Draft:Johnathan Len

Johnathan Len (born John Len Estes, May 14, 1982) is an American country music singer-songwriter, and guitarist. In 2002, while attending John A. Logan College in Carterville, Illinois, Len became the lead singer of an a cappella 50’s group called “Blend”. He graduated from SIU-Carbondale and became an elementary school teacher in Herrin, Illinois. After six years of teaching 4th and 5th grade, and performing with “Blend”, he resigned from teaching to pursue his career in music.

In 2013, “Blend” drove to Columbus, Ohio to showcase at the Ohio State Fair Managers’ Association Convention. After performing Len introduced himself to American country music artist Ronnie McDowell. Later, in a nearby hallway, when Ronnie McDowell idly began singing The Platters’ “Only You”, “Blend” impulsively joined him on harmony parts. Within two months “Blend” signed on as Ronnie McDowell’s backing singers on the road and for his next recording date in Nashville.

In 2018, “Blend” dissolved due to other obligations, but Len continued as a solo artist.

Early life
Len was born in Paducah, Kentucky and grew up in the area. He graduated high school in Goreville, Illinois.

Len graduated from John A. Logan College in Carterville, Illinois. After six years of teaching 4th and 5th grade, and performing with “Blend”, he resigned from teaching to pursue his career in music.

Len’s family wasn’t particularly musical. The music he loved dated back to long before he was born. He grew up too bashful to get up on a stage and never took voice lessons until he was in college.

Len was first moved deeply by a particular song at five years old. He was watching TV when “Back to the Future” came on. When Michael J. Fox went across the stage with his Gibson ES-345 guitar playing “Johnny B. Goode”, Len knew that was what he wanted to do. He overcame his shyness through years of performing

In The News
On March 18, 2019 Len released his first single, "You Will Never Leave My Mind". Ronnie McDowell wrote this song about Dementia with George Klein (DJ) in mind. Klein (a legendary Memphis DJ and friend of Elvis Presley) passed away in 2019 from complications with Dementia. Len released a music video on June 5, 2019 for "You Will Never Leave My Mind".

During the Pandemic, with concerts canceled and venues closed, Len hosted mini concerts for some of his fans throughout southern Illinois, from their porch or yard.

In January 2021, Len's second music video "A Woman Like That" was filmed in Corpus Christi, Texas. With the USS Lexington in the background Corpus Christi Caller Times and KRIS-TV News reported on the production of the video. "A Woman Like That" hit No. 1 on the UK HotDisc chart on May 9, 2021 and stayed there for three weeks. The song was No. 6 for 2021 on the UK HotDisc chart.

Len recently released "Mightiest Of Men" and in August 2022 it reached No. 32 on the American Christian Country Music Association chart.

Opening act

 * Midwest Tour (Ronnie McDowell and Billie Joe Royal) (2015)
 * Natchez Festival of Music (Ronnie McDowell, Ken Mellons and Deborah Allen) (2015)
 * Donoho Hotel (Ronnie McDowell and John Schneider) (2019)
 * Roxy Theatre (Ronnie McDowell) (2021)
 * Pana Tri-County Fair (Kentucky Headhunters) (2021)