From Tennessee roots to a growing presence in major music markets, SAE Institute of Technology Nashville alum John Colgate, professionally known as Jondeono, is building a career defined by versatility, discipline, and creative vision.
Blending influences from hip hop, pop, country, and beyond, his sound reflects both the diversity of Nashville’s music scene and his own unique journey from military service to the studio. In this Q&A, Jondeono shares how his experiences shaped his approach to music, his creative process, what’s next in his career, and the advice he has for the next generation of artists and audio professionals.
How did your Tennessee roots shape who you are as an artist, and what ultimately inspired you to turn that passion into a career?
Growing up in Tennessee especially being tied into the Nashville scene exposed me to a wide range of music early on. You’ve got country, hip hop, gospel, rock… it’s all here, and that diversity really shaped my sound. I never felt boxed into one genre, which is why I move between pop, hip hop, and country today.
What pushed me to turn it into a career was realizing music wasn’t just something I enjoyed, it was something I understood. I could hear structure, emotion, and energy in records differently. Once I started creating and saw how people responded, I knew this wasn’t just a hobby. It was something I could build a life around.
You’ve had a unique journey, from serving in the U.S. military to building a career in the music industry. Did your time in the military help shape your mindset or approach to the music industry at all? If so, how?
Absolutely. The military amplified my discipline, structure, and resilience—three things that are huge in the music industry. A lot of people don’t realize how much consistency matters in music. It’s not just talent, it’s showing up every day and putting the work in.
It also taught me leadership and how to work with different personalities, which translates directly into sessions, collaborations, and business relationships. The music industry can be unpredictable, but the military trained me to stay focused, adapt quickly, and execute under pressure.
Can you walk us through how a track typically comes together for you from start to finish?
It usually starts with a feeling or a direction. Sometimes that’s a melody in my head, sometimes it’s just a vibe I want to create.
From there:
I usually start with a beat or a melody in my head and I translate that into lyrics. I hum melodies and out loud freestyling and when I make the words match up to the sound and timing of the melody I know what is best and what works. That is an actual gift in making hits and most hit makers actually do this but it’s more rare than you think. It is not traditional and it cannot be taught.
Next structure is my song, intro, hook,verse outro ect and next is recording my song. I will record my song and have my tracking engineer knock out the takes as I spit the lyrics. I try my best to do the whole song in one take and usually all of my great songs are finished in 30 mins or less.
Finally is the mixing and mastering and that is completed when I am in the studio. I have a great team and we listen to the record and Sound Bender adjusts the mix while we discuss the sound we are going for. Sound Bender is one of my business partners and he is a great engineer. As an engineer myself I am able to communicate on the next level and really shape any sound. I have trained ears and when I have other people around me with trained ears we are able to make hits naturally and very fast. We bounce the Track when it’s polished and it’s ready for the next step, which will be registration, distribution and marketing.
For me, it’s about making records that feel right, not just sound good. The vibe is everything for me.
With your new distribution deal and growing presence across major cities, what’s your vision for the next phase of your career?
The next phase is about scaling and building a recognizable brand and sound that travels across markets. I want to be in more rooms, more cities, and working with artists at a higher level while still developing my own sound.
I’m focused on:
- Expanding into major markets like Atlanta, LA, and New York
- Building consistent releases that strengthen my catalog
- Creating opportunities not just for myself, but for artists I work with
Long term, I’m building something bigger than just placements.. I’m building a brand and a legacy in music.
How was your experience at SAE Institute Nashville?
My time at SAE Institute Nashville was a key part of my development. It gave me a structured environment to really understand both the technical and business sides of music.
I was able to sharpen my skills in production, recording, and audio engineering while also learning how the industry actually operates. More importantly, it gave me confidence in my abilities and helped me take what I already had creatively and refine it into something professional.
What advice do you have for current students who may be looking to follow in your footsteps?
Take it seriously early. Don’t wait until you graduate to start building your career now.
A few things I’d say:
Stay consistent — skill comes from repetition
Network intentionally — relationships matter just as much as talent
Learn both sides — creative and business
Don’t be afraid to stand out — your uniqueness is your advantage
And most importantly, don’t quit when it gets slow. The people who win in this industry are usually the ones who just didn’t stop.
To connect with John, follow him on instagram here. For more information about SAE Institute or programs in Audio, Digital Film, or Entertainment Business, visit us online at usa.sae.edu.
