Jonathan David Eckberg is definitely a refreshing and clear voice in the all-too-muddied waters of the music industry.
Born and raised in Walnut, Illinois, a small farm community nestled amidst the cornfields of Northern Illinois, his small town roots and blue collar values mesh with a big world perspective and philosophy to create music that is so truthful, so honest, that it easily speaks to the hearts and minds of any listener.
Eckberg's music is a perfect blend of rock and pop, blues and even a little jazz, acoustic and electric. It is powerfully complex yet deceptively simple.
His roots go back deep into his home and his upbringing, to firm foundations of community, family, and faith.
"I was forturnate enough to be brought up in a musical family," says the 24 year old singer-songwriter, "My dad was a seasoned musician, pastor and worship leader, while my momwas an accomplished pianist who taught lessons and served as the church pianist."
There was no shortage of music in the Eckberg household.
"As a result of my parents' musical affinity I was surrounded by great, great music. As a kid I was bombarded by stuff like the Beatles, Buffalo Springfield, Poco, Traffic, Cream, and the Yardbirds, to name a few.
Reflecting on those early years and early influences, Eckberg says, "It was only a matter of time before I found myself chasing the muse."
Early in his 8th grade year, Eckberg succumbed to the call of that muse, picked up a guitar, and spent hours in his room banging out what he recalls as "horrible" renditions of Beatles tunes. ("My parents were dreading the thought of having to tell me I was tone-deaf. Lucky for them I started to get the hang of it!")
Throughout his high school years Eckberg became obsessed with copying the guitar chops of Blues and Rock legends like Stevie Ray Vaughn, B.B. King, Albert King, Eric Clapton, Albert Collins, Chris Duarte, and a slew of others.
After high school the aspiring musician departed his small town for Greenville College where he began spending more and more time with the acoustic guitar and in the process, began to cultivate his emerging songwriting skills. Exposure to the songwriting of people like Bebo Norman, Derek Webb, John Gorka, James Taylor, and David Wilcox, among others, spurred Eckberg on in his writing endeavors.
After three semesters at Greenville, the muse again led Eckberg on and he returned home for a brief time to record a CD ("This Far"), and play as much music to as many people as possible. He traveled extensively throughout the Midwest doing churches, camps, coffeehouses and colleges, while playing in a local band with his oldest brother.
His ever increasing passion to write and perform on a broader stage led to a decision in the fall of 2002 to pack his bags and head to Nashville. He attended David Lipscomb University from which he graduated in 2004.
In the spring of 2004 Eckberg released his second CD, "On Faith And Love", a collection of carefully crafted, beautifully produced, and passionately performed songs. Listening to them is like opening a diary filled with stories and philosophies, joys and heartaches. It is journey into the faith and life of a truly quality young man.
An opportunity arose to bring Jonathan back to Greenville College in July of 2007. He accepted a position coaching cross-country and track at the school. Now he is able to focus on writing and producing.
Eckberg is currently working on a new yet-to-be-named album that is slated for release in late 2008/early 2009. "I'm extremely excited about the new disc. I think it's by far the most natural of recording to date. This is the first time I feel like it's truly a 'JDE' album. There has just been a very good flow involved in the writing and recording of the new material that I'm very proud of and I can't wait for people to hear it."
Jonathan David Eckberg definitely "got the hang of it", and whether you listen to his music on either of his stellar CDs or get the opportunity to attend one of his concerts, two things are certain: You will be moved and you will not be disappointed!
