Jon Santus, 30, is a campaigner for the British Heart Foundation, over the past three years he has completed three annual swims to raise money for the charity, but on Sunday evening Jon will be singing his own heart out as he competes in this year’s competition.
The event, taking place at The Highlight club in Portsmouth this weekend continues the regional heats which wrap up in Liverpool on 6 November.
Should Jon claim victory in Portsmouth he will then partake in one of the Area finals which kick off in London on 20 November. The winners from this stage of the competition will be invited to perform at the Open Mic Live Singing Competition Grand Final on Saturday 21 January 2012 at The O2 in London in front of a crowd of 2,500 – So no pressure then!
Luckily Jon is no stranger to performing in front of a live audience. Playing guitar in One Dead Ninja, a band which competed in last weekend’s Exposure Music Awards as well as pleasing crowds at Guilfest this summer Santus also performs in a covers band (Bullitt) at local venues around the South Coast. But this weekend he is leaving his band mates behind and playing solo.
ABLE2UK asked Jon how he was feeling in preparation to his performance on Sunday evening...
"I’m Feeling pretty nervous to be honest, but very excited too! It’s much easier hiding in the background when needed in the other bands I play in. This is just me and my guitar under the spotlight and although I’ve let myself into this on quite a few occasions over the years this is my first time I've done so in front of judges and a live audience! As a songwriter for me it has to be about the song. Obviously the vocal is very important too but I’m not an out and out singer so hoping the music will pull me through. That’s not to say I see myself as a bad singer just won’t be signing up for X factor is all. I think the most important thing is getting the songs out there and as these songs as so close to my heart who better to deliver them than myself! There is a no better feeling than playing your own song with feeling and connecting with a crowd.”
We wish Jon all the best on Sunday night.
For more information on the Open Mic Live awards visit their website.
