Jonathan McReynolds facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jonathan McReynolds
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McReynolds in 2018
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Jonathan Caleb McReynolds |
| Born | September 17, 1989 Chicago, Illinois |
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| Years active | 2012–present |
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Jonathan Caleb McReynolds (born September 17, 1989) is a Grammy-winning American gospel musician. He is known for his inspiring songs and powerful voice.
Jonathan started his music career in 2012. Since then, he has released several popular albums. Two of his albums, Life Music: Stage Two and Make Room, reached No. 1 on the Billboard Gospel Albums chart. He has also won many awards, including a Grammy Award in 2021.
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Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Jonathan McReynolds was born in Chicago, Illinois, on September 17, 1989. He grew up with his single mother. His family and church community gave him lots of love and support.
Jonathan was a very smart and talented child. He started playing the drums when he was five years old. By age eight, he was playing the piano. He often showed his musical skills at church. At first, he was shy about singing. But in high school, he became more confident. He began to share his singing talent with others.
He went to Whitney M. Young Magnet High School. There, he learned how to record and produce music. These skills helped him a lot in college. He recorded his first songs in his dorm room. One of these songs, "No Gray," became very popular online.
Jonathan McReynolds' Music Career
Jonathan's music career officially began in 2012. He released his first album, Life Music, on September 25, 2012. This album was a big success. It appeared on the Billboard charts. His song "No Gray" became a "viral smash." This means it spread quickly online and was loved by many people. It even led to TV appearances and gained him fans like India.Arie and Nicki Minaj.
His second album, Life Music: Stage Two, was nominated for a Grammy Award. It was also a No. 1 album on the Billboard Gospel chart for four weeks. This album featured other famous artists like Israel Houghton and India.Arie. It included his popular song "Gotta Have You." Critics praised the album for its honest and spiritual approach to life.
In 2016, Jonathan released an EP called Sessions. This surprise album quickly reached No. 1 on the iTunes Christian chart. It showed his ability to connect with listeners.
Jonathan's third album, Make Room, was his biggest hit. It earned him eight Stellar Awards and two Grammy Award nominations. It also debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Gospel charts. The album featured his first No. 1 radio hit, "Not Lucky, I'm Loved." Another song, "Cycles," became a huge viral sensation. Many stars, including Justin Bieber, showed their support for this album. In March 2018, Jonathan had a special TV show called "Make Room" on TVOne. He also partnered with Tidal, a music streaming service. In late 2018, he released a book called "Make Room: Finding Where Faith Fits."
In June 2019, Jonathan became a judge on Season 9 of BET's Sunday Best. This is a popular TV show where gospel singers compete. In 2020, he released the EP People. This EP included the song "Moving On," which won a Grammy Award in 2021 for Best Gospel Performance/Song.
After his Grammy win, Jonathan starred in the BET+ movie "Favorite Son." This was his first acting role. He played the main character alongside other actors. In August 2021, his song "Grace" became his fourth straight No. 1 hit on Gospel Airplay. In August 2024, Jonathan performed at the Democratic National Convention. He released his second book, "Before You Climb Any Higher: Valley Wisdom for Mountain Dreams," in February 2025.
Personal Life and Other Work
In 2016, Jonathan McReynolds started a non-profit organization called Elihu Nation. This group helps young people learn and grow in wisdom. It has organized events to promote Christian learning and self-improvement. Elihu Nation has also given out over $30,000 in college scholarships.
Besides his music, Jonathan has taught for five years at Columbia College Chicago. This is his old college, where he taught in the music department. He believes it is important to contribute to society outside of music. He earned his bachelor's degree in music from Columbia College. He also earned a master's degree in Biblical studies from Moody Theological Seminary in 2015.
In 2018, Jonathan became a member of Mensa. This is an international group for people with very high IQs. He also became an honorary member of Alpha Nu Omega, Inc., a Christian fraternity. Jonathan McReynolds is the uncle of actor Khalil Everage.
Discography
Jonathan McReynolds has released several studio albums:
- Life Music (2012)
- Life Music: Stage Two (2015)
- Make Room (2018)
- People (2020)
- My Truth (2023)
