When Jonny Diaz headed off to Florida State University on a baseball scholarship in the fall of 2002, he was prepared to focus his time and efforts on his athletic skills. However, God had other plans and He began a work in Jonny’s life that led him to put down his bat and glove and instead, pick up his guitar. When you discover that Jonny was the fourth of four brothers to attend college on a baseball scholarship, and that two of his brothers have played ball at a professional level (Matt Diaz is currently the left fielder for the Atlanta Braves.), you can begin to understand the enormity of this decision. But, with God opening the doors, Jonny embarked on an exciting new adventure. Since then, his tremendous songwriting talents, his vocal and guitar playing skills, and his ability to connect with his audiences, have sparked a grassroots buzz that has taken his music nationwide.
Jonny’s debut album, Shades of White, released August 2003 as he entered his sophomore year of college and is a project that continues to impact thousands of lives each year. He released the follow-up CD, Everyday God, during his senior year of college. His sophomore effort offers an even fuller and richer sound than Shades of White, yet maintains the acoustic vibe and melodic style that made his first project so popular.
For his third CD, Jonny traveled to Nashville to record with producer Mitch Dane (Jars of Clay, Bebo Norman). They Need Love released in March 2007 and immediately caught the attention of radio stations across the country, thanks to his song “Hold Me,” which hit the top 40 charts in 2008. There’s no question that Jonny’s lyrics, music, and production thus far represent his growth as a musician and in his walk with God.
May 5th, 2009, Jonny released his latest CD, More Beautiful You. This is his first as a signed artist to INO Records, the home to artists such as MercyMe, Caedmon’s Call, The Fray and many more. This aptly descriptive and intelligent pop effort reveals lyrics, melodies and instrumentation that go far deeper than the stereotypical pop hit. With all songs written or co-written by Jonny, More Beautiful You captivatingly illuminates Jonny’s heart – a heart that is passionate about reaching his generation with the message of God’s love, forgiveness, and grace.
“Instead of focusing solely on the idea of God’s grace, More Beautiful You moves through many different aspects of the Christian faith,” Jonny shares. “One theme that is prevalent throughout the record is truth. We are called to speak and live truth even in a culture that doesn’t agree.”
The project’s powerful first single, “More Beautiful You,” has taken the country by storm. It quickly became the most played and requested song on Christian radio. Co-penned by Jonny, the song aims to tell women they were created by God with a specific purpose in mind.
“The idea that they need to look a certain way in order to be feel beautiful is completely false,” Diaz explains. “Through this song I hope to get the attention of females and tell them the truth found in God’s word, that there could never be a more beautiful you!” The song shares: “If you feel depressed with past regrets / the shameful nights hope to forget can disappear, they can all be washed away/ By the One who’s strong can right your wrongs / Can rid your fears dry all your tears And change the way you look at this big world He will take your dark distorted view / and with His light He will show you truth And again you’ll see through the eyes of a little girl”
Jonny has had the opportunity to open in concert for some of Christian music’s biggest acts (Mercy Me, Stephen Curtis Chapman, ect). He has also performed at some of the largest Christian music festivals in the country (Atlanta Fest, Alive and more). Although he primarily travels as an acoustic act, Jonny has an amazing group of musicians who join him for full band shows.
It has been an incredible ride so far for this talented and young singer/songwriter. He is ready for what lies ahead, as God orchestrates the journey of Jonny Diaz.
