Jonathan Jackson and Enation are an anthemic American rock band with a Euro/Rock flare which CDBaby calls 'One of indie's premier rock bands'. Since their first album release in 2004 their music has been featured on MTV.com, 'One Tree Hill', 'General Hospital', and other soundtracks.
Jonathan Jackson is also a five-time Emmy Award winning actor who can currently be seen on the ABC primetime drama 'Nashville'. Jonathan plays Avery Barkley, an up and coming singer-songwriter trying to make it in Music City.
'Nashville' co-stars Connie Britton and Hayden Panettiere. The drama centers around the inner workings of the music industry in Music City. USA TODAY and Entertainment Weekly named 'Nashville' the #1 Best New show of the Fall Season. Since it's premier seen by nearly 10 million viewers, 'Nashville' has become one of the most talked about new shows, and has been picked up by ABC for season two.
Jonathan has released singles from 'Nashville' -- 'Twist of Barbwire', 'Kiss' and his original anthem, 'The Morning of the Rain' -- each one produced by Grammy and Oscar winning producer T-Bone Burnett. The 'Nashville' season one soundtrack is a hit record across America.
Jonathan started his acting career as 'Lucky Spencer' on the hit soap opera "General Hospital" - winning a total of five daytime Emmy Awards for his role. He also has substantial feature film work, most notably on such films as Columbia's "Deep End of the Ocean" (with Michelle Pfieffer), Disney's "Tuck Everlasting" (with Sir Ben Kingsley and William Hurt) and Warner Bros. "Insomnia" (with Al Pacino, directed by Christopher Nolan who also helmed "Batman Begins" and "Inception"). Jonathan has been compared to the likes of Johnny Depp and Leonardo DiCaprio in his adept ability to change roles and genres. Jonathan has worked with no less than nine Academy Award winning/nominated actors in his career, and has been featured as one of People's 50 Most Beautiful People and Sexiest Men Alive.
As a fan and critical favorite, Jonathan's return to "General Hospital" in 2010 significantly boosted the shows ratings. He won the Emmy two years in a row for Best Supporting Actor in 2011-2012.
Jonathan Jackson and Enation are four-time Grand Prize winners of OurStage, a national song competition website sponsored by MTV, as well as national winners of the AOL sponsored social media competition for About.Me, getting them featured on the front page of AOL and on a billboard in the heart of Times Square in NYC.
MUSIC BENEATH THE SURFACE
'The first thing people ask us if they've never heard us before is who do you sound like? Well, we like to say that it's as if U2, Radiohead, and Bob Dylan all got together for breakfast, decided to adopt a baby boy, gave it our name, and then left it to fend for itself,' drummer Richard Lee Jackson says.
Jonathan Jackson, lead singer, songwriter, guitar and piano player for the band, speaks up. 'Bands like Coldplay, U2, and Pearl Jam are great examples of artists who are dedicated to their craft but who also see their music as a vehicle for emotional and social change. In short, they are bands who have inspired us to go beneath the surface, to create songs that are not just for entertainment -- but for emotional and spiritual connection, enlightenment, and social change.'
'It's all about having integrity as an artist,' says bassist Daniel Sweatt. 'There are a lot of bands out there who are okay dwelling on the surface of things -- which is totally fine for them, and there's some good music out there doing that. But surface is not us. We're looking to go deeper, to have music that's beneath the surface.'
Jonathan Jackson and Enation also partner with the anti-human trafficking organization NOT FOR SALE to help bring awareness to combat the growing global atrocity of modern-day slavery.
THE STORY
The foundations of the band started with brothers Jonathan and Richard Lee Jackson. Having been raised in Battle Ground, WA (just north of Portland, OR) they moved to Hollywood, CA to pursue careers as actors at the ripe ages of 10 and 13.
Music was in their blood, as their father Ricky Lee Jackson was a Nashville recording country music artist. Jonathan picked up the guitar and began writing songs and Richard had been playing drums since elementary school. Sibling rivalry (at a young age) turned into a synergy of complimentary gifting as the brothers began to play music together over the ensuing years, including some family concerts headlined by their father.
By the time the brothers were in Hollywood, at the age of just 14 Jonathan was fronting at the famous Whisky A Go-Go with Richard on the drums under the name 'Scarlet Road'. Club gigs continued, although they were both too young to enjoy the complimentary alcohol offered to them.
Their in-depth exposure to the film and television industry as actors from a young age gave the brothers a keen sense of cinematic expression, the importance of spontaneity, genuine emotion, and vulnerability as artists.
Bassist Daniel Sweatt began playing with Jonathan and Richard several years later, joining them on a few club dates in Southern California. It didn't take long for the brothers to invite Daniel to make it official when the band formed.
The founding members, the brothers Jackson and Daniel Sweatt, now inhabit Jonathan Jackson and Enation as a tour-de-force three piece. They continue to create music that has given them the reviews and reputation as being one of the premier indie bands in America -- highlighting one of the most dynamic vocalist's and songwriters of their generation in Jonathan Jackson.
REVIEWS
"Masterfully written songs. Frontman Jonathan has an exceptional quality in his vocals..."
~ RADIOINDY
"Fast becoming recognized as one of the best epic rock band's around one of indie's premier rock bands."
~ CD BABY / Notable Artist
"Jackson is an accomplished songwriter in his own right..."
~ TV Guide.com
"A rock band with a bright future."
~ MTV Sponsored OurStage
"Much like the bands they are compared to, audiences seem to be left breathless by the passion and power of their live concert experience."
~ CLARKCOUNTYLIVE.com
"Legions of fans have latched onto and propelled Jonathan and Enation to the forefront of the independent rock world."
~ PLANETVERGE.com
Get even more info and two free songs at: www.JonathanJackson.com
Jonathan Jackson shares his experiences as an actor, performer and artist. In conjunction with Enation, Jonathan also entertains attendees with live music.