For most Torontonians, the daily grind of public transit is nothing to sing about — unless you’re a TTC (Toronto Transit Commission) bus driver named Jon Pooley.
Pooley once dreamed of making it big in the music industry, even landing a spot on Canadian Idol in 2007. But when life called for stability, he put his aspirations on hold to support his family and be a devoted partner. Despite stepping away from the spotlight, that spark for music never dimmed.
“I was curious of where I could have gone, but then life takes over, you get a job, you’re a good father — a husband, and then you get more and more secure in kind of what you’re doing,” said Pooley in an interview with Yahoo News Canada. “Sometimes those dreams just go away.”
A family rooted in music
Pooley’s love for music runs deep in his veins. “My family is pretty involved in the music industry,” he shared.
His cousin is the musical director for American Idol, his father was a musician and inventor of a type of microphone sleeves and his sister is a singer. “Music was always around me,” John explained. In his twenties, he even competed on Canadian Idol in 2007, but life had other plans.
When his girlfriend (now wife) announced they were expecting their first child, Pooley made the tough decision to put his music dreams on hold.
“I had to get a job and provide,” he said. He embraced his role as a father and husband, but the dream of music never fully faded.
Music as a coping mechanism
Years later, Pooley shares he found himself grappling with depression, questioning his sense of identity beyond that of being a father and a bus driver.
Encouraged by his wife, he sought therapy. One piece of advice from his therapist stuck with him: reconnect with something that brings you joy.
For Pooley, that was singing.
“I started singing during my breaks and posting videos online for friends and family,” said Pooley.
To his surprise, the videos resonated with a much larger audience. What began as a coping mechanism soon blossomed into a way to connect with people from all walks of life.
Whether lending his velvety voice to Neyo’s So Sick or delivering a soulful rendition of Sam Cooke’s A Change is Gonna Come, Pooley’s captivating performances have amassed millions of views on social media, and even caught the eye of renowned vocal coach Cheryl Porter.
Pooley shares that his singing isn’t strictly limited to online videos. While he limits his singing around passengers, he confesses on occasion, he sings through the external speaker system of his bus, delighting pedestrians with unexpected melodies.
“You can see people looking around, wondering where the singing is coming from,” he said with a laugh.
‘OMG, Drake reposted you’: Catching Drake’s attention
In a moment that felt almost too surreal to believe, one of Pooley’s videos caught the attention of Drake himself. After covering one of Drake’s songs, he woke up to find his performance shared on the artist’s Instagram story.
“I thought it was fake at first,” he admitted. “But it was real and it changed everything.”
The shoutout brought an avalanche of new followers, messages of support and recognition from people across the globe.
“To go from feeling like I was invisible to having people excited to meet me — it’s been life-changing,” Pooley shared.
Spreading positivity and inspiration
Pooley’s journey isn’t just about music; it’s about inspiring others to find their own passions.
“There’s more to life than just going to work and coming home,” he said. “You’ve got to find something that’s unique to you, something that brings you joy.”
He hopes his story encourages others to pursue their dreams, no matter their circumstances. “It’s never too late,” he emphasized. “Even if it’s something small, like knitting or painting, it can make a big difference in your mental health and happiness.”
As the holiday season approaches, Pooley has a simple yet powerful 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.”