Jon Foreman

Infobox musical artist
Name = Jon Foreman


Img_capt =
Img_size =
Background = solo_singer
Birth_name = Jonathan Mark Foreman
Alias = Jon
Born = birth date and age|1976|10|22
Died =
Origin = U.S.
Instrument = Vocals, Guitar, Harmonica
Occupation = Singer
Years_active = 1996-present
Label = Lowercase People Records
Associated_acts = Switchfoot, Fiction Family
Notable_instruments = Gibson SG
Gretsch BST1000
Taylor acoustic guitars
URL = [http://jonforeman.com jonforeman.com]

Jonathan Mark Foreman (born October 22, 1976) is the lead singer, guitarist, and co-founder of the alternative rock band Switchfoot. He started Switchfoot in 1996 with drummer Chad Butler and bassist (and brother) Tim. He writes or co-writes all Switchfoot songs.

Foreman was born in San Bernardino County, California, but his family moved to Massachusetts and Virginia Beach during his childhood. After moving to Encinitas in North County, San Diego in his junior high years, he went to Torrey Pines High School in Carmel Valley, California. There he became fast friends with Todd Cooper, who encouraged him to learn guitar. [ [http://www.freewebs.com/landofbrokenhearts/interviewwithtodd.htm Interview with Todd Cooper] ] Cooper was later a guitar tech for Switchfoot, although he left in 2005 to pursue his own musical career. Foreman attended UC San Diego and later dropped out to follow his singing career.

Personal life

Like the rest of the Switchfoot band members, one of Foreman's favorite pastimes is surfing. When not on tour he lives in San Diego, California with his wife, Emily Foreman.

Foreman is a committed Christian. However, his goal has always been to make music for people of all faiths. "For us, these songs are for everyone. Calling us 'Christian rock' tends to be a box that closes some people out and excludes them. And that's not what we're trying to do. Music has always opened my mind — and that's what we want". [ [http://www.boston.com/ae/music/articles/2004/01/09/switchfoot_steps_toward_stardom?mode=PF Switchfoot steps toward stardom] - The Boston Globe published January 9, 2004 (retrieved August 9, 2006)] . See also Switchfoot's article.

Influences

Foreman cites Elliott Smith, U2, The Police, James Taylor, The Beatles, Radiohead, Bach, Ronny Jordan, Miles Davis, Keith Green, Nirvana, Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, and Led Zeppelin as some of his musical influencesFact|date=August 2008. In 2001 he was awarded the "Les Paul Horizon Award" for the most promising up-and-coming guitarist at the annual Orville H. Gibson Guitar Awards in Los AngelesFact|date=August 2008.

ide projects

Besides being the main songwriter for Switchfoot, he has also made musical contributions away from the band, including collaborations with Mandy Moore (for her movie "A Walk to Remember"), San Diego/Orange County based singer-songwriter Molly Jenson, and Noise Ratchet. Foreman has also contributed to the books "The Art of Being" and "New Way to be Human," the latter written by producer Charlie Peacock. He also appeared on Relient K's 2007 album, "Five Score and Seven Years Ago", lending his vocal talents to the song "Deathbed".

Fiction Family

In 2006, Foreman and Nickel Creek member Sean Watkins started collaborating on a duo project originally called "The Real SeanJon," later renamed "Fiction Family." [http://www.nickelcreek.com/ Nickel Creek Official Website] ] The duo plans to have an album released before the end of 2008, and it will feature a version of Foreman's song "Betrayal." As of September 2007, they had seven tracks completed. [ [http://www.signonsandiego.com/entertainment/street/2007/09/sdma_change_your_name_change_y.html Change your name, change your life] - The San Diego Union-Tribune published September 14, 2006 (retrieved September 21, 2007)] The album has been completed already, and the duo are just looking for an opportune time and outlet for release, as Foreman wrote on their original myspace page.

olo project

Foreman has also worked on a solo project of his own. On August 10, he revealed via his blog that he was independently releasing four EPs, titled "Fall", "Winter", "Spring", and "Summer". His MySpace profile currently features six songs from his recently released EP "Summer", which is now available for download at [http://www.jonforeman.com/ his website] , Amazon.com and on iTunes.

For his solo project, Foreman has teamed with Credential Recordings in a unique partnership with Switchfoot's imprint, Lowercase People Records. Credential currently handles marketing, manufacturing, and distribution for the ep's.

On July 14, 2008, on the Switchfoot Webcam Blog, Jon stated that he plans to release a collection of songs from his seasonal EPs. The songs in this collection will be chosen by fans, except for two new tracks. The collection is entitled "Limbs and Branches." [ [http://switchfootwebcam08.blogspot.com/2008/07/monday-july-14-2008.html switchfootwebcam08.blogspot.com] ]

olo discography/Singles

Compilation Albums

*Limbs and Branches (October 28, 2008)

EPs

*"Fall" (November 27, 2007)
*"Winter" (January 15, 2008)
*"Spring" (March 25, 2008)
*"Summer" (June 10, 2008)
*"Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer (Vinyl Collection)" (October 28, 2008)

ingles

*"The Cure for Pain" (2007)

Compilations/Contributions

*"Your Cheatin' Heart" (Hank Williams cover) - Sony/ATV Nashville Classic Covers: Volume One
*"Someday We'll Know" (New Radicals cover with Mandy Moore) - Sony - A Walk to Remember Soundtrack

Album Chart Positions

References

External links

* [http://www.jonforeman.com/ Official website]
* [http://www.myspace.com/jonforeman Jon Foreman's Myspace]