Jonathan Cain Prepares for Final Tour With Journey, Releases New Faith-Based Music

As Jonathan Cain prepares to close out his career with Journey on the band's planned two-year Final Frontier Tour, the keyboardist, guitarist and co-writer of many of Journey's biggest hits is releasing new music of his own.

On Feb. 27, the day before the tour begins in Hershey, Pennsylvania, Cain will release "Only a Prayer Away," a six-song Christian EP. Cain told UCR the material was drawn from a larger batch of songs he wrote during a hiatus from the band.

"I had that year off (from Journey) and was doing ministry, and I was not going to do another one of these faith things, Christian worship pieces," Cain said in a Zoom interview from his home in Florida. "And then God wouldn't leave me alone. The songs kept coming - 'What about this? What about this?' I have a whole, full album, about 15 songs now. I decided to put six out, then I'll have another six, then maybe an album. Nobody has time to listen to 15 songs, anyway."

Cain said the inspiration for this set of songs came from a disaster relief trip to Chimney Rock, North Carolina, which was devastated by Hurricane Helene in 2024. Cain was there with the CityServe Network and Paula White Ministries, led by his wife.

"We were watching the reconstruction of this town, people who lost just about everything," Cain said. "They were all working together, three feet of mud, nobody was whining or complaining or crying. It was all just, 'Let's get this done and support each other,' just an incredible attitude. I was like, 'This is a very moving moment,' and God was like, 'What are you gonna do about it? Write a song; I'll give you a title - 'Amen to the Rescue.' By the time we got home I had it finished."

Cain said his faith-based music is a "labor of love" and central to his identity as a musician.

"I welcome it, because it's my creative juice. It's who I am as a person," he said. "If you looked at 'Faithfully,' it could be a worship song if you changed one word - 'Oh Lord, you stand by me/I stand by you, faithfully.' And God, I come to you with open arms, or 'Don't Stop Believin',' 'hold on to that holy spirit feeling.' Faith has always been a part of who I am, so it's not a stretch."

Journey's Final Frontier Tour

Journey's Final Frontier Tour will feature a two-hour set, including the band's classic hits, deeper cuts from the early years, and songs from the "Infinity" album.

"It'll be an evening-with, a two-hour set," Cain said. "We'll hit all of our legacy songs and some of the later ones; instead of 90 minutes of greatest hits you'll get deep cuts from the beginnings of Journey, just kind of take 'em down memory lane, 'cause we have the time to do that."

Despite past tensions within the band, especially between Cain and founding member Neal Schon, Cain said the group remains committed to delivering for fans.

"Over the years we go in different directions and we have different priorities," Cain said. "And when we come together as Journey it's a force. That's one thing we've always been able to do, is really deliver the music. The music of Journey belongs to the people. We're simply the caretakers. Even when I was with the Babys (opening for Journey), I watched and was like, 'Oh my goodness, they sure love these guys.' Any kind of junk between us shouldn't get in the way of that. When you get on stage it's all about their songs. They're coming and giving up their time to see you, so you want to be your best and deliver a great experience for them."

Cain dismissed speculation about frontman Arnel Pineda's legal issues in the Philippines or Pineda's social media comments suggesting he might not participate in future tours.

"He's gonna be fine," Cain said. "He's a singing machine. He's got his kids coming out. He'll be great."

Cain said the 60 dates currently announced, running through July 2, are just the beginning, with more shows to be announced through 2027.

Cain's Final Tour With Journey

Cain said he is serious about this being his last tour with Journey.

"I had a long time to contemplate what I wanted to do," he said. "It just feels like a good time to get off the train. I'm going to be 76 on Feb. 26; you've got to at some point say enough's enough. It's a grind, man. I just feel like this tour is a beautiful closing chapter. I want to focus on celebrating the music and the audience who stayed with us for generations."

He added, "I'm just gonna say, 'Wow, what was a great ride.' I'm honored to be part of something with this legacy and prestige, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I helped build it, and it's time to move on."

Cain said there are no plans for new Journey music during the tour. While Schon has stated that Journey will continue after Cain's departure, Cain said he does not know what the band will look like in the future. "Wait 'til that time and see," he said. "I just know that's it for me."

Asked about the possibility of former frontman Steve Perry making an appearance on the tour, Cain said, "Neal already asked, and he says (Perry's) thinking about it. I hope he comes out. It's never too late. We've got 100 shows, so he's welcome at any one of them. He didn't say no - leave it at that."

Plans Beyond Journey

After leaving Journey, Cain said he will focus on other projects, including more faith-based music and marketing his songs to churches for worship. He has also created a church-centric concert presentation and hopes to move into film scoring.

Cain is also developing "The Gospel of Rock 'n' Roll," a talk show in which he interviews performers about their church roots and religious beliefs. Guests so far have included Michael Sweet of Stryper, Ricky Skaggs, Lee Brice, Larry Gatlin, Kid Rock and others.

"We're trying to show that all great performers and performances begin in the church and just how much that has influenced music over the years," Cain said. "They all say the same thing: 'My daddy got me up on worship, and that's where I got my chops.' So that's exciting, doing things, other side projects, like that."