JON SPEAR
Award-winning songwriter, recording artist and live performer with a unique blend of traditional and modern sounds
about Jon Spear
My Musical Journey
My Musical Journey
My Musical Journey
Jon's love of music started in the early 1950s singing in his church choir and sharing evenings with his family around an old tube radio listening to the sound of big bands. That was a time when rockabilly, rock ‘n’ roll, doo-wop, blues and R&B were bursting onto the national musical scene and Spear caught the bug real early. He got his
Jon's love of music started in the early 1950s singing in his church choir and sharing evenings with his family around an old tube radio listening to the sound of big bands. That was a time when rockabilly, rock ‘n’ roll, doo-wop, blues and R&B were bursting onto the national musical scene and Spear caught the bug real early. He got his first guitar when he was 11 and had the thrill of a young boy’s life when his precocious high school band opened for the Isley Brothers at Port Chester NY’s famed Capitol Theatre back when “Twist & Shout” was a nationwide hit.
During the social upheaval of the 1960s, Jon developed his talent for songwriting as he discovered the power of music to foment change and address important social issues.
My Musical Style
My Musical Journey
My Musical Journey
Jon Spear has built a strong reputation as a bluesman with his namesake group, the Jon Spear Band. Prior to its breakup at the end of 2021, the band released four critically acclaimed albums of mostly original music, all of which charted in the USA, UK, France, Australia and other countries. One of their CDs was nominated by Blues Bla
Jon Spear has built a strong reputation as a bluesman with his namesake group, the Jon Spear Band. Prior to its breakup at the end of 2021, the band released four critically acclaimed albums of mostly original music, all of which charted in the USA, UK, France, Australia and other countries. One of their CDs was nominated by Blues Blast Magazine for best live recording of 2016. Much of the group's success is credited not just to its musical talents, but also to the strength of Spear's original music. But Spear’s songwriting energy isn’t confined to blues and over the years, he’s penned songs in a number of genres including country, folk, rock and Americana. Jon has also studied classical guitar which helped him perfect his gift for fingerpicking in the Piedmont blues style.
My Performances
My Musical Journey
My Performances
Jon Spear plays regularly at a number of Central Virginia venues including Glass House Winery, Keswick Vineyards, Southwest Mountain Winery, Prince Michel, Brewing Tree and many more. His duo was a semi-finalist at the International Blues Challenge held in Memphis TN while his band opened for nationally touring acts including Debbie Da
Jon Spear plays regularly at a number of Central Virginia venues including Glass House Winery, Keswick Vineyards, Southwest Mountain Winery, Prince Michel, Brewing Tree and many more. His duo was a semi-finalist at the International Blues Challenge held in Memphis TN while his band opened for nationally touring acts including Debbie Davies, Delbert McClinton, the Iguanas, Chris Duarte Group, Anson Funderburgh, Memphis Gold, Junior Brown, and more. Jon has also played at the Jefferson Theater and 3500-seat Ting Pavilion in Charlottesville VA, the Big Buggs Island Blues Bash (Clarksville, VA), Historic Masonic Theater (Clifton Forge, VA), the Capitol Theater in Port Chester NY, The Camel and The Tin Pan (Richmond VA) and many more.