Meet J.H. Patton | Guitarist, Singer-Songwriter

We had the good fortune of connecting with J.H. Patton and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi J.H., what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I pursued an artistic career because I couldn’t see myself being happy doing anything else. I was fortunate enough to be able to attend college and earn a degree, I’ve worked lots of different jobs since I was a teenager, and nothing has given me the sense of purpose and fulfillment that writing and performing music has given me. It’s been difficult at times, justifying the hours and energy put into an endeavor that usually does not pay a lot up when you start out. But when I think of all of the jobs I’ve had, and all of the jobs I could have, I know that I’m pursuing the one that will make me happiest.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a guitarist, singer, and songwriter, currently recording and performing with my band, ‘J.H. Patton & The Good Companions’. We’ve released one EP, ‘Live from Dogtown’, and have a second EP called ‘California Green’, set for release on April 20th, 2024. We have over a dozen shows scheduled in towns across the Lower Peninsula this summer so far. We play original music written by me, with a style that takes inspiration from Americana, rock, folk, funk, and more. Myself and my bandmates, Kurtis Young on the bass and Peter Shutt on the drums, all have different personal tastes when it comes to what we listen to, and I believe that helps us to craft a unique sound onstage.

I’ve been a guitar player since I was 10, and later picked up the trumpet in middle school, eventually studying as a trumpet performance major for a year in college. I’m so grateful I was able to learn music from such different sources; the more contemporary lessons I had as a guitar player, and the classical training I received as a trumpet player. It has given me a unique perspective on writing and performing my music, with the ability to draw inspiration from wildly different types of music.

I don’t believe music is ever a straight-forward career choice. There’s less of a set path for you to take, and it can often be difficult to feel like you are making the “correct” choice. It can seem like there is a balancing act of doing what you want to do artistically, and doing what you think audiences will like. I’ve chosen to look at these less as limitations, and more as a freedom. There is no set path, so I can make my own. I know that I love a variety of different genres and styles of music, so I can trust that there is an audience out there for my own art. It certainly hasn’t been easy, but as I grew as a writer and a performer, and my music began to align with my true artistic desires, it became simpler. I was proud of my work, and knew that I wanted it shared.

The only times I’ve been unsure if music was the path for me have been the times I am playing or writing music for other people, and not for myself. Listening to trends and keeping an eye on the direction of the industry is, of course, an important part of the job. But for me, I’ve found that instead of trying to follow the trends, I’ve had the most success and happiness when I fill the gaps popular music and trends leave behind. There’s an audience for music and art not being pushed to the top of the algorithms, you just have to trust what you are creating.

I love what I do. That’s always what I want audience members to take away when they see me and my band play. We are up on stage having the best night of our lives every time we get to play, and I think that audiences see that. That doesn’t mean that I only write happy songs, or that I’m never frustrated with the grind of trying to make a band profitable. It does mean that I’m never going to stop trying to share the joy I experience playing and writing music with the world. If someone comes to a ‘J.H. Patton & The Good Companions’ show, if nothing else, I want them to walk away with a feeling of joy, and thinking, “Those guys had an absolute blast up there, they are doing exactly what they should be doing.”

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If I was showing a friend around my favorite spots in the area, a few locations come to mind. The Grand Rapids Art Museum is always a wonderful visit, they have a really lovely collection. I think downtown Grand Rapids is a great place to walk around and explore, and the city has a few different city-wide art festivals through the year that always showcase interesting installations to see. Once we’ve seen our fill of the city, I’d probably head to Lake Michigan. Walk along the lakeshore, or find somewhere to camp. The natural beauty of the Great Lakes is hard to beat.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to dedicate my shoutout to my parents, David & Laurie. I owe every opportunity that has come before me to the endless supply of love and support that they have always shown me.

Website: https://jhpatton.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jhpattonandthegoodcompanions/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090055088289

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCa0Sb869kEVWgRK1xukqQYA

Other: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4HmMGINqPqaXYNj82RNOkF?si=AQ8ddF9xS5OznWXUxKkVBQ

Image Credits
D.K. Patton N.M. Patton