Interview: Jonathan Jenkins
Jonathan Jenkins, was born in Nuremberg, Germany. Now living in Los Angeles, he has released 'Just Wait On Jesus'. Louder Than The Music chatted with him to hear about his journey, his inspiration, and how his music is formed.
For those who haven't heard of you before, can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you got involved in making music?
I’m an “army brat” Born in Nuremberg, Germany.
My childhood involved moving almost every year, living in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Arkansas, Maryland, Washington DC, Virginia, Mississippi, Texas and now currently residing in Los Angeles, CA.
Always being the “new kid” was both difficult and rewarding. I have 4 brothers, who are truly my best friends.
I would get to sing in front of my brothers as my audience, sometimes they would like it and sometimes not, they were alway brutally honest.
I began singing in church while spending the summer with my Grandmother in Toledo Oh
Tell us about your single 'Just Wait on Jesus' and what the inspiration behind it was?
I co-wrote this with a great producer/musician, TiErre Harris, he invited me to come to his studio in St Louis MO. I was so apprehensive to go because I had not felt inspired or creative to write for months, so I put off making plans for months and then finally, after much prayer and still not having a creative vision, stepped out on faith.
We spent 4 days in the studio from sun up to sun down and I wrote Just Wait On Jesus, along with a few other songs, I reflected on this wonderful opportunity and how I couldn’t see the outcome, but God saw it, it was great! God was present the entire time!
Do you have plans to release any further songs in the near future?
Oh yes, through Covid 2020, I’ve written over 20 new songs, I’m very excited about them all!
What message would you like people to take from your music?
The message I would like people to take from my music, is to know Christ, get to know Him in a personal way, I have not always been in church, but God has always been in my life, what I know for sure is you don’t have to fix yourself to come to Jesus, come as you are and He will change you!
How would you describe your style of music and what are your influences?
R&B laced with scripture..lol I grew up on soul music and still a big fan, my inspiration comes from God’s grace and mercy, so I have to sing about it
If you could work with any songwriter, who would it be and why?
Lionel Richie would be one of the songwriters I would love to work with, as a kid I’ve have always admired his songwriting skills, both secular and gospel.
How would you define success in your career as an artist?
Success for me would be spreading the word of God to as many people as possible, to encourage and minister through music
I am so blessed to be able to do this full time, it hasn’t always been this way, I stay in a place of gratitude
What is your favorite album of all time?
Favorite album of all time?? wow, my diverse taste in music is so broad, I love country and alternative along with R&B
But I guess it would be Lauren Hill Miseducation of Lauren Hill….
You're stuck on an island, it's hot, you only have enough battery life left to listen to one song on your phone. What track is it?
I hope this doesn’t sound self absorbed, but it would be a new song I wrote called “Psalm 23” it’s the verse put to music that even the unchurched would get
What does the next year hold for you?
God willing, more music releases and a tour!
