• About
  • Advertising
  • History
  • Staff
  • Contact

The Andersonian

The Anderson University Student Newspaper

Anderson University’s Student Newspaper

  • Campus News
  • Audio
  • Features
  • Arts & Culture
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Video
  • COVID-19
You are here: Home / Arts & Culture / Jon McLaughlin talks family, foundations and faith

Jon McLaughlin talks family, foundations and faith

April 27, 2017 by Hannah Ader

Jon McLaughlin, American pop-rock singer-songwriter, producer and pianist has many ties to AU. As his mother used to work for the university, he followed in his brother and sister’s footsteps, choosing to attend and study music business. Growing up in Anderson, McLaughlin always knew that he would one day be a Raven.

McLaughlin spent his time in college cultivating his passion in the music field, growing in his faith and discovering his foundations. Finding his talents within the music department and countless hours in the practice rooms, he proved his efforts worthy on stage and off.

Orangehaus Records, AU’s recording studio, helped kickstart McLaughlin’s career, and as the first artist to sign to the label, he said, “God was so kind while I was there to have a place like Orangehaus where I could connect.”

In 2002, Mocha Joe’s cultivated its first showcase, allowing musicians like McLaughlin and Sidewalk Prophets to perform and compete. The first year, Sidewalk Prophets won with what McLaughlin claimed to be with “nailbiting results.” The next year, McLaughlin was selected as the winner and was given the opportunity to make a record.

“Producing and releasing my first album was incredible,” said McLaughlin. “It was such a unique thing to have an outlet like that and that’s really where I got my start.”

His passions on campus really revolved around his music, but he also found time to be invested in a social club. McLaughlin recruited Dativus his sophomore year, but because of his busy schedule, he claims to have only attended about three meetings in the three years he was a member. At Cheap Thrills, a retired Dativus-sponsored show, he played and performed whenever he could. He performed in Encore as well.

As he began writing songs his freshman year of college, McLaughlin said he found his place in the practice rooms in the music building and within the community that AU provides, though not much of his time was spent on campus. His last two and a half years in college, McLaughlin was gone every weekend, traveling for music opportunities.

In 2006, McLaughlin signed to the Island Def Jam Records. This label produces for top artists such as Elton John, Kanye West and Fall Out Boy. After signing with this company, McLaughlin traveled often and produced records.

“I used to travel whenever and wherever I had to play,” Mclaughlin said. “But my wife and I have two little girls now, and if I’m going to be on the road, I want it to make sense, so I travel less now.”

McLaughlin has made quite a name for himself in the music and production world. Providing music for TV shows such as Scrubs and Ghost Whisperer, his songs have also made a debut in Bridge to Terabithia and Georgia Rule. He also sang and performed the song “So Close” in the Disney film Enchanted. Opening for Kelly Clarkson in 2007, McLaughlin has also toured with pop singer Sara Bareilles, recorded a trio with Jason Mraz and Van Hunt and has co-written two songs with Demi Lovato.

Quite a music sensation, McLaughlin credits AU with his beginning, finding engagement and experience on campus.

“When I think back on college, my mind goes to the memories I made in dorms and the experiences I had,” said McLaughlin. “It was like being at camp for four years with my closest friends.”

Finding comfort in the Christian environment AU provides, McLaughlin says that “the university did not put a stamp on me, but they sent me in a certain direction within my faith and within my journey.”

Noting the faculty as a core reason for his college memories, McLaughlin said that they “opened the minds of students and helped them navigate through college and through life.”

McLaughlin has spent his life creating music and developing his passions. Finding his beginning in Anderson, Indiana, he thanks his small town roots as he says, “AU is a really great environment for strengthening strength and diversity, I am grateful for having such a great experience.”

Share this:

  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)

Filed Under: Arts & Culture, Campus News, Top Stories Tagged With: Features, has_image

Watch

Miles Morey discusses the long-awaited Bronze Ball victory, the baseball team’s double header against Manchester and the Rocket League’s progress.

Share this:

  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)

Jacey Crawford and Jesse Hernández discuss campus restriction lifts, including reinstated events and student attendance for outdoor sports.

Share this:

  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)

More Video

Listen

Raven Watch 2020-12-07

On this episode of the Raven Watch Podcast, Jordan is joined by former Big Ten Player of the Year and Indiana Pacer Clark Kellogg as they discuss displaying your faith in sports, Clark’s career as a player and broadcaster and his game of “H.O.R.S.E.” with President Obama.

Share this:

  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)

Raven Watch 2020-12-03

On this episode, Jordan Yaney sits down with senior soccer player Drew Sonnefeldt to discuss his soccer career, trips to Europe, hobbies, and dreams of playing professional soccer

Share this:

  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)

Raven Watch 2020-09-24

In the third Raven Watch Podcast, Jordan Yaney talks with Hannah Hawkins, a senior basketball player, about starting her freshman year 0-25, becoming more of a leader on the team and facing their one-on-one battle on the court freshman year. Thanks to our sponsor, the Folgate Agency. Please contact Steve Folgate for Allstate insurance and […]

Share this:

  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)

Raven Watch 2020-09-18

In the second-ever Raven Watch Podcast, Jordan Yaney talks with Kennedy Parker, a senior baseball player, about finding out last season was canceled while the team was in Florida, why he decided to come back for a fifth year and play and what he expects out of this year’s team.

Share this:

  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)

More Audio

Follow

andersonianAndersonian@andersonian·
4 Apr

The Black Bird Film Festival will be held on April 28, with the red carpet rolling out at 6:15 p.m. and the screening beginning at 7:00 p.m. Read more about the annual event: https://andersonian.com/2021/04/03/cinema-students-prepare-for-annual-black-bird-film-festival/

Reply on Twitter 1378527146084302849Retweet on Twitter 13785271460843028495Like on Twitter 137852714608430284910Twitter 1378527146084302849
andersonianAndersonian@andersonian·
1 Apr

Students in our #1 nursing program in Indiana helped administer nearly 400 COVID-19 vaccines today to AU students, faculty and staff!

4
Reply on Twitter 1377724570229149700Retweet on Twitter 13777245702291497004Like on Twitter 137772457022914970025Twitter 1377724570229149700
Retweet on TwitterAndersonian Retweeted
AURavenWatchRaven Watch@AURavenWatch·
30 Mar

The new Raven Watch is up now!

Ravens football takes back the Bronze Ball after nearly a decade, baseball splits Sunday’s doubleheader against Manchester, and the Rocket League team continues to progress in the Collegiate Star League Playoffs.

https://andersonian.com/2021/03/30/raven-watch-2021-03-30/

Reply on Twitter 1376960731422330880Retweet on Twitter 13769607314223308802Like on Twitter 13769607314223308809Twitter 1376960731422330880
Load More...

The Andersonian, the student newspaper of Anderson University, Anderson, Ind., publishes a print edition and maintains this website. As a matter of institutional policy, the University administration does not review or edit Andersonian content prior to publication. The student editors are responsible for both print and online content. While the administration recognizes the role of the student press on a college campus and in journalism education, the views expressed in the Andersonian are not necessarily those of Anderson University.

© Andersonian 2017, All rights reserved · Site by Mere
loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.