The Jon Valenti Band

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make custom gifts at ZazzleJon is originally from Bakersfield California and he graduated from Highland High School in 1991. After high school, Jon attended several universities and ended up in Oklahoma. While in Oklahoma, he signed a professional baseball player contract. He played professional baseball for 8 years under organizations such as Oakland Athletics, San Francisco Giants, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Taiwan Major Leagues. While playing baseball, Jon bought his first guitar (D-15 Martin acoustic). He didn't know how to read music, so he taught himself how to play. He wrote and composed some songs inspired by relationships, partying while playing baseball and life in general. In 2001, Jon retired from baseball and ended up in Modesto, California, where he began bartending. Late nights while the bar was closing he played some cover songs and worked on his own material. This is where he met his future wife, Leah. They moved to Turlock, a small town 20 minutes south of Modesto. In January 2005, Jon and his wife had triplet boys. Jon became a stay-at-home father and spent his “free” time writing more songs. In February 2006, Jon’s wife suggested he try playing his music professionally. He auditioned for a well known live music venue, The Speakeasy Lounge, and he received his first gig the following week. Since then, he has played in over 50 venues amassing more than 140 shows. Fans have described his voice as “soothing with a harshness to it that hits your soul”. It has also been said that when he sings, "he sings with his heart all out and exposed”. He has played regional shows from the Bay Area to the Central Valley. In October 2007, Jon won The Modesto Area Music Association award for the “Best Unplugged (Acoustic/Americana)” category. He has been showcased on the Clear Channel radio station FM 93.1 (B93) and has played in musical events such as X-Fest and the Modesto Art & Wine Festival. On November 17th, 2007, at The Fat Cat Music House & Lounge, Jon released his debut full length album, “Grin & Bury It”. The following is one of the many great reviews Jon’s album has received:“Emotional. That one word captures ‘Grin and Bury It,’ the freshman release from Turlock’s own Jon Valenti. That one word says a great deal about the music on this release. But when I say emotional, I don’t mean just sadness. Sure, songs like ‘Blue’ and ‘Three Days Ago’ will ravage through you like a hurricane if you have just gone through a break up, but other tracks such as ‘Prom Queen’ and ‘21’ will pick you up and make you laugh, dance and feel alive. This is more than a musical release. This is an ex-pro ball player smashing a home run right through center field and into stands full of new fans. This is Valenti’s life wrapped in plastic and served up on a silver platter full of music. This is Valenti’s whole heart laid out for our listening pleasure. Congratulations Jon! Listening to this was my pleasure!”-Motown Mojo Editor/Chief Columnist www.modestofamous.comIn January 2008, Jon will begin a California Border’s Tour, which will include over 15 Border’s locations. He is set to begin his sophomore project late in 2008.I edited my profile with Thomas' Myspace Editor V4.4