now ready to take his music into a new direction, OK Now you will see that the piano is not the main focus and the core element is the work that went into writing songs that would be more accessible, allowing a broader target audience.
"The Piano is featured, but we pick and choose where we're gonna have it. As opposed to every song starting out with the guy at the piano," says Jon. "As a record I felt like I knew what should happen, pretty early on. It wasn't just writing songs, and then we'll just piece something together and give it a name. All the songs had a theme."

Photo by Joe Koch

Some key ingredients to making this album a possible success is the hiring of producer John Fields (Rooney, Jonas Brothers, Lifehouse and Switchfoot.) Jon also teamed up with some pretty reputable song-writers like Jason Reeves (Colbie Callait's "Bubbly") as well as writer/producers Tricky and The-Dream (Rihanna's "Umbrella"), Troy Verges (Kenny Chesney's "You Save Me") and Brett James (Carrie Underwood's "Jesus, Take the Wheel.")
"I was really excited to work with acclaimed L.A. singer/songwriter Bleau," said Jon. They co-wrote "You Can Never Go Back.
Jon feels fortunate to have the support of his label. With the industry struggling, there’s not many labels allowing artist to grow and develop their music.
"The album feels right for the next move in my career," said Jon. The slow pace is exactly what he wants. He's very content with supporting acts like Kelly Clarkson.
"It's stress-free. I mean you have to work a little harder to get peoples attention, but it always goes over well," he said. With the release of OK Now, he will take a short break and then do the media circuit of TV, radio, football games and interviews. You can currently catch the first single "Beating My Heart" on the VH-1 countdown.

Photo by Joe Koch

Source: http://www.hooplamusicmagazine.com/feature_artist/jon_mclaughlin/jon_mclaughlin.htm

"Smack Into You" (Album Version)

2008-10-11T13:52:00.000-07:00

Jon posted the *full* version of the song on his imeem page:

http://www.imeem.com/jonmclaughlin/music/bx-woxbN/jon_mclaughlin_smack_into_you/

D/L here: http://www.sendspace.com/file/c45kra

Surprise For UltimateJonMcLaughlin Visitors

2008-10-09T20:17:00.001-07:00

Here is Jon McLaughlin's very first independent album Up Until Now, recorded and released locally in Indiana in 2003 by Launch Records while in university. Some of the tracks were later re-recorded for his self-titled release in 2004.

Up Until Now (2003)

Tracklist:
1. Some Tight Fix
2. Giving You Reasons
3. Another Sun
4. The Way
5. Loving Me
6. All My Days
7. Once Again
8. Questions
9. Just For Now
10. Cool with the Outside

D/L here:
http://www.sendspace.com/file/s3etbb

If you want the scans only, you can d/l here:
http://www.sendspace.com/file/yjoz24

***Important Note***: If any other bloggers decide to upload this file for their blogs, please credit us. Thanks!

Take 5 (+2) with Jon McLaughlin

2008-10-09T13:33:00.000-07:00

By Amy Sondova

“Beating My Heart” the first single from Jon McLaughlin’s sophomore album OK, Now (Island/Def Jam) has been making waves on the radio (both figuratively and literally) for weeks. Produced by Jon Fields (Switchfoot, Jonas Brothers), the album has a soulful, bluesy pop-rock inspired by the likes of Billy Joel, Elton John, and perhaps even John Mayer (though Jon is resistant to compare himself to his peers). Jon was kind enough to “Take 5 + 2” with Backseat Writer on the precipice of his album release, which was this Tuesday, Oct. 7.

You’re a Christian who’s also a musician, but you find the whole division between secular and Christian music a bit nonsensical. Why do you think it’s not always beneficial to listeners to throw music into these categories?

I think the categories prevent people from listening to good music. There’s a lot of good music out there and there’s some bad music, too (I have written my share) - the problem is that when I get put into a category of “Christian” music or “secular” music, or whatever, my music takes on all the stereotypes that that genre brings with it. So whatever a particular person feels about “Christian” music, good or bad, they’re going to put some of that on my music before even hearing it. And there are people out there who won’t listen to “Christian” music simply because it’s in that genre, and there are those who won’t listen to “secular” music for the same reason.

So, you’re that cute singer who belts out “So Close” in the movie Enchanted. Being a fan of Disney ballads, what was it like to perform one written by Academy Award winnining composer Alan Menken, who wrote songs for The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, and Beauty and the Beast? (Psst! Tell us a little bit about being on the set with Patrick Dempsey, Amy Adams, and the rest of the cast!)

I can’t even tell you what an honor it is to be associated with names like Disney, Alan Menken, Steven Schwartz… it’s ridiculous! Being on the set of the movie was really fun - I felt a bit out of my league working with Patrick Dempsey, Amy Adams, James Marsden, and Idina Menzel. They were all the nicest people and it was cool to get a glimpse of what their lives are like working late nights on the set and putting in such long hours.

After your appearance in Enchanted, sales of your first album on Island/Def Jam soared, causing many people to cling to your heart-wrenching song, “Beautiful Disaster.” What inspired the writing of this song?

The great thing about “Beautiful Disaster” is that it’s relatable. That’s also the unfortunate thing about the song. Everyone has a weird, warped image of themselves on some level and this song doesn’t really offer a solution to the problem (although I wish it did) but it at least lets people know that everyone’s in the same boat.

Similarly, on your new album (which is amazing) you composed the lyrically-driven song “4 Years” which encourages kids to just be themselves. Why did you write this song?

“4 Years” is a song I’ve been wanting to write for a long time. Ever since I graduated from high school. I just wanted to write a song that would remind high school kids that high school is not the rest of your life…and that every decision in high school is NOT life or death. When you’re 15 it’s hard to see past graduation day and part of you feels like the world you’re in while you’re in high school will be for the rest of your life - but it’s not true….it’s just 4 years.

Ok, Now’s first song “Beating My Heart” was actually written “on the spot.” Can you regale me with the story?

Well, it had been over a year since I finished Indiana and I was experiencing a little writer’s block but it was beyond time for me to start writing songs for the new record. So I was wracking my brain but nothing was coming. So one day, the band and I were at a sound check and Chad, my drummer, asked me to play some of the new material I had been working on. I didn’t have anything written but I didn’t want to admit to the band that I was having writer’s block so I said I had this new song, it’s not quite finished, but here it is…and that’s what came out.

I’m gonna make this a “Take 5″ +2 because I have to ask a Billy Joel question because you’re such a big admirer of his work. If you were asked to perform a song on a Billy Joel tribute album, what song would you pick and why?

I would do ANY Billy Joel song because they’re all awesome…but if I had to pick one I would probably pick “New York State of Mind” - I just love that song. Everything about it.

Since you’re “the movie song guy,” which song from Ok, Now is predicted to be the next “movie song”? I’m thinking “We All Need Saving,” but what’s your take?

I think you’re right. There’s just something about “We All Need Saving” that feels like film. It just feels like it should be synced up to that one scene in that one movie.

Source: http://backseatwriter.wordpress.com/2008/10/09/take-5-2-with-jon-mclaughlin/

"Another Layer"

2008-10-08T19:45:00.000-07:00

Here's the track Jon recorded for the soundtrack of the film Bridge to Terabithia, called "Another Layer".

D/L here: http://www.sendspace.com/file/ehrqm7

Exclusive Amazon.com Interview with Jon on OK Now

2008-10-08T15:00:00.000-07:00

Here you can view the new Amazon.com exclusive video of Jon talking about his latest release "OK Now"
http://www.amazon.com/gp/mpd/permalink/m2OHFSX55TY29P/ref=flash_player_2_preplay

D/L the video here:
http://www.sendspace.com/file/3dvo8g

Christian Music Today Review

2008-10-07T22:54:00.000-07:00

Jon McLaughlin
OK Now (Island Records)
Released October 2008
By Russ Breimeier
*** (3 Star) Rating

Sounds like … glossy AC pop reminiscent of Mark Schultz, Michael W. Smith, Scott Krippayne, Dave Barnes, and Matt Wertz.

At a glance … compared to McLaughlin's impressive 2007 debut, the glossy pop songs of OK Now lack the depth and distinctive hooks to be as memorable.

It's been just 15 months since Jon McLaughlin made his national debut with Indiana, but a lot has happened in that time. Strong reviews and various movie soundtrack appearances had already made him a rising star, but then his music sales spiked the day after the 25-year-old singer/songwriter performed "So Close" from Enchanted on the 2008 Academy Awards. From there, he's only gained exposure by touring with Sara Bareilles, Duffy, Kelly Clarkson, and other prominent names. It's a good thing he was able to strike while the iron was hot by quickly recording a follow-up … or is it?

Largely produced by John Fields (Jonas Brothers, Lifehouse), OK Now finds McLaughlin broadening his sound from the more organic piano-pop of his previous release. The stylistic variation works when the hooks are strong and the style is focused. "Dance Your Life Away" is a fun, fluffy throwback to '80s rock about living for the moment, and "Why I'm Talking to You" uses soulful '70s pop—sorta like Billy Joel meets Stevie Wonder—as a pickup line to the hot chick at a party.

Too often, however, the pop exploration makes McLaughlin's sound indistinct and generic. Much of that is due to the songwriting. With little more than atmosphere going for them, the songs gravitate toward simplistic and repetitive relationship sentiments ("Always on My Mind, "Smack Into You"). At least "Throw My Love Around" succeeds in spite of that, only because it has a better written melody.

McLaughlin is at his best when the lyric is more specific or personable. In "Four Years," he depicts time in high school as frivolous and fleeting. With "You Can Never Go Back," he warns against living in the past (while amusingly giving some musical nods to late '70s pop). He expounds on the need to lean on others during hard times through the harmony-laden "We All Need Saving." The songwriter is at his most confessional with "The Middle," lamenting that fame and celebrity has cost him time with loved ones: "Let me tell you now where I went wrong/Hollywood is just another place I don't belong." As far as spiritual content, only the single "Beating My Heart" vaguely suggests that we exist because God gives us life and purpose.

Despite glossy production, McLaughlin's pop-perfect vocals, and some nice piano runs on his part, it's merely pleasant overall, not memorable. Compared to Indiana, the focus on OK Now is more on pop music than songwriting depth. As such, the album is simply OK.

Track Listing
1. Beating My Heart
2. 4 Years
3. You Can Never Go Back
4. Thing That You Say
5. The Middle
6. You Are the One I Love
7. Always On My Mind
8. Smack Into You
9. Dance Your Life Away
10. Why I'm Talking to You
11. Throw My Love Around
12. We All Need Saving

Source:
http://www.christianitytoday.com/music/reviews/2008/oknow.html

OK Now bonus track "Good Enough" & Digital Booklet

2008-10-07T19:29:00.000-07:00

Here is the OK Now bonus track "Good Enough":
http://www.sendspace.com/file/ncyxq9

Also, here's the OK Now Digital booklet that was included in the iTunes purchase of the album (in PDF format)
http://www.sendspace.com/file/t1usqp

Staring too long at the pics may cause you to faint :P

UltimateJonMcLaughlin

Merry, Merry Christmas Everyone

Jon Releasing Christmas Single

Koffeehouse Featured Artist of the Week

New Songs on Youtube

Military Park Show - June 5, 2010

From Malibu to Carmel (not the one by the sea)

3 Other Unreleased Songs

Indiana - Live In-studio Acoustic

Origins Rocks Earth Month Concert Highlights

Another Untitled Song

Be Someone - New song

KSFS Acoustic Lounge & Throw My Love Around (Live)

Self-Titled album to be Re-released and New Album Info

2 video clips from the Yamaha concert

McL plays NAMM concert

Beating My Heart Live at the IN State Fair

Jon on WZPL Smiley's Christmas Carol

Throw My Love Around - Live Performance

Backstage video

New Song Title Confirmed

New update at ToBH

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

Newcomer McLaughlin 'Enchants' music fans

Interview with Jon

New Album Info and Tour Dates

Jon McLaughlin - Brasilian Sites

Piano Man Feeling 'OK Now'

Indiana State Fair - August 13, 2009

Jon in new Demi Lovato song

Palestra Music Interview

Trail of Broken Hearts Updates

New Jon McLaughlin Fansite

Jon's Twitter Updates

Jon McL E-mail update

Jon McL: Deeper Than You Think

UPDATED: Human (Alternative Version)

Beating My Heart (Early live version)

Dance Your Life Away (Alternative Version)

Something To Believe In

More Pics - Jon McL in 2005

Borders CD Signing - Washington D.C.

A Day On The Road

3 New Songs + Concert review

TOUR SPOTLIGHT: Jon McLaughlin

A Chat with Jon McL

My 2nd Jon McL Concert Experience

Human (Radio Edit)

Jon McL featured in Yamaha All Access 360

Industry Music Video

Behind the Scenes - For You From Me MV

Beating My Heart @ House of Blues

Salute to 2009 video by Jon McL

Places I Already Know (Band Version)

OK Now: Live 2008

Clizbeats Presents: Jon McL's Story

Clizbeats Productions, Inc. Presents Jon McLaughlin's StoryDecember 15, 2008

Jon McL on KISS 95.7

Happy New Year!!!

Jon McL on The Jack Diamond Morning Show

WIXX Interview & Performance

Merry Christmas from UltimateJonMcLaughlin

Performances of Pre-Indiana Songs

Jon McL Covers

'People' Live

Update: Up Until Now album

Jon McL @ WZPL 99.5's Jingle Jam 2008

A Christmas Song video

Doing Indy Ep. 102

Jon McL Promotional Pictures & More

Jon on MLB Entertaintment

Songs I Wrote and Later Recorded

2 for 1!

Jon McL - AOL Breakers

Jon McL on Binside TV

For You From Me Music Video

Jon McL on Fast Focus TV

Jon McL on SCTV

Fresh 102.7 Live Acoustic Performances

Beautiful Disaster (Radio Version)

Clizbeats Productions, Inc. Presents Jon McLaughlin's Story
December 15, 2008