BIGSONG:
Jonathan Traylor is a Dallas-based singer, keyboardist, songwriter, and dancer. His music seamlessly melds contemporary gospel, CCM, adult contemporary R&B, and pop. Traylor signed to Motown Gospel after independently issuing his debut album, Stones & Giants, in 2018; the label re-released the LP a year later, and it garnered a million streams within a month of release.
Traylor was born and Dallas and raised in the church. Growing up, he sang in youth choir in a congregation pastored by his stepfather. Despite the seemingly sheltered upbringing, appearances proved deceptive. Traylor was confused by the pastor he saw at the pulpit talking about Jesus on Sunday, and the stepdad who was physically and emotionally abusive to his mother, his siblings, and himself. After the marriage ended, the family fell into poverty; they were homeless for a time and at one point lived in a storefront using wooden pallets as beds. Traylor cut lawns to help support his family. He never lost his faith. With some of his earnings, he bought a used Casio keyboard from a pawnshop, though he didn’t know how to play. He also helped out in his local church as a teen. One afternoon, while praying at the altar — he was the only one in the building since he had a key — he asked God to help him minister to the congregation through music by teaching him how to play and sing. Traylor began to pick out melodies of songs on the radio and was soon writing his own songs.
He began leading youth and music ministry and was mentored by some gracious elders. In an interview on the Jonathan J Speaks podcast, Traylor said he never sought to become a professional musician, he was just praying to be able to help his church. His prayers were answered. A few years later, he made his recorded debut as frontman for the Christian rock and worship band One1Way. They released two independent singles to streaming: 2014’s live “Rise” and the following year’s “Here I Am.” Traylor and One1Way toured some churches before he decided to go solo, working on his own while being a husband and father. Traylor’s wife, Ryan, was also engaged in ministry; she founded Wife Life, a YouTube series designed to pour positivity into the lives of wives, mothers, and single women.
Traylor self-financed the recording and production of his debut long-player, Stones & Giants, in 2018. The 12-track album was written almost entirely by Traylor and co-produced with his U.K.-born and -bred music partner Mr. Damention. The set’s standout tracks include the anthemic “Won’t Let Me Down” and worship ballads “Masterpiece” and “Breathe Life.” The record was a hit on the gospel music scene and propelled Traylor to tour churches across the region. Despite not having promotion, the album attracted listeners across the globe. Motown Gospel signed him to a recording contract in early 2019, and he was simultaneously signed to a publishing deal with Capitol CMG.
The Unknown
Motown re-released Stones & Giants in 2019 and put its muscle into promotion. The album registered well over a million streams during its first month of release, with promotional videos and compilation and playlist appearances from some of its tracks. After touring churches again, Traylor began playing theaters at home. He entered the studio late in 2019 and began to cut his sophomore outing, only to be interrupted by the global coronavirus pandemic. In May of 2020, he released the three-track EP The Unknown. Its message celebrated the faithfulness of God in uncertain times. Its final track, a live version of “Purpose Over Pleasure” from Stones & Giants, was delivered as a single to Christian radio.
