““… Jonathan Richards and his band have been building a following playing contemporary country with a few classics thrown in for good measure. Richards has also been gaining attention with originals including the new single “Addicted to You,” …” ”
— Wade Tatangelo - Herald-Tribune
“ Richards has always loved music.At age 3, the Canton native got his first guitar. By age 8, he was traveling all over the United States performing. A career in music seemed a forgone conclusion. Instead, he joined the U.S. Marines after graduating high school. Then in 2010, an improvised explosive device ended his military career. Now, after two years of rehabilitation of learning to walk, talk and play music, Richards has made a return to a musical career.”
— Gainesville Times
“"YOU" Need to Check out this KILLER Jonathan Richards EP and Learn his Incredible Story!!! ”
— Crank it Country
““As a wounded U.S. Marine veteran at a young age, Richards woke up in a hospital bed unable to function normally or play music he once loved. After two years of rehab, Richards has devoted his future to entertaining and writing music.” ”
— Cherokee Tribune
An Electrifying Performer
Country recording artist Jonathan Richards
A U.S. Marine Veteran and Purple Heart recipient, delivers a high-octane show. With decades of experience performing on stages across the United States and South America, Jonathan knows how to command a crowd and create an unforgettable live experience. His high-energy performances keep fans engaged from the first song to the final encore.
Jonathan has headlined regional tours and shared stages with some of country music’s most iconic names. His performance resume includes appearances on radio stations, national television, news broadcasts, NASCAR events, arena football events, college football events and more.
Following the release of his debut EP, his breakout single Over You earned radio airplay across major country stations including 94.9 The Bull, Kicks 101.5, 99.5 QYK, and others. The song spent 10 consecutive weeks in the Top 5 on Backyard Country.
Jonathan’s story of resilience, service, and perseverance carries into every performance, bringing authenticity, energy, and a show fans remember long after the lights go down.
Jonathan's Story
Music runs deep in Jonathan’s roots, with generations of singers and musicians shaping his upbringing.
At a young age, his father placed a red guitar in his hands and had him on stage performing with the family band, touring and playing Southern Gospel music. His father, Randy Richards, is an accomplished singer and piano player and was inducted into the Atlanta Country Music Hall of Fame. So to say that Jonathan was destined to become a performer is an understatement.
Even though it seemed his path was heading towards a music career, a day that we will never forget altered his course. Jonathan was sitting in 8th grade science class when 9/11 happened, and the events of that day made a lasting impact on him. After graduating high school, he answered what he felt was a calling to serve his country and joined the U.S. Marine Corps. In 2010 he was deployed to Marjah, Afghanistan in the Helmand Province with 3/6 Lima Co. During this deployment Jonathan survived being directly impacted by five separate IED (Improvised Explosive Device) blasts and was medically evacuated to Bethesda Hospital, where he began the long road to recovery. Jonathan was awarded the Purple Heart for his combat injuries and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (NAM) for his actions and perseverance through multiple IED blast while deployed.
In 2012, Jonathan was medically retired and faced uncertainty about what came next. During that time, he reflected on his musical upbringing and realized how much music therapy had helped him throughout recovery. That’s when the journey back to music truly began. From 2012 through 2021, Jonathan performed across the United States and South America, playing countless shows and sharing stages with some of country music’s biggest names.
Then in 2021, as Jonathan was in the midst of a breakout in his music career he faced another life-altering challenge.
After contracting COVID-19, he was hospitalized and placed on a ventilator. Through faith, perseverance, and determination, he made it through, but not without lasting effects. Complications from COVID and the ventilator resulted in lung issues and damage to his throat and vocal cords, leaving him unable to sing and perform.
But just as he had overcome before, Jonathan committed himself to the fight once again.
After four years away and working relentlessly to recover, Jonathan launched his comeback in late 2025 and has hit the ground running in 2026.
Today, Jonathan carries a phrase tattooed on his left forearm that continues to guide both his life and music:
“Music Heals, Overcomes and Changes Lives.”
