Talking Life and Music with Jonathan McReynolds

Life & Music

By Hasan James

At the tender age of 23, He was born about the same week I started High School (1989), yet his writing is reminiscent of someone far beyond his years.  His current single, “I Love You” is a heartfelt acoustic song that simply confesses his love for the most high in its purest form and is currently a Top 20 hit. A song entitled “No Gray” from his debut album “Life Music” is already a You Tube sensation and just to think the world almost missed out on his talent due to his love for computers and meteorology?

Meet Gospel music’s newest sensation, Jonathan McReynolds…

Root:  I am a huge fan already. There is already a great reception for your single “I Love You” but I got a chance to listen to your album and I don’t think people are expecting what you are about to bring to this industry. How does someone as young as you, write with so much passion?

Jonathan McReynolds: I truly don’t know. God always kept my eyes open. I am very critical of myself and I try to stay understanding of where I’m coming from and how I am feeling and so a lot of my music is just me trying to be a Christian. From that, I realized that so many people are going through the same thing I am going through and it comes across in my music.

Root: Being from the birthplace of gospel music, did you grow up listening to a lot of gospel or was it a mixture of genres?

Jonathan McReynolds: My mother always listened to Christian music but it wasn’t totally traditional.  We listened to Hillsong, The Gaithers and others but it wasn’t that traditional gospel that Chicago is known for.

Root: As a young artist, what do you think you have to offer the gospel industry, as opposed to Kirk, Donnie, Yolanda or Donald Lawrence?

Jonathan McReynolds: I am basically known for writing what I like to call, “Life Music” and it basically talks about being young and growing up as a Christian in this crazy world. I know Kirk (Franklin) grew up in a crazy world but I don’t know if it has ever been this crazy! It’s somewhat of a culture shock when you go outside or turn on the television and still try to maintain who you are and what you know is right and so no to what you know is wrong. That is just a major concern for someone who is my age.

Root: Is music something you wanted to do growing up?

Jonathan McReynolds: Not necessarily. Most recently, I wanted to be a meteorologist. My family thought I was going to do something with computers or meteorology. It was not until the end of high school that I really started to pursue music and eventually I studied music in college.

Root: Donald Lawrence is a professor at your alma mater (University of Chicago), correct?

Jonathan McReynolds: Yes he is. He teaches a course in music business. I never got a chance to take his class because it was always full.

Root: It seems like you came out of nowhere. How did you get discovered?

Jonathan McReynolds: I had an EP out and through that EP I did a little bit of traveling around the country and got a chance to come to Atlanta where Bishop Morton was having an outdoor event and I did a few songs and even though he was not there, news traveled and his friends were like “Man, you gotta listen to this guy” and he gave me a chance.

Root: What are you looking forward to the most as we approach the release date of your debut album, “Life Music”?

Jonathan McReynolds: I’m looking forward to people to hear the music. I don’t have too many commercial ambitions about everything but I just want to be known as someone who took a different approach to this. I’m excited to add my own style and flavor. Fred Hammond did it; Kirk Franklin did it, so now I just want to make my mark.

Root: I don’t know if anyone has ever told you this but your voice has a striking resemblance to J. Moss…

Jonathan McReynolds: Yeah I’ve heard that!

Root: Do you think you sound like him?

Jonathan McReynolds: I believe we have different sounding voices but there are definitely times when I hear a song of his and I have to turn it up because it sounds like me. He’s a monster vocally so I’m definitely not tripping about that! It was a time in my life when I listened to J. Moss often but I never tried to bite anybody’s style. As a matter of fact, when I began making music I often wondered where my style was coming from and it really came from people like India Arie, Bob Dylan, The Beatles and everything I had to listen to in class, so I pray that is what people use to define me as an artist and not just the comparisons to other great gospel artists.

Root: We are in another election year and you are a young 23-year-old man. How important is it for you and others in your age bracket to go out and vote?

Jonathan McReynolds: I was just talking to some friends of mine about forming an organization that really informs and encourages people in my demographic; young, black, middle class people about what is going on. I feel like many things in politics are going over our heads without us being cognizant because they know that our ears are not always to the pulse of things going on in politics. Therefore, it is very important that as young people we stay connected. There is so much stuff going on in politics that my people don’t know about and when I say “my people”, I’m talking about black people, young people, working- class people, lower- middle class people, that just don’t know what is going on and we have to know! In places like Ohio, people have to know that the voter laws are changing, if you show up too late or with the incorrect credentials, you will not be able to vote and many of these tactics are aimed at my demographic being hindered in the voting process. I’m really passionate about politics and I’m passionate about what’s going on in the country because I believe that there is a spiritual aspect to it all and that God has a plan for this country, for this world and for the church.

Root: Romney or Obama?

Jonathan McReynolds: You know what, I’m an independent, so I am not completely sold on either one; however, of the two I will definitely have to go with Obama.  The Republicans don’t seem to be fighting with their head or their heart.

Root: Where do you see yourself ten years from now?

Jonathan McReynolds: Ten years from now, I believe God has something planned for me in music but I also believe that he has more planned for me in ministry or in politics. I am thankful for music as a platform and as a stepping-stone but I believe that music will always be around and I will always have a passion and a heart for music. I believe he has so many plans for me and so much in store and I’m excited to see how it all turns out.

Pick up the new album Life and Music on September 25, 2012!