Jon Langston: Turning Catharsis Into A Career

Country recording artist, Jon Langston, just has one of those stories.

You know the kind I’m talking about. The main character’s life gets turned upside down but instead of sulking and succumbing to the grief of the unexpected shift, they persevere and overcome only to find a new purpose and passion in life. Those stories that turn into books that turn into scripts that inspire us all. That’s exactly what Jon Langston’s story does.

Hailing from Loganville, Georgia, Jon was sure that football would always be a part of his life. He set his sights on the sport and in 2009, he earned himself a Division I scholarship to play at Gardner-Webb University in North Carolina. Jon played through to his junior year until a sixth (yes, you read that right, SIXTH) concussion left the singer blind for fifteen minutes. It was then his football career ended and Langston found himself at a crossroads.

“It was hard but I knew it was the right thing to do. I didn’t know what god had planned for my life at the time…”

Jon, who hadn’t picked up a guitar since the eighth grade, re-introduced himself to the instrument and began writing his own songs.

The Georgia boy with a unique voice began posting those songs on YouTube and paying his dues at open mic nights around town. In 2013, he released “Forever Girl” – a move that launched his music career and led to sold out shows across the country. “It’s crazy how God closes one door and opens another,” Langston said, “I had no idea what was ahead of me with the whole music world.”

I told you it was an inspirational story.

>>LAUV’S LATEST ALBUM, ‘ALL 4 NOTHING’ IS NOTHING SHORT OF THERAPEUTIC<<

We were recently given the opportunity to chat with Jon and to ask him some questions about that pivotal time in his life, his gritty NF cover, and more…

Terah: What really struck me about your story was the absolute, soul-deep willpower it took to shift from music after your football career ended…What was your driving force during that time and out of all of the things you could have pivoted to, why music?

Jon: When I got done playing football, I turned to music because it was something I was always interested in. At first, it was therapy for me, but I ended up falling in love with songwriting, entertaining and performing on stage. It helped me get through a time where I didn’t know what I was going to do. When I heard people at my first show sing the words of my songs back to me, I knew that’s what I wanted to chase: a crazy dream in music.

Terah: Do you feel like that life-altering experience shows itself in your songwriting?

Jon: Definitely. You can see my life story and how I’ve grown over the years in my music. Now I have a daughter and I feel like my whole writing inspiration has changed because of her. It’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me.

>>TWINNIE’S ‘WELCOME TO THE CLUB: THE FILM’ IS AS HEARTFELT AS IT IS AUTHENTIC<<

Terah: I think we all have fallen in love with this year’s cover of NF’s “If You Want Love”…What made you choose that song?

Jon: I’m a huge fan of NF. His music speaks to me and has helped me through a lot in my life. One day I was on my way home and this song came on and it hit me like a ton of bricks. I had to pull over. The lyrics are incredible, so I wanted to share my version and I’m so glad we did!

Terah: What other songs do you like to cover? The ones you find yourself singing just because you love them that much…

Jon:  I always find myself singing an Alan Jackson song while I’m working
on the farm or just walking around town. Usually it’s “Drive,” which is probably my favorite country song.

Terah: If you could have co-wrote any song in history, which would it be and why? 

Jon: If I could have co-written any song in history it would probably be “Desperado.” One of my favorite songs from my favorite band, the Eagles.

>>JOEY COOK’S ‘END OF THE WORLD’ IS ALL THAT’S RIGHT IN THE WORLD<<

Terah: What is your favorite Eagles song? (As a huge Eagles fan I might judge you)

Jon: “Take It Easy” or “Witchy Woman” are my favorite Eagles songs. I got to see them play in Chicago a few years ago and it was amazing!

Terah: Alright, you pass…

What do you have coming up? (that you can tell us about)

Jon: A tour is coming this fall, and I’m working on new music in the studio all summer. It’s exciting and I can’t wait for these new songs to come out.

Follow Jon to keep up with his fall tour, new releases, and the general continuation of the inspirational story that is his life.