A guitarist since age 6, and a songwriter since age 15, John has been performing publicly since 1978. After years in original and cover bands, he moved to performing his own acoustic material in the early 1990's, and hasn't stopped since. John performs extensively at many Detroit-area venues, and, from 1997 to 2004, hosted the Wednesday night open mic at Xhedos Cafe in Ferndale, MI., where he actively supported and encouraged local music and musicians.
He was also a member of Big Green X - a Detroit-area collective of singer/songwriters who get together occasionally for shows and recordings. His music has been heard on Kelly Browns Homeboys show on WRIF in Detroit. In 1999, he won 3 Aurora Borealis Awards, in including Male Vocalist of the Year. His online songs have been downloaded and played all over the world over 10,000 times - including plays in Afghanistan by our troops during early-mid 2003. His songs have even spent time on the playlist of Dutch National Radio.
In 1999 John released his first CD for his own BFE label, Observations & Complaints - a lushly crafted album painstakingly recorded over 18 months. His second, demo-style-with chops CD, Make It Good, came out in June of 2001. This CD features forays into both rock and folk styles, and includes the notorious hit "Refrigerator Science Projects". And his 2002 offering, Sweet Oblivion, is another self-recorded disc, but with newer, digital equipment. His subjects on this outing include the local music press ("Name in the Paper"), a Very Famous Celebrity ("The O.R.P.S. Confusion Blues"), hope ("Glory Up Ahead"), regret ("Sweet Oblivion"), and September 11th ("A Sky That Wasnt There").
John's newest release, Land Of The Living (Sept. 2004), shows him continuing his exploration of new arrangements and subjects. Heartbreak and hope are explored in "Nothing At All" and "A Song Of Hope", respectively, as are engagements ("I Wish You Well"), and writers block ("Between The Paper And The Pen"). Electric guitars dominate the rocking title cut and his take on politics and current events ("Mercy"). And, for the stately "Off The Ground", his own voice is multi-tracked into a 9-voice choir.
Here's a video of John performing "Refrigerator Science Projects" at Trixie's on 4/5/2008...
NEW: A video of Charlie Monterey and John performing Sean Fitzgerald's "Worlds Collide" at the CD release party for Sean's posthumous release on 12/6/09 at PJ's Lager House in Detroit...
New: Another video from Sean's tribute show at PJ's Lager House on 12/6/09. This is a new song about dealing with loss - it wasn't the same type of loss as with Sean, but it seemed to fit....
Thanks for the ad! Please come and tell your friends about our upcoming CD release party. We are going to perform a set and then be followed by M.L. Liebler and the Magic Poetry Band and then Leonardo singing Delta Blues. Afterward, we will have a general jam session with whoever wants to play.
Wednesday, May 13th, 7:30 p.m. Jazz Cafe 350 Madison Ave., Detroit
Hey John, nice job holding down the bottom end last night at Trinity House. I think we met once at the Plymouth Coffee Bean awhile back. I'd like to come out to your open mic sometime. Take care, John
I know you love the Beatles, who doesn't. Don't know if you saw "Walk Hard", but this scene is hilarious with the Beatles. Hope it will put a temporary smile on your face.
John, I enjoyed muchly your show. Hadn't heard you play in a while I dug it the most!!!! Hope you don't mind me posting this here. No biggy if you delete it. THANKS BUT NO THANKS SARA PALIN
Congrats on getting back into the studio! By the way, what do you use to record? Is it a home studio? Just curious because I'm working a lot in my own home studio and would be interested in comparing notes.
Just droppin' by to say "hello". Sorry I didn't call first. ;) Brilliant tunes. Looking forward to seeing you at the showcase (maybe our meeting, too).
