Q: I would love to know what Jonathan is thinking about when he is on stage?
A: I'm thinking of how fortunate I am to play in front of the best fans in rock-n-roll. To stay focused, do my best to bring the ultimate Journey experience.


Q: What he thinks of fans who don't like Journey anymore because Steve Perry is gone?
A: I'm disappointed that they don't like the new line-up, but I understand and respect their feelings as well. I think if they realize we aren't going away they may come back to the band and the music they love.


Q: Does he think Clinton should be removed from office?
A: No


Q: Does he listen to Howard Stern?
A: No


Q: Does he read the Journey message boards?
A: Yes and enjoy hearing the comments good & bad.


Q: Does he laugh at what some people claim to be "inside knowledge"?
A: I'm not sure what this pertains to, but I'm in the dark a lot too!


Q: What's his favorite Journey song?
A: "Faithfully"


Q: I am really interested in knowing where some of his songs come from. Like "Baptism Day". Did he really almost drown?
A: Yes, when I was 4 down in Arkansas on a lake picnic "Cove Lake" and a man save me from the pier. He looked liked St John.


Q: Which songs are 100% about Liz?
A: "Just The Thought Of Losing You" "Distant Shores" "Something Sacred"
"Wish That I Was There With You"


Q: Can you ask Jon if Journey ever considered auditioning Jason Kelty from E5C4P3 - Tribute to Journey when Steve Perry left the band?
A: No


Q: I would like to know if he would ever consider doing another vocal solo album?
A: Yes, I am working on one right now.


Q: On the new Journey album, is there any chance of him doing any vocals...maybe something like vocal back and forth that Gregg and Perry did back in the early days?
A: Yes, we are talking about that as well.


Q: Any possiblity of guest writers on the new album? Would he consider writing with Tommy Shaw /Jack Blades for the next Damn Yankees album?
A: We did write with Jack Blades.


Q: I understand that Steve A. is also a guitarist...I realize that in the past Jonathan has preformed as second guitar...Are there any plans on having Steve A. doing some guitar work?
A: Probably not due to the fact that he has to focus on his vocals. However he writes on guitar.


Q: When I talk to people on the net, it seems some people are worried about Perry's songwriting abilities being lost and the Perry/Cain/Schon writing trio ending...Could he comment on how Steve A. has influenced the writing of the new songs and 'filled in' for the missing Perry?
A: He has brought a new fresh energy to the table, and a refreshing cander that has been inspiring.


Q: Why didn't Mugs replace Steve Smith on drums?
A: Deen got the call first, and he accepted immediately.


Q: Does the Whale ever get dinged on tour?
A: Yes and we touch it up from time to time.


Q: And where exactly does one buy "Whale Touch Up Paint"?
A: At the "speedboat" paint store.


Q: If Jonathan weren't in the music, what else does he think he would be doing?
A: Probably, teaching in music or psychology.


Q: Who were his first influences and who is he listening to now?
A: Elvis, Chet Atkins, Burt Bacharach and Elton John.


Q: Other than family, what other things inspire his music and lyrics?
A: Our fans and their lives, truth, honesty, love, heartache and good times.


Q: If he gets a chance to read novels, what are his favorite kinds and fav authors?
A: Ayn Rand - "Fountainhead", "Atlas Shrugged", "Tuesdays with Morrie".


Q: How has the past 10 years changed you (getting married and having a family)?
A: I'm not the only one in my life anymore. People depend on me to be responsible and I live every day with that in mind. You have to look to the future for your children and your family.


Q: Will we ever see you do a solo show promoting a new vocal cd?
A: Probably not, as it is too expensive.


Q: Do you still own horses? Also do you compete in competitons anymore?
A: No, but I ride with my daughter now and then.


Q: Has anyone else used Wildhorse Studios, other then yourself to record an album?
A: Elvin Bishop and Neal Schon.


Q: How do you feel about the crowds reaction when you sing Just The Same
Way and Anytime?
A: Pleased and Proud.


Q: Have you worked on anything outside of Journey or yourself, lately? Like songwriting for other people?
A: I have a song coming out on Lee Anne Rhimes "Classic Country" called
"Letting Me Down".


Q: If someone wrote lyrics to your instrumental CDs, would you be willing to look at them? And maybe, someday, sing the lyrics to put on a CD?
A: Nah.


Q: What do you think about young people (my age and younger) really digging your music?
A: I'm flattered and grateful.


Q: Do you like Led Zeppelin and Madonna?
A: Absolutely.


Q: Where can I find a copy of the album you did with your ex-wife, Tane Cain?
A: ?


Q: Are you planning on doing anymore "New Age" albums?
A: Yes, I'm working on a new one.


Q: How does it make you feel to know that your work with Journey has left
such a legacy?
A: Honored and Proud. I'm also grateful for the blessings it has brought to my personal life and to my family.


Q: Do you keep in touch with John Waite and Ricky Phillips?
A: No, not lately, but I wish them both happiness and success.


Q: How did you decide which songs to put on both versions of Back To The Innocence?
A: They were songs that had personal solo sentiments and had meaning to me as a spiritual person and a solo artist.


Q: What was the specific inspiration for the song "One More"? What inspired that song? And what is the song referring to?
A: The song is about the suffering and violence that has continued in the Midwest. Using religion for power and dictatorship. There is death and suffering that seems to continue and it is a prayer for peace from Journey.


Q: Were you always able to make a living from music or did you ever have to do a day job? If you did work, what was it?
A: I worked selling stereos and hated it for about a year in 1975 - 1976.


Q: What's the last book you read?
A: "Tuesdays with Morrie"


Q: Fave movie? TV show?
A: "Waking Ned Divine" and "X-Files"


Q: Musically, how will you remember the 90's? How do you think others will remember the decade?
A: A renaissance of the 60's folk and art. Extremism, Capitalistic driven, and uncertain about the millenium. Also a decade of natural disasters as well as man-created.


Q: Now that you are a father, how do you feel about warning labels on music?
A: They're a necessary evil. We need to watch what our children are being influenced by.


Q: Would you want your children to take up a music career, if it meant going through everything you went through?
A: If they had the drive, fire, passion and hard-headed approach. I'd stand behind them, like my Dad stood behind me.


Q: What's the silliest thing (besides the no brown M&Ms) you've ever heard of being in a rider? What's the silliest you ever put in?
A: "We don't go there" It's hard enough to do a rockshow without playing the primadonna's.


Q: Have you ever considered writing for musicals?
A: Nah.


Q: How did you meet your wife, Elizabeth?
A: My next door neighbor introduced me to her, in a bar in 1986. She asked me to dance, and we've been dancing ever since.