his Myspace pageBorn in: New York City (New York City?!? - get a rope)
Grew Up: Park City, Utah. No, I'm not Mormon, but I do ski very well.
Location: Currently residing in the Los Angeles area.
Hair Color: Originally Dark Brown, varies with my mood, currently Black.
Eye Color: Hazel, they change from time to time. I don't control that.
Height: 6 foot 4 inches, or 193.04 cm. Yes, I really am that tall.
Weight: 185 lbs, 83.91 Kilos, or 13.21 stones for my European/English fans.
Passions: Music (duh), Macs, Movies, Mountain Biking (damn, lots of stuff that starts with M), Traveling, Skiing, Texas Hold'em Poker, Food.
Playing on my iPod: Over 4,000 songs, some are mine, many are by others.
Marital Status: Single.
"I love that song [Falling In] Jody, that's commercial. That's a hit.” Frosty, Heidi & Frank 97.1 KLSX, Los Angeles
Digital music giant iTunes made a bold move that set a precedent for thousands when they uploaded the catalogue of singer/songwriter Jody Whitesides, their first non-signed artist, through the digital distribution program at CD Baby. After refusing a major label deal when they wanted him to compromise his style, Whitesides spent four months writing, producing and recording his sixth and most commercially appealing recent release, Practical Insanity. Early fan-favorite tracks like “Tabloid Affair” and “Falling In” reflect an overall theme of the psychological process of human relationships in reality and in fantasy, the latter tune already being dubbed the coolest love song never to mention the word love. Music Connection magazine recently praised his display of “skill and craft without sacrificing heart or conviction.” Whitesides simply calls it “Music that makes your soul happy!”
Nominated for four Just Plain Folks awards, Jody has shared the stage with Martha Davis & The Motels, Dave Davies (The Kinks) and had several of his songs placed in film soundtracks. When the A&R representative for Taylor Guitars caught Whitesides showcasing at the annual NAMM Show, his only comment before offering him a deal was “You should be playing a Taylor.” Fellow endorser Sennheiser microphones featured Whitesides in their online Sennheiser TrueSound Lounge with major label bands like Sugarcult. Joe's Guitars, Seymore Duncan pickups, Dean Markley Strings, Groove Tubes and Line 6 have all gathered around to support this humble and unstoppable artist in achieving his goal of being the most recognizable non-signed artist on the planet.
Although Practical Insanity was produced and recorded by Whitesides in his home studio, where he also played every instrument but the drums, there is no shortage of artists clamoring to work with him. He sang and played live with Danny Woods (New Kids On The Block), Talisman, and Jeff Scott Soto, and has produced CDs for Bob Karwin (Radio Margaritaville) and Throwing Toasters. He has also produced vocals for Seth Horan, formerly of Vertical Horizon, and rap artist Blk Diamond. Whitesides is currently the music supervisor and composer for “The Radio Adventures of Dr. Floyd,” nominated for Best Educational Podcast and featured on Apple’s education website.
Jody Whitesides is currently living in Los Angeles as a performing songwriter, sound engineer, surround sound mixer ("Kings of Hip Hop" DVD), video game music designer, soundtrack composer and Dancin Deer Studio owner. He’s putting it all on the line to promote and tour with Practical Insanity, and he’ll kick your ass in No Limit Texas Hold ‘em.
Jody is endorsed by Taylor Guitars, Sennheiser, Emagic Software (before the Apple merger), Seymour Duncan Pickups, Joe's Guitars, Dean Markley Strings, Groove Tubes, and Line 6.