For the Love of It: A TTC Driver’s Musical Journey
Jon Pooley, a TTC bus driver, finds joy in singing, inspiring others to pursue their passions despite life’s challenges
Toronto, Canada, Jon Pooley, Music, Mental Health, Inspiration
Toronto: You know, for most folks in Toronto, taking the bus isn’t exactly a thrilling experience. But for Jon Pooley, a TTC bus driver, it’s a whole different story.
Jon had dreams of hitting it big in music and even made it onto Canadian Idol back in 2007. But when life got real, he had to put those dreams on hold to support his family. Still, that love for music never really went away.
He shared, “I was curious about where I could have gone, but then life takes over. You get a job, become a good father and husband, and those dreams just fade.”
Music runs in Jon’s family. His cousin works with American Idol, his dad was a musician, and his sister sings too. “Music was always around me,” he said. Even after competing on Canadian Idol, he had to step back when his girlfriend announced they were having a baby.
“I had to get a job and provide,” he explained. He embraced being a dad and husband, but the music dream lingered in the background.
Years later, Jon found himself struggling with depression, feeling lost beyond his roles as a father and bus driver. His wife encouraged him to seek therapy, and one piece of advice really hit home: reconnect with what brings you joy.
For Jon, that joy was singing. He started belting out tunes during his breaks and posting videos online for friends and family. To his surprise, those videos started to gain traction.
What began as a way to cope turned into a way to connect with people everywhere. Whether he’s singing Neyo’s So Sick or Sam Cooke’s classic, his performances have racked up millions of views and even caught the attention of vocal coach Cheryl Porter.
Jon doesn’t just keep his singing to online videos. Sometimes, he can’t help but sing through the bus’s speaker system, surprising pedestrians with his unexpected performances.
“You can see people looking around, wondering where the singing is coming from,” he chuckled.
Then came a moment that felt unreal. One of his videos caught the eye of Drake, who shared it on his Instagram story. “I thought it was fake at first,” Jon admitted. “But it was real, and it changed everything.”
That shoutout brought a flood of new followers and support from all over the world. “Going from feeling invisible to having people excited to meet me has been life-changing,” he said.
Jon’s journey is more than just about music; it’s about inspiring others to chase their passions. “There’s more to life than just going to work and coming home,” he said. “Find something that brings you joy.”
As the holidays approach, he has a simple message: “Even small words of support can have a huge impact. You never know what someone is going through, and a kind gesture could change their day—or even their life.”