American heartland singer-songwriter and pianist Jon McLaughlin – whose show-stopping live performance of “So Close,” the Oscar-nominated song from the Disney movie Enchanted, was seen worldwide during this year’s 80th annual Academy Awards ceremonies – has returned with OK NOW, his second album for Island Records, October 7th at mainstream retail and October 14th in the CBA marketplace.
Fans at mainstream radio are getting a sample with the release of a new single, “Beating My Heart,” which impacted at the Hot AC radio format on June 9th. In addition, McLaughlin was tapped to open for British sensation Duffy on June 19th at the El Rey in Los Angeles.
“Beating My Heart is my 'meaning of life' song,” says McLaughlin. “All I need to keep in mind in life is that it's not about the little things that get me all stressed out, which is easier said than done, obviously. My life should be about my faith, trying to react to situations and treat people the way Jesus did...living the way He lived. I think maybe this is the reason why I am here; to experience life the way Jesus experienced life.”
“Beating My Heart” was written by Jon McLaughlin and produced by John Fields, known for his recent chart-topping work with the Jonas Brothers, Lifehouse, and Switchfoot. The new album was mixed by Tom Lord-Alge and features the soon-to-be hit “Smack In To You,” written and produced by the Grammy award-winning team of Tricky and The-Dream.
Jon’s triumphant Oscar night performance ignited an astonishing 1,514% overnight sales increase at Amazon for his debut album Indiana, which neatly took over the #1 spot on the Movers & Shakers chart. “Musically, the big winner of the night was Jon McLaughlin,” wrote FoxNews.com’s Roger Friedman in his Oscars coverage. “He sang one of the Enchanted songs. Talk about a break-out moment! That’s a phenomenal voice… McLaughlin could be the next big thing.”
Indiana, Jon McLaughlin’s first major label album, received maximum exposure on tours with Sara Bareilles last summer, Paolo Nutini in the fall, and was rounded out with the 24-city Kelly Clarkson North American tour, October through December 2007.
Named one of “The 10 Hot Guys of Summer” by US Weekly magazine last year, Jon was also seen performing on the CBS-TV daytime drama The Bold & The Beautiful, on NBC’s The Today Show and on NBC’s The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.
