Ghettogas John Overholt began playing guitar after coming home from the Viet Nam war and immersing himself in the Woodstock Soundtrack. He started on a cheap, high action, steel string acoustic guitar that nearly amputated his fingers. Not to be deterred he purchased a classical guitar and began the serious study of the instrument. He studied with Paul S. Blumenthal of Washington D.C. Within two years of beginning lessons John was teaching guitar and working at a music store. It was here that he learned that among the many uses for super glue in instrument repair, was the ability to glue himself to his workbench while rehairing a violin bow.
While still living in the D.C. area John found himself learning the intricacies of rock and blues styles while sitting in with several different bands. It should be noted that John was almost always the eldest member in these bands and did a good deal of mentoring and "babysitting." John grew disillusioned with performing and "disappeared" from the scene while honing his playing skills in the comfort of his isolation.
In March of 1999, at the Unicorn Tavern on the North Side of Lansing, MI John reappeared in an impromptu performance with The Last Hippy Band. Thom Burke discovered John managing a gas station in the Lansing ghetto (hence the handle "Ghetto Gas John"). "Thom Burke led me to the water, and Mike Iott pushed me in." John played one set with the band while Thom sat at the mixing board. John didn't know that he knew so many Hippy Band songsBut Iott didn't really give him time to reflect on it either. Mike shouted out the keys to the songs and forged ahead. John managed to improvise and had an epiphany. "Hey," he thought to himself, "I can do this." And he's been doing it ever since.
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