January 22, 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

‘He was the kind of person everyone was happy to see’

July 19, 2025

July 19, 2025

Sam Shonkwiler was full of life. He would walk in a room and people would call his name. He had...

Foundation created to honor Oberheim

June 9, 2021

June 9, 2021

The family of Police Officer Chris Oberheim is working to develop a not-for-profit foundation. The foundation name was announced Tuesday...

10 things you don’t know about me… Jim Wagner

June 13, 2019

June 13, 2019

Every week we ask an area resident to share 10 things we don’t know about them—this week is St. Joseph...

10 things you don’t know about me… Pastor Kim Dancey from Homer UMC

August 23, 2019

August 23, 2019

I am a friend and follower of Jesus and live in the wonder of his grace. I’ve been married to...

Spirit of giving: SJO graduate Whitney Setterdahl continues to help out teens with cancer

December 4, 2019

December 4, 2019

Whitney Setterdahl knows what it is like to be in the hospital during the holidays. Setterdahl is a recent graduate...

‘We lost a very good man in Jim Cotter’

September 2, 2021

September 2, 2021

Jim Cotter loved to brag about his kids. This past Saturday was no exception. Cotter took time out from covering...

A cut above: St. Joseph resident and hair stylist Milt offering free haircuts for students

August 14, 2019

August 14, 2019

Nicole Milt wants to help kids feel good about themselves. So Milt has volunteered to do free haircuts for students...

10 things you don’t know about me…KERMIT EUGENE ESAREY

September 23, 2022

September 23, 2022

KERMIT EUGENE ESAREY will be inducted into the St. Joseph-Ogden Hall of Fame tonight. Kermit was born and raised in...

Talk of the Town with Superintendent Todd Pence

May 27, 2019

May 27, 2019

Every week we ask a village mayor, trustee, school administrator or board of education member three questions. This week is...

5 things you don’t know about me…..Campbell Flessner

August 7, 2019

August 7, 2019

Campbell is in the running for the title of Little Princess! She is six years old. We asked her to...

Athletic complex to be dedicated tonight

April 16, 2021

April 16, 2021

 The St. Joseph-Ogden School District will honor Glenn Fisher tonight.The district voted in June 2020 to name the athletic complex...

10 things you don’t know about me… Bobbi Busboom

February 27, 2020

February 27, 2020

Every week we ask an area resident to share 10 facts about themselves. This week we talked to Bobbi Busboom,...

Senior Spotlight with Jordan Stiverson

October 2, 2019

October 2, 2019

Every week we ask an SJO senior five questions. This week we spoke to Jordan Stiverson. 1. What is the...

Giving back: Short wins St. Joseph Chamber Citizen of the Year

April 16, 2019

April 16, 2019

Tim Short loves St. Joseph. He and his wife, Amy, moved to St. Joseph in 1992 and never thought of...

Rides available to fish fry

August 8, 2019

August 8, 2019

The mayor and some local residents are hoping more seniors can attend the St. Joseph Community Festival held Thursday, Friday...

Comments
Leave a Reply