I wish I was high when this connection happened in my mind, or even now as I type about it, but I wasn’t and I’m not. I do not know how to otherwise explain this outlandish idea, so my apologies to everyone, especially Jon, for how this one starts—but not for how it ends.

To understand the context for this proposal that I’m making, it’s important to know that I have evangelical Christian grandparents on my dad’s side of the family. While I’m not an evangelical Christian myself, I have been around the culture my entire life and have had to find ways to co-exist with people I love but who also have very strong beliefs I do not share and sometimes find personally hurtful. I actually enjoy the challenge because it causes me to grow, and one of the things that I have learned to appreciate about evangelical Christians is the power of communal ecstasy that occurs during worship. The shared emotions and spiritual fervor create a profound sense of belonging and connection, which can be incredibly moving. This has taught me the value of coming together with others to celebrate shared beliefs and experiences, even if they differ from my own, and has inspired me to seek out similar moments of unity and joy in other areas of my life.

So, it’s from this place of reverence for communion with others and possibly the divine that I write about this connection I made. I feel a need to clarify that because I think in some other contexts, this post might be seen as a joke or some cruel way to make fun of Jon and Bar Rescue, but it is absolutely not. It is celebratory.

This past weekend I had an interesting experience when one of my evangelical Christian friends called me at 11:30 at night on a Saturday. Very, very unusual. Turns out God had told my friend to call me, the sinner friend, to help with information about what might be happening to their nephew who unknowingly ingested some super strong marijuana gummies and thought he was dying. I was, indeed, helpful to them and humorously acknowledged that and my otherwise undesirable social status with a friendly reminder that Jesus also hung out with sinners.

I was thinking about this experience while out for a drive the next day when Neil Diamond’s Brother Love’s Traveling Salvation Show started playing, thanks to the genius of iTunes. I think a lot of people are probably familiar with Neil Diamond’s music, especially Sweet Caroline, but my favorite is Brother Love’s Traveling Salvation Show, one of his first releases back in 1969 on an album with the same name. The song paints a vivid picture of a lively, traveling revival meeting led by the charismatic preacher Brother Love. Both the lyrics and the music capture the energy and spirit of this type of gathering, emphasizing the power in themes like community, faith, and redemption that speak to me from my relationships with my evangelical Christian friends and family.

I invite you to listen to the song in the video above and read the lyrics because I believe it will help you better understand my argument that this song is a metaphor for Jon on Bar Rescue, hence the title of this post, Brother Jon’s Traveling Salvation Show.

I said I was sorry.

Now comes the fun part—the analysis that serves as the support for my proposal.

Point 1: In the song, Brother Love captivates his audience with charisma and a powerful presence, much like Jon does in Bar Rescue. I mean, that’s why most of us tune in. Both figures command attention the moment they enter the room. For Brother Love, it’s a gospel revival tent; for Jon, it’s a struggling bar. The anticipation builds as they assess their surroundings, starting softly before gradually unleashing their full force. I love when Jon starts with “Can we talk?” and ends with throwing a chair as he slams open the door and walks out without anyone knowing what’s going on.

I see the similarities. Do you?

Point 2: When Jon opens the door to the establishment, “The room gets suddenly still, and when you’d almost bet you could hear yourself sweat, he walks in.” Like Brother Love, Jon commands immediate attention, and “when he lifts his face, every ear in the place is on him.” His mere presence creates a sense of urgency and anticipation, as everyone waits to see what will unfold. Week after week, that’s why I tune in! Nothing like hearing someone say, “Oh, shit, Taffer’s here.”

Point 3: Jon, like Brother Love, begins quietly, observing and listening to the owners and staff from the van, evaluating the health of the establishment and determining where his guidance is most needed. When he confronts the owners, he usually starts off controlled, sometimes compassionately concerned, akin to Brother Love’s “starting soft and slow like a small earthquake.”

Point 4: As the episode progresses, though, and he reveals issue after issue, Jon ramps up the intensity, just as Brother Love’s revival grows in fervor. Jon’s confrontations with bar owners often resemble the preacher’s sermons, shaking the complacency and denial out of those he aims to save. When Jon lets go, it’s as if “half the valley shakes.” His goal is to enlighten the bar owners, making them see the errors of their ways and inspiring them to embrace the changes he proposes, and everyone is privy to this information because just like at revivals, Jon has aired that dirty laundry loudly and publicly.

Point 5: Both Jon and Brother Love share a conviction of purpose, putting their hearts and souls into their work. Jon pours his passion into a new rescue every week, determined to save bars, their owners, their families, and their staff from ruin because he knows they are truly counting on him. Similarly, Brother Love travels from town to town every week to deliver his sermons with just as much passion, aiming to save the souls of his audience who have faith in his ability to lead them Home. This dedication to their respective missions is fuel for their righteousness, which is fuel for their followers.

If you don’t see it yet, I have one more card to play:

Point 6: Both Jon and Brother Love promise transformation and redemption. Jon assures the bar owners that if they follow his lead, their businesses will thrive. Brother Love offers spiritual salvation, encouraging his audience to reach out with their hands and hearts to find support and guidance. In their unique ways, both figures offer hope and the promise of a better future.

In the end, Jon and Brother Love leave a lasting impression. The bar owners and the sinners are left wondering what hit them, yet grateful for the opportunity to change and grow. Jon’s illustrious presence and ability to command a room are reminiscent of Brother Love’s magnetic influence, making both men unforgettable figures in their respective domains.

Now, I’m not suggesting Jon is doing the Lord’s work, but I could go there. I could. I’m more likely suggesting I would follow Jon into hell, but that’s not it either. What I’m really getting at is the transformative power Jon and Brother Love wield. They each possess the unique ability to bring about profound change, whether in the hearts of a bar owner or in the hearts of a congregation. Through their respective salvation shows, they illuminate a path to redemption and renewal, reminding us of the potential for greatness when we’re guided by an inspiring and faithful leader. So, while my admiration for Jon may seem over the top, it’s rooted in the same deep respect I have for those who can unite and uplift others through sheer force of personality and vision.

Jon is the Brother Love of the bar and restaurant world. Pay attention the next time he walks into a room and makes everyone sit up and take notice—because in that moment, you know something extraordinary is about to happen.