John M.
North Hollywood, CA | Established. Jan 01, 1997 | SELF
Music
Press
No Overdubs!
"Brilliant! No Overdubs by John M is a masterpiece. A delightfully refreshing departure from the mainstream production style, it’s recorded live and features songs from two concerts. The songs are touching, fun and thought-provoking. The vocals are purely melodic and mesmerizing. It is music in its purest form. The only instruments are John’s guitar and his voice. It’s wonderful to hear pure music in this age of digital deception. It’s like having a concert in your car or home or wherever the CD is played. “In Jesus’ Name” is a dramatic and poignant song about what people do in the name of Jesus. The music and the words combine to completely captivate the listener with a swampy Rock vibe. “School Bus Blues” is a fun song about a rocker with a one-track mind and a set mission to become famous.. John draws his audience in by incorporating a sing-along audience participation part into the song on the phrase, “Hey Lawdy Lawdy Na Na Na.” “Coulda Had You” is a deeply emotional love song about regrets and lost love.with heartwrenching lyrics and engaging vocals. “My Mother in Me” is a wonderful tribute to his mother. It’s an amazing song featuring Gina Venturini on background vocals. It’s a storyteller song about all things his mother taught him and all the things he inherited in his personality from her and how she instilled values and taught him to love music. This album is a joy and a delight. Five Stars!
Michelle Williams, Independent music journalist. - Michelle Williams.
No Overdubs!
"Brilliant! No Overdubs by John M is a masterpiece. A delightfully refreshing departure from the mainstream production style, it’s recorded live and features songs from two concerts. The songs are touching, fun and thought-provoking. The vocals are purely melodic and mesmerizing. It is music in its purest form. The only instruments are John’s guitar and his voice. It’s wonderful to hear pure music in this age of digital deception. It’s like having a concert in your car or home or wherever the CD is played. “In Jesus’ Name” is a dramatic and poignant song about what people do in the name of Jesus. The music and the words combine to completely captivate the listener with a swampy Rock vibe. “School Bus Blues” is a fun song about a rocker with a one-track mind and a set mission to become famous.. John draws his audience in by incorporating a sing-along audience participation part into the song on the phrase, “Hey Lawdy Lawdy Na Na Na.” “Coulda Had You” is a deeply emotional love song about regrets and lost love.with heartwrenching lyrics and engaging vocals. “My Mother in Me” is a wonderful tribute to his mother. It’s an amazing song featuring Gina Venturini on background vocals. It’s a storyteller song about all things his mother taught him and all the things he inherited in his personality from her and how she instilled values and taught him to love music. This album is a joy and a delight. Five Stars!
Michelle Williams, Independent music journalist. - Michelle Williams.
I like the positive messages his songs portray, which is something I believe we need to hear in today's music. John Weaves a great story with his songs, managing to pull the listener in even though it lasts only a few brief minutes. - Vernell Hackett
I like the positive messages his songs portray, which is something I believe we need to hear in today's music. John Weaves a great story with his songs, managing to pull the listener in even though it lasts only a few brief minutes. - Vernell Hackett
John M has proven time and time again that he is, indeed, a legend. His song do more than just give words flight, they are magical sculptures that allow our subconscious to dream and fantasize. John's music is living proof of Divine inspiration. - Janet Best
John M has proven time and time again that he is, indeed, a legend. His song do more than just give words flight, they are magical sculptures that allow our subconscious to dream and fantasize. John's music is living proof of Divine inspiration. - Janet Best
Performing Songwriter Magazine
Another insightful documentary that I came across this year is House Concerts: The Home Invasion Tour, from M-Pire Films. The film, some five years in the making, follows intrepid indie musician John M and his partner Penni Merrick on a two-month road tour of house concerts from New England to California. It’s a no-holds-barred, naked look at the house concert phenomenon in all its facets, both positive and not-so-positive. Some of the more humorous (and at the same time, sobering) scenes include real-life experiences to which all touring musicians can relate: trying to be gracious with an obsessed fan who feels compelled to critique a performance immediately after it ends; dealing with sweltering heat and humidity while performing; trying to find a hotel room in the middle of nowhere at 2 AM; counting CD and video sales (or no CD and video sales; depending on the show); not being able to remember what town or day of the week it is; netting only $12 from several gigs after expenses; and playing a gig in a hair salon while trying to compete with an incessantly ringing doorbell, a screaming child and bad acoustics. The film also presents the house concert phenomenon from the audiences’ and presenters’ perspectives, with lots of interviews with hosts and fans. Also included are musical performances by several artists and discussions about the stories behind the songs. House Concerts: The Home Invasion Tour provides a thorough, thoughtful treatment of the milieu for anyone considering playing at, hosting or attending house concerts.
Price: $19.99. More at www.filmbaby.com and www.johnm.com. Fett.
- Performing Songwriter Magazine
John M, No Overdubs! (M-Pire Records)
John M is one of those people who got lost in Nashville’s music scene, moved to Los Angeles and found a place for his music. He’s a rock ‘n roller who is first and foremost a great songwriter. On this CD he continues to stay true to his heart, penning songs that hit you with depth, humor and an insight into each of us as human beings. He also elected to do an acoustic album, but that doesn’t mean that the energy isn’t there. Performances highlight his vocals, musicianship and songwriting. Among my favorite cuts on the album are “My Mother In Me,” a grand tribute to his mother and her influences on him, and “Music Rowbots,” his perception of some of the people he encountered while living in Nashville. Other good listens are “The Eyes Of A Child” and “White Lines & Highway Signs.” – Vernell Hackett
- American Songwriter Magazine
Discography
"NO OVERDUBS!" John M music in it's purest form. Just guitar & vocals, and all recorded live. "It made me laugh and cry." - Karen Angela Moore, producer, songwriter, and independent music journalist.
"Still Here" - Contains John's 2 most popular songs, "My Mother In Me," and, "That's What Christmas Is To Me." This record had five songs simultaneously receiving radio airplay in over 20 markets around the country.
"Part Of The Game" This is John's edgier, more electric, rock record. Includes, "Auf-Weidersehen," and "Not This Time." Also includes 2 of John's best acoustic ballads, "If You Ever See Me Cry," and, "Craziest Things."
"THat's What Christmas Is To Me." EP. This record has received airplay every Christmas since it's release in '94. Also includes John's own arrangement of, "Little Drummer Boy."
VIDEO, "That's What Christmas Is To Me" on DVD.
This is THE video that has been seen in numerous cable TV markets throughout the country. People have been requesting it's release for years. Here it is.
MOVIE: "HOUSE CONCERTS, (The Home Invasion Tour.)" John produced and stars in this feature length documentary on HOUSE CONCERTS. The film follows John and his girlfriend Penni as they travel from New Hampshire to L.A, doing acoustic concerts in people's living rooms, mostly for first time hosts. Includes breathtaking scenery from around the country, a realistic look at life on the road, and musical performances by Shake Russell & Dana Cooper, Kat Eggleston, Ann Zimmerman, as well as John M.
CURRENT CD: Most recent release: "Songs I Wish I'd Written." John's own take on some of his, (and our) favorite cover songs. Includes songs by Jackson Browne, Paul Simon, Bob Seger, Richard Thompson, The Who, and many others.
Photos
Bio
ABOUT JOHN M:
A 40 year veteran of the music business, this NYC born, CT raised and California based award winning singer/songwriter has done it all! He has self-produced SIX albums, numerous music videos, and a MOVIE about house concerts!
Has performed at: The Bluebird Cafe, (Nashville,) Eddie's Attic, (Atlanta,) Genghis Cohen, Coffee Gallery Backstage, and Russ & Julie's House Concerts, (Los Angeles) among many other places.
"TERRIFIC! He makes the songs come alive... a pleasure to work with. He arrives early, stays late and always holds an audience. He has a presence that people will remember!"
Donald Ivanhoff - Program Director, Univ. of Bridgeport.
"Spirited vocals and muscular guitar work that brings a rocker's passion and energy to the whole singer/songwriter thing. Try to imagine the long lost love child of Jackson Browne and Pete Townshend of The Who, and you're almost there..."
Kevin Burton Smith, Music booker, Butler’s Coffee, Palmdale, CA.
JOHN M RELEASES SIXTH CD! "M-VI"
This collection of 11 new original recordings was already generating excitement even before its official release! The album contains several fan favorites from live performances including "I Believe In America," "Finishing Line," "She Don't Live Here Anymore," and "O.Y.O." plus a new updated re-recording of John's most requested song, "My Mother In Me." This album has spent SIX MONTHS comfortably in the top 15 on the ROOTS MUSIC REPORTS charts. “M-VI” rose to number 3 on the top 50 pop/rock album chart, and has had FIVE SONGS SIMULTANEOUSLY in the top 10, at numbers 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8.
His LIVE recording, “No Overdubs!” is also a fan favorite. Said one reviewer: “He holds the listener captive from beginning to end. He can be a hard hitting rock god in one moment, then slide into a gentle soothing ballad with ease the next. Brilliant!”Shashona McCall, Indie-Showcase / Awesome Radio.
Performance credits include venues in nearly all 50 states from coffeehouses and House Concerts to colleges and festivals, concerts, radio and television. He has fronted a number of bands, but is equally comfortable with just his two acoustic guitars, (12 string and 6 string) and his voice. Either way, he has a captivating and riveting stage presence.
Fans and critics agree, his SONGS, and his “straight-from-the-heart” emotion and feeling are what truly distinguishes him. Here’s what people are saying about John M:
“He is first and foremost a great songwriter! Something we need to hear in today’s music!” Vernell Hackett, American Songwriter Magazine.
"I'm talking music that's bursting with heart, soul, passion and brains and guts. He brings a rocker's passion and energy to the whole singer/songwriter thing. Try to imagine the long lost love child of Jackson Browne and Pete Townshend of The Who, and you're almost there...” Kevin Burton-Smith, Music director – Butlers Coffee, Palmdale, CA.
Band Members
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