The Musician Who Refused to Quit

Jeremy Van Wert sits down with producer, drummer, and mixing engineer JD Lyon to explore his extraordinary journey — from growing up in an immigrant household to performing on legendary stages, surviving addiction, rebuilding his life through faith, and evolving again as a creator in a post-COVID world.

JD opens up about discipline, identity, mental health, the music industry’s evolution, and how hitting rock bottom reshaped his entire life. This is a raw, inspiring, and profoundly honest conversation about resilience, growth, and choosing to evolve rather than break.

🎯 Key Takeaways

🎵 How JD evolved through multiple eras of the music industry — and how artists can adapt today.
🧠 What overcoming addiction and mental health struggles taught him about resilience and identity.
🌱 Why “evolve or die” isn’t just an album title — it’s a philosophy for life and creativity.
💡 How faith, discipline, and family values helped him rebuild after hitting rock bottom.
🔧 Why mixing, producing, and the modern music landscape are more accessible than ever.

⏱️ Timestamps⏱️
00:00:00 Introduction to JD Lyon
00:01:24 JD Lyon's Current Projects and Evolution
00:07:00 The Democratization of Music Production
00:13:42 Growing Up in Houston and Early Musical Journey
00:21:59 Professional Mindset: Be Cool and Shut Your Mouth
00:30:16 Faith and Five Years of Sobriety
00:37:34 Session Work and Professional Growth
00:48:02 How Rock Musicians Transformed Country Music
00:56:22 Challenges of Relationships in the Music Industry
01:06:27 Living an Unconventional Life
01:19:16 Fear, Risk, and Life-Changing Decisions
01:30:15 Music Doing Good and Giving Back
01:36:22 Endorsements and Industry Relationships
01:43:17 Living with Bipolar Disorder and Mental Health
01:46:49 Final Thoughts and Where to Find JD Lyon


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