Lately JF has been playing with:
Ross Bellenoit (guitar)
and/or
Jason Loughlin (guitar)
Todd Erk (bass)
Chris Giraldi (drums)
Influences
Johnny Cash, Jimmie Rodgers, Bob Dylan, Nina Simone, Walt Whitman, Freddy Mercury, Roy Orbison, The Band, Joni Mitchell, Led Zeppelin, Otis Redding, Bruce Springsteen, Elvis Presley, Patsy Cline, Jerry Lee Lewis, The Carter Family, Leonard Cohen, Lefty Frizzell, Smokey Robinson, Leadbelly, U2, Earnest Tubb, Van Morrison, Reverend Gary Davis, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, James Joyce, Buffy Sainte Marie, Gram Parsons, Federico Garcia Lorca, Pete Seeger, Hank Williams Sr., Nusrat Fateh Alikhan, Townes Van Zandt, John Prine, Traditional American Indian Prayer Songs, Keith Green, Steve Earle, Dwight Yokam, Mercedes Sosa, James Baldwin, Woody Guthrie, Neil Young, Don Henley, Jeff Buckley, the Cure, Gillian Welch, Joe Hill
John Francis, Mark Geary, & Mark Erelli live @ Joe's Pub, NYC. Feb.2006
Born in New York City and raised in rural Pennsylvania, John Francis started to show his musical gifts at an early age. The Gospel and Folk music of his upbringing happened on Sunday mornings swaying with the church choir, or at home gathered around the family piano with his mother at the helm. The son of musicians, and Christian ministers, Francis grew up playing music with his parents, in front of crowds. As a young child, John Francis was entranced by his father's Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, and his mother's Neil Young, Dylan, and Sly & the Family Stone. He recalls, "the first cassette I owned was 'Chuck Berry's Greatest Hits', and I wore that cassette out quickly".
At 12, Francis started writing, recording, and performing. At 18, he enrolled as a Literature and World Religions major at Messiah College near Harrisburg, PA. There he immersed himself in the classics of poetry and prose, honing his craft as a songwriter. During these years, John played guitar for Gospel band on Sunday mornings. After graduating, Francis traveled to Ireland where the musical traditions of his family his family homeland added more fuel to the fire. He made his home on the road for a few years, collecting songs from Appalachia to American-Indian reservations.
Shortly after moving to Philadelphia, Francis released the critically acclaimed "Strong Wine & Spirits". With the single "Heavy, Heavy Love", the record garnered extensive radio play in the North East. Drawing on the deep waters of Rock n roll, Folk, Country, and Gospel music, Francis conjures the spirits of his eloquent brand of songwriting.
Francis was honored by ASCAP as the 2006 recipient of the prestigious Sammy Cahn Lyricist Award, for his song "Love Came to Me Dressed in Red". Previous winners include Nicole Atkins, John Mayer, Josh Ritter, and Lori McKenna.
Francis has played in subway stations and dive bars, churches and county fairs, Dublin street corners and Nashville honky-tonks, children's classrooms and the United Nations, prisons and hospitals, as well as listening rooms on the all over the US, Ireland, and Europe.
He has shared the stage with Ray Lamontagne, Amos Lee, M. Ward, Josh Ritter, Suzanne Vega, Rachael Yamagata, Rickie Lee Jones, Andrew Bird, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Juana Molina, Peggy Seeger, Tom Paxton, James McMurtry, Missy Higgins, Ollabelle, Pedro the Lion, Denison Witmer, Dayna Kurtz, Kelley McRae, Amy Correia, Sonya Kitchell, Serena Ryder, Steve Forbert, Mark Geary, Phil Roy, Peter Mulvey, Kris Delmhorst, Freedy Johnston, Jeffrey Gaines, the Hooters, and festivals with Steve Earle, Judy Collins, Jeff Tweedy, Aimee Mann, Rufus Wainwright, Mavis Staples, and Arlo Guthrie.
CLICK ON EITHER ALBUM COVER TO PURCHASE ON iTUNES
"Madman genius songwriter full of heart"
-Sue Devine, Head of TV/Film, ASCAP NY
"It's moments like this when his voice rings clear as a bell that you can hear the political sentiments of an artist whose live shows are just as often a rock and roll Molotov cocktail of vices and verses as they can be quietly transfixing."
-Tara Murtha, PLAY Magazine
Vivid songwriting and passionate voice brings a mystical quality to his songs"
-Erik Deathridge, WTMD (Baltimore) Host
"With impassioned vocals and intelligent lyrics in the vein of Jeff Buckley, John Francis is set for success. His disturbing storybook lyrics of reality are reminiscent of Johnny Cash, but songwriting weaved with catchy hooks and other pop delicacies maintain an air of musical charm. His most recent release, Strong Wine and Spirits (2005), offers innovation and prophecy in the form of many melded genres - it's a gripping tale of a record, to be sure."
-Helen Leicht, WXPN Host
"John's carefully crafted songwriting works so well with his mellow delivery. He's twice as talented as most performers."
-Gene Shay/WXPN Radio
"John Francis and his band have raised the bar"
-Philadelphia Music Alliance
"Artful, brooding,(think Damien Rice, David Gray), Francis paints rich, atmospheric portraits of a troubling world in songs like 'Johnny Cash is Dead' and 'Love in the Fallout Shelter". John Francis serves up 'Strong Wine & Spirits and I say make it a double."
-Jonathan Takiff, Philly.com
"Think Johnny Cash meets Jeff Buckley"
-Appel Farm Festival Program
"Insight and depth far beyond his years. Whether singing about a passionate love affair or social injustice, there is a heartfelt sincerity in his music"
-Phil Nicolo, President of Philadelphia Chapter of the Grammys
"Sharp pop style, intense folk/country sensibility"
-Philadelphia Inquirer
"I started playing John Francis' song 'Mercy for Cities' - Intelligent lyrics and a voice that reminds me of Jeff Buckley."
-Helen Leicht, Host,88.5 WXPN
"...wide range of musical and literary influences, and a voice compared to the late Jeff Buckley and U2's Bono."
-The Metro, Philadelphia
""...whether he's finding the grace in ordinary moments, or sharing his perspective on the struggles of the day, John Francis makes music that captures life in all its minutia and majesty."
-The Intelligencer, Naila Francis
"Inspired lyricist, John Francis shone with his elegant fluid voice, a trilling soprano that on 'Trouble in These Times' soared like Antony"
-A.D. Amarosi, Philadelphia Inquirer, Concert Review of World Cafe Live Show, John Francis & Denison Witmer. 1/6/06
"...Johnny Cash is Dead" followed by "Dear Ophelia,"...warm melodic tone with an almost nostalgic feel tempered with quick bursts of hard strumming. With the playing, one couldn't help notice his amazing voice that was able to reach the high notes and hold them. His talent for song writing came through." -----
-The Swinging Bridge Review of Concert in late November, 05
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Hey John~the Steel City show was a real treat.i honestly could not tell you were sick until you mentioned it.Your music encompasses so much that it would stretch the power of words if I were to try to tell you just how much I am inspired by not only your lyrics and music, but the way you deliver the words so effortlessly and clearly. Much appreciated. good luck with the move (yeeeeeeeeehaw). see you when you come back for a 'home' show. Feel better~ Lisa
Hi John, will be thinking of y'all down in Nashville while we're at PFS's Spring Thing - I'll be doing the Country Music workshop this weekend - best Chuck
mr.john this has been the first chance i've had to hear your tracks i got fast net in my hotel room, yey :). bloody deadly man they sound great ya must be buzzed? i was buzzed with mine when they were done. anyway congrats man. wk
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