John Hamlin

By: Laura Agee
Staff Writer

The release of his second CD, "A Classical Christmas," came just in time to be stuffed into Christmas Stockings. And for John Hamlin it was a chance to see just how determination, drive and persistence have paid off.
Ever since he was five years old, is when he began dragging his mothers guitar around the house and strumming it, Hamlin knew what he wanted to do in life. Already influenced by his mothers career as a professional artist, his love of music and desire to be a musician was natural for him.
"By the time I was eight, I was taking lessons," Hamlin said. "And that was when I really got intersted (in Music)."
Throughout high school Hamlin played in various rock bands, often playing gigs at local restuarants. But that was before he heard Edgar Cruz. "I saw Edgar play in Oklahoma City in 1983 when I was Playing guitar for rock bands in Yukon, (Okla)."
Liking Cruz's style and wanting to improve his playing, Hamlin boldly went up and asked Cruz after his performance if he was giving lessons and if he would take him as a student. Cruz did give lessons and, yes, he would take Hamlin.
"That is when things changed," Hamlin said, "Before I was just trying to get bands together, looking for members. Then things changed, I went solo and went from playing with a group to just myself playing."
Cruz became Hamlins mentor and Hamlin continued to study under Cruz and learn about the Spanish influence in guitar music.
Hamlin became serious and went on to graduate as Edgar Cruz's top student beating a roster of 200 other students for the honor. He was Cruz's only student who became a professional musician.
"He told me that I was the only student he had that went on to play professionally," Hamlin said.
"My first CD, "Solo Impressions," I was so nervous I sat in the studio for my first session and couldn't play. I was glued to the stool. I was so nervous about making a mistake. "A Classical Christmas," I was relaxed and went in and recorded the CD in three 8-hour sessions in July of 2001. "Solo Impressions" (with Five original compositions) took me four months to record," Hamlin said.
With Christmas just around the corner and performances to give, any future plans are on hold until after the holidays. But that gives Hamlin time to do what he likes best: Play Live. - Independence Daily Reporter

By: Laura Agee
Staff Writer

The release of his second CD, "A Classical Christmas," came just in time to be stuffed into Christmas Stockings. And for John Hamlin it was a chance to see just how determination, drive and persistence have paid off.
Ever since he was five years old, is when he began dragging his mothers guitar around the house and strumming it, Hamlin knew what he wanted to do in life. Already influenced by his mothers career as a professional artist, his love of music and desire to be a musician was natural for him.
"By the time I was eight, I was taking lessons," Hamlin said. "And that was when I really got intersted (in Music)."
Throughout high school Hamlin played in various rock bands, often playing gigs at local restuarants. But that was before he heard Edgar Cruz. "I saw Edgar play in Oklahoma City in 1983 when I was Playing guitar for rock bands in Yukon, (Okla)."
Liking Cruz's style and wanting to improve his playing, Hamlin boldly went up and asked Cruz after his performance if he was giving lessons and if he would take him as a student. Cruz did give lessons and, yes, he would take Hamlin.
"That is when things changed," Hamlin said, "Before I was just trying to get bands together, looking for members. Then things changed, I went solo and went from playing with a group to just myself playing."
Cruz became Hamlins mentor and Hamlin continued to study under Cruz and learn about the Spanish influence in guitar music.
Hamlin became serious and went on to graduate as Edgar Cruz's top student beating a roster of 200 other students for the honor. He was Cruz's only student who became a professional musician.
"He told me that I was the only student he had that went on to play professionally," Hamlin said.
"My first CD, "Solo Impressions," I was so nervous I sat in the studio for my first session and couldn't play. I was glued to the stool. I was so nervous about making a mistake. "A Classical Christmas," I was relaxed and went in and recorded the CD in three 8-hour sessions in July of 2001. "Solo Impressions" (with Five original compositions) took me four months to record," Hamlin said.
With Christmas just around the corner and performances to give, any future plans are on hold until after the holidays. But that gives Hamlin time to do what he likes best: Play Live. - Independence Daily Reporter

"A fine painted masterpiece with the strings of your guitar."
David Smith (Artist - Denver, CO) - Denver Artist

"A fine painted masterpiece with the strings of your guitar."
David Smith (Artist - Denver, CO) - Denver Artist

"Your guitar playing and arrangements totally put me in the Christmas Spirit. Thanks You John for a job weel done."
Steven Taylor (Solo Guitarist - Dallas, TX) - Solo Guitarist

"Your guitar playing and arrangements totally put me in the Christmas Spirit. Thanks You John for a job weel done."
Steven Taylor (Solo Guitarist - Dallas, TX) - Solo Guitarist

By: Lori K. Martin
Staff Writer, Coffeyville Journal
April 4th, 1999

John Hamlin creates his masterpieces with music.
Hamlin, currently living in Independence, and who plays solo guitar, will perform his art from noon to 1 p.m. Friday at the New Beginning Festival.
Hamlin explains the difference between the typical guitar playing and solo guitar.
"It's different because I play the entire arrangement." Hamlin said that while ordinarily a guitarist will play bass guitar, rhythm guitar, the solo guitarist takes on the full arrangement.
Hamlin refers to his style of guitar playing as "fingerstyle."
The finger-style type of playing guitar is related to Spanish music, But Hamlin plays all types of music, including jazz, pop, and flamenco.
Hamlin's career took off within the last seven years while he was still living in Oklahoma City area. During that time, he played for different businesses, including a catering company and for private parties.
Since returning to Independence, Hamlin has worked for himself as a guitar teacher in his own private studio. And recently, he has played several times at the Coffeyville Country Club and at the Woods restaurant in Independence, KS for two years every wednesday night.
He is currently making a recording at a private studio in Coffeyville.
Hamlin said he believed the name of the recording would be "Solo Impressions'" and would be available for sale at his performances, Musical Overtures and the Hallmark store both downtown Independence.
Hamlin plans to be in the area for awhile, but has dreams of someday going to Santa Fe, N.M., where the finger-style guitar playing has become very popular. - 24th Annual New Beginnings Festival

By: Lori K. Martin
Staff Writer, Coffeyville Journal
April 4th, 1999

John Hamlin creates his masterpieces with music.
Hamlin, currently living in Independence, and who plays solo guitar, will perform his art from noon to 1 p.m. Friday at the New Beginning Festival.
Hamlin explains the difference between the typical guitar playing and solo guitar.
"It's different because I play the entire arrangement." Hamlin said that while ordinarily a guitarist will play bass guitar, rhythm guitar, the solo guitarist takes on the full arrangement.
Hamlin refers to his style of guitar playing as "fingerstyle."
The finger-style type of playing guitar is related to Spanish music, But Hamlin plays all types of music, including jazz, pop, and flamenco.
Hamlin's career took off within the last seven years while he was still living in Oklahoma City area. During that time, he played for different businesses, including a catering company and for private parties.
Since returning to Independence, Hamlin has worked for himself as a guitar teacher in his own private studio. And recently, he has played several times at the Coffeyville Country Club and at the Woods restaurant in Independence, KS for two years every wednesday night.
He is currently making a recording at a private studio in Coffeyville.
Hamlin said he believed the name of the recording would be "Solo Impressions'" and would be available for sale at his performances, Musical Overtures and the Hallmark store both downtown Independence.
Hamlin plans to be in the area for awhile, but has dreams of someday going to Santa Fe, N.M., where the finger-style guitar playing has become very popular. - 24th Annual New Beginnings Festival

By; Jerry Norton
Newton, KS

Independence's own John Hamlin returns to the Kansas Sampler Festival as one of the region's foremost guitar soloist.
Hamlin is a student of classical guitar, and studied under the direction of Edgar Cruz the distinguished solo guitarist at the Edgar Cruz School of Guitar in Nichols Hills, Okla. He graduated there with the schools highest honors, and he has been perfecting his unique solo fingerstyle of guitar playing.
- Kansas Sampler Festival Magazine

By; Jerry Norton
Newton, KS

Independence's own John Hamlin returns to the Kansas Sampler Festival as one of the region's foremost guitar soloist.
Hamlin is a student of classical guitar, and studied under the direction of Edgar Cruz the distinguished solo guitarist at the Edgar Cruz School of Guitar in Nichols Hills, Okla. He graduated there with the schools highest honors, and he has been perfecting his unique solo fingerstyle of guitar playing.
- Kansas Sampler Festival Magazine

"I loved your musical passion. It's pure creativity that's truly from your heart..... Congratulations
Matt Johnson - The Gazette

"I loved your musical passion. It's pure creativity that's truly from your heart..... Congratulations
Matt Johnson - The Gazette

By; Laura Agee
Staff Writer
Oct. 19, 2001

This year's Queen's Coronation musician will be John Hamlin, of Independence, KS. Currently, Hamlin performs, arranges, publishes, distibutes and markets his music thoughout the United States. His first Cd titled "Solo Impressions," was released in February 2001. Featuring totally romantic Spanish, Jazz and Classical. His new release, "A Classical Christmas," which features traditional Christmas favorites, will be available this month.
If you like Spanish, Jazz, Pop and Christmas music. Both CD's are a must have for any music collection.
Hamlin will be performing live at the Queen Neelah Coronation. Tuesday, Oct. 23, at the Memorial Hall 6:30pm. An awsome touch of class by our own Classical Guitarist John Hamlin. - Independence Daily Reporter

By; Laura Agee
Staff Writer
Oct. 19, 2001

This year's Queen's Coronation musician will be John Hamlin, of Independence, KS. Currently, Hamlin performs, arranges, publishes, distibutes and markets his music thoughout the United States. His first Cd titled "Solo Impressions," was released in February 2001. Featuring totally romantic Spanish, Jazz and Classical. His new release, "A Classical Christmas," which features traditional Christmas favorites, will be available this month.
If you like Spanish, Jazz, Pop and Christmas music. Both CD's are a must have for any music collection.
Hamlin will be performing live at the Queen Neelah Coronation. Tuesday, Oct. 23, at the Memorial Hall 6:30pm. An awsome touch of class by our own Classical Guitarist John Hamlin. - Independence Daily Reporter

Dear John:

Thank you for providing the wonderful music for my Fifteenth District Senate Barbecue last Monday. I know we had some logistical challenges because of the weather, but you adapted easily and, as always, sounded terrific. Governor Bill Graves also enjoyed your performance, and asked me to tell you. He loves your CD's, thank you for the good music.

I'm grateful for your support.

Best Wishes
Derek Schmidt
Kansas State Senator - Derek Schmidt October 22, 2001

Dear John:

Thank you for providing the wonderful music for my Fifteenth District Senate Barbecue last Monday. I know we had some logistical challenges because of the weather, but you adapted easily and, as always, sounded terrific. Governor Bill Graves also enjoyed your performance, and asked me to tell you. He loves your CD's, thank you for the good music.

I'm grateful for your support.

Best Wishes
Derek Schmidt
Kansas State Senator - Derek Schmidt October 22, 2001