10 Things You Didn’t Know About Sevendust’s Lajon Witherspoon

Happy birthday to Sevendust frontman Lajon Witherspoon, who turns 39 today (Oct. 3)! The husband and father of two has fronted the band for several years, and has been the driving force behind Sevendust's success. So, to honor the Sevendust singer, Loudwire has compiled a list of 10 Things You Didn't Know About Lajon Witherspoon:

10
His Friends Call Him LJ
While some may just know Witherspoon as the face of Sevendust, his close friends, family and fans all call him LJ.
9
His Father Inspired Him to Pursue a Musical Path
LJ says his musical journey started early on in life as he was envious of his father. “Just watching him while growing up and him being in a band … always being around music … just everything,” he recently told the Examiner. "[Since then], all music from rock 'n’ roll to country has been inspiring."
8
His Would Have Enjoyed Life on a Farm
"I’d probably work with horses with the family," he says, quickly adding, "but I’d still play music in some kind of way, even if it was in a damn karaoke bar somewhere."
7
He Knows His Martial Arts Moves
Witherspoon spent several years practicing Judo in his younger years, prior to pursuing music full time.
6
He Remembers His Slain Brother Every Day
"It was the coldest, loneliest feeling that I have ever had," Witherspoon told KNAC of the horrific tragedy in which his brother was shot to death. "I think about him every day. He was 21 years old and was my only brother."
5
He is Passionate About His Hobbies
"I ride motorcycles," Witherspoon says of some of his non-musical hobbies. "I’m [also] an avid collector of really cool things!"
4
He Enjoys Life as a Dad When He's Off the Road
"I’m a very cool father," the proud dad tells the Examiner. "I’m involved with my kids as much as I possibly can be when I’m at home. I’m just a normal guy."
3
He's a 'Top Metal Vocalist of All Time'
In March of 2008, Witherspoon was among those recognized by Hit Parader magazine as one of the Top 100 Metal Vocalists of All Time. LJ placed No. 35 on the Top 100 list, which also included the likes of Rob Halford, Ozzy Osbourne and Ronnie James Dio.
2
He Becomes a ‘Super Hero’ Onstage
The normally soft-spoken Witherspoon says that something comes over him each night as he steps out onstage with his bandmates. "It something that happens naturally, definitely without a doubt," he tells Lithium Magazine. "I feel that wherever I go or what bands we’re playing with, there’s a light switch that gets turned on that I can’t control or have no part of."
1
He Enjoys Rocking Out to Adam Lambert
Among those artists in his iPod collection is American Idol contender Adam Lambert. "I love Adam Lambert," he shares with Bryan Stars. "That's embarrassing ... I'm in Sevendust, and I listen to Adam Lambert. I just like music."