Jon22 Proves That a Musician’s Story is Never Linear

An artist’s life is rarely linear, and Jon Berman knows this better than anyone. He’s lived his life always being close to music, growing up in the late ’90s Tripping Daisy generation of Deep Ellumites. At 53, Berman couldn’t be on the sidelines any longer.

“I loved singing and I couldn’t get enough karaoke in my life,” Berman says.

He took up guitar for the first time since he was a child and began songwriting for the first time in his life. The product was first conceptualized as just JON before adopting Jon22 as the moniker, named after his lucky number. His songwriting came about as a soft, ’70s folk-rock sound – think Three Dog Night or Ten Years After, numerical coincidences aside.

Berman’s first release came in 2021, an 11-song LP aptly titled First Sessions. The album included originals, including “Better,” a swelling piano ballad, along with covers of Pearl Jam’s “Just Breathe” and the Bee Gees’ “Run To Me.”

“When I first would go into the studio, I was so nervous,” Berman says.

His first release was recorded at Pleasantry Lane, a recording studio in East Dallas operated by songwriter Salim Nourallah. Berman, along with Nourallah, enlisted the help of an all-star Dallasite band, including Paul Slavens, John Dufilho (Deathray Davies, Motorcade), Nick Earl (Tripping Daisy) and Chris Holt, the legendary Dallas musician who recently joined the Eagles on guitar. Berman’s wife, Princess, contributed background vocals and helped him write the melodies.

“It’s weird when you’re new,” Berman says. “You think it’s good, and then your friends are telling you it’s good. And then I’m like, I pay these guys, are they my friends? It’s a tug of war.”

Berman’s latest offering, Muse, hit streaming on November 22, 2024, with a limited quantity of vinyl pressings found at Good Records. It’s a strong build on the foundation laid by First Sessions, with Berman coming into his own through atmospheric folk melodies. By design, Berman raises the tempo as little as he raises his voice, all behind a precisely crafted, easy-listening sound. The album landed him a spot on Declared Goods, a small independent label.

“I mean, it’s not like I got $100,000,” he says. “But I was on a label. It made me freaking giddy, I’m still excited about it. When I listened to all the music that was on his label, it wasn’t like I was on a playlist where the music didn’t make sense. It all vibed.”

The album’s name and cover are a tribute to Princess, who sings a duet with Berman on the beautiful “Six of Cups,” named after the tarot card.

“She’s my best friend,” Berman says. “Having her on stage with me calms me and brings the best out in me as a performer.”

The two will share the stage together next month, on May 24 at the Kessler, opening for Dufilho’s “John Buffalo” alter ego and electronic side project. Having his name added to the Oak Cliff theater’s marquee is a meaningful career checkpoint to Berman, who joked that he’d get a church bus to pick people up and take them to the show, if he had to.

“Playing the Kessler is like playing the Super Bowl for me,” he says. “I’m not a name and I’m not a draw, but he (Dufilho) went to bat for me. I’ve always wanted to play there.”

Berman’s show with Dufilho at the Kessler is presented by KXT 91.7, set for Saturday, May 24. General admission tickets are on sale for $22.