J.W. Laswell

J.W. Laswell is no stranger to these parts. Born in a modest little farm house at the end of what is now known as Laswell-Gentry Rd. in Ottawa Ky. about ten miles from Renfro Valley he spent his early years listening to the diverse music coming from the local radio stations. Some of the first sounds he can remember are those of an old flat top guitar that his mother played as she sang country and gospel songs.

In the early 1960’s the Laswell family moved to Cincinnati, Ohio where rock n’ roll, rhythm and blues along with jazz became a major influence on Laswell’s music. With his older brothers his first experience was keeping the beat to the songs of Chuck Berry, Bill Black’s Combo, Jimmy Reed and Lonnie Mack. Inspired by his cousin who at that time was doing a Jerry Lee Lewis-Little Richard act over in Newport Ky. The guitar would take second place to the piano and later the organ. (Stray Dog Home) seems like a hint, maybe a glimpse of this multi-faceted artist.

J.W. is still an active member of the award winning Uncle Daddy and the Family Secret out of Middletown, Ohio playing keyboards and acoustic guitar performing his own as well as the bands original music, he has contributed music on several of their six releases on the Alpha Dawg label over the last twelve years. J.W. performs solo and with quartet ensembles including fiddle, pedal steel, electric guitar and upright bass.

J.W. is also performing and recording with The Hedge Hawgs and The Leo Clarke Band.