Life & Work with Jonathan Stoye

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jonathan Stoye

Hi Jonathan, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in Metro Detroit, and I started playing music around the age of 12. My uncle is a working, full-time musician and gifted me an acoustic guitar that belonged to my late grandmother. He taught me a handful of chords, and off I went. 

In the 7th grade, I started my first band. A sloppy pop/punk trio that I proudly fronted and wrote songs for. We were terrible. But we were able to convince our local church to let us perform at a few youth group events. I knew I was born to perform from the second I hit a stage for the first time. 

My love for performing and playing with bands continued after my family moved from Detroit to Northern Michigan in 1999. Other than the couple chords my uncle had shown me years prior, I had never taken any music lessons. I started playing in a new band with kids who had actually taken lessons and were clearly much better than me. These were formative years as I learned to play well with other people. 

This band chased success with stars in our eyes for many years. The band took many different shapes and forms as members left one by one to enter the real world until one day the remaining pieces crumbled. My first real heartbreak in music. 

In my head, that was it. There would never be another chance at the career I dreamed of. I went to a couple semesters at a community college and tried to make sense of what would be my life. I thought it was my turn to leave music behind and enter the real world until I got an opportunity to move to Nashville, TN in 2009 to join a new band with a former bandmate. 

Moving to Nashville was the best decision I could’ve made. It opened my eyes to a new world of opportunity and taught me the art of persistence. 

The band I had moved to Nashville for broke up after nearly 5 years together. I was heartbroken after another band breakup, but this time I was in Music City, and the world was mine for the taking. 

I started writing, releasing, and performing music as a solo artist to keep my career moving forward. A matter of mere months later, I joined a nationally known touring rock band. Since then I’ve played with a number of different bands or solo artists, touring the world several times over. 

I always knew I was born to perform, and I am so glad I chased after what I wanted. 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No, not at all. There have been plenty of bumps in the road along the way, and I am sure there are plenty of bumps to come as well. 

I’ve had the stereotypical broke musician struggle: working fast food for minimum wage so I could have the flexibility to tour early on. Having to ask for help from my parents just so I could eat and pay rent. Borrowing money for gear that I couldn’t afford. 

My relationship with different band members has been a struggle. Whether it is butting heads with someone you are close to or being stuck in a touring situation with someone who was not good for the group, it is nearly impossible to be on the road full time with people and not have some sort of struggle along the way. 

Touring can also be an emotional struggle. My wife and I got married this spring, and my most recent struggle was going directly from our wedding into a busy touring schedule. Emotionally, I wanted to be at home, but I had a busy calendar in front of me. Having a great support system in my wife was key to working through this struggle. 

Lastly I’ve struggled with loss and failure quite a bit. Having a project fall apart that you’ve spent hours pouring blood, sweat, and tears into can be crushing. Deciding to end or leave a project is also not easy but necessary at times to stay happy and moving forward. Also hearing the word “no” or missing out on opportunities is a common occurrence in this industry.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a touring musician who plays guitar and bass for different original rock bands as well as a solo artist who releases original material and focuses on performing cover sets. 

I am most known for my work with the Nashville, TN-based rock band Framing Hanley. I joined the band in 2013 as a bass player, and in 2019 I made the switch to guitar after a founding member of the band left. 

I had always been the bass player for bands since I first started one. Switching from the instrument I was most comfortable on was very intimidating. Although I have played guitar my whole life, I had never been the guitar player in a band. I am proud of the hard work I put in to make it a seamless transition for the group. 

As far as what I am most proud of, I’d have to say successfully launching a career as a solo musician. 

After going through numerous band breakups and musical heartbreak, I decided that it was best to build a career around the one person I knew would be there for me: me. 

I wrote, recorded, and released original material to showcase my abilities. I spent countless hours creating content, learning and rehearsing material, researching and contacting venues; I worked hard to ensure that I could make a living doing what I loved. 

I believe this is also what sets me apart from others. I may not be the best or most proficient musician; there are plenty of people out there who can play circles around me, but I am willing to work hard for what I want. 

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I actually was very shy growing up, but once you got to know me I was incredibly energetic and outgoing. A bit weird with a good sense of humor, and I wore my heart of my sleeve.

I’ve been interested in music from as young as I can remember. I can recall getting a toy guitar and VHS tapes of Elvis Presley movies one year for Christmas. Soon after I was putting on concerts for my family members and schoolmates, mimicking the moves of my favorite artists.

This continued for years until I got my first real guitar.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://jonathanstoyemusic.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathanstoye/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jonathanstoyemusic
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jonathanstoye7813

Image Credits
All promo shots by Chelsea Whitaker Photography.