About Me
Born in New York City and raised in rural Pennsylvania, John Francis started to show his musical gifts at an early age. The Gospel and Folk music of his upbringing happened on Sunday mornings swaying with the church choir, or at home gathered around the family piano with his mother at the helm. The son of musicians, and Christian ministers, Francis grew up playing music with his parents, in front of crowds. As a young child, John Francis was entranced by his father's Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, and his mother's Neil Young, Dylan, and Sly & the Family Stone. He recalls, "the first cassette I owned was 'Chuck Berry's Greatest Hits', and I wore that cassette out quickly".
At 12, Francis started writing, recording, and performing. At 18, he enrolled as a creative writing major at Messiah College in Central, PA. There he immersed himself in the classics of poetry and prose, honing his craft as a songwriter. During these years, John attended a African-American church in Harrisburg, PA and played guitar in the Gospel band on Sunday mornings. After graduating with a degree in Literature and World Religions, Francis traveled to Ireland where the musical traditions of his family and ancestral homeland added more fuel to the fire.
In October of 2005, Francis released the critically acclaimed "Strong Wine & Spirits", produced by Devin Greenwood (Amos Lee, Birdie Busch, Hoots & Hellmouth)
With the single "Heavy, Heavy Love", the record garnered extensive radio play in the North East. Drawing on the deep waters of Rock n roll, Folk, Country, and Gospel music, Francis conjures the spirits of his eloquent brand of songwriting.
Francis was honored by ASCAP as the 2006 recipient of the prestigious Sammy Cahn Lyricist Award, for his song "Love Came to Me Dressed in Red". Previous winners include Nicole Atkins, John Mayer, Josh Ritter, and Lori McKenna.
Francis has played in subway stations and dive bars, churches and county fairs, Dublin street corners and Nashville honky-tonks, children's classrooms and the United Nations, prisons and hospitals, as well as the most prestigious listening rooms on the East Coast and Ireland.
He has shared the stage with Suzanne Vega, Rickie Lee Jones, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Andrew Bird, Ray Lamontagne, Amos Lee, M. Ward, Josh Ritter, Juana Molina, Peggy Seeger, James McMurtry, Missy Higgins, Ollabelle, Pedro the Lion, Denison Witmer, Dayna Kurtz, Kelley McRae, Amy Correia, Sonya Kitchell, Mark Geary, Phil Roy, Peter Mulvey, Kris Delmhorst, Freedy Johnston, Jeffrey Gaines, the Hooters, and festivals with Jeff Tweedy, Aimee Mann, Rufus Wainwright, Mavis Staples, and Arlo Guthrie. Francis appeared at the South By Southwest Festival, Philadelphia Folk Fest, XPN All About the Music Festival, and the Appel Farm Festival.
"Madman genius songwriter full of heart"
Sue Devine, Head of TV/Film, ASCAP NY
"It's moments like this when his voice rings clear as a bell that you can hear the political sentiments of an artist whose live shows are just as often a rock and roll Molotov cocktail of vices and verses as they can be quietly transfixing."
Tara Murtha, PLAY Magazine
"With impassioned vocals and intelligent lyrics in the vein of Jeff Buckley, John Francis is set for success. His disturbing storybook lyrics of reality are reminiscent of Johnny Cash, but songwriting weaved with catchy hooks and other pop delicacies maintain an air of musical charm. His most recent release, Strong Wine and Spirits (2005), offers innovation and prophecy in the form of many melded genres - it's a gripping tale of a record, to be sure."
Helen Leicht, WXPN Host
John's carefully crafted songwriting works so well with his mellow delivery. He's twice as talented as most performers.
Gene Shay/WXPN Radio
John Francis and his band have raised the bar"
-Philadelphia Music Alliance
"Artful, brooding,(think Damien Rice, David Gray), Francis paints rich, atmospheric portraits of a troubling world in songs like 'Johnny Cash is Dead' and 'Love in the Fallout Shelter". John Francis serves up 'Strong Wine & Spirits and I say make it a double."
-Jonathan Takiff, Philly.com
"Think Johnny Cash meets Jeff Buckley"
-Appel Farm Festival Program
"Insight and depth far beyond his years. Whether singing about a passionate love affair or social injustice, there is a heartfelt sincerity in his music"
-Phil Nicolo, President of Philadelphia Chapter of the Grammies
"Sharp pop style, intense folk/country sensibility"
-Philadelphia Inquirer
"I started playing John Francis' song 'Mercy for Cities' - Intelligent lyrics and a voice that reminds me of Jeff Buckley."
-Helen Leicht, Host,88.5 WXPN
"...wide range of musical and literary influences, and a voice compared to the late Jeff Buckley and U2's Bono."
-The Metro, Philadelphia
""...whether he's finding the grace in ordinary moments, or sharing his perspective on the struggles of the day, John Francis makes music that captures life in all its minutia and majesty."
-The Intelligencer, Naila Francis
"Inspired lyricist, John Francis shone with his elegant fluid voice, a trilling soprano that on "Trouble in These Times" soared like Antony"
-A.D. Amarosi, Philadelphia Inquirer,
Concert Review of World Cafe Live Show
John Francis & Denison Witmer. 1/6/06
"...Johnny Cash is Dead" followed by "Dear Ophelia,"...warm melodic tone with an almost nostalgic feel tempered with quick bursts of hard strumming. With the playing, one couldn't help notice his amazing voice that was able to reach the high notes and hold them. His talent for song writing came through." -----
-The Swinging Bridge Review
of Concert in late November, 05Click Here for JohnFrancisMusic.com!
