We at The Sober Curator do our best to keep you updated on all the amazing things happening in the sober space. This feels like early access to a rising star on a mind-blowing trajectory. I recently discovered viral sensation Jonas Conner, a singer-songwriter from Chattanooga, TN, who has been called “the future of country music.” And I can’t stop listening. With over 3 million streams/521k followers on Spotify, 696K views on YouTube, 496k on IG, and over 485k followers on TikTok (watch how these numbers will all jump by the time you finish reading this post), Jonas Conner’s two original songs have many artists and industry people buzzing about his talent and incredible songwriting abilities. Father in a Bible and Peace with Pain are must-adds for all sober playlists!
Breathe Under Water and Stay Away From Fire
Conner’s social media is full of videos of him covering classic songs by artists like Adele, The Lumineers, Fleetwood Mac, and The Eagles. But his original songs are about addiction and make you feel every single heartbreaking emotion of losing someone you love. He writes about growing up without a father, alcoholism, and losing an uncle to addiction. And he is only 15 years old. Lyrics like “I know what not to do. I know how to lose. And I know how to break a heart, I learned it all from you” paint an accurate picture of what it’s like living with an alcoholic father.
With only his voice and a guitar, Conner reaches deep into the souls of his many followers. Because addiction is so prevalent, many can relate. I have read comment after comment on Conner’s videos from people who are suffering from addiction. Several of these are from grown men reduced to tears after listening just once. Many of these men grew up without a father or are the absent fathers themselves. One individual shared that he was inspired to turn to God instead of suicide after listening to “Father in a Bible.” These songs with staying power will continue to help others with raw truths about addiction and breaking free.
Father in a Bible
“Father in A Bible” somehow packs an entire lifetime in two verses and a haunting chorus. It’s a story of a child who lost his father to addiction. Wise beyond his years, Jonas Conner sings about lessons on what not to do, missed experiences, and how to cope. These heart-wrenching tales could only come from experience. Although incredibly sad, the song left me inspired by the idea that there is comfort in God and that this young musical genius may have found some.
Chorus:
But that’s okay, yeah, that’s just fine
I’ll learn to breathe underwater, stay away from fire
I wish you’d stayed cause I’ve been tired
And if he won’t be here now, I’ll find my father in a Bible
Peace with Pain
And the hits keep coming. Conner wrote Peace with Pain about losing his uncle to addiction. Two impactful verses covering the extreme pain of addiction, life lost, and the people left behind. What I love about Jonas Conner’s lyrics is that he draws out these devastating emotions, but there is an undercurrent of a solution in acceptance, as reflected in the title.
The song is written from his perspective and references his cousin, who is still waiting for her father to come home. And sadly, this cousin is likely around the same age as him. He also brings his mother and grandmother into this tragic story, illustrating how the tornado of addiction rips through entire families, leaving no one unharmed.
Chorus:
And she is still waiting on the last call you promised
Back in July, after a terrible August
And she is still waiting for her dad to come home
but all she has left is a name on a stone
She’s made peace with the pain
A Superstar in the Making
I hope Jonas Conner continues to use music to make peace with his pain and to tap into the full spectrum of human emotions, continuing to deliver his unique brand of authentic, wonderful, and relatable music. I can’t wait to see what’s next from this superstar is in the making.
The Future of Country Music
Following numerous fan requests, Greg Fischer, host of Fischtank Productions on YouTube, recorded his initial reactions to Father in a Bible and Peace with Pain for his show. As a singer and guitarist for the band Amahjra and a person in recovery, he was left speechless and close to tears upon hearing the songs. He also breaks down his show’s guitar cords, which is cool for any musicians out there. You can check it out in the video below.
Playing it Again and Again
I highly recommend listening to Jonas Conner NOW on all platforms. @Jonasconnermusic on IG, and Jonas Conner is on Spotify. And for more really awesome songs to add to your sober playlists, check out The Sober Curator’s Play It Again posts under Music in the Entertainment section. Happy listening, and you’re welcome!
MUSIC – PLAY IT AGAIN: Sobriety Anthems: Songs that Resonate with Recovery Journeys
Explore a curated collection of songs that serve as powerful sobriety anthems, capturing the essence of recovery journeys and uplifting spirits. From timeless classics to contemporary hits, these tracks can transport you to another state of mind and evoke a range of emotions. Discover the melodies that have us hitting “PLAY IT AGAIN” and hitting repeat, regardless of decade or genre. Happy listening!
What’s your sobriety theme song? If there is a song you think should be on our playlist, we want to hear about it. Send your requests to thesobercurator@gmail.com
THE MINDFUL BINGE: The Bear (Season One) – A Look at Addiction from An Al-Anon Perspective
SOBERSCRIBE NOW!
Resources Are Available
If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulties surrounding alcoholism, addiction, or mental illness, please reach out and ask for help. People everywhere can and want to help; you just have to know where to look. And continue to look until you find what works for you. Click here for a list of regional and national resources.
