As older names like Shirley Caesar are baring themselves, young gospel musicians like Jonathan McReynolds are on the rise to fill the space she is about to leave behind. Jonathan McReynolds, like many of the younger generation of gospel musicians, has brought a modern twist to the genre that gives them more mainstream appeal and regular commercial success.
To date, Jonathan has managed several chart-topping albums and is very much on track to have more of them on his discography as he grows in his career. He is currently signed to Light Records and Entertainment One Music. Find out more about Jonathan McReynolds by reading below.
Jonathan McReynolds – biography
Jonathan was born on September 17, 1989. He was born in Chicago, Illinois to a single mother who raised him alone with the help of members of his mother’s family, who in turn became his family, and the church, particularly the pastor of the New Original Church of God in Christ. You could say it’s the love and care shown to him and his mother that helped establish him as a gospel artist.
Before he turned 10, specifically at the age of 8, Jonathan was already rooted in musical instruments, learning and dazzling on the piano. By the time he was 18, he had expanded his knowledge of musical instruments, which at the time included drums, to include the guitar. As a later singer he joined the youth choir, although at the time his passion for music was limited to instruments and not to the use of his voice. However, inspired by famous gospel music singers such as Israel Houghton, Kim Burrell, Jonathan stood before his congregation and used his great voice to minister to the people.
Beginning in high school, he embraced singing as his identity and graduated from Columbia College in Chicago with a major in Urban and Popular Music. While working in Columbia to improve his knowledge and understanding of music, Jonathan wrote and recorded songs in a small studio set up in his dorm room. In his junior year 2009 he compiled some songs he had recorded and uploaded to Facebook.
Through this once-in-a-lifetime act, Jonathan’s life as an aspiring gospel artist changed to his EP, which he titled The Very Unofficial Jonathan McReynolds EP leaked to local radio, who loved it and invited him to perform some of the songs on the radio. Within a short time he was signed to Light Records and Entertainment One Music.
His first album was Lebensmusik , which was released under his new label and enjoyed notable success. The album was critically and commercially successful, charting at number 98 on the US Billboard chart and number three on the US Gospel Albums chart. Since the first album he has released two more albums – Lebensmusik:stufe Zwei and Mach Platz both were also critically successful. The two albums charted at #1 on the US Gospel Music Chart.
His music, which is described as full of exceptional songwriting coupled with an amazing voice, has earned him enough recognition such as the GMA Dove Award and Stellar Award Nominee. He was also nominated for a Grammy Award in 2016 for Best Gospel Album.
Wife
Jonathan McReynolds is not currently married. The Chicago-born gospel musician has kept his personal relationships private and there’s no official word on whether he’s dating. For now, the singer seems to be focused on his music, which includes a national tour for his recently released album.
Other facts to know
1 . Before becoming a very successful solo artist, Jonathan was part of a musical group called Mind Over Matter in the early days of his burgeoning musical life.
2. One of the things that sets his music apart is his ability to borrow styles and techniques from worldly musicians. He has cited acts such as John Legend and Bruno Mars as influences in his music and stage performance
3 . While he’s not the richest yet, Jonathan has made it a habit to give back to those in need through his nonprofit organization that gives college scholarships to those in need.
