Today we’d like to introduce you to Jonny Mora.
Hi Jonny, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I began playing guitar at the age of 9, taking lessons from the Puerto Rican Indie-Rock Pioneer, Willie Roman (Noticel.com, 2013). At home, my parents always played classic rock (Guns and Roses, Bryan Adams, Prince, etc.) and that feed my desire to play Guitar Hero 1 – which I believe simultaneously fed my guitar skills. While developing my craft, voice, and sound, I grew a taste for American, and British classic rock. I identify my set list of cover songs as “rock classics” across the decades ranging from the 60s to contemporary music.
As a singer/songwriter, I reach for a combination of my strongest songs (whatever the crowd applauses louder to while I’m out gigging) and combine my favorite playing styles of blues, grunge, classic rock, and 70s-style acoustic-pop songs. My professional entertainment career began in NYC. I dedicated many years to taking acting classes combined with booking small roles in Film and TV, in which I also booked roles that had characters that played guitar. I moved to Orlando during the pandemic when the world shut down, and my arts career went on pause.\
I was teaching elementary school online, then I was teaching high school in Orlando until show biz opened up its doors again. I decided to make my life about the performing arts again when by chance I started picking up live music gigs around Orlando. These gigs started feeding this artistic side to me that I missed, and thankfully I’ve been able to sustain my life playing music full-time. I started traveling with my music, playing in NYC at The Clemente Theatre, I played in SLC Utah, Boise Idaho, and Atlanta, and mostly in different cities around Florida. Gigging and being on the road are both really fun, fulfilling, and exhausting. I’m working on recording my first album and also aiming towards getting back into the movie business.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I spent a long time trying to “find my voice” and I didn’t realize that my early career was just about that up to now. Opportunities and doors that closed on me like not booking hundreds and hundreds of auditions, being afraid of singing and playing the guitar, I look back and see areas where I lacked confidence. Playing live music in Florida and receiving great and loving feedback from my fans and audience built the confidence I never had going to back-to-back auditions in New York. When I step into the room, I come in with the sense of “I know who I am” and “this is the gift I have to offer to the world.” Of course, I have so much more to learn about myself as an artist and with time I know I’ll discover new perspectives.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am an actor, musician, and singer-songwriter. Currently, I’m the owner of my small entertainment business “Exit 272 Band and Music LLC”. My specialty is intimate, “MTV unplugged” style solo acoustic shows where I play cover songs and original music. What I’ve heard from people who say “what sets me apart” is my energy, strong voice, interesting song selection, and the combination creates this uniqueness that makes the show awesome. Honestly, after being stuck at home for 2 years during COVID I can’t help but put my heart into my art.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I have a really old soul and my performances are never the same – they change every night. That’s something I learned taking acting/theatre classes.
Pricing:
- Local shows (Orlando, FL) range from $600-1200
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jonnymora.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejonnymora/
