Jonathan George
Jonathan David George (born December 10, 1972) is an award-winning singer, songwriter and producer. Winning the title Grand Champion on Ed McMahon’s “Next Big Star”, a sequel to Star Search in 2001 helped launch his musical identity. He went on to serve as creative director of the Hollywood Pop Academy and continued his work in artist development.
Jonathan founded JG Entertainment, where he is responsible for developing many new young artists heard on the radio, film and TV. The most notable of which are the [...] Cat Dolls, Caitlyn Taylor Love , Elizabeth Huett and Brian Miller of American Idol, Victoria Justice, Stefanie Scott, Morgan Lily, Carter Jenkins, Joseph Castanon, and Sammi Hanratty.
Early life
Jonathan George was born in Dallas, Texas on December 10, 1972. At age four when he got up to sing “Jesus loves me”, he forgot the words and belted out “You ain’t nothin’ but a hound dog” instead. His father was the minister so no one took offense. Growing up in Dallas, Texas as the youngest of 8, Jonathan’s musical influences come from his family. Many members of his family play multiple instruments, sings, writes and are pastors of churches. He learned vocals and piano skills from sitting around the piano and guitar with his family, and singing in his father’s Pentecostal church. His grandmother, Dretha Utter has four successful gospel records. Many of his other relatives have seen success in the Gospel market, giving his family the nickname, “The White Winans”.
Career
In 1991, Jonathan received a vocal scholarship to Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, TX. In 1993 he transferred to the University of Central Oklahoma. In 1996 he graduated with a Bachelor of Vocal Music Education. After graduation, Jonathan combined his Gospel vocals with his classical training to perform in over 60 stage shows, musicals, radio and television appearances that have taken him all over the world. In 2009, Jonathan was crowned Grand Prize Winner for the USA songwriting competition for his song 'Dancing Through Life'. In 2010, that same grand prize was awarded to Sarah Lonsert, one of the artists Jonathan was in charge of developing, as he co-wrote and co-produced the winning song.
Recognition
In 2009, Jonathan was named the Grand Prize Winner for his original song 'Dancing Through Life', by the USA Songwriting Competition. That very same song also awarded him the 1st prize in the category of Dance/Electronica. Also that year, an artists Jonathan developed, Sarah Lonsert, was voted 2009 Singer/Songwriter of the Year for songs co-written and co-produced by Jonathan at the LA Music Awards. In 2010, LA Music Awards voted "Suga", a song performed by Madisen Hill, another artist Jonathan had developed was awarded-2010 Pop Single of the Year. The song was also co-written and co-produced by Jonathan George.