I like solo performances where I can softly play guitar and sing. However, I'm most often at my best when I perform duets with Fiddlin Phil Swaby.
Influences
Pete Seeger, Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan, Muddy Waters, Judy Collins, Kate Wolf, Bonnie Rait, Johhny Cash, Willie Nelson, Michelle Shocked, Buzzy Linhart, B-Real, 311, Dead Boys, Dead Kennedys, Bob Marley.
Sounds Like
(Freeform American Roots) Stripped down blend with styles and arrangements of Blues, Grass, Folk and Rock that have been heavily influenced by early american music.
Johnny Bonneville
“The Traveling Man”, “The Storyteller”, The Entertainer”, "The Busker"; Johnny Bonneville has had more than 25 years of experience doing almost every job you could think of in music. So it shouldn’t surprise anyone that an entertainer inside him yearns to sing. He started out as a punk rocker and political activist years ago before writing his first songs for “The Burning Spirit” (circa 1990’s). Then Johnny turned thirty and decided to trade his job and college for a nomadic journey across the United States. Eventually he settled down in Berkeley California and became a street performer / open mike musician. Besides playing music and travel, Mother Nature has always been one thing Johnny keeps close to heart, many of his songs reflect upon this theme.
Fiddlin’ Phil Swaby
Phil goes to another universe when he plays violin, and if your lucky he’ll take you with him. Just listen to him once and you’ll understand why fellow musicians love to jam with “Fiddlin’ Phil”. Beginning with his first Kennedy Center performance in 1968 Phil’s talent as a musician has always been easily noticed. Today his reputation has become well known as a unique performer of live improvisational Violin and Mandolin.
The Duet Perform
My partner and I are a Guitar And Violin Duet. But don't be fooled we rock with the hardest. Our performances and recordings blend a tasty gumbo of traditional styles and musical ideas recognized as “Freeform Roots”. It began at a dinner party several years ago when I pulled out a classical guitar and asked Phil how to compose a recently collected American folklore arrangement. The energy and ideas soon became lucrative when we began to perform weekly and write original songs. After more than a year of weekly gigs, the duet decided to make a studio recording of the music they had been performing.
This would take more than a year of mixing and mastering before a 12 song CD titled “Songs About Devils, Farms, and Trains" was self-published. Meanwhile Phil compiled seven tracks from the scratch recordings at local performances and released a novelty CD of B-sides called “Live At The Grog & Tankard”.
During 2005 Johnny and Phil produced the duets’ next two CD’s for Reignite-it Records. This time they put together a compilation recordings with local bands they had been working with and called it, “Reignite-it!” While doing this Phil also pulled together material for a fantastic companion CD titled “G-13 & Fiddlin’ Phil Swaby Live At The 2004 Smoke-In” which has not been released.
Other projects include the release of their first DVD in 2006, “A Tribute To Huddie Leadbetter (Leadbelly)”. This 22-Minute DVD captures Johnny & Phil’s historically true folktale of the legendary Louisiana convict, Huddie Leadbetter, who gained his freedom and became a national treasure thanks to one man, named Allen Lomax.
Currently the duet are performing a new collection of songs titled, “TROUBLE DON’T SPELL THE BLUES” at small venues. They hope these performances will lead to a full length recording later on.
Johnny and Phil are looking forward to performing at your venue or event this year. “Our goals are pretty simple right now.” explained Phil, “Promote our recordings, perform regionally and build a fan base by making people happy through music.
Johnny Bonneville & Fiddlin’ Phil Swaby On Line Recourses
Sound Clips:
www.cdbaby.com/cd/jbps
Official Home Page:
www.geocities.com/johnnybonneville
Myspace Home Page / Pictures and Video Clips:
www.myspace.com/johnnybonneville
For booking info and press interviews call 202-286-5586
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Johnny Bonneville warms up at Dancin Alien Studios before recording for his new album.
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After you've finished here, you may like to hear this folk-carol on myspace... Poem 230 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (see my blog for details): CHRISTMAS SUNG SIMPLY
As gospellers have said, Beneath signalling skies, On land dusty to tread, A trough in a stable Was the strawy first-bed Of a divine baby - The forgiving Godhead.
A season for new hope - There then and here now; The yuletide of goodwill - There then and here now.
In respect of this chance, Beneath bright or dark skies, Faith's the star that we glance Attending Christ's churches And trying to enhance, With singing and ritual, Our God-loving stance.
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem 162 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (please see my blog): TEES TO TYNE: FIRST IMPRESSIONS - SUMMER 2001
Where traditions are not so rare; Sea, country and works scent the air; A multitude of monuments, Planted tubs and patterned pavements.
The longish pedestrian malls; The remnants of defensive walls; Historic buildings are a gauge Of the respect for heritage.
Wheat, rape and pines in the fields; Estuaries guarded by shields; Long sandy beaches and wide scenes; Romantic-ruin go-betweens.
Rivers in parts licked by trees, Or fringed by boat clubs, wharfs, gantries, And crossed by practical delights - Varied spans, forming pleasing sights.
Fine churches headed at Durham; Football kits ad infinitum; Kept castles - one for study; Masonry behind masonry.
And, with moulding-works out that way, It’s somewhere for a longer stay..?
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem 2 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (please see my blog): WALKABOUT WITH MY PEN
Once drove an old sedan, up north, From a place in Sydney to Cairns; Then to Kuranda I went forth, By train, to look without set plans.
I browsed through the trendy market, With fresh fruits of tropical kind; Walked to the creek through lush thicket - Nature’s hand giving peace of mind.
I dined in a scenic cafe; Then, outside, as I wrote for yen, Some passing Kooris called-out: “Hey, You go walkabout with your pen.”
Request or question, I don’t know - Assured voices, elderly men. That’s now several years ago, And I’ve seen the world - with my pen.
As gospellers have said, Beneath signalling skies, On land dusty to tread, A trough in a stable Was the strawy first-bed Of a divine baby - The forgiving Godhead.
A season for new hope - There then and here now; The yuletide of goodwill - There then and here now.
In respect of this chance, Beneath bright or dark skies, Faith’s the star that we glance Attending Christ’s churches And trying to enhance, With singing and ritual, Our God-loving stance.
