BIO
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Jon Itkin is a 24-year old guitar playing fool with a taste for the timeless, a big ornery streak and a deep love of words. A folk musician, a twangy picker and a rough-hewed vocalist, he makes up and sings songs from a world both immeasurable and local, conjuring mythological folk tales into what might be called Americana music. It's a sound that covers a lot of territory, but sticks to a few fundamentals. A little country, a little rock 'n roll, some ragtime, some old-time, soul and blues... Journalists have mentioned Jon in the same breath as Townes Van Zandt, Johnny Cash, James and Larry McMurtry, Willie Nelson and Bob Dylan, which he considers an incredible honor. Singers across the nation play Jon's songs, as do podcasters, DJs and music lovers.

Since releasing Oregon, his first record, in 2005, Jon has been the subject of numerous print features and made many live radio and television appearances. Contributors to Jon’s recorded material include such notables as producer/engineer Jason Robbins (Pete Anderson, Dwight Yoakam, Buck Owens), who recorded Oregon in his house with a laptop and a few mics, and Chet Lyster, the guitar player for Eels, who recorded, produced and mixed the bulk of Big Gold Guitar in the Sky. Also appearing on Big Gold Guitar are keyboardist Rich Landar (Richmond Fontaine, Floater) steel guitarist Paul Brainard (M Ward, the Sadies, Richmond Fontaine) and honey-voiced Portand chanteuse Annalisa Tornfelt.

Jon is currently touring as a solo performer at venues small and large throughout the country. He plays many of his Northwest gigs with his four-piece backing band, Some Like-Minded Souls.