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John Flynn writes from the heart. His powerful, memorable songs and live performances are known for their
straightforward honesty and disarming humor. He is not just singing to us, he is singing of us.
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John began writing professionally in 1980 after graduating from Temple University with a degree in political
science. He intended to study law, but a brief sojourn to Nashville’s Music Row led to a change of plans. A
publishing contract with Combine Music, and a Billboard Magazine Top Forty country recording of his song
“Rainbows and Butterflies†by Epic recording artist, Billy Swan (“I Can Helpâ€)
convinced John to settle in
Nashville and write.
Flynn’s writing, however, proved too introspective and poetic for country music. One early hit
notwithstanding, he eventually concluded that the only category he wanted his songs to fit neatly into was the
one called “From the Heartâ€. Despite, or perhaps because of this, John’s songs have been recorded by a wide
range of artists, from Chris LeDoux to Full Frontal Folk.
In the early 90’s, Flynn returned to his native Philadelphia where his first self-released CDs began to receive
extensive airplay by AAA radio giant, WXPN. A standing ovation for his first main stage appearance at the
1995 Philadelphia Folk Festival cemented John’s reputation as a dynamic original contemporary folk artist.
During these years, songs Flynn wrote for his four children became the basis of two highly acclaimed family
CDs. These garnered Flynn repeat appearances on the Peabody Award-winning children’s radio program
“Kid’s Cornerâ€, the American Library Association’s Notable Recording Award, and an ever increasing
number of requests to visit and perform at schools. He continues to perform hugely popular assemblies and
conduct creative writing workshops. The following video is from one of John's two children's sets at the Philadelphia Folk Festival, August 2007.
...... John Flynn (1997, Sliced Bread Records) was produced by Grammy winner Ben Wisch. It yielded John
critical acclaim and a national top-fifteen slot on the Americana charts. A live album followed that
showcased not only Flynn’s songwriting, but his growing gifts as a performer and entertainer as well.
In the new millennium, John Flynn, has begun to speak and write on political and social justice issues. Dragon (2004, MettaFour Records) he again teamed with producer Ben Wisch. It features backing vocals by
Kris Kristofferson. Dragon was among the twenty most played albums in folk music in 2004. It continues to
receive extensive international airplay. One track from the CD, “Angel Dawson,†was included in the 2005
season finale of the CBS network television show Joan of Arcadia.
DRAGON (2004 METTAfour)
Click here to purchase Dragon
1. Dragon (4:59)
2. She Moves Me (4:11)
3. Big Boat Comin’ (4:31)
4. Minnie Lou (3:26)
5. Ambush (The Death of the Myth) (3:48)
6. Hey Vicente (4:56)
7. Angel Dawson (4:15)
8. Hope Sleeps (3:34)
9. Full Circle (4:12)
10. Not With My Jesus (3:18)
11. Benediction (5:34)
12. Only One (3:29)
Produced, Recorded, & Mixed by Ben Wisch at Bailey Building & Loan, NYC,NY
Mastered by David Glasser at Airshow Mastering, Boulder, CO
Joining John are:
Kris Kristofferson (vocals), Jane Kelly Williams (vocals, flute), Ben Wisch (vocals, keyboards, melodihorn), Duke Levine ( National steel guitar, mandola, electric guitar, baritone guitar, lap slide), Stephanie Winters (cello),
Shawn Pelton (drums and drum loops), Jim Gilmour (bass),
Steve Elson (recorder, penny whistle, saxophone
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John continues his journey with his newest release, Two Wolves (2006, MettaFour Records), produced by Ben Wisch. John has never before put the pieces together with the insight reflected on this CD. The wonder of this album is that it speaks to listeners as if it had emerged from their own inner world. Here are songs of faith, songs of hope, songs that measure our tolerance for hypocrisy and our capacity for savoring the
pleasures of love. With subtle metaphor and the plain poetry of common speech, with simple incantation and
snapshot imagery, these songs convey essential messages, wrapped like gifts in the colors of music. Two Wolves is receiving excellent reviews. It was included on several 2006 individual DJ Top 10 lists and was
number thirty overall for 2006 on the Folk DJ List. A song from the CD, "Dover" is receiving a lot of airplay in Delaware on Clear Channel Radio. Two songs from the CD are in the documetary "Tiny Tears".
TWO WOLVES (2006 METTAfour)
Click here to purchase Two Wolves
1. Two Wolves (4:56)
2. There’s No Them There (Nomreu‘s Anthem) (4:34)
3. Dover (4:05)
4. My Father’s Chapel (3:13)
5. Blink (3:12)
6. Put Your Freedom Where Your Mouth Is (5:07)
7. Azizulla (3:20)
8. No More War (4:12)
9. Pleasures of the Harbor (6:01)
10. Sunflower (3:54)
11. Hall of Angels (4:06)
12. Trust the Rope (3:14)
Produced, Recorded, Mixed and Mastered
by Ben Wisch at Bailey Building & Loan, NYC,NY
Joining John are:
Kris Kristofferson (vocals), Kathy Mattea (vocals), Jane Kelly Williams (vocals, finger snaps, hand claps, whistling), Ben Wisch (vocals, Wurlitzer, piano, harmonium), Amy Helm (vocals), Kim and Reggie Harris (vocals), Duke Levine (electric guitar, National steel guitar,electric mandolin, mandolin, lap slide), Larry Campbell (baritone electric guitar, electric guitar, banjo, violin, pedal steel, dobro, citern, acoustic guitar, mandolin), Stephanie Winters (cello), John Conte (electric bass, double bass), Denny McDermott (drums, dumbek, shaker), Marianne Osiel (oboe)
The following clip is from an acoustic performance of "Dover" off of "Two Wolves" at the Austin, TX International Folk Alliance in 2006.
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...... Arlo Guthrie invited John to join his “Train to New Orleans†tour in 2005. Arlo says, “More than just a good song
writer, performer, or guitar player, John Flynn is a friend because he actually does the kinds of things to help make the world a little better, that other people write and talk about.†Profoundly affected by the city and circumstance, John wrote the searing “The
Passunder (New Orleans).†It will be featured in an upcoming documentary, "Not Broken", concerning New Orleans and Katrina. For this song, John (along with Kris Kristofferson and Michael Paz) was awarded a Shining Star Award for his artistry and social commitment. The film will premier in New Orleans on Earth Day, April 22, 2008 at the Ashe Cultural Center. In this film trailer, the opening of John's song can be heard at the end of the clip.
...... John is commited to social issues and walks his talk. He volunteers for a men's discussion group in a maximum security prison in Delaware. He has also been involved for almost 10 years with Camp Dreamcatcher, a program and camp supporting children living with HIV/AIDS. March 2008, a documentary by Robert Corna, Tiny Tears, concerning this epidemic which is still too prevalent in the world, will premier at a private screening at the United Nations in NYC. Camp Dreamcatcher is one of the focuses of the movie. John and his song "The Web and the Feather" will be included in that documentary. A second Flynn song, "Blink" is also used in the film. The following is the trailer for that film.
...... John continues to tour extensively, playing festivals, theaters, churches, coffeehouses, and house concerts.
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Presented simply, with an old Martin D-28 and harmonica, John’s compelling songs, strong voice and open
hearted approach to his audiences are turning strangers into believers, and believers into friends.
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Two Wolves
(2006) METTA|four Records
Produced by Ben Wisch.
With studio legends Duke Levine, Larry Campbell, and Denny McDermott.
Kathy Mattea, Kris Kristofferson and Jane Kelly Williams provide backing vocals.
Folk DJ Choice Top 30 CDs of 2006
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Dragon
(2004) METTA|four Records
Produced by Ben Wisch.
Shawn Pelton, Duke Levine, Stephanie Winters, and Jim Gilmour in an all-star cast of musicians Kris Kristofferson, Jane Kelly Williams, and Ben Wisch on backing vocals.
Folk DJ Choice Top 30 CDs of 2004•-----------------------------------------------------
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To the Point
(2001) John Flynn
Recorded live at “The Point†in Philadelphia
Recorded and produced by Ed Williames•------------------------------------------------
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A Manatee Sneezed on Me
(1999) Sliced Bread Records
Recorded and mixed by Ed Williames•------------------------------------------------
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John Flynn
1997 (Sliced Bread Records)
Produced by Ben Wisch
Received airplay on over 65 AAA/Americana radio stations
Achieved Top 15 Gavin Americana Chart nationally
Guest appearances: Larry Campbell, David Broza, Ben Wisch, Dar Williams----------------------------------------------------
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Love Takes a Whole Box of Crayons
(1995) Sliced Bread Records
Recorded and mixed by Ed Williames
American Library Association’s Notable Recordings for Children List, 1996•-----------------------------------------------------
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Haunted By the Ghost of a Chance
(1993)
Produced and arranged by Ed Williames and John Flynn•----------------------------------------------------
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From This Hard Box of Time
Produced and arranged by Ed Williames
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