Meet Jimmy Alonso: Musician & Actor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jimmy Alonso and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jimmy, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
It’s been very difficult to get work done while staying stuck at home with family. I enjoy spending time with my nephew and hanging out with my mother and sister but when I need to get something done such as practicing our songs or working on new material, it gets complicated because of my overthinking mind. Focusing on the task at hand becomes a struggle and my head gets filled with negative thoughts. Luckily, I am aware of these thoughts and I try my best to not believe them. My family knows how much I love them. During the pandemic, we have been working on an album and going to practice has been a challenge because something pops up and practice gets cancelled. My car got broken down and I have been relying on my sister’s vehicle for transportation to go to practice or to run some small errands. I’ve felt the unbalance of work and life and it’s just not a very pleasant place to be in. It can feel like your going off the rails a bit. Meditation and staying present keeps me from going insane from being stuck in a small apartment with mom, sister, baby nephew and Benji, our beagle. This is how I think I should restore my balance to stay happy and sane in order to give myself and my family a better life

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I have been playing music since the 2nd grade in the recorder club at Tamarac Elementary School. During my school years, I was involved in guitar class and high school chorus. I even received vocal lessons and sang in a choir in a semester in college. My creativity has been a work in progress since I was a child and things got really going when I got out of the US Army and into my first punk band, Modern Natives. After staying in Modern Natives, it was time for me to grow even more artistically and personally, so I decided to join Johnny Two Chords on their musical journey. It has not been easy at all. For a long time, I suffered from Imposter Syndrome which is where you have self doubt in your talents and accomplishments. Dealing with my insecurities and inner demons have been quite the challenge but I overcome them everyday by learning to relax and feel already worthy of life. Getting out of your own way has a lot to do with it. An important lesson that I learned is to be patient and not to react so much with life. To let things be. I can just talk about my issues instead of keeping them inside which is what some people do unfortunately. Music has been an important outlet for me in my life. It’s never been about getting famous or approval of others because I know that doesn’t work well from what I’ve watched in interviews.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
We would definitely check out Churchill’s Pub for live music and for drinks. Las Rosas is a good venue for music and drinks too. Joe’s Stone Crab is a great place for fine seafood dining as well. Outside of Miami, Ft. Lauderdale has a great hangout spots. Las Olas is a great beach and there are plenty of restaurants and bars over there.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Huge shoutout to my mother for always putting in my head the importance of studying/mastering my instrument and moving forward with what I love to do. I’d like to give a shoutout to Gibson TV Icons for putting out quality interviews of my favorite musicians (Kirk Hammett, Jerry Cantrell, Tony Iommi). My bandmates, Julius and Dave, for teaching me a lot about life and for being in a band. And Churchill’s Pub for giving us a home to grow and improve our craft.

Website: www.johnnytwochords.com
Instagram: jimmy_alonso8
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/jaime-escobar-alonso-65ab30a4
Twitter: jimmyandroll
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/johnnytwochords
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/JohnnyTwoChords
Other: IMDb Pro page: imdb.me/jimmyalonso

Image Credits
Jennifer Gonzalez Greg Baker