ARTS & CULTURE
Straight to the Heart Singer, songwriter and acoustic guitarist, Jonny Starkes specializes in folk-rock & country music.
By Wanda Ryan
B
orn and raised in Hare Bay, Newfoundland, Canada, Jonny was introduced to the guitar at the young age of 7 by his late grandfather who learned to play while overseas during World War ll.
Jonny’s original songs are derived from the rise and falls in his personal life and the events in the world around him. In his music, he delivers a soulful grit, and, in a style that holds back nothing, his words find their way to the heart. When not immersed in music, Jonny turns to the martial arts. He received a black belt at 18, while competing in Korea, the US and in Canada. He was selected for team ’Ontario’ where he received world medals and trophies. From there, he went on to become a Martial Arts instructor in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. His true passion clearly music, Jonny released his debut album Father’s Boy, written in the sadness of losing his father to cancer in 2017. Jonny recently released a new single called “These Four Walls” and is working on other originals for release in the very near future.
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