with John D Griffin

Late Winter (February 2012) Edition 

Isaac: Why should music fans listen to your music? Describe what they are going to get when they listen to your music?

John: I know you can't please everybody, but I try to under different project names in order to be able to have 1 CD be rock/pop, another more songwriter oriented, and another all Latin music sung in Spanish (which is getting a lot more response than my English CD releases). I plan on releasing another CD soon to cover more radio friendly pop and choosing which will be the hit singles.

Isaac: Briefly describe your humble beginnings that led you to where you are at musically now.

John: My father's deceased brother had a famous band playing the grand ole opry so long ago and my father picked up guitar from his brother. So I watched him play and self-taught myself how to play bass to accompany him whenever he played oldies from the 30s-50s. Like "Smoke that cigarette" or "Chattanooga shoeshine boy" plus much more.

However, since I started playing piano in 1st grade, trumpet in Jr. High School marching band, then later formed my own rock/pop bands, I was fortunate that my parents relocated to Nashville TN where I met new high caliber professional musicians who helped me hone my chops.

Isaac: You have some strong iconic influences. Of these influences, which artist/band do you relate to the most and why?

John: Definitely a hard question to answer. I've been influenced from all the music I was exposed to as a little boy living in the country of Mexico and back to the USA. Very drastic differences in musical tastes have driven me. I consider myself to be more of a well-rounded songwriter who is very flexible musically and effective in almost any genre. My favorite influences have always been broad. From the Beatles, the Monkees, to Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, Pink Floyd, Atlanta Rhythm Section, the Seattle grunge scene, to Jimi Hendrix to Ray Charles, then Herb Alpert, ... to awesome jazz and blues from Mr. John Lee Hooker... and so many other Latin icons like for example "Mana", "Ozomatli" and "Puya" are my 3 favorite Latin bands.

Isaac: Do you feel that Indie music gets the respect it deserves? Why or why not?

John: No it doesn't. Unfortunately, indie has rough edges which mainstream pop doesn't always respect or acknowledge that an indie artist may not always have the BEST studios and engineers to make their albums. So I feel that indie artists are marginalized by the mainstream entertainment industry.

Isaac: If you could change one thing about the music business, what would it be and why?

John: I would expect if large labels are folding, they should probably not have blown all their advertising budget only on their top sellers on their roster, but equally promote the top selling artists with the newcomers just the same to spread the odds. But labels only spend on the top money makers which are a handful per label. That is why they are shrinking and causing consumers to stop buying records and instead download music from the internet that they like which may not be from the top 10 roster artists of any label that we all hear over, and over again too many times in one single day on the any FM radio station.

Isaac: What type of feedbacks have you been receiving about your music from fans and music critics?

John: The best. I am completely surprised and blown away that by putting out a few CD of "demos" (without that Nashville or Hollywood perfect production quality) I have been receiving nothing but compliments and gaining thousands of fans by Internet radio. I'm on www.jango.com/, www.last.fm/, pongid.net/, www.indabamusic.com/, iTunes worldwide, Amazon, and others. So far I am blessed with kind adoration and people asking for more from me. See for yourself at www.jango.com/ for example.

Isaac: If you knew that you would never gain fame and fortune with what you are doing now, would you continue to make music? Explain.

John: Always. I want to retire as a top level songwriter for other stars and a major film or independent film composer, producer, arranger. Like Danny Elfman who used to play in the rock band "Oingo Boingo". I want to write and produce until my last breath.

Isaac: How do you handle negative feedback or negative energy about your music?

John: I always thank people for their honesty and tell them I understand because sometimes there are some songs and artists I don't really care for either. So I thank them for listening anyway and for their comments which help me see a bigger picture. For example: my Latin fans don't care much for my rock CD releases and other friends can't stand my Latin music but love my rock/pop CD releases instead. So I have dealt with critics so much, I simply thank them for being honest with their opinions.

Isaac: What role do your family and friends play in the equation of your quest of a music career?

John: My father and mother always encouraged me to be the best at whatever I want to do. That is why I went from playing piano in grammar school to playing trumpet in marching band in high school. When I finally started playing guitar, they didn't care if I shook the entire house with my guitar and amp on full volume playing along to some "Van Halen" or "Ratt" song on the radio. They have never discouraged me and have been my biggest fans ever. My friends respect me for my guitar skills as a soloist and they also like my music here in Nashville, across the country and into Mexico. Everyone encourages me to do more. And I am doing more about it

Isaac: What is the best site/s that you can be found on the Internet?

John: If you type in my name over "Madonna's" name on www.jango.com/ you will instantly hear my music (different styles) and see some comments. Fans like my music so much that they are sending me their personal emails to stay in touch with them. You can also find me on pongid.net/.

Isaac: The floor is yours; final words…..

John: First of all... thank you very much for your time and for allowing me to be here. I always believe in referrals and will recommend your site to all my fans, friends, and family.

Secondly, please support your local musicians that you like by watching their shows, buying their CDs, and looking for them on Internet radio. Music and Art may be free... but the means to create it are not. Lastly, I hope you enjoy any one of my previous CD releases covering various genres. I truly hope to meet up with great songwriters and create new singles soon

Best Links to Find John D Griffin:

www.last.fm/music/John+D+Griffin/+albums

www.sonicbids.com/epk/epk.aspx?epk_id=270727

www.indabamusic.com/people/johngriffin