Biography
John picked up his first guitar at fourteen, and taught
himself to play by listening to records. In his youth he
played with many different bands: Euphoria, Boys in the
Basement and Fate's Creation. With a group called Ammo, he
began to gain some barroom experience (around 250 gigs'
worth!). He was then recruited by another band named the
Struts. He performed well over 200 gigs as their front man and
lead singer. This was only the beginning.
Not long after the Struts split up, John found himself
in rehabilitation for alcoholism. After a couple of years of
laying a good, solid, sober foundation, John formed a new
group called Austin Roots. Singing tight harmonies over well
tuned guitars, the group performed original tunes and covered
artists such as Bonnie Raitt and John Gorka. The group quickly
became a local favorite at Common Ground and other coffee
houses, bars, and restaurants in the Philadelphia
area.
Around 1996, John moved away from Austin Roots to
perform on his own. His song "More Pavement Please" appeared
on a compilation (Enviroaid) alongside songs by Kathy Sledge
(Sister Sledge) and Rik Emmet (Triumph), and received airplay
on WXPN 88.5 FM. He has since played hundreds of solo gigs,
performing his growing collection of original tunes as well as
material by artists such as Eric Clapton and Neil Young. John
has also performed with Foxfire, Fran Lynch, Gary Baumeister,
Michelle More, Bar Scott, Sonny Boy Jim, Jim Simpson, Ben
Arnold, Joseph Parsons, Beth Williams, Annie Baureline, and
Jonathan & Anne Rose.
In 2000 John celebrated the release of his first CD
entitled "Harder When You Run." It's version of "More Pavement
Please" was picked by WXPN's Helen Leicht to be aired on her
"Philly Local" segment. The album has also received airplay on
Lehigh Valley's WXLV as well as several other area radio
stations.
John continues to gig, write, and sell CDs
along the way. Look for the release of his second CD in
2008.
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