Artist Spotlight: Jon Pardi

We always try to introduce you to new music on 99.5 WKDQ, but we can’t put everybody on air. So, I decided to start spotlighting some of my favorite artists just for you! New artists, old artists, in between artists, I’ve got them all!

Jon Pardi keeps us “Up All Night” with his southern charm, but did you know he’s actually not from the south at all? Jon is from a small town in Northern California and had his first taste of country music in his grandmother’s kitchen at three years old. He fell in love with the guitar when he was 8, and songwriting when he was 12. According to Jon, “If you can take a piece of life and put it in a song, it’s going to be a good song—especially if it’s from the heart.” Jon found his passion and wasn’t turning back. He started his first band when he was 14, and made his dream of moving to Nashville a reality 8 short years later. In Nashville, he caught the attention of Song Factor, getting him a publishing contract, and later a record deal.

He moved to Chico, CA to go to Butte Junior College and started the band Northern Comfort. They played together for 3 years before the band broke up and Jon moved home to save up his money. He finally made the big move in February of 2008, while his mom cried in the rear view mirror. With him was his dog, PA system and the $7,000 he was able to save. $7,000 goes quicker than you might think when you’ve got a dream like Jon’s. He became a lifeguard, and used that skill to his advantage to earn money until he scored that publishing deal just after a year and a half of living in Music City. He started out doing a lot of co-writing. “There were a lot of headache mornings, but I still showed up, and a lot of good songs came on days like that.”

Jon is a new artist currently signed to Capitol Records Nashville, but his attitude and songwriting skills doesn’t make him seem new at all. He credits some of his musical heroes to Dwight Yoakam, George Strait and Alan Jackson. “People ask me who I’d like to open up for, but I’ve been lucky enough to have opened up for several of the artists I look up to.” Jon’s been able to share the stage with artists like Pat Green and Dierks Bentley, and given the opportunity to open for both Luke Bryan and Eric Church.

His debut album will be available January 14^th, and between the heartfelt opener “Fightin’ the Fool” and the closing rocker of “Drinkin’ With Me,” he brings you a completely unique mixture of not only youth and his love of music, but also love and loss. Jon knows exactly who he is, who he wants to be, and where he wants to go. He gives you a taste of all things combined in his upcoming album “Write You A Song.” Jon doesn’t really have any songs that will put you in a negative mood. “It always feels good with me so when you come to a show or listen to the record, you’re going to have a good time.”

When Jon was asked what advice he’d give to other artists looking to make it, he said, “It’s about surrounding yourself with great people. If you show Nashville you’ve got talent and if you do it right, they’ll help you make that talent event better and help you get it out there.”

Be sure to like him on Facebook and follow him on Twitter, and while ya wait for that album, check out his music video below :)