J.J. Usher Music

J.J. Usher's infectious grooves and witty song writing has been a staple on the Texas music scene for years. Usher brings a complicated simplicity to his music with a mature song writing style, relatable lyrics and high-energy live performances which has led to the development of a cult-like fan base all across the Southern region of the U.S. and beyond.Usher's style is a unique blend of G-Love, Jack Johnson, Sublime, Maroon 5 and Citizen Cope; however, the experience is like no other live show and leaves audiences wanting more from this talented, rising singer-song writer.J.J. Usher knew from a very young age what his calling could be. As young as the age of 3 he was wowing friends and family with his abilility to sing exactly what he heard on the radio. J.J. joined the world reknowned Houston Children's Chorus at the age of 7. He sang his first solo at the age of 8 in front of over two thousand people at Wortham Hall. In his 5 year stint with the choir, J.J. soloed for thousands of people including former President George Herbert Bush. Then puberty came and his high voice was gone.But his passion for music was not.He picked up guitar and the age of 15 and began to teach himself how to play. As a teenager, J.J. had his runnins from time to time but all in all he was the typical Football,Baseball, and Choir kid. He jokes that he used to have to sing the national anthem in his football uniform then go out and try to knock someones head off in the game.J.J. attended Belmont University in Nashville, TN majoring in Music Business. This degree allowed him to learn the in's and outs of the recording industry from a "behind the scenes" point of view. He interned at Epic Records, Murcery Records, Hamstein Cumberland Publishing, and Web IV Music.He wrote music secretly for a good 3 years in college. Finally in his senior year he played his first show ever of original music to rave reviews from friends and family...they of course were biased but it gave J.J. confidence to continue. J.J. won first prize in The Gibson Guitar Songwriting Contest 1999 with a song called "Bury Me."After graduating from Belmont J.J. had to get back to Texas and what other city in the world can give you a music fix like Austin? He visited one time, saw three concerts, and was hooked. Two weeks after arriving in Austin, to his amazment, J.J. landed a weekly gig at The Blind Pig Pub. Many people to this day know who he is strictly because of the "Blind Pig days." Eventually J.J. started a band called LOWER LEVEL which toured all over the country and was mentioned in Rolling Stone Magazine as a "Band to watch".When Lower Level broke up J.J. was at a cross roads with music. He could have either started a different career or continue doing the same old stuff. He decided to compromise and just take a break.Something happened during this break however. A flow of new songs came out. It was a new J.J. , one with a funky groove and witty lyrics. He put a new band together and began to play 4 nights a weeks in Austin to very responsive crowds. J.J. has shared the stage with Nappy Roots, Coolio, Cotton Mouth Kings, Bubba Sparx and Flickerstick to name a few.J.J. truly puts his "everything" in to his performances, creating a cult like fan base across the country. Currently J.J. has some of Austin's best musicians backing him on stage. On drums Phil Bass (Monte Montgomery, Stephen Bruton, Joel Guzman) takes the honors, Brad Bradburn (Knappy, The Argyles, Afterglow) on Bass Guitar, and Scott Clark (Daheebeegeebees, Sauce, Radio Star) on electric guitar. If you know J.J. Usher is playing somewhere, you should really try to go see him. You won't be dissapointed!!!!