“Music moves me,” 22-year-old singer songwriter Jason Bonham tries to describe his relationship with the medium of sound. “It’s a medicine for me – how I cope, how I communicate.
“Music is my love language.”
Growing up in mid-Ohio’s farm country, Jason’s life revolved around his family, his faith, sports, and music. “I’ve been singing in church since seventh grade, and I started playing bass after that,” he says. His dreams of a sports career ended in high school with an injury, and it was during the subsequent year of surgeries and recovery that he began learning guitar and writing songs. As Jason says wryly, “I had a lot of downtime.”
Embarking on a different path with a traveling ministry, Jason honed his skills at performance. A watershed event was his trip to Uganda. “That’s where I learned what I was made of,” he reflects. “I met this girl there: Lillian, who was 16. She and her family had fled from their village as the rebel army came. They tried to return, but the rebels had left land mines. Lillian lost her family, and her leg. Yet, there was this… unspeakable joy… in her face… her faith in God truly lifted her up.
“The first song on my record was inspired by Lillian.”
That record, i just wanted you to know, is an extraordinary first effort. “I got together with [award-winning musician and producer] Ryan Wilkins, and he suggested we make a demo of a few songs,” Jason reminisces. “We took about five songs I’d written just after high school, and it was going so well, everyone said, let’s just make an album! So I took a month off and wrote six more songs, and we busted out the album in a week and a half.”
Jason’s voice is a pure and supple instrument, serving the emotive lyrics in the most sensitive manner. “The lyrics reflect what I’ve been struggling with,” admits Jason. The lyrics reflect a sensitive soul, longing for relationships – with God, with love, with humanity – and the constant struggle to rise above the iniquities and disappointments of living in an imperfect world. It’s an amazingly mature record for a 20-year old to write, and for a debut record, outstanding at any age.
“I’m certainly evolving as a songwriter,” he comments. “The songs on the record – they came straight out of pure emotion. Since then, I’ve been learning more about actually crafting a song, to work with those emotions. I think the songs I’m writing now are much better than the songs on the record!
“My goal is to make beautiful music, plain and simple.”
What's up dude? We played together at Christ the Rock about 2 years ago. How have thing been? You're an amazing musician and I enjoy your music alot bro.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE ADD! I am honored to have such a myspace "friend" as you! Your music is incredible (runs in the family ;-}) Have a safe and Happy NEw Year. Hugs, Lorrie
To celebrate the release of our new EP entitled "Change" we are planning a FREE Concert event with special guests Ryan Wilkins and Madison East. The show will be held at WorldView Community Church in Olmsted Falls, OH on November 29th (the Saturday after Thanksgiving). Show starts at 7 pm. Remember it's free so help us get the word out.
Howdy everyone...Miss Tess & The Bon Ton Parade will be playing their first show ever at the Regatta Bar (Charles Hotel, Harvard Square) with special guest James Rohr on piano. This is an important gig for us and we could really use your support! Thursday, Oct. 9 @ 7:30pm, $12. Tix available at www. theregattabar. com
BUY THE ALBUM!!!!!!!
