John Compton

Originally from the rural yet pastoral expanses of Chesterfield, Missouri John began his musical education around age 15. Surrounded by an older brother and friends who were avid music listeners, John was first exposed to the classic riffs of blues and funk through the relatively new medium of Hip-Hop. He later switched his attentions to Classic rock and folk, forming an immediate bond with the messages of both; independence from conformity, creativity, and originality - all tightly woven together to create an impact on the listener.

At age 15, John's first instrument was a $5 harmonica. He practiced often and soon was playing "talking blues" at neighborhood parties. By 18, John had become recognized as "that kid who plays the harmonica" and received a standing ovation at his high-school talent show, with "Cats Pajamas".

John received his first guitar (nicked-named Huckle from the "Richard Scary cat character head stuck on the end-pin) for Christmas of 1993. While at the University of Missouri-Columbia, year and a half later, John was asked to join the band "Sauce". A power trio blending John's classic rock guitar playing with Primus-like bass and Rush/311-like percussion, Sauce's sound was powerful, raw, and always way too loud. Sauce self-released two albums, did small tours in Missouri, and even had t-shirts. They disbanded in 1998, shortly before John's college graduation.

It would be three long years of silence before John finally moved out West to San Diego, and revived his passion for live performance. Joining together with longtime friend Worthington Foster, John began writing songs for the duo and experimenting with singing for the first time. The band would go on to be called "Compton Foster" and play several small clubs around San Diego, including the Belly Up. Compton Foster was also recognized by the Coast News with a half page article in 2002. Compton Foster recorded two albums; "West of the Five", an all acoustic "live" album and "Survive" a studio endeavor. Four copies of "West of the 5" were bought from Lou's records. Songs from "Survive" were featured in Ashley Carney-Davis' women's surfing documentary "Sol Sirens" which premiered at the La Paloma theater in Encinitas, CA. Both albums were self-released and saw little reproduction.

Shortly after the release of their second album, Compton Foster disbanded and John went on to persue a solo career. Taking a drummer and bassist into the studio, John quickly recorded a few "new" compositions and several Compton Foster pieces, then created a new album titled, "Another Beautiful Day" in 2004. Never formally released, a few tracks from the album have surfaced intermittently. "The Fool" and "Jenny", featured here are examples from those sessions. - Coast News, North County San Diego