JOHN ROSE

John Rose was writing songs about love, loss, family and the politics of war before he even graduated from high school. He wrote about world travel before ever leaving the Garden State. His voice is dynamic, it’s raspy, soulful, and precise -- and it has presence. In a world of ‘karaoke superstars’… he is a troubadour taking aim in the world of Rock.

As a youngster in his hometown of Oakhurst, NJ, John was incessantly drawn to a dusty guitar buried in his parent’s closet. After years of classical guitar training in his teens, John veered toward the art of songwriting. While completing a B.A. in Music at Monmouth University and working part time in his uncle’s industrial shop assembling circuit boards, John’s formative years were spent crafting his ‘voice’ in talent showcases and various coffee houses sprinkled throughout coastal Monmouth County, NJ.

It was not until 2006 that John’s original music drifted from the confines of his apartment into the public arena. That year marked the debut of his self-released album Home Fries (available in New Jersey at Jack's Music Shoppe & CDBaby.com). Renowned Jersey Shore singer/songwriter Bob Burger remarked "HOME FRIES is a very cool first effort disk with a lot of heart and nice, solid song writing. Definitely worth checking out.” Eventually, the first track “Sense of Direction” was discovered by Quickstar Productions and included on the compilation Chill Out-East Coast Edition Volume 12 that features some of the best up and coming acoustic artists.

With momentum building, John started booking more gigs and quickly formed a cover duo named Rose~O’Hare. The double act united acoustic guitar and bass with John’s distinct vocal style. In less than one year, Rose~O’Hare was voted as one of the Top 10 Cover Bands by Night & Day Magazine’s 2007 Reader’s Poll. All things must pass, though, and John disbanded Rose~O’Hare in late 2007 continuing his journey as a solo artist into 2008. He remains a fixture at a number of Jersey Shore bars, such as the Celtic Cottage in Long Branch & the Brickwall Tavern in Asbury Park. His sound is often likened to musical heavyweights like John Mellencamp, Bruce Springsteen and Van Morrison.

2008 marked another major breakthrough in Rose’s musical career when he joined 3 Zero Records (www.3zerorecords.com) piloted by veteran songwriter/producer Simon Harrison. Currently, John is turning out his second full length album with 3 Zero Records and securing prominent bookings through 3 Zero Talent.

On September 11th 2008, John Rose was slated for his monthly performance at the Celtic Cottage in Long Brach, NJ. Considering the gravity of that heartbreaking day 7 years earlier, he elected to team up with 3 Zero Records and host a full-blown veterans fundraiser for Vetwork (www.vetwork.org). The event included other local acts, free food, raffles and media coverage. It was a great night of music and fun that ultimately raised over $4,000.00 in donations. Contributors also received a CD sampler that debuted Rose’s “Fallen Voices.” The song was the first glimpse into his work with 3 Zero Records and is regarded as one of John’s most critical songs.

A true song-writer, John’s lyrics grab your heart by every fiber. His inspiration is drawn from a variety of musical talents: Cash, Springsteen, Waits, and Dylan, (just to name a few 'greats'). In their purest form, John's songs are all about using your imagination to take you places. His lyrics tap into your soul and transcend emotion. Since John was born in New Jersey and still lives at the Shore, it’s no surprise he draws artistic inspiration from the Garden State’s natural beauty and musical offspring.

For additional information about John Rose, please visit www.johnrose.net.