Jon taught guitar lessons — including to, once upon a mid/late 90s time, yours truly — while finishing his liberal arts degree. Not long after graduation, his passion for animal rights drew him to leave teaching music for advocacy, and he’s worked full-time in the field ever since. 

In his first 10 years of advocacy work, Jon played guitar and wrote tunes on the side, telling himself one day he’d take music more seriously. Then in 2012, a severe case of Lyme disease landed him in the ICU for over a week. After that reminder of life’s finite nature, Jon’s priorities shifted. 

He incorporated playing and writing music into his daily routine, booked time in a studio, and released his first album in 2014. Since then he’s toured across the US, released three more albums, and made music a non-negotiable part of life. All while still devoting his 9-to-5 life to improving the treatment of animals. 

Today, Jon’s been kind enough to walk us through the logistics and rewards of balancing a significant creative pursuit with a cause you love. And yes, there are plenty of sacrifices along the way. But in Jon’s experience, those concessions are a small price to pay for passion in your work and your art.

Resources mentioned

“How to be a Musician with a Day Job” and “How to Balance Full-time Work with Creative Projects” by Jeffery Silverstein

Where to find Jon, his music, and his advocacy work

Jon on Bandcamp

Jon on Spotify

Jon the Musician on Instagram and Twitter

Jon the Animal Advocate on Twitter

The Humane League

Jon’s induction into the Animal Rights Hall of Fame 

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