DIXON — Sauk Valley Community College invites the public to a free concert by “The Voice” contestant Jamie Lono at 7 p.m. Thursday in Mathis Theater.

Lono, originally from Chicago, made his debut as a contestant on season two of NBC’s “The Voice” performing Johnny Cash’s “Folsom Prison Blues.” Life before “The Voice” was hard for Lono. At age 2 a growth developed on his left lung, forcing the doctors to remove half of it. Life became difficult for his family as medical costs put them into bankruptcy. Soon after, his family’s house caught on fire. Lono turned to music to express his pain and healing process. His music, a mix of blues and pop, conveys a “feel good” style to remind listeners not to let life keep them down.

With his signature red frame glasses, Lono will appear in concerts across the nation and England. Seating is first-come, first-serve. For more information, contact Ana Salgado at 815-835-6432.