Juan C.: Rockin’ for the Young and the Young at Heart

(This article was written by Beth Marie Cantu Ensign and was featured in the September 2025 issue of Explore Harlingen Magazine.)

Music has a funny way of finding people right when they need it. For Juan Carlos Jackson (“Juan C.”), that moment came in a classroom with a young student and a dropped guitar—and it sparked a career of joy, laughter, and life-changing performances. Today, Juan C.’s band and music studio are spreading that spark to kids, families, and aspiring musicians of all ages.

“I don’t really like ‘kiddie’ music,” Juan admits with a laugh. “I wanted to make music adults could groove to and not want to close their ears in pain, but that would also appeal to the kids through the words or what we were talking about.”

That approach has roots in an unexpected place. One day, while teaching at a school, a young student dropped his guitar and burst into tears. On the wall behind them was a poster of monkeys—so Juan improvised a silly song about monkeys and guitars to cheer him up. “A new career was born,” he says.

From that spontaneous moment came Juan C. and the Key Limes—a name inspired by his love for citrus fruit and his desire to stand out. “Limes are the funnest,” he laughs. “I don’t like sounding like everyone else… Key Limes just fit.”

Photo courtesy of Juan C.

The band gained real traction during COVID-19, when Juan, his wife Stephanie, and daughter Isa began livestreaming daily performances. Those online shows, he learned, became more than entertainment. “One lady told me we saved her life because she was depressed and would look forward to the fun we exuded through our music,” Juan recalls. “It’s about giving people a safe place to be who they are.”

Juan’s musical influences are as varied as his audience—classic rock, doo-wop, 80s pop, even country—but one band specifically stands out. “Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs,” he says without hesitation. “‘Wooly Bully’ appeals to all ages. That’s when I realized you can write songs that appeal to everyone.”

While the Key Limes keep audiences smiling, Juan’s other passion plays out in the cozy, creative vibes of The Sour Cyborg Music Studio. After more than 15 years teaching around town, he decided to open his own business.

Photo courtesy of One Four Five Photo.

At The Sour Cyborg Music Studio, located at 1702 S. Palm Court in Harlingen, Juan teaches students of all ages how to play guitar, drums, and more in a relaxed, encouraging environment. Remarkably, he didn’t even pick up a guitar until his early 30s, which makes his approach even more relatable—he understands what it’s like to start from scratch. “When they’re done with me, I want them to not only play the instrument but also have a positive association with it,” he explains. “We jam, we laugh, and I make sure learning is always fun.”

The connection Juan C. builds with his students often goes beyond teaching music. Students confide in him, find encouragement, and in some cases, life lessons. One graduating student wrote him a letter saying, “You’ve given me the confidence to stand up for myself.” Juan still gets emotional recalling it.

The future is busy for both the Key Limes and The Sour Cyborg. Juan is rebranding the band and working on its first new video in years. At the studio, he’s launched the Neptune Collective, a songwriting group where students create and record original music to stream online for vast audiences. “It’s about showing them they can own their creativity,” he says.

Photo courtesy of Juan C.

Outside of music, Juan C. is just as fun and colorful. You might spot him in bell-bottoms at the skating rink on weekends or learning German in his spare time. “I’m not afraid to try things,” he says.

For aspiring musicians—young or young at heart—his advice is simple: “Run your race. Don’t compare yourself to anyone else. Learn at your pace, day by day. Don’t give up.” Because whether it’s through a lime-green guitar riff or a heartfelt jam session with his students, Juan C. is proof that music can change lives—no matter how old you are when you start.

Visit Juan C. and the Key Limes and The Sour Cyborg Music studio and used instruments on Facebook to see what all the fuss is about.