Jon Lawton Americana singer/songwriter

Jon has spent years in the absolute trenches. After getting out of college he did a few years doing the open mic, acoustic jams in Omaha, Ne. . Met all the folkies of that time, worked Omaha Children’s Theater for wages, and otherwise cut his teeth. Met the reigning guitarist Dave Barger and they became roommates. Dave played everywhere with everyone all the time. Dave was in a band called Risky Shift and the second guitar chair opened up. Jon took it and the band became a very busy local hit! For many years that band played to packed clubs all over the place. As that band evolved into the next phase Jon put together a blues band called the Backbeats which also included Marc Wilson on drums and Joe Cabral on sax. These musicians went on and played with many notable artists and Joe started the very popular New Orleans band the Iguanas. After 14 years of midwestern bar blues party bands, Jon took an opportunity to move west to Santa Barbara, California. Shortly after his arrival, Jon joined the regional, very popular band called the Pontiax. Led by the brilliant vocalist, harmonica ace Mitch Kashmar, the Pontiax were one of the 90’s harp bands of California. William Clarke, Rod Piazza, James Harman and the Pontiax all ran in the same circuit. With this band, Jon played a conspicuous part on the Pontiax first, and only release - 100 Miles To Go. People STILL mention that band and record to Jon frequently. When that band ran its course Jon formed Little Jonny and the Giants. It was a bit more eclectic featuring Billy Flores (also formerly with the Pontiax) on accordion, steel guitar, sax, and guitar. They also featured the sensational keyboard player Jim Calire. That band in various forms made 6 CDs, all favorably reviewed in blues and music publications. The Pontiax and the Giants shared stages and backed many musical giants: Bob Dylan, Anson Funderburgh, Jimmy Rogers, Albert King, the Fabulous Thunderbirds, Gregg Allman, Mighty Joe Young, Fenton Robinson, George Thoroughgood, and many others. Jon lives in Oakland,Ca. now with his family. Covid brought many SOLO gigs and during that period Jon made a very down home record mentioned earlier- the Virginny sessions Vol. 1. It includes many newer songs in the Steve Earle, John Prine, David Bromberg tradition. This harkens back to Jon’s early days.