John Austin
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John Austin

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"Shinbone Focus: John Austin Band"

(SC) Focus Band: John Austin Band

John Austin Band
Photo By: submitted
By Scott Griffiths
Shinbone Editor
While the John Austin Band namesake of Huntingdon Valley, has only been circulating the past year, it is no stranger to the music scene. This seasoned group of veteran musicians tread onward, adding more milestones to their personal histories.

The life of their blending sounds of Americana, country, blues and classic rock seems to breathe through the talent of the 25-plus years of experience each of the members has attained.

They are led by vocalist, guitarist, harpist and songwriter John Austin. In addition, the band consists of Gary Baumeister, six-string bass and harmony vocals; Jim Callan, pedal steel guitar and harmony vocals and Paul De Stefano, drums and harmony vocals.

In the vein of music that they bleed, Austin feels their sound is received well in their region.

�It�s really going well. My feeling is that we have one of the best sounds in the local bar scene and we are looking to expand into other regions. All of us have been playing in various bands for over 25 years, and we have found a really good mix together.�

Things have been going well; however, Austin feels that the music scene, could use some more media exposure in the southcentral region. When asked if there was anything that could be done to help music as a whole, Austin responded, �More Spotlight showcases, bringing emerging artists out to the public eye. Definitely some more media coverage.�

Currently to help promote themselves, they have a brand new MySpace page at http://www.myspace.com/johnaustinmusic and you can also find out more about John Austin at http://www.johnaustinmusic.com. In addition, he has a Sonicbids presskit that he can send out electronically to interested venues, radio stations and other music outlets.

The John Austin Band has a relatively brand new demo CD that they use to market themselves. �It�s basically my gig-getting CD. It�s got the classic covers and all the bar favorites on it.� It is also available to their fans for $5.

After giving some time for thought to who he would like to share the stage with, having the choice of anyone, Austin replied, �There�s so many of them. What comes to mind for me is Neil Young. He has been one of my idols. You know, it�s typical � him, (Bob) Dylan and (Eric) Clapton. But there�s a lot of other guys that seem to be at least a little more realistic that I would love to hook up with, like Greg Brown and Steve Earle.�

Whether he ever gets that shot or not, one thing is for certain, you can expect a lot more great music from the John Austin Band in the time to come.
- Shinbone Magazine


Discography

1 full solo cd to date: "Harder When You Run" released locally in 2000, and on the web in 2004.
available through : www.johnaustinmusic.com, and through cdbaby.com........all tracks available through streaming and digital download with 36 companies , through cdbaby.com.

Photos

Bio

John picked up his first guitar at fourteen, and taught himself to play by listening to records. In his youth he played with many different bands: Euphoria, Boys in the Basement and Fate's Creation. With a group called Ammo, he began to gain some barroom experience (around 250 gigs' worth!). He was then recruited by another band named the Struts. He performed well over 200 gigs as their front man and lead singer. This was only the beginning.

Not long after the Struts split up, John found himself in rehabilitation for alcoholism. After a couple of years of laying a good, solid, sober foundation, John formed a new group called Austin Roots. Singing tight harmonies over well tuned guitars, the group performed original tunes and covered artists such as Bonnie Raitt and John Gorka. The group quickly became a local favorite at Common Ground and other coffee houses, bars, and restaurants in the Philadelphia area.

Around 1996, John moved away from Austin Roots to perform on his own. His song "More Pavement Please" appeared on a compilation (Enviroaid) alongside songs by Kathy Sledge (Sister Sledge) and Rik Emmet (Triumph), and received airplay on WXPN 88.5 FM. He has since played hundreds of solo gigs, performing his growing collection of original tunes as well as material by artists such as Eric Clapton and Neil Young. John has also performed with Foxfire, Fran Lynch, Gary Baumeister, Michelle More, Bar Scott, Sonny Boy Jim, Jim Simpson, Ben Arnold, Joseph Parsons, Beth Williams, Annie Baureline, and Jonathan & Anne Rose.

In 2000 John celebrated the release of his first CD entitled "Harder When You Run." It's version of "More Pavement Please" was picked by WXPN's Helen Leicht to be aired on her "Philly Local" segment. The album has also received airplay on Lehigh Valley's WXLV as well as several other area radio stations.

John continues to gig, write, and sell CDs along the way. Look for the release of his second CD in 2005.