Jon McLaughlin
McLaughlin performing at Duck Room on Blueberry Hill in 2013
McLaughlin performing at Duck Room on Blueberry Hill in 2013
Background information
Birth nameJonathan McLaughlin
Born (1982-09-27) September 27, 1982
OriginAnderson, Indiana, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter, guitarist, pianist, record producer
Instrument(s)Piano, guitar, vocals
Years active2003–present
LabelsDef Jam, Razor & Tie[1]
Websitewww.jonmcl.com

Jonathan McLaughlin (born September 27, 1982) is an American pop rock singer-songwriter, record producer and pianist from Anderson, Indiana. His debut album Indiana was released on May 1, 2007, preceded by his first EP Industry, also known as Jon McL, in February 2007. His most successful song is the 2008 single "Beating My Heart", from his second album OK Now.

Early life

McLaughlin grew up in Anderson, Indiana, playing piano since early childhood, though he disliked the lessons, and often sought to avoid them. While attending Highland High School, McLaughlin shattered both wrists in an accident that interrupted his musical career. Rediscovering "his muse," McLaughlin attended Anderson University to study music.[2]

Career

McLaughlin released an independent album entitled Up Until Now in 2003. This quickly led to McLaughlin becoming the first artist to sign on with the school's burgeoning record label, Orangehaus Records (now Orangehaus Entertainment). The self-titled album released in 2004 to local and regional praise. He began touring throughout the Midwest and working up a grassroots following.

In 2005, McLaughlin recorded an 8-song EP, Songs I Wrote and Later Recorded.[2] Touring expanded to across the country as support continued to grow for the independent artist. He also increased his fan base by playing at Timber Wolf Lake, a Young Life camp, with his first album entitled Jon McLaughlin. He caught the attention of other independent artists and began touring with artists such as Dave Barnes and Matt Wertz.

In 2005, he signed with record label Island Records.[3] Since then, McLaughlin increased his presence at well-established musical venues and festivals such as Feeling Better Than Everfine (Cleveland, OH), Waterfest (Oshkosh, WI), Milwaukee Summerfest (Milwaukee, WI), Northwest State College Fest (Archbold, OH) and Lollapalooza (Chicago, IL). He has toured with Kelly Clarkson, O.A.R., Sister Hazel, Cowboy Mouth, Paolo Nutini, and Marc Broussard.[4]

Major label debut

After signing with Island Records, McLaughlin increased his public image by providing music for the NBC comedy Scrubs, episode "My Conventional Wisdom," on May 10, 2007. McLaughlin's song, "Human" was included in the episode. The same song appeared at the end of the episode "The Walk-In" of Ghost Whisperer. "Beautiful Disaster" can also be heard in the TV series A Little Thing Called Life in the season two episode titled "The Greatest and Worst Halloween Ever." "Beautiful Disaster" sold over 420,000 digital copies.[4]

To date, three Hollywood-released films have included songs from McLaughlin. The song "Another Layer" appeared on the soundtrack for the motion picture Bridge to Terabithia and "Beautiful Disaster" is used in the 2007 film Georgia Rule. McLaughlin also made an on-screen appearance and performance of the song, "So Close" (written by Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz) in the Oscar-nominated Disney film Enchanted.[3]

The song received an Oscar nomination.[4] This led to McLaughlin performing at the 80th Academy Awards,[5][6] which he attended with his wife Amy.[3]

Rising fame, collaborations, Academy Awards

McLaughlin opened on Kelly Clarkson's My December Tour beginning in October 2007, a role announced on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on August 7, 2007. He has also toured extensively with similarly styled and popular singer-songwriter, Sara Bareilles.

He recorded a trio with Jason Mraz and Van Hunt for the Randy Jackson duets-album Randy Jackson's Music Club, Vol. 1. The track title is "Something to Believe In".[7] McLaughlin's "Human" is also heard in TV Promos for CBS series' Flashpoint.

McLaughlin performing on Nashville, Tennessee in 2007.

In 2007, McLaughlin appeared as himself in the film Enchanted starring Amy Adams and Patrick Dempsey singing "So Close", which led to a performance at the 2008 Academy Awards. In 2010, the song was used in Disney California Adventure's World of Color show.[8]

McLaughlin's version of "Smack Into You", written and produced by The-Dream and Tricky Stewart, was leaked to the internet in 2008, but did not appear on OK Now. Beyoncé eventually covered the song and it was featured on her album I Am... Sasha Fierce, re-titled as "Smash Into You".

In June 2008, McLaughlin premiered "Beating My Heart", which was released to mainstream radio on July 22, 2008,[9] prior to being sent to Hot Adult Contemporary (Hot AC) on June 10.[10] "Beating My Heart", first single from his second studio album OK Now, is available with the rest of the album for download on iTunes and Amazon. The song was praised by Billboard single reviews editor Chuck Taylor, who wrote that "It's high time for singer/songwriter Jon McLaughlin to earn his due."[11] He followed this with a description of the song as "a joyous uptempo romantic romp, featuring hook after hook, from tinkling piano to driving percussion and a start-and-stop bridge, alongside a joyous effortless vocal that soars with falsetto to the high heavens. The accompanying video is simple enough, but effectively illustrates McLaughlin's charms as a palatable sex symbol. "Heart" pumps with instantaneous hit potential, and proper promotion of it could propel the artist to superstar status."[11]

McLaughlin co-wrote "Every Time You Lie" and "Falling Over Me" with Demi Lovato for Lovato's second album Here We Go Again in 2009. The latter was originally a duet, but the final version only featured McLaughlin's backing vocals.

Label changes, independent, and new ventures

McLaughlin self-financed and released his third studio album, Forever If Ever, on September 6, 2011. He later signed to record label Razor & Tie and re-released the album as Promising Promises on May 22, 2012, remastering all the tracks and adding three new songs.[12][13] The first single from the album, "Summer is Over," featured Sara Bareilles and was released on January 10, 2012.[14][15]

In July 2013, McLaughlin launched a campaign with PledgeMusic, allowing listeners to actively be involved with the making of his new album.[16] The album, Holding My Breath, was released on September 24, 2013, and debuted at No. 26 on the Billboard Independent Albums and No. 141 Billboard 200 charts.[17] It was preceded by the singles "Hallelujah"[18] and "Doesn't Mean Goodbye."[19]

Additionally, he released a set of short films[20][21][22][23] on his YouTube channel ahead of the album's release.

On February 15, 2014, McLaughlin was the opening act for Billy Joel at The Palace of Auburn Hills, (Auburn Hills, Michigan) in addition to the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada stop on March 9, 2014.[24][25]

In 2015, he announced a new album Like Us with the premiere of his single "Before You" in July. A follow-up single "I Want You Anyway" was released in September.[26][27] The album Like Us was released on October 9, 2015.[3][28]

In 2017, he opened for Scott Bradlee's Postmodern Jukebox and Straight No Chaser's "Double Feature" Tour. He also began a new Patreon series called "Dueling Pianos."[29] The following year, he announced a new single "Lost" which preceded his next album Angst & Grace which was released on November 9, 2018.[30][31]

Personal life

McLaughlin and his wife, Amy, have two daughters.[3][32]

Discography

Studio albums

Title Album details Peak chart positions
US US Christ US Rock US Indep.
Indiana 81 5 25 —
OK Now
  • Release date: October 7, 2008
  • Label: Island Def Jam Music Group
  • Formats: CD, digital download
 49 2 18 —
Forever If Ever
  • Release date: September 6, 2011
  • Label: Self-released
  • Formats: CD, digital download
 84 3 12 10
Promising Promises
  • Release date: May 22, 2012
  • Label: Razor & Tie
  • Formats: CD, digital download
 113 — — —
Holding My Breath
  • Release date: September 24, 2013
  • Label: Razor & Tie
  • Formats: CD, digital download
 141 8 — 26
Like Us
  • Release date: October 9, 2015
  • Label: Razor & Tie
  • Formats: CD, digital download, Vinyl
 — — 45 —
Angst & Grace
  • Release date: November 9, 2018
  • Label: Jon McLaughlin
  • Formats: CD, digital download
 — — — —
All The Things I Say To Myself
  • Release date: November 19, 2021
  • Label: Jon McLaughlin
  • Formats: CD, digital download
 — — — —

Independent albums

Title Album details
Up Until Now[33]
  • Release date: 2003
  • Label: Self-released
Jon McLaughlin (The Early Recordings)[33]
  • Release date: 2004
  • Label: Orangehaus Records
Songs I Wrote and Later Recorded[33]
  • Release date: 2005
  • Label: Self-released

Extended plays

Title Album details
Industry
  • Release date: February 20, 2007
  • Label: Island Def Jam Music Group
  • Formats: Digital download
Exclusive B-Sides (3 Song Bundle)[34]
  • Release date: March 7, 2013
  • Label: Self-released
  • Formats: Digital download
Holding My Breath EP – (String Version)[35]
  • Release date: November 12, 2013
  • Label: Razor & Tie
  • Formats: Digital download
The Christmas EP[36]
  • Release date: November 11, 2014
  • Label: Self-released
  • Formats: CD, Digital download
Red and Green EP
  • Release date: November 17, 2017
  • Label: Self-released
  • Formats: CD, Digital download
Mood II - EP
  • Release date: May 8, 2020
  • Label: Self-released
  • Formats: CD, Digital download
Things I Say To Myself
  • Release date: August 28, 2020
  • Label: Self-released
  • Formats: CD, Digital download
Christmas Time EP
  • Release date: November 13, 2020
  • Label: Self-released
  • Formats: CD, Digital download

Singles

Year Title Peak chart positions Album
US Adult US Christ US Rock Digital
2007 "Industry" — — — Industry / Indiana
"Beautiful Disaster" 28 — — Indiana
"Human" — — —
"So Close" — — — Enchanted soundtrack
2008 "Beating My Heart" 18 27 — OK Now
2010 "Merry, Merry Christmas Everyone" — — — Non-album singles
2011 "What I Want" — — — Forever If Ever
2012 "Summer Is Over" (with Sara Bareilles) — — 32 Promising Promises
2014 "Honest-to-Goodness Indiana"[37] — — — Non-album singles
2013 "Hallelujah" — — — Holding My Breath
"Doesn't Mean Goodbye" — — —
2015 "Before You" — — — Like Us
"I Want You Anyway" — — —
2016 "Beautiful Lies" — — — Non-album singles
2018 "Lost" — — — Angst & Grace
"You Don't Talk About Me" — — —
2019 "So Emotional" — — — Non-album singles
2020 "Hiding" — — — Mood II - EP
"Believing" — — —
"A Break Up Song" — — — Things I Say To Myself EP
"Outta My Head" — — —
"Feeling Like Christmas" — — — Christmas Time EP
2021 "In & Out" (with Casey McQuillen) — — — Non-album singles
"Why It Hurts" — — — All The Things I Say To Myself

Other charted songs

Year Title Peak chart positions Album
US Christ Digital US Rock Digital
2012 "Maybe It's Over" 4 49 Promising Promises

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
2007 Enchanted Ballroom Singer
2012 Atlantians in America Big W Foot Direct-to-video
2013 My Life in Real Time Short

References

  1. ↑ "Jon McLaughlin signs new album deal with Razor & Tie". Razor & Tie. Archived from the original on January 18, 2012.
  2. 1 2 "Artist Profile: Jon McLaughlin". AwareStore.com. Archived from the original on February 13, 2007. Retrieved March 15, 2007.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Scott, Jason (September 1, 2015). "Jon McLaughlin Talks 'Like Us' LP, Heartbreak & Being 'The Piano Guy'". Popdust. Archived from the original on December 29, 2016. Retrieved December 1, 2018.
  4. 1 2 3 "UMG – Universal Music Group". Islandrecords.com. Archived from the original on August 31, 2009. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  5. ↑ "The Indianapolis Star, Indystar". Indy.com. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  6. ↑ "Jon McLaughlin to sing at Oscars". The Herald Bulletin. February 2, 2008. Retrieved December 1, 2018.
  7. ↑ "Mariah, Paula, 'Idols' Join Jackson's 'Club'". Billboard. January 1, 2008. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  8. ↑ Graser, Marc (June 1, 2010). "Disney Park adds 'Color'". Variety. Retrieved December 1, 2018.
  9. ↑ "New Mainstream Radio Single Releases". FMQB. Archived from the original on September 21, 2013. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  10. ↑ "New AC Radio Single Releases". FMQB. Archived from the original on August 7, 2011. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  11. 1 2 Taylor, Chuck (September 6, 2008). "Singles". Billboard. Vol. 120, no. 36. p. 42. ISSN 0006-2510.
  12. ↑ "Jon Mclaughlin". Jonmcl.com. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  13. ↑ "Jon McLaughlin Signs New Album Deal". Razor & Tie. Archived from the original on January 18, 2012. Retrieved January 14, 2012.
  14. ↑ Bustos, Kristina (April 4, 2012). "Jon McLaughlin, Sara Bareilles release 'Summer Is Over' video – watch". Digital Spy. Retrieved December 1, 2018.
  15. ↑ "Summer Is Over (feat. Sara Bareilles) – Single". Apple Music Preview. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
  16. ↑ "Jon McLaughlin: New Album Coming Soon on PledgeMusic". Pledgemusic.com. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  17. ↑ "Holding My Breath". Billboard. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
  18. ↑ "Hallelujah – Jon McLaughlin". YouTube. September 2, 2013. Archived from the original on December 15, 2021. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  19. ↑ "Doesn't Mean Goodbye – Jon McLaughlin". YouTube. October 2, 2013. Archived from the original on December 15, 2021. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  20. ↑ "JON McLAUGHLIN in "BELLS" – A Tiny Film". YouTube. September 3, 2013. Archived from the original on September 12, 2013. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  21. ↑ "JON McLAUGHLIN in "IDEA" – A Tiny Film". YouTube. September 3, 2013. Archived from the original on February 22, 2016. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  22. ↑ "JON McLAUGHLIN in "HANDS" – A Tiny Film". YouTube. September 1, 2013. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  23. ↑ "JON McLAUGHLIN in "MIX" – A Tiny Film". YouTube. September 2, 2013. Archived from the original on February 22, 2016. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  24. ↑ Graff, Gary (February 14, 2014). "Billy Joel's sax man blows his own horn — at long last". The Oakland Press. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
  25. ↑ Hamilton, James (March 10, 2014). "Piano Man Billy Joel returns to #Toronto". Toronto Grand Prix Tourist. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
  26. ↑ "Listen To This: I Want You Anyway". PerezHilton.com. April 9, 2015. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  27. ↑ "I Want You Anyway (Lyric video)". YouTube. September 4, 2015. Archived from the original on December 15, 2021. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  28. ↑ "Like Us by Jon McLaughlin". iTunes. October 9, 2015. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  29. ↑ McLaughlin, Jon. "Jon McLaughlin is creating Dueling Pianos Videos". Patreon. Retrieved December 1, 2018.
  30. ↑ "Angst And Grace: Singer, songwriter and pianist Jon McLaughlin set to release album". Cross Rhythms. Retrieved December 1, 2018.
  31. ↑ "Angst & Grace". Amazon. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
  32. ↑ Schillaci, Sophie (November 2, 2015). "Jon McLaughlin Reveals How His Young Daughters Inspired 'Ridiculous, Fun' New Single". Entertainment Tonight. Retrieved June 19, 2023.
  33. 1 2 3 "Jon McLaughlin Discography, Jon McL, Jon McLaughlin Artist Database". Jesusfreakhideout.com. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  34. ↑ "Exclusive B-Sides (3 Song Bundle) by Jon McLaughlin". Store.jonmcl.com. March 5, 2013. Archived from the original on February 23, 2015. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  35. ↑ "Holding My Breath EP – (String Version) by Jon McLaughlin". iTunes. November 1, 2013. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  36. ↑ "The Christmas EP by Jon McLaughlin". iTunes. November 1, 2014. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  37. ↑ "Honest-to-Goodness Indiana – Jon McLaughlin". Store.jonmcl.com. June 6, 2014. Archived from the original on February 23, 2015. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
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