May 12, 2026 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

For Poulter, entertaining people is a calling

Jonny Poulter just wants to entertain people.


The 2022 St. Joseph-Ogden High School graduate was inspired to play music after hearing the Beatles in fifth grade.

He started playing piano and got his first guitar not long after that.


“I learned to play by listening to different songs or albums I enjoyed,” Poulter said. “I tried to play what I heard. Once I got my first guitar riff down, I believed that I had it. In hindsight, I was only getting started.”

Poulter said he likes multiple genres of music but he is partial to the music he creates.


“My favorite type of music is my own,” he said. “My favorite song to perform at the moment is one of my own called, “This Old Dog.”


For Poulter, practice makes perfect. He spends his time before shows running through songs. In the days leading up to a show Poulter spends time creating a set list and practicing his songs.


“It can be a little nerve-wracking,” he said about performing. “You’re thinking about this big ordeal and you’re terrified of what may go wrong.”


However, once he starts playing, the nerves just go away.


“Once I get started, it’s not too bad and I relax a little,” Poulter said.

Poulter will be performing at Open Mic Night at the Space located at 399 N Fremont St, Champaign on Tuesday, Open Mic at Winston’s in Sidney on July 25 and the Sidney Saloon on Sept. 21 from 8 to 11 p.m.

“I aim to entertain and make sure everyone is having a good time,” Poulter said.

Poulter can also be found on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/@jonnyp8236

in Life, People
Banner
Related Posts

St. Joseph rallies to find missing dog

September 17, 2020

September 17, 2020

Operation bring Piper home is in full effect in St. Joseph. Piper, a yellow labrador retriever, went missing from the...

10 things you don’t know about me… Karin Poulter

February 6, 2020

February 6, 2020

Every week we ask an area resident to tell us 10 things we don’t know about them. This week we...

Kids say…

June 17, 2019

June 17, 2019

Every week we ask five St. Joseph area students a question about farming. Today, five students from PVO South tell...

‘This role has been an amazing one to take on’

April 1, 2022

April 1, 2022

Wyatt Loghry has loved the Addams Family since he was little. And now, he is playing the patriarch, Gomez Addams....

Get to know SJO Senior Marching Band member Mallory Wagner

October 21, 2022

October 21, 2022

The competitions, going and spending the evening with my band family and meeting and befriending other bands is just such...

Always Looking to Give Back: Short honored for volunteerism

June 7, 2022

June 7, 2022

Tim Short wants to inspire the younger generations. Short, who was honored with the SJO Friend of Education Award this...

Talk of the Town with SJO head football coach Shawn Skinner

September 27, 2019

September 27, 2019

Every week we ask a school official, village trustee or mayor three questions. This week we spoke to St. Joseph-Ogden’s...

Kids say

July 19, 2019

July 19, 2019

Second graders from PVO South tell us if they would like to be a farmer. This post is sponsored by...

Where to see Fireworks

July 3, 2019

July 3, 2019

Area residents have numerous chances to see fireworks this weekend. This post is sponsored by Island Travel Group and Events....

Get to know Matt Walsh

April 1, 2025

April 1, 2025

Matt is running for St. Joseph Village Trustee as a Republican. What is the best thing about St. Joseph? I...

Talk of the Town with Superintendent Tom Davis

May 1, 2019

May 1, 2019

Every week the St. Joseph Record is reaching out to a village official, school superintendent, school board member or village...

Get to know Senior SJO Marching Band member Allegra Pearman

October 21, 2022

October 21, 2022

My favorite thing about marching band is the very end of the show when the dust settles and the cheering...

Senior spotlight Eric Poe

February 7, 2020

February 7, 2020

Every week we ask a St. Joseph-Ogden senior five questions. This week we talked to Eric Poe. Thank you to...

Deadline approaching for Pageant

May 27, 2019

May 27, 2019

The deadline to compete in the Champaign County Fair Queen and Little Miss Pageant is this week. The Champaign County...

10 things you don’t know about me…Leonard Winchester

July 15, 2020

July 15, 2020

1. What is your favorite childhood memory? I don’t have one favorite childhood memory, there were so many experiences. I...

Comments
Leave a Reply