Q.) How old were you when you started playing music?
A.) Well according to my mom, I was banging on the dashboard of her car when I was two, but in all seriousness I started formally studying when I was six years old.

Q.) Were Drums your first instrument of choice?
A.) No, actually it progressed to drums over time. I tried several instruments before landing on the drumset. I tried guitar for about a month, but I didn't have the dexterity to handle the fretboard. Then I tried saxophone, but I knew I was doomed because I didn't even have the breath control to play hot cross buns. Then I tried piano for a little bit and liked it, but I didn't have the patience required to focus. So when I first heard a drum roll played properly at the annual music appreciation day in grade school, I was hooked and the rest was history.

Q.) Who are some of your musical influences?
A.) Wow, there are so many from which to choose. I have such an eclectic and balanced list of people who have inspired me over the years, but if I had to choose, it would be the following people in no specific order: Huey Lewis & The News, The Police, Sting, Seal, Genesis, Phil Collins, Dave Weckl, Chick Corea, Mike Post, Hall & Oates, Michel Camilo, Paquito D'Rivera, Tower of Power, Earth Wind & Fire, The Fixx, Richard Marx, Steven Curtis Chapman, Dire Straits, Michael W. Smith, Toto, Ricky Scaggs, Bill Monroe, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, The YellowJackets, Mr. Mister and of course, Bruce Hornsby, with and without the Range. There are more, but I think this list speaks to the wide array of people that have influenced me over the years.

Q.) Where do you draw your inspiration from when you write?
A.) It's almost to the point where there's too much inspiration, dare I say. My life has had many twists and turns, so right there I have a lot of inspiration. The rest of it comes from living and observing other people on a daily basis. Having the good fortune and fortitude to live in the New York City area, you have a lot of different types of people upon which to draw, which gives you a lot to write about as well. Sometimes my best writing comes when I'm not trying at all. Just by taking the train to and from certain location in the city I get ideas for songs that connect up thoughts and emotions I have had about other things in my life for a while and the roaming and observing actually allows a lot of those ideas to flow. I have told many friends and musicians I have worked with over the years that I actually have the unique problem of having an idea for a song actually stay in my head until I get it out and write it. I have no idea why that is, but it's a blessing and a curse at times.

Q.) What keeps you focused and humble?
A.) Life. They say as you go through things and get older in life you see the circle of life evolve. And over the last five years specifically I would have to agree. You begin to realize that God created you, and all of us for that matter, special and unique. We were put on this earth for a reason, to help each other and contribute to each other's well being. We weren't meant to be alone, or 99% of us wouldn't be here now. But that being said, we are human and we are subject to making mistakes. The trick is growing and not making the same mistake twice if you can help it. When I look at the world and see how much talent there is and how many people are blessed with so many different types of gifts, I can't help but be humbled by it. Especially when it comes from people I don't even know, or haven't met, much less heard of. For as much as we like to think we're great or so talented, there's always someone better, or striving to be better than us. So that in and of itself keeps me humble. A great drum teacher I once had, by the name of Larry Levine once said "You're either growing or dying, there's no in between". So I work really hard to never rest on my laurels and keep improving to be the best singer/songwriter, performer, musician and above all, best person and husband I know how to be.

Q.) What are your future goals?
A.) To get signed my a major record label. Consistently tour, record and continue to grow as an artist and as a person.

Q.) Is Jon Dowling your real name?
A.) That's funny, I get asked this question a lot. Yes, it's not a stage name or anything like that. My full name is Jonathan Joseph Dowling. I say Jon, because everyone either spelt my name as John, or Johnathan, so eventually I just said call me Jon, as my nickname, short for Jonathan. And that's how my name became what it is, but yes, that's my real name.

Q.) What advice would you give to others who want to pursue music as a career?
A.) Great question. That it takes everything you've got. Talent alone is not enough. You have to be hard working, persistent, determined, tenacious, patient, balanced, polite, responsible, perceptive to others and to the situations you face day to day. A good businessperson, an even better networker and you have to really, really love music, because you will come across negative people and situations that will attempt to chip away at your dignity and well being.. So you must rise above it and do so with class. The best revenge is living well and so the main thing I would recommend to anyone pursing music as a career is to shake off negative people and discouraging situations. Also, live a clean lifestyle. No drugs, drinking or smoking, but that's just my humble belief system.

Q.) You've been a drummer most of your life and a successful one, so why the switch to piano?
A.) I didn't stop playing the drums, I will always be a drummer first and foremost. Back in 1999, I was playing with several bands as a drummer, some more prominent than others, in addition to doing some studio work. I had an epiphany one day, (much like someone has when they're working for someone else and is strongly considering starting their own business in their field of passion) that I was either going to play as a sideman for others for the rest of my life, or I was going to go it alone and become a singer/songwriter and form my own band, where I could utilize all of my talents in signing, playing, writing, arranging, producing and being a true leader. After I wrote the record "The Second Time Around" the rest as they say is history. So it was really a matter of reinventing myself and my image. But make no mistake about it, I will always be a drummer and I will continue to play on other people's records in the future and play drums on my own records as well.

Q.) What crossover(if any,) has there been between your drumming and piano playing in your music?
A.) Actually a lot more than you think. A lot of my songs, such as "Patience is a Virtue" have a very open, offbeat syncopated feel, especially in the ending, and that comes as a result of my years of Funk/Latin drumming. Conversely, when I am drumming, my piano and melodic playing comes out in my phrasing of fills, and the overall flow of the beat I am playing. And the song(s) sound more open, relaxed and less busy. So I think the crossover between the two has done wonders for my musicality. Additionally I believe I have a greater appreciation for the perspective as to how it feels being on both sides and how complimentary they are of each other. I think about the music I am playing when I drum in a completely different and almost a more respectful way.