Jon McLaughlin

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.

Career

In 2005, McLaughlin recorded an 8-song EP, Songs I Wrote and Later Recorded. 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, Adele, O.A.R., Sister Hazel, Cowboy Mouth, Paolo Nutini, and Marc Broussard.

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. which he attended with his wife Amy. McLaughlin's "Human" is also heard in TV Promos for CBS series' Flashpoint.

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.

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, prior to being sent to Hot Adult Contemporary (Hot AC) on June 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." 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." The first single from the album, "Summer is Over," featured Sara Bareilles and was released on January 10, 2012.

In July 2013, McLaughlin launched a campaign with PledgeMusic, allowing listeners to actively be involved with the making of his new album. 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. It was preceded by the singles "Hallelujah" and "Doesn't Mean Goodbye."

Additionally, he released a set of short films 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.

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. The album Like Us was released on October 9, 2015.

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." The following year, he announced a new single "Lost" which preceded his next album Angst & Grace which was released on November 9, 2018.

Personal life McLaughlin and his wife, Amy, have two daughters.

Discography

Studio albums Title Album details Peak chart positions US US Christ US Rock US Indep. Indiana Release date: May 1, 2007 Label: Island Def Jam Music Group Formats: CD, digital download 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 — — — — Scenarios Release date: October 24, 2025 Label: Jon McLaughlin Formats: CD, digital download — — — —

Independent albums Title Album details Up Until Now Release date: 2003 Label: Self-released Jon McLaughlin (The Early Recordings) Release date: March 7, 2013 Label: Self-released Formats: Digital download Holding My Breath EP – (String Version) Release date: November 12, 2013 Label: Razor & Tie Formats: Digital download The Christmas EP 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

Other charted songs Year Title Peak chart positions Album US Christ Digital US Rock Digital 2012 "Maybe It's Over" 449 Promising Promises

Soundtrack

Filmography