John first broke through on the Dallas music stage as a talented teenager in the mid 60’s. A key player in the city’s rock music explosion, he co-founded one of the most prolific groups to come out of Dallas, The Novas. With John on lead guitar and vocals, The Novas headlined at top venues throughout the southwest and opened for national touring artists coming through Texas. In popular demand, The Novas were frequently asked by broadcast legend Ron Chapman to appear on his weekday television show, Sump’n Else, the American Bandstand style program airing on the local ABC affiliate. An original song co-written by John and performed on the show, "William Junior”, climbed regional pop charts to reach #14 in Dallas-Fort Worth. Today, continued interest in “William Junior” and The Novas led to a contract with national label Collectable Records for release of The Novas’ complete recordings from the 60's. Original 45rpm recordings of "William Junior” are highly sought collector's items. When John’s interests expanded to encompass classical music and the varying styles of contemporary composers, he left The Novas to attend the University of North Texas as a music composition major. Over the next couple of years, he jammed with scores of talented musicians in Denton’s dynamic music community. Ultimately, he left school to join an eight-piece group and relocate to the West Coast . With John on keyboards, guitar, and vocals, the group recorded an album featuring some of John’s original compositions. The band played all the hot spots of the burgeoning L.A. music scene and toured as the opening act for super groups of the era. But earthquakes and politics of the music industry inspired a return to Texas. Back in Dallas, John put together a popular show band that would play the city’s trendy supper clubs. When the demand for live show bands later gave way to DJs and recorded music, John embarked on his solo career, appearing at Dallas’ top restaurants, lounges, and clubs. John’s extensive experience as both a solo artist and bandleader embodies a wide variety of musical styles, popular venues, and prestigious private events. He has shared billing with the likes of Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels, Paul Revere and the Raiders, The Spencer Davis Group featuring Stevie Winwood, Spirit, Sly and the Family Stone, Three Dog Night, The Nelson Riddle Orchestra, jazz piano virtuoso Erroll Garner, and music icons, the Everly Brothers. An accomplished songwriter, pianist, guitarist and vocalist, John appears primarily as a solo artist and in an occasional duo or trio. Still cookin’, he blends original material with a fresh approach to popular classics to the delight of several generations of listeners. |