Music Interview with John Ford

Music Now Artist/Band Spotlight Weekly Series


Photo by Pam Ford


By: Isaac Davis Jr., BGS, MBA

John Ford sings with a certain level of passion and strength that music fans will easily gravitate towards his music. With a touch of soul laced with an acoustical tone, Ford’s music comes out sounding crispy clean. One of the biggest appeals to Ford’s music is his storytelling abilities through his songwriting skills that makes this artist’s stand out from the crowd. Recently, John Ford spoke to our Webzine about his music in this very cool spotlight. See what developed.

Isaac: We'd love to know about your inspirations growing up. I hear so many influences in your music. How old were you when you first discovered music? Is there any kind of musical history in your family?

John: My mother used to say she would buy me children's records (78's and 45's) and I would cry to go directly home to hear them. Remember hearing and seeing The Beatles (on TV) when I was 4; by 9 or 10 it was The Jackson 5, and a bit of Buck Owens and Jerry Reed, really whatever I could get my ear around.

Mom would sing a bit in church; Dad was tone deaf, but had a collection of big band stuff or should I say marching band, (John Phillips Sousa) (Actually played a gig for the grandson J.P.S. #3).

Isaac: What drew you to pick up an instrument in the first place?

John: Had an older cousin that played guitar; he was the coolest (still is), so naturally I had to emulate. I got a K-mart acoustic guitar when I was in the second grade along with Buddy Holly style glasses. (In 1968, the glasses weren't cool). My cousin taught me 9 Pound Hammer (Merle Travis) and a couple of Buck Owen's songs - the rest I learned on my own.

Isaac: As you hit your teenage years, did you know that this was what you would be doing for the rest of your life?

John: I think it started out as my way of being different. As for doing it the rest of my life in some form, yes I guess I had a clue.

Isaac: Who are some musicians that you really like, present or past?

John: Chris Smither, John Prine, Elliot Smith, Damien Jurado, Son Volt, Wilco, The Lemonheads, Pavement, The Pixies, Nirvana, Husker Du, The Replacements, Beatles, Stones, Ray Charles & Johnny Cash.

Isaac: What is your ultimate goal with your music career?

John: To make a mark in "music history" as they say.

Isaac: What has been some of the obstacles it has taken to get this far in your career?

John: If your talking about obstacles that I've had to deal with, then yes, many and I'm sure many more to come. Some internal and some external, mostly over thinking things, being too critical and being a musical snob. (I remember being disgusted with everyone in my kindergarten class as they listen to and danced to the "Hokey Pokey" – the birth of the cool). And then... there are the club owners, who give you advice, agents, who take your money, drummers that speed up, drummers that slow down, guitar players that only play lead, guitar players that only play rhythm, pretty boy singers, chick singers, drunk chick singers, drunks, broken down vans, broken down equipment and oh yea - GIRLFRIENDS.

Isaac: Would you recommend this "field" to others who are aspiring to be musicians like you?

John: If they can deal with the above.

Isaac: Describe one piece of advice you've have been given to by others in the music industry.

John: I don't think I've been given any good advice, personally, (example - You guys need a girl singer, in a short skirt, that can sang Zeppelin) but I heard Elliott Smith say once in an interview, and I'm paraphrasing, "Don't play something (music) because it's what you think other people want to hear - If you do music that YOU really like, it's really compelling, regardless of what style." Also, I heard someone on the radio (I forget who) say "Think about how much better the music scene would be, if people didn't, so much, think about the money, when they got into the business. In other words, what if people got into the music business just for the love of music.


Photo by MAC
Isaac: What genre of music do you consider most of your music?

John: Boil it down and I guess it's Blues and Folk. I always liked the term Alternative, which to me, means an alternative to what is popular. (Don't get me wrong my style would not be considered Alternative) That term means different things to different people in 2009, but I am still influenced by the "Post Punk" stuff.

Isaac: What has been your favorite piece of work?

John: I usually like that last thing that I have written - so I'm into what I haven't finished yet.

Isaac: How can fans-to-be gain access to your music? Do you have a website with sample songs or a demo CD?

John: myspace.com/fortywattrodeo or www.sonicbids.com/JohnFord2 (Still working on the CD)

Isaac: Is there anyone you’d like to acknowledge for offering financial or emotional support?

John: My wife Pam is trooper when it comes to being the optimist.

Isaac: Any last words?

John: Thank you very much - (Sorry, didn't mean to do an Elvis).