John Sonntag (solo) Band: John Sonntag and The Tall Tones

Artist Information

Biography

John Sonntag has come a long way — from rust-belt roots to the industrial monuments and indie-music hotbeds of Hoboken, New Jersey to points all along the folk, rock and outdoor festival circuit. And the singer-songwriter has gone far — from valued session player and onstage sideman to sought-after producer and prized solo performer with hits-in-the-making and a gold-record voice.

Movement is what defines John Sonntag; the assured pulse and groove of his agile masterly guitar and the journeys he takes through his characters’ lives — and his audiences’ hearts. The breeze and bite of his warm, bell-like voice, which rises to sweet flights and descends to gritty sidetracks, and the high spirit and humanity of his compelling stories, from hopeful starts to dead ends and second chances, transport an ever-growing group of admirers on journeys of their own.

From the dashboard soundtrack of “Radio Song” to the small-town escape act of “It Feels Right” to the separate worlds of “Time Can Make Us Strangers” and the joyful jam mantra of “Too Much of a Good Thing,” Sonntag knows the American mythology of the beckoning, endless road, and thinks it over with an uncommonly sharp and sympathetic eye for what’s on the horizon and what gets left behind.

Sometimes you go the farthest by staying put, and Sonntag’s mind never stops moving, with even newer songs like the anthem to the small world of a child’s neighborhood “WIFFLE® Ball” getting the crowds cheering in the stands — a hit for all ages, with an insistent tune you can’t get out of your head and gentle lessons for the joys of everyone joining in.

“The songs we believed, tuned in to you and me” is how another one goes, and Sonntag makes instant followers of those who pick up the irresistible melodies he’s heard in his head. A natural talent with a harvest of gifts to share, he’s the traveling troubadour of music-fair and phone-screen, cafe and pub, taking you places and always ready for another, new run.

You’ll see him in your town one day and never look back from the road that leads him to you.


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Instrumentation

Mike Lorincz - Guitar
Brandon Kurzawa - Drums
Mark Nixdorf - Bass

Discography

Chasing Stars: 2006
One More Midnight: 1997

COMPILATIONS:

*Jane's Joint NERFA 2012 Songwriting Competition
Song: Radio Song

*Black Potatoe 10th Annual Music Fest.(2006):
Song: Chasing Stars

*First Mayday Art and Music Fest.(2004):
Song: Hey Lou

*Fast Folk Magazine(FF701, Vol. 7, No. 1. April1993):
Song: Daddy Turned Grey

Recent Sirius/XM Radio play:
Chasing Stars
Count To Ten

Spotify:
All I Want To Do Is Dance

Airlines are playing "Chasing Stars" and "Count To Ten"

Official Website

http://www.johnsonntag.com

Links

• Facebook
• MySpace

Audio

• Wiffle Ball
  Listen  
• Radio Song
  Listen  
• Chasing Stars
  Listen  
• One More Midnight
  Listen  
• Count To Ten
  Listen  
• North
  Listen  
• Hey Lou
  Listen  
• All I Want To Do Is Dance
  Listen  
• Hiding Behind Headlights
  Listen  

Lyrics

• Every Day I get Up

Video

Every Day I Get Up Live April 2013.mpeg

Wiffle Ball Live April 2013.mpeg

Photo Gallery

Press

• Superior Songcraft and Crisp Production [+ Show ]
  

  John Sonntag's dreamy folk music on Chasing Stars results in pretty, melancholy melodies ("Count to ...John Sonntag's dreamy folk music on Chasing Stars results in pretty, melancholy melodies ("Count to Ten") and breezy folk-pop punctuated by slide guitar ("Waitin on Time"). Whether showing influences from country or rock, the superior songcraft and crisp production of Stars allows every rootsy beat, pluck and pick to resonate.

• Poetic Imagery, Melodic Dexterity [+ Show ]
  

  It's been awhile since John knocked our socks off with the title track to One More Midnight. With a ...It's been awhile since John knocked our socks off with the title track to One More Midnight. With a voice and delivery as smooth as glass, he manages to weave a mood cloak on each track. The results can be haunting... The combination of poetic imagery, melodic dexterity and vocal wizardry make this CD a great catch.

• Top Ten Releases by NJ Artists
  

  John Sonntag’s, "Chasing Stars" is #4 on Bob Makin's top 10 releases by New Jersey artists!

• Sonntag Shines [+ Show ]
  

  ...A mix of the mellow, melodic voice of James Taylor, the meaty slices of life of John Gorka and th......A mix of the mellow, melodic voice of James Taylor, the meaty slices of life of John Gorka and the exceptional guitar playing of John Mayer, Sonntag is an extremely talented contributor to Central Jersey's plentiful stable of singer-songwriters.

• Wow, what a killer CD! [+ Show ]
  

  As a DJ for a progressive Community radio station, I get sent a lot of solicited and unsolicited mus...As a DJ for a progressive Community radio station, I get sent a lot of solicited and unsolicited music and my heartfelt appreciation goes out to every musician who's poured their heart and soul into their craft. Fortunately some of this music, like John Sonntag's "Chasing Stars", is head and shoulders above the rest. Wow, what a killer CD!
  
  --Mark Ostrov, DJ KVMR-FM Navada City, CA

• Chasing Stars is Crisp and Clean [+ Show ]
  

  I’ve been listening to John Sonntag’s Chasing Stars for a couple of weeks now, and this disc has su... I’ve been listening to John Sonntag’s Chasing Stars for a couple of weeks now, and this disc has sure grown on me. It took me a few listens, each time finding another nifty instrumental touch or lyrical twist... Chasing Stars is crisp and clean, like a late fall afternoon. It’s well worth a listen ...
  
  --Chip Withrow

• Chasing Stars: What folks are sayin' [+ Show ]
  

  A pinch of Jackson Browne and a sliver of Joni Mitchell with the essence of Hoboken and an original ...A pinch of Jackson Browne and a sliver of Joni Mitchell with the essence of Hoboken and an original fully rich life of living and music and music and living are what make this album a really enjoyable listening experience.
  www.skuller.com

• Chasing Stars: What Some Folks Are Saying [+ Show ]
  

  Every song opens up with a beautiful sound that makes you want to listen for what's coming. . . . I...Every song opens up with a beautiful sound that makes you want to listen for what's coming.
  . . . I liked the whole thing.
  

• John Sonntag, One More Midnight (CD11) [+ Show ]
  

  By Roy Abrams During the opening seconds of this disc, I thought David Crosby was trying to pull ...By Roy Abrams
  
  During the opening seconds of this disc, I thought David Crosby was trying to pull a fast one, putting out a folk/pop album under a pseudonym. Sonntag's vocals are uncannily similar to Crosby's; a clear tenor with a Zen-smooth delivery. Thoughtfulness played an integral role throughout this album, from the core element of Sonntag's writing to the execution, arrangement, and recording of the tracks themselves. Sonntag's gonna turn lots of new ears in his direction with this one.

• John Sonntag “One More Midnight” [+ Show ]
  

  Tom “Tearaway” Schulte John Sonntag is a singer-songwriter worthy of imitation and attention. t...Tom “Tearaway” Schulte
  
  
  John Sonntag is a singer-songwriter worthy of imitation and attention. the songs are strong musically and lyrically. They bear well under repeated listening and exude layers of meaning. As his name implies for me, “Sonntag” offers Sunday music‹music for relaxation, recuperation and preparation.

Setlist

Performing songs from his two cds "Chasing Stars" and "One More Midnight" Plus performing new tunes to be released 2013. Sometimes throwing in a cover or two:

New Songs:

Wiffle Ball
Radio Song
Everyday I Get Up
It Feels Right
Too Much Of A Good Thing
Time Can Make Us Strangers
Unpainted Road

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From Chasing Stars:
Waintin' on Time
One Whole Day
Chasing Stars
Count To Ten
Hey Lou
North
Full Moon In Her Eyes
Black Suit
Buster In The Back Yard
Four Blocks Over
Night After Night
I'm On The East Side
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One More Midnght
Since My Baby's Gone Away
All I Want To Do Is Dance
Statue Of Liberty
Love Forever Reaching
Daddy Turned Grey
New Paradise
Hiding Behind Headlights
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Covers:

I'll Give It To You (Jim Mastro)
The Lucky One (Freedy Johnston)
Love Is A Rose (Neil Young)
Windfall (Son Volt)
Give Me Love (George Harrison)
Here Comes The Sun (George Harrison)
On The Way Home (Neil Young)
California Stars (Wilco)

Basic Requirements

Calendar