Jonathan Adam "Jonny" Diaz (/ˈdaɪ.æz/ DEYE-az) (born March 30, 1984)[3] is an American contemporary Christian pop artist originally from Lakeland, Florida. His song "More Beautiful You" has charted on American Christian music charts. His major record label debut album of the same name has charted on Billboard magazine's Top Heatseekers and Top Christian Albums charts.
Jonny Diaz | |
|---|---|
 Diaz performing in 2008 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Jonathan Adam Diaz |
| Born | March 30, 1984 |
| Origin | Florida |
| Genres | CCM, pop,[1] country[citation needed] |
| Occupation | Singer/songwriter[2] |
| Years active | 2003–present |
| Labels | INO, Centricity |
| Website | jonnydiaz |
Career
editDiaz released his first album Shades of White in August 2003 right before he began his second year of college; his second album, Everyday God, was released during his fourth year of college.[4] He collaborated with producer Mitch Dane on his third CD They Need Love and the project came out in March 2007.[4] That album included the song "Hold Me", which got him attention when the song placed on the Top 40 charts.[1]
Diaz's major label debut album More Beautiful You album has appeared on several Billboard magazine charts; on July 25, 2009 it was ranked No. 32 on the Top Christian Albums chart and No. 25 on the Top Heatseekers chart.[5] The album's lead single "More Beautiful You" hit the American charts in mid-2009 and reached No. 2 on Billboard's Hot Christian Songs chart by the end of August 2009.[6] The song tells young women that they are beautiful the way they are.[1] Diaz said "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."[1]
His music career was essentially started by leading worship for the youth group of the First Presbyterian Church in Lakeland, FL, playing with Brett Blondell and Vanessa Barbee.
Sound
editJesus Freak Hideout says his style "nearly echoes the sound of Jason Mraz".[7] Christian Manifesto says "Armed with a guitar and a clear message, his music is easily identifiable as that 'safe' genre 'acoustic pop'. But, at least, it is stellar acoustic pop, this time."[8] His sound has been compared to Dave Barnes,[7] Bebo Norman,[8] John Mayer,[9] and Brandon Heath.[2]
Touring
editDiaz has appeared as an opening act for Building 429, Steven Curtis Chapman, MercyMe, Bebo Norman, and Shane & Shane.[4] He has performed at several Christian music festivals such as the Alive Festival and Atlanta Fest.[4] On his official website, he announce that he will be touring with Matthew West on the "Story of Your Life Tour".
Personal life
editAfter graduating from high school, Diaz was offered a full athletic scholarship to play baseball for Florida State University.[7] Diaz was the fourth of four brothers to get a college baseball scholarship.[4] His brother, Matt Diaz was a professional baseball player in the major leagues, and another one of his brothers played baseball professionally.[4] He started college in the second half of 2002[4] and played on the team for one year.[10] According to Jesus Freak Hideout, he "felt God calling him to pursue music".[7]
Discography
editFull-length albums
edit- 2003: Shades of White (Independent)[4]
- 2005: Everyday God (Independent)[4]
- 2007: They Need Love (Independent)[9]
- 2009: More Beautiful You (INO)[7]
- 2011: Jonny Diaz (INO)
- 2014: Let It Fly (Centricity)
EPs
edit- 2008: Come, Let Us Adore (Independent)
- 2015: Everything Is Changing
- 2018: Sweetness & Sorrow
- 2020: Hear That Story
Singles
edit| Year | Single | Chart positions | Certifications | Album | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Christ [11] |
Christ Airplay [12] |
US AC [13] | ||||
| 2009 | "More Beautiful You" | 1 | 25 | More Beautiful You | ||
| 2010 | "Stand For You" | 28 | — | |||
| "Waiting Room" | 37 | — | ||||
| 2011 | "Beauty of the Cross" | 17 | — | Jonny Diaz | ||
| 2012 | "Scars" | 40 | — | Let It Fly | ||
| 2014 | "Thank God I Got Her" | 20 | — | — | ||
| "Use Me Too" | — | — | — | |||
| 2015 | "Breathe" | 6 | 3 | — | Everything Is Changing | |
| 2016 | "Joy" | 35 | 25 | — | ||
| 2017 | "Whole World" | — | — | — | Let It Fly | |
| 2018 | "Define Me" | — | — | — | Sweetness and Sorrow | |
| "Watch You Be a Mother" | — | — | — | |||
| "Let Faith Move You" | — | 46 | — | |||
References
edit- ^ a b c d DeVore, Leigh (May 18, 2009). "Music Review: Jonny Diaz". New Man Magazine. Archived from the original on August 25, 2009. Retrieved July 31, 2009.
- ^ a b Akinola, Lydia (May 1, 2009). "Johnny Diaz's "More Beautiful You": A Review". The Christian Manifesto. Retrieved July 31, 2009.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Jonny Diaz (jonnydiaz) on Twitter". Retrieved September 27, 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Jonny Diaz Bio". Christian Broadcasting Network. Retrieved July 31, 2009.
- ^ "More Beautiful You (2009)". Billboard. July 25, 2009. Retrieved July 31, 2009.
- ^ "Jonny Diaz Music News & Info". Billboard. Retrieved August 29, 2009.
- ^ a b c d e Leisure, Logan (May 2, 2009). "Jonny Diaz: More Beautiful You". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved July 31, 2009.
- ^ a b Cartwright, Grace S. "Promising Artist Dallies with Forgettable Fare". CCM Magazine. Retrieved July 31, 2009.
- ^ a b Banistar, Christa. "Jonny Diaz: They Need Love". Christian Music Today. Retrieved July 31, 2009.
- ^ Greer, Andrew (May 2009). "Jonny Diaz: More Beautiful You". Christian Music Today. Retrieved July 31, 2009.
- ^ "Jonny Diaz Album & Song Chart History (Christian Songs)". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 13, 2018. Retrieved October 12, 2018.
- ^ "Jonny Diaz Album & Song Chart History - Christian Airplay". Billboard. Retrieved October 12, 2018.[dead link]
- ^ "Jonny Diaz – Chart history (Hot Christian AC Songs)". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 13, 2018. Retrieved October 12, 2018.
- ^ "American certifications – Jonny Diaz". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved August 8, 2023.