Whenever you read or hear about the music of Johnsmith, certain watchwords always come up, regardless of the source. Words like uplifting, or integrity, heart, or soul. His songs and voice go straight to the heart, because that’s where they come from.
John was born into a rural eastern Iowa, large Irish Catholic family of ten kids. Pursuing a life of music has led him far from his small town roots. After a short college stint in southern California, a couple years on an organic hippie farm in Iowa, and a few years in Colorado, he now resides along the upper Mississippi in western Wisconsin.
Over two decades of performing festivals, concert halls, coffeehouses, colleges, and house concerts, along with a half dozen acclaimed CDs, Johnsmith has built a solid fan base in the US and abroad.
After a few inspiring solo tours to Ireland, John now leads tours to the Emerald Isle a few times a year bringing small groups of fans and friends touring castles and fishing villages by day, and sharing music with the locals in pubs by night.
He’s a past winner of the New Folk competition at the Kerrville Folk Festival, and has taught songwriting there, as well as the Swannanoa Gathering, the Rocky Mountain Folks Festival, and the Big Sur CA Esalen Institute. He was recently featured on the elite “New Dimensions” program on NPR.
“Break Me Open” his most recent CD, features some of the finest players in acoustic music today: Darrell Scott, Tim O’Brien, Stuart Duncan, Byron House, Kenny Malone, Andrea Zonn, former ‘Runaway’ duo partner Dan Sebranek, native American chants and flute cameos by Bill Miller, and harmony vocals by Suzi Ragsdale, Sally Barris, and John’s daughter Elisi Smith-Waller.
This CD portrays John’s earthy brand of spirituality and finds him stretching his songwriting wings expressing the harder sides of life and love. From the poetic ‘Back to the Mystery’, to the touching tribute ‘Cold, Cold Ground’, to the honest ’Messy Thing’. The disc also includes masterful covers written by friends Darrell Scott (“Love’s Not Through With Me Yet”) and L.J. Booth (“Box Elder”).
Johnsmith has walked down the roads that made him whole, and when he brings that onstage, he connects with folks. He calls himself a blue collar songwriter, banging out his tunes along the back roads one show at a time.
Someone’s voice is not just an instrument; it’s more like the sound of their soul. It’s a connection thing that moves us. As a solo performer Johnsmith totally opens up and bares his genuine self on stage. Night after night, CD after CD, he brings it all on full heart. Fellow songwriter Buddy Mondlock best sums it up:
" I feel like every time one of Johnsmith’s songs gets heard a little healing happens to the world."
John Thanks for the add..Good to hear from u.. Again congrats on the new CD and hope you come back to De Witt and put on another show.. Looking forward to it.. I am attaching a picture of these 2 hot chicks I think you might know... God Bless. Hope to see you soon.
Ciao,Johnsmith Thank you for the add and the friendship. you are very good, I like your stupendous music a lot,and stupendous voice. compliments ..really. you are one of my prefeitis I feel great admiration for you, talk to you soon, and all of my best wishes to always listen to your good music. all the best.. from italy..and good week end neal
Hi Johnsmith, I'm just stopping in for a very long overdue visit and serious listen. I love your music!! I do hope our paths cross somewhere, sometime. I'll bet you've got some great stories!! Your songs are just amazing!!!! Beautiful, deep and real.
Hi John, Just sending good thoughts your way for a very happy Thanksgiving holiday. I hope you were able to get together with the whole family. JP came home from school and will try his best to fill up on Mexican food before heading back to Cleveland on Saturday. So, TX this Spring? See you then. Hugs, Janet
Dear John, Just wanted you to know that I applied the lessons you taught me at Esalen. I was fighting a cold before my last show, but I carried on. My throat was coated with slippery elm bark tea; I connected with the audience by delivering the songs with eye contact; and I collaborated with Annie playing fiddle and singing harmonies. It was exhilarating!! Thank you sharing your wisdom about being a songwriting trobadour. Happy Thanksgiving. xxoo, Sweet Joyce Ann
It was so great to hear you again at Great River Fest on Sunday. You sounded the best you ever have. Thanks so much for the songs. You've been such an inspiration to me. Cheers, Tony
